1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 H.O. Matching Numbers - 51K - Not Ram Air - Rare Auto

1968 Pontiac Firebird H.O. Description:

SALE AGREED. DEPOSIT TAKEN
Asking price now includes transportation to UK docks and shipping to the US East Coast
This is a matching numbers car ordered September 1967. It is still in it's original colour of Cameo Ivory. It is a California car but was exported to the UK in 2014. The car was restored in 2011 by an F-body specialist.
This is a very rare, collectable, 400 H.O. High Output automatic car using the same engine as the Ram Air and the GTO. There were only 684 Firebird 400 H.O. cars built with an auto box (3 speed hyrdro matic). The odometer says 51K. It could be original, the engine is beautifully smooth. It still drives really well so could be.
The underneath is all rock solid with no signs of welding. It's had new shocks, anti roll bars, some suspension polybushes, new exhaust silencers. The chassis is excellent with no signs of repair or corrossion.
The paint job is excellent, like a sclupture made of white glass. There is the odd touch up or tiny blemish as it was done 7 years ago. The vinyl roof was also replaced. Unusually the front valance and front flashers are 1967. I do not know if this is because this is a very early 1968 car (ordered Sept '67) or he front valance has been replaced at some point.
The front grill chrome is excellent other than a light scratch, as are the wing mirrors. Since the photos were taken I've bought some new door handles as the chrome was pitted. The rear bumper is also pitted but could be replaced with a new one for only $149 from Firebird Central etc.
The interior is excellent with new deluxe OE vinyl seats, headlining, door cards, and carpets etc. Chrome switches, handles etc. are original with patina so could also be replaced cheaply to make it like new inside. The radio has been removed and replaced with gauges for water temperature, oil pressure, and battery voltage.
The wheels are genuine American Racing 17" alloy wheels with almost new tyres. Worth decent money so could fund original Rally II wheels if you prefer?
The engine bay looks all original save for a polished washer bottle and the A/C has been removed. (A/C pulley is still on the engine.)
The car has been pampered since restoration and looks like it's never been in the rain.
Based on Hagerty's decriptions of condition, with condition #1 'concors' better than new, national show winning; #2 'excellent' being previous concors and capable of winning a regional show; #3 good having some small flaws, I would say our car is certainly 'good' and it would be quite achievable to get near 'excellent' by replacing patina parts, etc.
The car was exported to the UK in 2014. We have a roadworthiness test here called an MOT. Due to the age of the car, it is exempt from the test but I have put it through one to make sure it is roadworthy.
Since taking the car in part exchange on an F-150 Lighting, I have serviced the car with new oil and filter, changed the antifreeze, had an auto electrician fix bulbs on the dash and wired up the dials for water temp, etc. Taken it for an MOT and had the brakes balanced. Fitted a new brake servo.
I am professional car dealer and have sold cars to people all across the UK and to overseas (Ireland, Germany, France). Payment to be made by international bank transfer.
Documentation
I have a copy of the Certificate of Title from California
Import charges payment letter from HM Revenue & Customs
Import Vehicle Post Clearance Checks Satisfied letter from HM Customs
DVLA number plate authorisation document V948
MOT certificates from 12/11/14 and 18/3/16 and August 2018
'News From Pontiac' Press Release dated Sept 13th 1967, a 4 page document giving details on the new 1968 model.
AMA Specification Sheet, a 15 page document giving thorough specifications of the car.
V5 document showing 2 keepers of the car since importing into the UK.
Pontiac Firebird Production Numbers sheet showing 107,112 Firebirds were built in 1968, of which 90,152 were hard tops. As stated above, our car is one of only 684 top spec, 400 H.O. cars with the auto gearbox option
Original Build Data Sheet (50 years old and partly illegible)
Build Data Sheets from P.H.S. Pontiac Historic Services showing the options the car had from the factory as some are not legible on the Original Build Sheet
Original Owners Manual and Warranty Booklets with some service history, 50 years old
Fitted Factory Options
400 cu. in. 4-Barrel Quadra Jet Premium Fuel V8 Engine
Fully synchronized heavy duty 3 speed - Upgraded from manual transmission to Hydra-Matic, a 3 speed box only available on the 400 as the others only had 2 speed
Radio, pushbutton with manual antenna. (Radio and aerial has been removed and replaced with period dials for water temperatore, oil pressure and battery voltage)
Centre console (another option was a bench seat, no centre console)
Dual exhausts
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Soft Ray Glass - all windows
Custom Air Conditioning (pulley is there but a/c removed)
F70 x 14 Red - Wide Oval Tyres. (Wheels are now genuine American Racing polished 17" 5 spoke alloys)
Specific exterior identification (H.O. stripes)
Special hood with dual simulated air intake scoops
Pontiac 'Vee' crest on front bumper centre peak
Bright centre grill bar
Chrome plated rocker arm covers, oil filler cap, and air cleaner
'Power Flex' high strength stainless steel fan with variable pitch blades
High performance starter motor
Heavy duty 61amp battery (Obviously been replaced)
Heavy duty radiator
Hagerty Valuation
Some valuation sites are not listing the 400 H.O. valuation. Here's why:
[From Firebird400HO.com] I sent an email to Glen Arlt, Hagerty Historian asking why the rare 400 H.O. was skipped in their valuation report. He sent my email to their valuation expert who responded as follows:
"After researching the market for these cars, we have found that we cannot find a distinguishable difference between values of the 400 H.O. and the Ram Air I. We have been able track sales of cars both at public auction and EBay listed as having the 400 H.O. engine and have seen them selling for the same price range we have listed for the Ram Air I."
Therefore, the Ram Air I should be valued the same as our 400 H.O.
400 (standard, not the H.O.)
Concors $49,900
Excellent $36,200
Good $18,400
Fair $13,200
Ram Air I (value same as our H.O.)
Concors $83,000
Excellent $60,200
Good $35,900
Fair $23,300
Ram Air II
Concours $128,000
Excellent $95,100
Good $60,900
Fair $40,100
About Me: I am an independent car dealer based in the village of Rockfield, three miles outside of Monmouth, which is on the South Wales/England border. I have been buying and selling used cars for over 30 years and selling from my home address since 2007.
I have been trading on ebay since 2001 and have 100% positive feedback due to my honest descriptions and service. I have references from customers some of whom have bought cars from me unseen and had them delivered. I have sold cars to people from Scotland to Penzance, from Ireland to Kent, and to France and Germany.