1968 Firebird Restomod is Ready to Win the Local Car Show
With a flawless exterior and modern powertrain, you can enjoy a pristine first generation Firebird restomod without any of the work.
While flipping through Craigslist, looking at project cars that we really don’t need, we came across this stunning 1968 Pontiac Firebird. From the outside, this first-generation muscle car looks as sharp as it did the day that it rolled out of the plant and it appears to be stock, but a look inside or under the hood erases any question of this being an all-original 1968 Firebird.
The interior has been dressed up with some modern seats, but the real story is under the hood, as the original 400-cubic inch engine has been replaced with an LS2 from a Corvette. This makes the car more powerful than it was in stock form, but the introduction of the modern technology of the LS2 also makes cruising more user-friendly.
The Restomod Allure
While it is an awesome experience to cruise the streets in a classic muscle car like the 1968 Firebird shown here, the old school performance cars fall far short of the modern performance vehicles. Back in 1968, the most powerful engine offered in the Firebird was the L67 400-cubic-inch V8, which delivered 340 horsepower. That power output made this one of the quicker cars on the street in the 1960s, but by today’s standards, 340 horsepower is far from impressive.
The modern Camaro with the V6 engine offers 335 horsepower while today’s top-of-the-line GM muscle car delivers 650 horsepower. Heck, you can buy a Corvette with 755 horsepower these days.
This stark difference in power over the years has led a great many classic car owners to swap their old school engine out for modern technology. The problem with that approach is that it is expensive for those who can’t do the work themselves and for those who can do the work, a tremendous amount of effort goes into installing modern power in a classic car.
Fortunately, if you have deep enough pockets, you can buy a classic car with modern power and this 1968 Firebird is a fantastic example.
LS2-Powered 1968 Pontiac
Under the hood of his gorgeous 1968 Pontiac Firebird is an LS2 from a Corvette, which offered 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque in stock form. This particular LS2 has been upfitted with a ported intake manifold, a ported throttle body, long-tube ceramic coated headers and free-flowing dual exhaust system. We’re guessing it’s now closer to 400 wheel horsepower.
That power is sent through 4L65 4-speed automatic transmission to the 3.73 gears out back. Amusingly, this car uses what looks like a contemporary Pontiac GTO shifter to manage that auto box. Additionally, to improve handling, this Firebird features new factory-spec control arms, Monroe shocks, an aftermarket sway bar and a Wilwood big brake package.
The culmination of these upgrades as a 1968 Pontiac Firebird that is in flawless condition with the original look while offering modern performance and improved interior comfort. The only real downside is that any 1968 Firebird in this good of shape doesn’t come cheap and when you add in the new engine, suspension, brakes and interior bits, the price climbs even more. This car is listed for $54,500, but for someone looking to get into a gorgeous, powerful, restomod Firebird, this could be their ideal cruiser.
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