1969 Firebird 400HO

 

Up for sale is my numbers matching 400HO Firebird. This car is not restored, but has been very well maintained over the years.  Odometer shows approximately 42,000 miles that I believe to be correct based on the two-piece front disc rotors that were still on the car when I purchased it.  I’ve put approximately 1000 miles on the car in the last decade.  Car is very well optioned as listed below. 

 

-      Firebird 400 HO engine (335 horsepower)

o   1 of only 499 YW code Firebirds built in 1969

o   Engine block number matches VIN

-      Turbo 400 Automatic Transmission

-      Power Front Disc Brakes

-      Power Steering

-      Safe-T-Track Rear Axle

-      Ride and Handling Package

-      Heavy Duty Air Cleaner

-      Deluxe Interior with Woodgrain Dash

-      Electric Clock

-      Console with Woodgrain

-      Fold-down Rear Seat

-      AM/FM Stereo Radio

-      Rear-Mounted Power Antenna

-      Power Windows

-      Power Driver’s Seat

-      Custom Sport Steering Wheel

-      Tilt Steering Column

-      Custom Pedal Trim

-      Deluxe Seat Belts

-      Rear Window Defogger

-      Remote Driver’s Exterior Mirror

-      Soft Ray Glass – All Windows

-      Dual Horns

-      Door Edge Guards

-      Visor Vanity Mirror

-      Floor Mats Front and Rear

-      Lamp, Luggage

-      Lamp, Underhood (missing)

-      Remote Trunk Release

-      White Cordova Top

-      Deluxe Wheel Covers (has Ralley II wheels currently)

 

-      Hood Tach – this option is not listed, but is factory correct (may be dealer installed)

 

The car is almost completely original – the most significant alteration was a complete repaint with base coat/clear coat in the factory original color in 2003.  Below I will describe the car in the best detail that I can – please feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.

 

Drivetrain:

Engine:  Engine is original numbers matching from the intake to the oil pan.  Runs great, but I do not believe it has ever been rebuilt.  It does leak a bit of oil – appears to be from the rear main seal.  Has correct and original RA III exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, #62 Heads, and distributor.  Currently running a restored RA III carburetor, but comes with correct factory carb (needs rebuild). 

 

Transmission:  Correct M40 3-speed turbo automatic.  Works great.  I do not believe it has ever been rebuilt. 

 

Rear Axle:  Factory 3.90:1 Safe-T-Track axle.  Will spin both tires with no trouble.  Low gear ratio is great around town, but will run engine at about 3500 RPM on the highway.

 

Exhaust:  Original exhaust was still on the car when I purchased it, but had multiple leaks.  Currently running a Flowmaster system.

 

Brakes:  The car had what I believe was the completely original brake system on it when I purchased it.  For safety reasons, I rebuilt the entire system – master cylinder, front and rear brakes including hardware, calipers, slave cylinders, rotors, drums, and brake lines.  I used only factory original rebuilt parts (except for the front rotors).  Buyer will get the original two-piece front rotors, rear drums, and calipers with the car if they want them.

 

Suspension:  The car was sitting very low when I purchased it, so I replaced the front and rear springs, as well as tie-rod ends, control arm bushings, and shock absorbers.  I also upgraded the front sway bar to a Hotchkis – the original sway bar and bushings will come with the car.

 

Rims:  The car came from the factory with 14x7 steel wheels and deluxe hubcaps.  I have changed them out to the correct JC code Ralley II wheels with Firestone Firehawk tires.  The original wheels and hubcaps are available at an additional cost.

 

Interior:

Upholstery and Options:  The interior looks like new.  I believe the car still has all its original deluxe upholstery – very little wear, but could use new seat foam in the front seats.  Power driver’s seat works well, but is a bit slow.  Power windows work great. Power rear antenna works great.  Console is in beautiful condition.  Original carpet is great shape – still has original floor mats in great condition.  Parking brake mechanism is broken (release lever is broken), but I have a rebuilt original that comes with the car.  Remote trunk release works perfectly.  Fold down rear seat works perfectly – looks almost new.  Deluxe seat belts work great and look almost new.  Headliner is original and looks new.

 

Instrument Cluster housing:  Dash was cut out around the radio area at some point to accommodate an aftermarket radio.  All the metal is there (pushed out of the way), but needs to be welded back up to accommodate the original radio.  I’m including a beautifully reconditioned Instrument Cluster panel with the auction (over $800 cost to recondition). 

 

AM/FM Stereo:  The original AM/FM Radio and Stereo Multiplexor is still with the car, but not installed.  They system has been completely rebuilt, but I have not yet installed it as I have not had time to get the dash sheet metal rewelded.  Also included are the 4 original speakers, but they will require reconditioning.  I am also including a new wiring harness for the speakers.

 

Exterior: 

Body:  The car had the rear quarter panels replaced at some point – job was well done.  In 2003 it was repainted it’s original Warwick Blue using a very high quality base coat / clear coat system.  The pain was buffed to a very smooth high gloss and still looks great.  There is one small chip in the right front fender and another on the trunk lid, but otherwise the paint is still perfect.  The car has been kept in a heated garage and under a car cover for the past 11 years – it has been washed less than a dozen times.  The car was originally purchased and lived in Troy Michigan and from what I can tell spent most of its time garaged there and barely driven.  The subframe is in excellent condition as is the body.  To be completely transparent, there is one weak spot on the driver’s floorboard that I did not repair – it just wasn’t bad enough in my opinion to mess with.

 

Chrome:  All the chrome on the car is original. There is just a slight show of aging on a few pieces, but the rest remain nearly perfect. 

 

Cordova top:  I believe the top is original.  It was given a clear coat when the car was painted to keep it looking new.  However, it is showing just a tiny bit of curling in a couple of edge locations – barely noticeable.

 

Other:  A pair of 1970’s Trans-Am mirrors were added at some point.  The car comes with its original driver’s side remote mirror, as well as a matching mirror for the passenger’s side (not original to the car) if the new owner desires to return it to original.  The car also comes with its original door edge guards – I did not put them back on, as I preferred the cleaner look.

 

The car comes with its original jack and space-saver spare tire.  I do not have the inflation cylinder.  The car also retains its original trunk mat, which remains in very good condition.

 

I also replaced the fuel tank and fuel lines with high quality aftermarket pieces.  The originals were probably OK, but I wanted to ensure the car was safe with my family riding in it occasionally. 

 

Buyer will also get the original Firebird brochure, the original 1969 Firebird Service Manual, and the original ignition and trunk keys (and an original ignition key not yet cut).

 

This is truly a rare original car that I have enjoyed immensely over the last several years – it is a blast to drive, looks amazing, sounds awesome, and gets looks and thumbs up everywhere.  It is fully loaded with many unique options and will smoke the tires if you want to.  As a numbers matching 400HO it is rare and should be in someone’s collection where it can be well maintained.  I have decided to sell this rare Bird in order to find a car that is more family friendly.  I am not looking for a trade and will not sell to any dealers.  If you are looking for a car to modify, please look elsewhere. 

 

I have set a reserve on the car above $25K, which I believe is fair.  For the right price, I may be willing to end the auction early.  Due to my work schedule, I am only able to answer questions in the evenings.  I am located in San Diego – you or your agent are welcome to come by and inspect the car via appointment.