Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.This 1968 Pontiac Firebird coupe is an honest, driver-grade first-generation F-body with real presence, refurbished decades ago and finished in red over a white interior. It carries a 400ci Pontiac V8 with a period-flavored Tri-Power induction setup and a TH400 automatic, making it a fun, torquey cruiser rather than a concours piece. As a straightforward, usable classic with some cosmetic and mechanical items to address, it offers an accessible way into the desirable first-gen Firebird.1968 Pontiac Firebird CoupeBring a TrailerWhat it's worth right nowClassic.com and Hagerty data show a wide spread for the 1968 Firebird, with recent recorded sales ranging from under $10,000 for rough cars up to around $70,000 for the best examples, and driver-grade cars generally clustering in the $25,000 to $40,000 range. Condition, originality, and drivetrain drive the spread, with genuine numbers-matching 400 and Ram Air cars commanding the strongest money and modified or non-original-engine drivers landing lower.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis car sits in the accessible middle of that market. It presents well and has the desirable 400 and Tri-Power look, but a few factors keep it out of the top tier: it is a decades-old refurbishment rather than a fresh restoration, it was repainted from its original April Gold to red, and, as a commenter observed, the front end suggests it may not have been born a 400 car, making the current 400 a period-style engine swap rather than a numbers-matching motor. The Tri-Power setup, sourced from a 1966 GTO, is a fun period touch but adds carburetion complexity that some buyers prefer to simplify.1968 Pontiac Firebird CoupeBring a TrailerGiven the honest driver condition, the appealing 400 Tri-Power presentation, and the non-original-engine and repaint caveats, I would call fair value roughly $22,000 to $32,000. The current $20,000 bid with seven bids and five days remaining is just below that and climbing, and where it lands will depend on how bidders weigh the presentation against the mechanical items to sort.Condition and detailsThe presentation is that of a well-kept older refurbishment. The car was refreshed around 1989 and 1990 with a repaint in red, an engine rebuild, and the installation of the Tri-Power setup, and it wears a red dash and carpeting against white vinyl seats, with a center console, a cassette stereo, a wood-rimmed wheel, and a Sun Super Tach II. It rides on 14-inch Rally II wheels with raised-white-letter tires, has power steering and power drum brakes, and runs a dual exhaust with full-length headers. The seller has disclosed honest flaws, including paint blemishes shown in the gallery and air conditioning that does not blow cold.1968 Pontiac Firebird CoupeBring a TrailerThe mechanical picture is that of a sorted driver with a few caveats. The 400 was rebuilt during the late-'80s refurbishment and wears the triple-Rochester Tri-Power induction from a 1966 GTO, backed by the TH400 automatic and a 3.90 Safe-T-Track limited-slip. The seller notes the fuel tank was replaced in 2024. On the questions raised, the seller confirmed the A/C compressor engages and blows cool but not cold, suggesting it needs a recharge, and could not provide detail on the 400's origin because the owner's late father performed the work, which supports the commenter's read that this may not be a factory 400 car.1968 Pontiac Firebird CoupeBring a TrailerThe diligence here is standard for an older-restoration driver. Confirm the current mechanical condition given the decades-old rebuild, budget for the A/C recharge and any carburetor tuning the Tri-Power setup may want, since triple-carb setups are known to need patient adjustment, and assess the paint for the disclosed blemishes. If numbers-matching originality matters to you, verify the engine's origin, keeping in mind the seller cannot document it; if you simply want a fun driver, that matters less. The five-digit odometer shows 92,000 miles. This is a dealer consignment through a BaT Local Partner with a clean Michigan title, and a pre-purchase inspection is worthwhile.1968 Pontiac Firebird CoupeBring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementThe offerSpecificationDetailMakePontiacModelFirebird CoupeYear1968Mileage92,000 shownEngine400ci V8 with Tri-Power inductionPowerPeriod 400-class outputTransmissionTH400 three-speed automaticDrive typeRear-wheel drive with Safe-T-Track limited-slipExterior colorRed (repainted from April Gold)Interior colorWhite vinylCurrent bidUSD $20,000Interested in this car? View the listing here.What makes the Firebird uniqueThe Pontiac Firebird arrived in 1967 as Pontiac's entry into the pony-car wars, sharing GM's F-body platform with the Chevrolet Camaro but distinguished by Pontiac's own styling, split-grille front end, and a lineup of torquey Pontiac V8s. The 1968 model brought subtle refinements including flow-through Astro Ventilation that deleted the vent windows, a revised multi-leaf rear suspension with staggered shocks to tame axle hop, and wrap-around front turn signals. At the top of the range, the 400ci V8 delivered the effortful low-end torque that defined the muscle era, giving the handsome Firebird genuine straight-line urgency.1968 Pontiac Firebird CoupeBring a TrailerThat combination of distinctive Pontiac style and big-cube V8 muscle is what makes first-generation Firebirds enduringly popular, and they offer a slightly different flavor from the closely related Camaro. Interestingly, as commenters noted, Firebirds often trade somewhat below comparable Camaros, which can make a well-sorted 400 car like this a relative value for a buyer who prefers the Pontiac's looks and character. For someone wanting a usable, good-looking muscle-era cruiser rather than a numbers-matching investment, a driver-grade 400 Firebird hits a sweet spot.My takeThis is a likable, honest 1968 Firebird with the desirable 400 Tri-Power look and genuine driver usability, presented without pretense by a seller who has disclosed its flaws. My fair-value call is $22,000 to $32,000, reflecting the appealing presentation against the older refurbishment, the repaint from its original color, and the non-original-engine question. I would be comfortable in that range for a car that inspects as solid as it presents.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe buying advice is about setting expectations and sorting the details. Treat this as a fun driver rather than a numbers-matching investment, verify the engine's origin only if originality matters to you, and budget for the A/C recharge and the patient tuning that a Tri-Power setup often needs. Some buyers may even prefer to simplify the triple carburetors to a single four-barrel, as a commenter suggested, while selling the desirable Tri-Power to a GTO owner. Confirm the mechanical condition of the decades-old rebuild with an inspection. Handle those, and the current $20,000 bid is a reasonable entry into a good-looking first-gen Firebird.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.