One thing you may have noticed in the past is all the cars I've featured were built in Canada. This month, to start the new year I thought I'd change things up a bit and feature a car that wasn't built in Canada, but was sold here. Heck, we also love the American Pontiacs like the Bonneville and Firebird, so why not?. Speaking of Firebirds, a certain 68 Firebird caught my eye recently when Mark Lennon joined the site. His 68 Firebird is one of those cars that makes you look twice and say "Man, that's a NICE car". And you all know how I feel about redline tires! Here's more about this beautiful 'Bird in Mark's own words:
"This is my 1968 Firebird coupe that I purchased in August, 2006 in Fonthill, Ontario. I believe I am the 5th owner.
The car features its original 350 c.i. engine with a 2-speed automatic transmission (2.56 gears). It was red when purchased but has since been returned to its original colour, Aleutian Blue, as part of an extensive 2-year restoration. Some performance parts have been added under the hood but the car remains mostly stock. I was also fortunate enough to have the original owners manual, Protect-O-Plate and build sheet included with the car.
This car was built in Lordstown, Ohio, with a shipping date of January 12th, 1968. However, it was sold and I believe has remained in Canada its entire life. The Protect-O-Plate states the car was sold June 20th, 1968 by Grant G. Brown Motors (later York Mills Pontiac Buick, according to GM Canada) in Weston, Ontario (west-central Toronto) to an Edward Brooks of 25 Pinehurst Crescent in Islington, Ontario (another area of west-central Toronto). Information received from GM Canada Vintage Vehicle Services confirms this was one of 5,507 1968 coupes imported for sale in Canada.
One rare feature of this car (one which is a real conversation starter at shows) is the custom interior Strato Bench option. Few first generation Firebirds (or few of any first generation F-bodies, for that matter) had this feature. Though most of the interior components were either refurbished or replaced during the restoration process, the seat upholstery remains original and is in excellent shape. And the vehicle documentation confirms this car was born with a bench! "
I think I was at the license bureau or at least the GM dealership next door the day this car was changing hands in Fonthill-it sure looks great now in the correct color-I love the redlines and cragars
That is a beautiful car. I love the bench seat too.
Funny thing is, red is my favourite colour and blue is quite frar down the line. And yet, when I read that it was changed from red to it's original colour I thought "right on, that was an excellent choice!"
Your car certainly looks worthy of being featured.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
That is a beautiful car. Great choice Todd. I have never seen a column shift, bench seat bird. I wouldn't have believed it if not for seeing it! First new thing I learned in 2010.
The color is great too! I like it better than red forsure. Nice job under the hood too! Looks awesome!
Terrific car, great colour and super clean. That bench seat is awesome, one of those rare bits i think are super cool. You've got an amazing car, and nice to see a Firebird take the first non-Canadian built Feature Car honours! Congrats Mark!
I love this car and glad that its a Feature car. I have a soft spot for firebirds as I had a blue 68 400 4 speed convert. in 1973 purchased from Mr Bills auto sales here in Winnipeg. It is one car I wish I kept.
When a car is in original detail, it is then that you can really appreciate a true classic. Thanks for the engine detail photo. My 305 is starting to like that.
You did the right thing by painting it the original colour, as that 1968 shade of blue is distinctive. I have known of the F-body bench seat option for decades and have seen the odd Camaro with it, but your Firebird is the first Ive ever seen with it. Custom interior in white to boot! Tall rear gears make that car a great highway cruiser Ill bet.
There was a Canadian 1968 Pontiac print ad that showed a Firebird coupe in the same colour as your car but it had black interior & vinyl roof cover, plus wire wheel covers. Next to it was a Cordovan Maroon Pontiac 2+2 coupe with white interior. The caption simply said; "Decisions, decisions." I'll bet!
Back in 68 a neighbor and friend that lived 2 blocks from us in Ancaster bought a new Firebird 350 coupe in Verdoro Green (another of the 5,507 Firebird coupes sold here). They eventually moved to Oshawa. In the fall of 1975 they returned to visit us in a brand new 1976 Laurentian Safari wagon, 3-seat with an orange block Chevy 400 (they picked it up that afternoon, I wish I had pictures).
Congrats on making Feature Car. Your car is beautiful!
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
Great looking car, even if it was built in the U.S. Makes no difference to me, I'm just a fan of the smaller cars and redline tires. As far as I'm concerned the big cars stopped being interesting after 1972.
