Cruising a Restored ’68 Firebird Convertible on the California Coast
If you’ve owned a 1968 Firebird convertible since 1989, you obviously have a few stories to tell. Jim Thomson certainly does. His ‘Bird was chosen by comedian Jerry Seinfeld for an episode of his long-running streaming series Comedians in Cars Having Coffee (season 8, episode 3, with Judd Apatow).
How Jim bought his car is also interesting. He found the car when the lead singer of a Los Angeles hard rock band that you’ve probably never heard of (XYZ) had to sell it because he was going on tour to open up for Ted Nugent for several months and had nowhere to store it. Jim jumped at the chance to buy the Pontiac and has been smart enough to hold onto it ever since.
The convertible wasn’t quite so original when Jim brought it home. “It was in overall good driver condition, but had many non-stock parts on it,” Jim says. “Plus, it was painted two shades of white.”
Jim’s efforts over the years have brought the 1968 Firebird back to stock condition, apart from the Tremec five-speed manual transmission in place of the original four-speed. Otherwise, Jim sourced parts (pre-internet days made this harder) and turned to JBA Speed Shop for restoration the 400c.i. V8. Dalton & Sons was called on for the Guards Red paint, and Jim’s Auto Upholstery handled the interior work.
The engine was rebuilt to Pontiac HO specs and produces 370 horsepower. That includes the Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, stock heads, and factory cast iron headers that flow through a dual-exhaust system with Dynomax mufflers.
Stock suspension components include power disc brakes in front and drums on the rearend that houses 3.36 gears. Stock Pontiac Rally II wheels are wrapped in reproduction Firestone G70 Wide Oval redline tires. Other original pieces include GM T-3 headlights for high and low beams.
The black vinyl interior features a stock dash with optional rally gauges and the iconic hood-mounted tach. Other interior features include the optional electric clock mounted on the console, power windows, and the factory-installed AM/FM radio, which was rarely ordered in those days. An optional Sport three-spoke steering wheel and Hurst shifter are also original.
When you own a car for decades a lot of family landmarks are involved. For Jim, that means memories with his son and now his grandson.
“Our son was one year old when I got the car, and he is now a 37-year-old U.S. Navy helicopter pilot,” Jim says. “He grew up wrenching with me on the car and now his son (four years old) is helping ‘Poppi’ fix the Firebird, or ‘Poppi’s race car’ as he calls it!”
Photos by Damon Lee
