Your Opinions Please - Firebird Sprint
 

I have been interested in a Firebird Sprint for some time and found what appears to be a very nice example at Hemmings. A bit pricey maybe but my biggest concern is the DCOE Webers and keeping them tuned. However, I would like to get some experienced OHC forum members to weigh in on the merits of this car, or any negatives you see. Much appreciated!


https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...lls-sd-2903167

First of all Welcome! I agree that the car is a bit over priced, but looks very solid and well sorted. I would not worry about the keeping the webbers tuned, in my experience they are like any other carb that they stay tuned once they are adjusted properly.

My concern is what they are using for an air cleaner on the rear carb? My experience with webber side draft carbs on an OHC-6 is there is no room for an aircleaner in Firebird or Tempest/Lemans platform. Due to the proximity of the brake master cylinder. I had sidedraft webbers on a OHC-6 Powered 36 Pontiac and they ran very well. But the chassis allowed me to run actual air cleaners on the carbs. When I tried to mount them on a 67 Lemans Sprint I ran into the aircleaner issue.

Now if it werte a track only car, or something you plan on trailering to shows, I would not worry about the lack of an aircleaner on the carbs. But a street driven car I would be concerned. Just my 2 cents, others may very.

Also what transmission is mounted in the car? My experiance with the ST-300 with a OHC-6 is not a good match. And with the webbers and the longer stroke of the 250 crankshaft the webbers may not be a good performance fit. The 230's of the 66-67 model years liked to rev, and the webber carbs would enhance that, but Pontiac limited the longer stroke 250's by installing weaker valve springs, and in stock form the valves "float" at around 5500 rpm. If the engine has stock valve springs, the webbers are just for looks IMO. As they enhance the high RPM HP of an engine. But I don't know what was done to the engine ( if anything ) to work with the webbers.

Also something I forgot to mention, if you are serious about the car, get the P/N off of the intake manifold, Most of the side draft webber intakes I have seen advertised for OHC-6's are in fact Chevy 6 intakes with the open intake runners, the OHC-6 intakes have 6 individual ports, 1 for each cylinder, the Chevy style has only 3 ports (shared between the 2 intake ports) you can make the Chevy intake bolt up with a little work, but I think it would cost a little HP on the upper end of the RPM range.

Also is that a Hydo boost power steering set up installed on the car? They may have done that for clearance issues with the rear carb.

Without PHS, there is NO WAY to confirm it's a Factory Sprint.

Standard Trans on the 4BBL engine was a floor-mounted 3-Spd, so the AT was either an option or this car was a 1BBL
Hopefully, they kept the factory parts.

A very wishful price. Regrettably, these Cammers rarely exceed $30K regardless of how dolled up they are.


Here is their site page with 179 Glamor images showing nothing

https://www.frankmanmotors.com/inven...223378l600723/

I knew I had seen this '68 before
 

I went back in my files, this FB was in Scottsdale @ the BJ Auction in 2023.
It hammered at $41+K, which was IMHO a RECORD.

Thank you all for the replies. The BJ sheet is a huge help as it includes details missing from Frankman's ad. It states that the intake is a Clifford and the tranny is a 200 4-speed auto. I contacted the seller for more photos, particularly the undercarriage but no reply yet.

Did a little more research on this Sprint. Looks like it was originally red with a black interior (based on the Fisher Body tag). I see that for $110 I can get the PHS history which looks like a smart thing to do. The dealer has a very comprehensive video on their web site that points out a few flaws (cruise control and radio inop, coolant gauge inop). It has power windows, tilt wheel, manual choke, things not mentioned. I see the hydroboost that did not catch my eye before. The carbs have the thin horn filters on all 6 but a better air filter would hit the master cylinder. What I have not seen is undercarriage photos - yet. None were included in the video. The video seemed to show the body very well and I did not detect a single flaw.

There is a three gauge panel on the console. The gauges don't look stock but is the panel a stock piece?

Here is the dealer link and video.

https://www.frankmanmotors.com/inven...223378l600723/

I’d just point out that nut and bolt RESTORATION and tubular A arms do not go together. I’m all
For modifications if that’s what you want but it. Is NOT a restoration at that point. It may be nice and it may be a redone but that’s not a restoration

Yes, the term "restoration" is abused. This is a restomod - hydroboost, Clifford intake and Webers, TH200 trans, Global West suspension. I have been in touch with the dealer and now have 27 undercarriage photos. I am trying to tender my excitement but it looks great. The workmanship appears to be high quality. I actually prefer a restomod in a stock appearing car so this fits my bill. It's not perfect but the flaws so far are few, and things I can easily handle.

One odd discovery - the flywheel is exposed. I'm sure this isn't normal but I suspect a cover isn't available with the OHC6-TH200 combo.

I had a cover on the 200R4 on my 66 Lemans Sprint. So the stock 200R4 cover should fit, I may have had to redrill a couple of mounting holes but nothing sticks out from memory. I sold the car 20 years ago so its hard to remember minor things like that, unless they required alot of rework.

"There is a three gauge panel on the console. The gauges don't look stock but is the panel a stock piece?"

The console gauges are 1967 factory Camaro. That gauge option placed a tach in the dash cluster where the fuel gauge normally resides. You'll see this car has 2 fuel gauges. The factory one in the dash and the Camaro console gauge upper left hand pod.

I checked all my '67 brochures and accessory booklets, and there is no mention of these.

Most of the online FIREBIRD groups/posts say NO.

Aftermarket Co say '67 Firebird & Camaro.

They do look good regardless

That gauge pod is Camaro only originally. They can be installed into Firebirds, but are not correct. Same arena as front & rear spoilers….etc.
That car is nice, but very high priced. The price of the classic cars has come down. Nowhere near worth that money.

I tried to purchase PHS documentation on this Sprint but they replied that Pontiac failed to archive 6-cylinder cars out of Van Nuys and they cannot provide any information on the car.

I spent two weeks researching this car and other recent sales. The dealer tried to answer my questions but couldn't provide specifics on the engine rebuild and some of the modifications. Some of the mods (in my opinion) are desirable and make the car more drivable and desirable. I was surprised that PHS could not validate the car. While the Webber setup may work fine I would have sought out a 4V manifold and Qjet. After looking at valuations, recent sales, and general collectability I decided not to purchase the car. I have a number I think the car is worth (to me anyway) but there's a big gap between my price and the asking price. I appreciate you all chiming in - very helpful!

I understand completely, as has been stated the car is very modified from stock, may be a very nice driver, but for the asking price I would be looking for something a bit more stock looking at least. If the asking price was 25-30% lower I could see more interest in it.

I am glad we could help you make your decision either way.

About two weeks after my last post I changed my mind and threw the dealer an offer. It was rejected but they admitted it was the ONLY offer and the car wasn't garnering much attention on Hemmings (few watchers).

Late last month they contacted me about my offer and we made a deal. I hired a local classic car appraiser to eyeball the car and drive it and he provided a very positive report. It is now in my garage, delivered in a very timely manner.

This car is spectacular. The body, paint, chrome, trim, and glass are flawless. And I mean flawless. There are a few minor kinks in the interior, all things I can handle. Mechanically it runs good but not great which I expect a complete tune-up and Weber tuning will remedy. The suspension mods are evident while driving as it handles great.

My wife has always wanted a vintage Camaro or Firebird with this color combo, and I have always been intrigued by the OHC6. This car is going to be thoroughly enjoyed by both of us. It makes a nice stable mate to our 1991 Firebird Formula with an LS2 and 6-speed.

There will be numerous questions to this forum and I appreciate the help in advance.

Well congratulation's, we will expect many pictures soon!

very exciting...congrats

Pics as requested!
 

!!!

Hey Scott,

Meant to reply on this thread now for months before you bought the car, but glad you did anyhow... Surprised with the car having been for sale on Hemmings that the article about its origin didn't get added to the sale or pop up

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/alt...rebird-sprint/

Pretty sure it's the same car that sold at B-J though the article showed it before the Sprint stripe was added.

Lastly, I had an interest because I intend to do the same thing to my 68 Firebird OHC that's been languishing since the OHC guys were on a bulletin board I think started by CamerJeff if I have if the memory I have of who's who is right.

So the manifold is pretty rare, though I was able to call Larry at Clifford a few years ago and have him send me one straight off the shelf!

Pretty sure that the engine in your car was built by Bob Ore of 955 Automotive on Erie PA there's Facebook post from them featuring the engine from Feb 18,2016

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...00057577774040

Since this car mimicked so many thoughts and ideas I had rolling in my head that I thought were sooo original, I've keep tabs on it over the years!

Enjoy

Bryan

OHC Toi

Bryan - those two links are a treasure trove! I had not really begun digging into the car history but wasn't expecting to gain much info. Other than the Barrett-Jackson info and what the dealer in South Dakota provided, I didn't have much. I haven't even got a reply from the previous owner who consigned the car to the South Dakota dealer.

I contacted the Hemmings writer about the article which was "updated" in 2026 but it appears to be from several years ago, before the car turned up at Barrett-Jackson.

I am about to post an update on the car's first 90 days in my garage.

Thank you for providing the links!

I looked at the Facebook page for 955 Automotive and found 12 photos of the engine build. They began working the engine in 2015.

You're welcome

I am glad I was able to forward them.

Curious if you've reached out to Richard (Dick)Hora mentioned in the article? Sadly Chuck who was quite successful in industry including President of Lord Corp which became part of Parker Hannifin passed about 5 yrs. ago

https://paw.princeton.edu/memorial/charles-j-hora-jr-65

The Hemmings article suggested Chuck actually commissioned the car for his brother Dick who lives in Poway, CA.

That's great! I would love to know what all they did to that engine

Bryan - your link led me to Jason Ore at 955 Automotive who not only remembered the engine build put put me in touch with Gary, who built the engine. Turns out Gary did the entire resto himself, with help from a few others. Gary was a close friend of Chuck Hora and did several restorations for him over the years. I was able to find Dick Hora on Facebook but haven't received a reply from him yet.

Gary gave me some details on the build. He confirms that the car is an actual Sprint and was relatively rust free. They did replace the front fenders after finding leaf accumulation and pinholes. The rest of the body, trunk, and floors are original. The engine is a stock rebuild internally with the addition of the 1969 long duration cam.

He also said that Chuck was a collector and never sought profit in his cars. They were restored mostly original with a few tweaks to improve performance. That's why my Sprint has extensive suspension mods. But the triple Webers was for looks! Gary says the build cost $125k. The color, which I thought might be Alpine Blue is actually a custom mix based on 1967's Tyrol Blue.

When Chuck died in 2021 his collection was sold off by the estate. The Sprint went to Barrett-Jackson in 2023 and his others went to BaT. He also confirmed that car wasn't driven much after the rebuild. The current 300 miles on the odometer is accurate post-rebuild.