[66sprint]

I am looking at a 1968 Firebird convertible in Carnival Red. I have confirmed it has “Special” in the paint code and a May 68 build date on the data tag. It is a base 350, two speed with deluxe interior.

It was repainted several years ago in the original color, and it looks like they matched it pretty well.

I am trying to figure out how much the special paint color affects the value on this vehicle.

Any thoughts?

[68tpls400]

Couple percent. Numbers matching (born with) drivetrain would be the biggest plus.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

It was around the $100 range in 1968 money.
So whatever that equals in 2022 money could be a fair assumption.

If it were a 400 car or RA car it might could be a heavier factor , especially in an open auction scenario.
Depends on who wants an Orange 68 that day.

If you really like its looks , its worth some extra bucks.

[66sprint]

Thanks guys. I do like to color alot especially with the white top and interior.

To my eye, it sure looks like Carousel Red but I know there are different paint codes for each.

BTW the car has the numbers matching original drivetrain, runs and drives but will need a top soon.

[66sprint]

Also was wondering if anyone can describe the difference between Carnival Red and Carousel Red.

[thews]

IMO the Carnival red is a red and the Carousel red is more orange. My 69 Firebird convertible was originally Champagne (it's white now). Since there is no breakdown available on the % of cars painted in Champagne, it's just assumed it's rare. Rare doesn't always translate to being worth more, especially when it comes to color. The cool thing about special order colors is you just don't see many of them. As others have pointed out, the drive train is more important if it's a numbers matching car. If you like it, that's all that really matters.

Carnival red


Carousel red

[66sprint]

THEWS

Thanks for the pictures. That RAI car seems to be the best documented Carnival Red car out there.

It looks like the colors are really close but I agree there does seem to be a little more red in the Carnival than in Carousel Red.

Of course neither one looks very red to me.

[66sprint]

I think this may show the difference between the 2 colors.
It looks like the underside of the trunk is the original Carnival Red and the body was repainted Carousel Red.

[66sprint]

I have received the PHS and it confirms it was a "11" special paint code car.

I was a little surprised to see the Invoice Date of 02/13/1968 - about 3 months prior to the build date on the data tag.

Does anyone know when the 4 Spring Colors became available in 68?

[turbo69bird]

So one thing to mention is sometimes there was special then there was really special . When dealing w paint colors.
My 69 is goldenrod yellow which was a special color but it was available in the Pontiac lineup. Then there’s car lie the ralley green RAII bird that was a Chevrolet color put on a firebird .

I can’t comment on how much money either will bring but there is a difference between the colors selected because one was actually a firebird ok or and one wasn’t . Hope this helps a little bit.
The. You have stuff like the three dashes cars which I only bring up because with mention of carousel red someone will inevitably read it with one of those cars.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by 66sprint

I have received the PHS and it confirms it was a "11" special paint code car.

I was a little surprised to see the Invoice Date of 02/13/1968 - about 3 months prior to the build date on the data tag.

Does anyone know when the 4 Spring Colors became available in 68?

FGF.com
First generation firebird website , I believe has that info.
Or maybe it was ultimategto.com website
If you do a search in the 68-69 GTO section for Carnival Red there have been some thorough discussions on 4 or 5 known 1968 cars. Documents , factoids etc....

Are you positively sure that the BHC date is Earlier than the trim tag build week date ?
That would be a real foul ball .... like where a spectator gets blindsided and hurt from it - type of foul ball.

Post a picture of the BHC , and trim tag too if you can.

[66sprint]

I am attaching a picture of the Car Billing History showing the Invoice date of 02/13/1968.

I will recheck the data tag to make sure I am correct on the build date, and send a picture when I get that.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I hope it all works out flush.
11 could mean lower and upper were special paint
Could also mean lower was special paint , and upper was vinyl or convertible top. fwiw

The engine unit number 318121 will be the stamped number above the block code.

EDIT
Had almost forgotten this car is a Convertible

[66sprint]

BVZ -- Thanks for the heads up on this.

I just got the pictures and it does show a build date of 02B. I'm not sure why I thought it was late May.

This February date definitely matches the 02/13/1968 Invoice Date on the Car Billing History.

The tag also shows the Custom Interior convertible code 22667, in the correct 260 trim color - Parchment.

Shows it was built at Lordstown plant.

The color designation is: "Special - 1" which I assume means the Carnival Red with White convertible top.

Thanks again!

[johnta1]

What was the selling dealership?
In Illinois?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

That's Great
It all sounds fully flush .

1 or 2 of the A-Body examples had the Dupont or Ditzler paint formula number stamped on their trim tags.
But not all the plants did that.

[66sprint]

John - Was that just a good guess or did you know something about this car?

The first blocks on the upper left show Zone 10 Dealer 455.

According to your Wallace Racing decoder, 10 the Zone for Chicago, and it looks like the Dealer Code goes back to: Seltzer Pontiac at 5301 West Irving Park Rd in Chicago.

Also there is nothing in the second Zone Dealer blocks.

BVZ
There are no paint codes on the trim tag or the CBH.

[johnta1]

Next to the invoice date box on the right is a To and From box.
The To number is for Illinois.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

The To & From State Codes are fun sometimes.

They are in numerical/alphabetical sequence - EXCEPT - Alaska .
Alaska got bounced all the way to #50
Luckily we have verified this as many ways as possible.

When the second set of blocks for dealer codes are Blank , that means "same as" for billing and shipping .

========================
Had a guy contact me about a 66 or 67 GTO that was trying to find his dealer name/location.
It was either a Georgia or Florida Zone ... dealer number had no history.
He had reason to believe it sold new in Florida.
PHS and another documentive source both told him, his State Code 10 was Georgia.

When I told him State Code 10 was Hawaii , not Georgia , I think he threw in the towel.

On this Carnival Bird Vert
Ohio would normally be #35
But with Alaska getting bumped out to #50
Ohio becomes #34

Illinois would be #13
But the Alaska bump makes it #12

Michigan (PMD) would be #22
But the Alaska bump makes it #21
This guys GTO was built at PMD - he was aware of that completely.
I pointed out the #21 in his "From Box" and told him to do the math for himself to verify the "Alaska Bump".

I also pointed him to johnta1 as another source to confirm State Code , in case he needed more assurance.
Idunno if he contacted John , or not.

[66sprint]

Thanks for all of the information and the advanced education in Pontiac Codes and Build Sheets!

Next step will be get it home and verify the engine ID.