West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and beautifully striking example of this very rare and all American classic muscle car - an original 1968 Pontiac Firebird Coupe with a Big Block 428/375HP 'YH' code 4 BBL V8 engine and which was born as a factory BB 400 V8, as per its PHS docs, and which was reportedly one of George Hurst's originally formulated & 'Myrtl Motors' creations, with a date correct 1968 'YH' code 428/375HP V8 engine correctly matched to a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission with a shift kit & Hurst dual gate shifter, very rare Hurst wheels and dual exhausts and with both added and original rare factory options which both included or now include;
308 Rear Axle
Alpine Sound System
Center Console with Bucket seats,
Rally Gauge Cluster & Clock,
Power Steering,
Power 4 Way Disc Brakes,
Power Antenna,
Power Windows,
Deluxe Interior with woodgrain console,
Front & Rear Adjustable Shocks,
Head Restraints,
Rally II Wheels,
Soft Ray Glass,
Air Conditioning.
The 428 cid V8 was available on full size Pontiac cars and the Grand Prix between 1967 & 1969. A 4.12 in bore and a 4.00 in stroke resulted in the 428 cid. These big motors got the four bolt main blocks along with the cast crankshafts, rods and pistons. All were equipped with a 4 barrel carburetor and a dual exhaust system. 1967 engines were available in 360 or 376 HP output and in 1968 in either 375HP or 390HP.
As excerpted from Popular Hot Rod from 9/68 a very few 428 Firebirds were only available as dealer installed options in two places. One in the Midwest Royal Pontiac (home of the Bobcat Kit), and the other on the East coast Myrtl Motors.
Reportedly Myrtl built 428 Firebirds and GTOs, they sold Tiger supertune kits, traction kits, suspension goodies and anything else in the way of speed equipment to make Pontiacs haul tail. Myrtl Motors allowed anyone to walk in off the street and buy a custom 428 Firebird. Tailored to your own specs, adding headers, a Tiger kit, suspension stuff, or even a full blueprinted engine and suspension in other words, an all-out race car.
Making the car very enjoyable to drive was a list of standard factory options that perfectly complemented the 428 big ones under the hood. Things like power steering, power disc brakes, heavy-duty suspension package, 3.90 rear axel ratio with Safe-T-Track limited slip differential, and swing-shifted Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission all made life behind the wheel quite bearable.
The suspension, especially, and the automatic transmission made themselves felt all through the test. The suspension consisted of higher rate front coil and multi-leaf rear springs, thicker anti-sway bar up front, and big shocks all around. It kept the Bird on course at all times and provided a very firm, controlled ride. Another thing one would'nt be without on a car like this is the front disc/rear drum braking system.
The Firebird was Pontiac's slightly more upmarket version of the Chevrolet Camaro and the models were given a restyling in 1969 for their third season in the marketplace. A new RPO (regular production option) was quietly slipped into the lineup during midyear, the Trans Am, a new high performance option roughly equivalent to the GTO in the LeMans lineup. Power came from a 400 4 BBL V8 with 330HP and in the Ram Air III with 335HP 430 lbs torque at 3400 rpm (634 cars, coupes & convertibles) or Ram Air IV with 345HP 430 lbs torque at 3700 rpm (55 cars, all coupes) versions. Either way well over 350HP was available in a car that weighed just over 3,000 pounds! That provided for some literally amazing performance in a pony car and these models were extremely limited in production and it is a known fact that horsepower ratings were kept well understated in the late sixties to help keep rising insurance rates low!
This particular example has been beautifully and professionally repainted in its original 'Meridian Turquoise' factory color and sports an original 'White Vinyl Deluxe' interior and is a long time southern California owned car with absolutely no signs of of any accidents or rust and which has obviously always been been loved and well maintained and kept! This car must be seen to be fully appreciated. The date correct and recently rebuilt 'YH' code 428/375HP 4 Barrel V8 engine is extremely strong and responsive and sounds absolutely magnificent and throaty from its dual exhausts, the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool and the car has its original spare wheel and jack in the trunk.
This must be one of the finest examples anywhere of this very collectible and rare and very desirable 1968 year of the legendary big block 428 V8 Pontiac Firebird which has all the right options, a wonderful & uniquely striking examples of all American sixties muscle and a wonderful addition to any muscle car enthusiasts collection!
