1968

Production Figures & Information:

Base Firebird
The base Firebird came with an OHC V6 (250ci) and 1bbl carburetor rated at 175bhp. Standard equipment included safety equipment, bucket seats, vinyl upholstery, wood grain dash trim, outside rear view mirror and E70-14 blackwall tires. This model can be identified by the "overhead cam: 4.1 liter" that appears on the rear edge of the bulge on the hood. Two versions were offered:
Coupe                  $2,781
Convertible           $2,996

Firebird Sprint
The Sprint package added a floor mounted gear shifter, body sill moldings, F-70-14 tires and a healthier OHC6 featuring a 4BBL carburetor and 10.5:1 heads which produced 215bhp. This model can be identified by a set of "OHC-6 Sprint" badges that appear on the forward edge of the rocker panels and a thin set of stripes installed on the sides of the body. These differed from those used on the "HO" package. 
Cost of the Sprint package: $116.16

Firebird 350
This model was the first in the line of V-8s, hence its namesake. The 350 featured a new V8 loosely based on the previous years 326. The new block featured a larger displacement due to an increase in bore size from 3.72 to 3.88. With a 2bbl carb and 9.2:1 compression the new V8 made 265bhp @ 4,600 rpm. This model can be identified by the "350" emblems located on the rear edge of the hood bulge. Interestingly this option was cheaper than the Sprint 6 package. Cost: $106

Firebird 350 HO
This model was the starting point for high performance models. It featured a 4BBL carburetor, dual exhaust, heavy duty battery and F70-14 tires. The upgrades were good for a 35hp increase to 320bhp @ 5100 rpm. This model can be identified by the stripes that were applied to each side of the body with the letters "HO" appearing in a break in the stripes on the fender. Package cost: $181

Firebird 400
Easily the most desirable model of the bunch this one featured Pontiacs 400c.i. mill. The 400 (coded W66) was equipped with a 4BBL carburetor and dual exhausts and made 330bhp @ 4,800 rpm. Other standard features unique to this model included a floor mounted shifter, chrome engine parts, sports suspension and shocks, heavy-duty battery, a Power Flex Fan, and either red stripe or whitewall tires. This model is most easily recognized by the twin-scoop hood with "400" emblems located on the rear edge of the hood bulge.
Cost for this option: $351 to $435

Firebird 400 HO
The "HO" version of the Firebird 400 received the L74 code 400 which sported a wilder cam for a total hp rating of 335bhp @ 5,000 rpm. Buyers also received a "free-flowing" exhaust with the HO upgrade.

Firebird 400 Ram Air
The Ram Air version sported the L67 coded 400 which added cold air induction through functional hood scoops. This combination made 335bhp @ 5,3000 rpm.
Cost for this option: $616

Firebird 400 Ram Air II
In March of 1968 Pontiac released another L67 coded 400 dubbed the Ram Air II. This 400 featured new round port heads, high-lift cam, forged aluminum pistons, Armasteel crank, tulip-head valves and dual high-rate valve springs. This potent 400 was rated at 340bhp @ 5,400 rpm. This option required a Turbo hydramatic or four-speed manual transmission.
Cost: $631.12


VIN Number Decoding:
Location: Attached to the left side of the top side of the dash.

Sample: 223378U100001

22337 is the model number.
1st digit is the GM division number. 2 = Pontiac
2nd digit is the series number. 2 = Firebird
3rd digit is the model/engine number. 3 = All firebirds manufactured in 1967.
4th and 5th digits are the body type and number:
37 = 2dr coupe
67 = 2dr convertible
6th digit is the last number in the model year i.e. 1968
7th digit is a letter indicating the assembly plant:
U = Lordstown, OH     L = Van Nuys, CA

100001 is the sequential production number. These numbers fell into two ranges to differentiate between V-6s and V-8s as show in the table below.

Specifications:

General specifications

Shipping Weight

Transmission Ratios

Rear Axle Ratios

Codes:

Exterior Color Codes

Interior Trim Codes

Door Panels

Seats    

Convertible and Vinyl Top Color Codes

Manifest Engine Codes (col. 75-76)

Manifest Transmission Codes (col.77)

Axle Codes

      There are two methods of identifying the axle ratio. The proper two-letter code is stamped in the axle housing just to the left of the carrier case and
      directly below the brake pipe clip. The same code is applied to the left rear brake drum facing by means of a sticker.

Part Numbers and Casting Numbers

Engine Block
     Location: Rear of the block just behind the #8 cylinder.

     350 = 9790079
     400 = 9790071
     400 RA = 9792506

Intake Manifold
     250 (OHC) 
       1-BBL = 9794231
       4-BBL = 9794232

     350/400
       2-BBL = 9790418
       4-BBL = 9790140

Distributor
     350 (265hp) 
          1111281

     350 (320hp) 
      man = 1111447
      auto = 1111282

     400 
      man = 1111448, 1111449
      auto = 1111270, 1111300

Carburetor

Identification information specific to the year model

• The 1968 Firebird can be identified by three exterior features:

1. The most obvious is the one piece full length drivers and passengers door glass. The 1/4 window from the previous year was replaced.
   

2. The front parking lamps were moved to the corner of the front end to "wrap-around" the fender. This was done so the parking lights could act as side marker lamps for the front to meet new federal safety legislation requiring front and rear side marker lamps.
   

3. In accordance with the new legislation noted above Pontiac added new side marker lamps in the rear. They were small metallic emblems in the shape of the Pontiac Arrowhead.

Interesting facts

• The Ram Air II packaged released in June was offered for both the Firebird and the GTO. It was rated at 366bhp on the GTO and only 340bhp on the Firebird. Pontiac achieved this by adding a throttle linkage restrictor to the Firebird which did not allow the secondaries to open all the way. This was done to satisfy GM's edict 10bhp per 1lb. Remove the restrictor from the linkage and the Ram Air II was good for 366bhp.
  

• 413 Ram Air I Firebirds were built in 1968, 321 were 4-speeds and 92 were automatics. 110 Ram Air II Firebirds were built in 1968, 98 were 4-speeds and 12 were automatics. Of the total Ram Air Firebirds built 511 were coupes and only 12 were convertibles. Below is the breakdown by engine code:
  Ram Air I:  WI = 321 / XN = 92
  Ram Air II: WU = 98 / XT = 12
  

• The Ram Air II heads were the first Round-Port heads. All 1968 heads cast through November 1967 had the A.I.R. boss cast into the head but not drilled. Heads manufactured after this date did not have the A.I.R. boss at all.
  

• A functional "Ram Air" hood became available for the first time in mid-1968. It was very simple in its first form. The dummy scoops installed on all Firebird 400 hoods were simply opened up to allow cold air into the air cleaner. Cold air is denser and contains more oxygen which burns more efficiently and adds more horsepower. 
  

• The 230c.i. OHC6 used in the 1967 Firebird had Cheverolet made reciprocating parts. In 1968 Pontiac engineers replaced these with Pontiac parts for the new 250c.i. OHC6.
  

• 1968 Firebirds received multi-leaf rear springs in place of the previous Mono-plate springs and staggered rear shocks. The right one was placed ahead of the axle and the left placed behind the rear axle. Both changes were made to alleviate the previous years problems with wheel hop and jitter.
  

• A new 4-way power seat was offered for the first time in 1968 Firebirds. It would be offered again in 1969, then discontinued and never brought back. Only 207 power seats were sold in '68 and 907 through Aug '69 making this a rare option.

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