Car Model History

First generation · Coke-bottle pony car · 1967–1969

1968Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac's F-body pony car, launched mid-1967 as a more upscale sibling to the Chevrolet Camaro, in coupe and convertible forms. The Trans Am performance package arrived for 1969.

First generation · Coke-bottle pony car

1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 Hardtop, first generation — front three-quarter view

Photo: “1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 Hardtop” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1968 Pontiac Firebird model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1968 Firebird

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

42factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory model, body, engine, and transmission combinations represented by the cited exact-year records. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Firebird power-train chart, Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Firebird engine and transmission identification records.

42versions shown
Firebird6 exact versions

Firebird Hardtop — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Hardtop — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Hardtop — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Convertible — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Convertible — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Convertible — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird Sprint6 exact versions

Firebird Sprint Hardtop — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Sprint Hardtop — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Sprint Hardtop — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Sprint Convertible — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Sprint Convertible — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Sprint Convertible — 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird 3506 exact versions

Firebird 350 Hardtop — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 350 Hardtop — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 350 Hardtop — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 350 Convertible — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 350 Convertible — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 350 Convertible — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird H.O.6 exact versions

Firebird H.O. Hardtop — 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird H.O. Hardtop — 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird H.O. Hardtop — 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird H.O. Convertible — 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird H.O. Convertible — 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird H.O. Convertible — 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 2-speed automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird 4006 exact versions

Firebird 400 Hardtop — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Hardtop — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Hardtop — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Convertible — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Convertible — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Convertible — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird 400 H.O.4 exact versions

Firebird 400 H.O. Hardtop — 400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 H.O. Hardtop — 400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 H.O. Convertible — 400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 H.O. Convertible — 400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird 400 Ram Air I4 exact versions

Firebird 400 Ram Air I Hardtop — 400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Ram Air I Hardtop — 400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Ram Air I Convertible — 400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Ram Air I Convertible — 400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Firebird 400 Ram Air II4 exact versions

Firebird 400 Ram Air II Hardtop — 400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Ram Air II Hardtop — 400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Ram Air II Convertible — 400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird 400 Ram Air II Convertible — 400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1968 model year

Overview

Pontiac's exact-year factory literature documents 42 1968 Firebird configuration rows across 2 model, body, and powertrain combinations. This first-generation roster keeps Firebird, Esprit, Formula, Trans Am, engine, and transmission applicability within their supported year boundaries.

Specifications

Engines
  • 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel
  • 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel
  • 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
  • 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
  • 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
  • 400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
  • 400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel
  • 400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel
Transmissions
3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, 2-speed automatic, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Body styles
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe, Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The 1968 record includes only factory-supported model, body, engine, and transmission pairings; appearance groups and neighboring-year combinations are not inferred.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The documented lineup exposes 42 source-backed combinations while preserving Trans Am and other equipment boundaries instead of multiplying unsupported model pages.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify VIN, engine code, transmission, emissions equipment, and build date before ordering parts. Inspect corrosion and prior body repair, cooling and fuel systems, drivetrain originality, weather seals, electrical accessories, and modification quality.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1968 Firebird on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1968 Pontiac Firebird. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
7
Factory intervals
7
Fitment-scoped
7
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1968 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-8/0-9 — 4 months or 6,000 miles · checked

  • Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment scoped to the exact engine row in the Firebird application table.

    Applies to: 1968 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 8 months · Change at the first oil change, then every other oil change.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-9 — oil-filter row · checked

    Baldwin B39 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes filter fitment only; it does not alter the separately sourced service schedule.

    Applies to: 1968 · 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 1-barrel, 250 cu in OHC inline-six, 4-barrel, 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 350 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 400 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 400 cu in Ram Air I V8, 4-barrel, 400 cu in Ram Air II V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1968 Firebird six-cylinder 250 and V8-350/400 carbureted applications row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 945, Pontiac 1968 Firebird six-cylinder 250 and V8-350/400 carbureted applications row — Lube — B39 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Validated equivalentBaldwin B39

      Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed

      Cataloged for the 1968 Firebird six-cylinder 250 and V8-350/400 carbureted applications; verify engine code and installed dimensions.

      Catalog: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 945, Pontiac 1968 Firebird six-cylinder 250 and V8-350/400 carbureted applications row — Lube — B39 · checked

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  • Chassis lubrication

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1968 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Whichever occurs first; lubricate normally greased suspension parts, including ball joints.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-9 — chassis-lubrication row · checked

  • Positive crankcase ventilation service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1968 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Check the hose and passages, service the ventilation filter, and replace the valve.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-10 — 12 months or 12,000 miles · checked

  • Carburetor fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1968 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Remove and clean the bronze filter and cavity, or replace the paper element.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-10 — carburetor fuel-filter row · checked

  • Paper air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1968 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Replace; service more often after severe dust exposure.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-10 — paper air-cleaner-element row · checked

  • Automatic transmission fluid and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1968 · Automatic · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 24 months · Whichever occurs first; 12,000 miles under heavy-duty or excessive stop-and-go use.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-10 — automatic-transmission row · checked

Collect

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Firebird power-train chart
  2. Pontiac Motor Division — 1968 Firebird engine and transmission identification records

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