Converting '67 Firebird to Camaro

[Rock Toy]

I'm thinking of a pro-touring ride anyways so vintage is not important. What are the differences and how hard would it be? I am thinking that the only differences are the front sheet metal, the rear taillight sheetmetal and the "sharks gills" in the rear quarters. Everything else the same?

[rocketman]

Its still goingto be a firebird,and a firebird is more rare than a camaro would leave it.a pro touring firebird will be a little differnet

[68Formula]

There was one on eBay just like that last week. Excellent condition too. I think it was still at $999 and 0 bids with 13 hours to go. You might want to take that into consideration.

Either buy a real Camaro or love the Firebird as is.

[zcrz]

I would leave it a bird...thay are sweet cars

[BRIAN]

No
Mistake
Why?

[THX 138]

and the reason is WHAT? Be original, not a sheep, do something different. If you like Camaros so much, incorporate something like the RS hideaway lights grill or something.

[restomodbird69]

leave it a bird,if you want a camaro buy one

[go-fish]

Dude. ???

[BADVELLE]

What in the hell are you talking about??:Alchy: :Alchy:

Be different, be unique, build it as it was intended!

[68firebird]

the hood is different too, also, the motor, unless you've already got a chevy motor in it like myself. the early birds are alot more rare to see than a camaro, never mind the rarity of a pro-touring bird. How could you possibly want to get rid of possibly one of the greatest looking nose pieces/bumpers ever?

[trapin]

Rock Toy....what you're thinking of doing is out right sacriledge around these parts. Those old birds deserve a place in this hobby as much as Camaros do. I will reiterate what others have said and advise you that if you absolutely must have a Camaro, do the car you have a favor and sell it. Then take the money and buy a Camaro.

SAVE OUR FIREBIRDS!!!

Thank you.

[TA219]

There are a few cool old birds here on the board, take a look at a few of them and you might change your mind!

[BonzoHansen]

Nnnooooooooooooo!!!!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

i hope you had your flamesuit on...

[mac71ss]

every piece of sheet metal is different i think. I know in 69 the lines in the door skins are different not to sure about 67. Pro-touring birds are awsome you can fix it up and you are going to be diffrent with a car that will get alot of attention!

[EFI69Cam]

I know in 69 the lines in the door skins are different not to sure about 67.

????

[formula]

it's actually not that hard. here it is in three easy steps

1) give me the bird

2) buy a camaro

3) repair any sheet metal damage on the camaro.

boom, done.

[Jim Nilsen]

Considering that in the long run Firebirds may end up being more valuable to people that are mad at their money wanting something different than a Camaro, it just wouldn't make sense to do it. If it is a matter of money in your own pocket and you don't have the cash to buy bird parts now and you can find a Camaro front clip cheap and put it on to get down the road for now until you get all of the bird parts to convert it back to original ,then I really think it's your car and your $$$$.

You will miss the chance to have something different either way you go if you just do the front end but if you are going to change the tail you are going to make an expensive mistake both in the cost of the build and the future value of the car.

I too personally always liked the bird front ends and would keep it that way.

Think of what you would call it and remember that they already made Fireos,I mean Fiero's and Cambird is out of the question for a cool name.

Jim Nilsen

[speedster]

Keep it a Firebird...
Then get a Camaro.

And have a matched pair !

[Drewhelm]

I'll echo the sentiments already expressed. LEAVE the bird a BIRD! Don't downgrade it's value/uniqueness/appearance by throwing Camaro parts at it.

[king67rsss]

this is interesting- there is a guy here in San Diego that has a 68 Firebird that he converted to a Camaro a few years ago.
He cannot sell it! I looked at it and the bodywork is superb. He said that the Camaro guys don't want it cause it's a Firebird and the Firebird guys dont' want it cause it would cost too much to convert it back.

[StRacerDuke]

Rock Toy:

GO FOR IT!!!

I'm going against the grain here and going to say build what you want! Personally I think the firechickens are fugly and think it would be a fun project to turn it into a camaro. The only draw back (other than the community bashing you for cutting it up) is having a Pontiac Firechicken title. It may be a little bit of an issue if/when you go to sell it.

I actually walked by a red 69 convertable chicken in downtown Boston this morning on the way to work (on Charles St. near the T) and thought it would be a fun project to take a torch to and modify.

[JLM]

...Please, for all that is holy...leave it a bird!!!

[wantahertzdonut]

it's actually not that hard. here it is in three easy steps

1) give me the bird

2) buy a camaro

3) repair any sheet metal damage on the camaro.

boom, done.

I was going to suggest the same thing! If you pass, I'll be next in line!

[jaybee]

To me it's the answer to a question no one asked. When you're done it still isn't a Camaro, but it also isn't a Firebird. And I like the 'birds.

[6'9"Witha69]

I agree with everything said to leave it the way it is. I do disagree with the best looking nose/bumper comment, Pontiacs never had a clean looking front end IMO. The spent so much effort on looking different from their Chevy bretheren, they usually botched the nose job. Other than that, the Birds are truly awesome. Never mind the fact that EVERY Pontiac guy will chastise you from here to eternity.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

the real question is how can you not like this!?

heres some inspiration.. youll thank us later

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

pro touring bird...

[JLM]

That's definitely a good looking bird. I like the execution on the front air dam

[restomodbird69]

if that doesnt insprie him nothing will

[Steve Firebird]

I say leave it as a bird but it's your car. I like them both of course I am partial to the Birds.
STRacerDuke Lets not start ripping on the Birds or their will be retribution :enguard:

[mac71ss]

????

Ok i am a dummy! I checked my notes and the door skins are the same. For some reason i was thinking the lins where a little off. :hammer:

[TonyHuntimer]

Now that's a nice 'Bird! One of the coolest 67's I've probably ever seen. The painted front bumper really changes the look of the car. I likey. Forget changing the Firebird to a Camaro.

Converting a 67 or 68 to a Camaro is easier than converting a 69 Firebird to a Camaro. I think you asked for opinions...so I say keep it as a Firebird. Be different.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[Charley Lillard]

When you go to sell it how will you describe it ? If you describe it as a Camaro you will have to explain the Firebird title and that will be a tough sell. If you describe it as a Firebird that looks like a Camaro I doubt if the phone will ring. Firebird guys like Firebirds and Camaro guys like Camaro's.

[Roadrage David]

leave the bird ALONE

[trapin]

Venomous...who's Firebird is that? That thing is KILLER!!!

I like the painted front bumper. Another idea I had for those cars was to try painting the bumper a titanium color, it would make the bumper more understated but still contrast enough.

[xtrmeta]

I agree, leave it a bird. But for some reason the birds never pull as much money as a Camaro when you sell them.

[vintageracer]

How about putting 69 Sheetmetal on the 68 convertible shell and leaving the correct 68 VIN and trim tag?

[BonzoHansen]

Did we scare Rock Toy away?? :) I agree with Charley, the car woudl be virtually unsellable. Which is important, even if you don't think it is now.

[CHILI442]

Aren't there enough chevys for you chevy people to F up? Leave the bird alone. They're cool, and there's already enough first gen camaros out there.

[68Formula]

If you want to build one that's not real, Dynacorn makes a '67 crate coupe in addition to the '69s.

[StRacerDuke]

If you wanted to get wild and confuse people, turn it into a Camaro then follow Ronracer's move and put a twin turbo Ford in it...

[6'9"Witha69]

:throw:
If you wanted to get wild and confuse people, turn it into a Camaro then follow Ronracer's move and put a twin turbo Ford in it...And use a Dana 60 rear end with a Honda Eiffel tower twin spoiler!

[BonzoHansen]

Better a Hemi & Ford 9"....

[go-fish]

and some gold hundret spoke D's ninja !!!

[Diognes56]

Leave it a bird :yep: .

David

[gonein67bird]

Dude thats my Bird,thanks for the kind words!I was going to say what every one else said but after reading all the posts I think the point is made.What I think is cool is half the flames came from guys who dont even have a pontiac's thanks guys. rock toy where did you go dude helloooooooooo I think you guys scared him away.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

cmon now.. i HAD to use your car as the point to prove.

your car is super minty.

[gonein67bird]

Thank you very much venomous!

[element180]

I agree with everyone here.Leave it as what it is and add you're personal touches to make it your own.To me,it's along the lines of taking a Fiero and putting a Lambo body kit on it.It's still a Fiero.Not if you were thinking of say,installing a Camaro dash in a 'Bird or (or vice-versa) then I'd say go for it.