1969 Firebird, TT Pontiac engine

[69Phoenix]

Well, it's been almost ten years since I last posted. Poor car got mothballed after a disruption with the local hot rod builder. Then the economy tanked and so the car has sat. A good friend told me about a Firebird built by BBT Fabrications in Illinois a couple of years ago and after a few phone calls to Troy Gudgel the owner we decided to get the ball rolling again. He has a great team and fully understands what it takes to build a world class vehicle. I have been very impressed with their work and look forward to seeing the car completed.

First image in orange was the car when I purchased it off eBay in the mid 2000’s before stripping it down. The second how it sits now.

What we had done twelve or thirteen years ago ended up being fully scrapped aside from the original sheet metal, of which little was/is left. It's a tough lesson to learn but sometimes you just don't get what you pay for. So... we yanked all the work done all those years ago and started over from scratch. I believe now the car will get finished and more importantly be safe. We are building this car to run north of 200 MPH and drive with nice manners.

Current Build Status:
Builder: BBT Fabrications, Mahomet, Illinois
Roadster shop IRS chassis
RS Gear T-56 (Tranzilla) six speed transmission
Butler Performance 482" aluminum Pontiac engine, Quillen Motorsports turbo spec and tune
Side exiting exhaust
Lots of cool fabrication work throughout.

[derekf]

Welcome to the site, Brad. We're glad to have you.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

nice plans for that bird.. welcome

[6'9"Witha69]

Looks like a cool project. Keep us updated as we love the in process photos.

[69Phoenix]

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[andrewb70]

Welcome back. I moved the thread to Project Updates...

Andrew

[rohrt]

Cool stuff.

[T_Raven]

Nice project. I follow some of BBT's threads on lateral-g, they do great work.

[Motown 454]

Very Nice!

[Nicks67GTO]

So do the plans still call for a 482" TT aluminum Pontiac??

[keepat]

very cool, love the rocker exhaust!
Pat

[69Phoenix]

Yes, we just purchased an all aluminum 8.0 liter Butler Pontiac motor and Travis Quillen at Quillen Motorsports will be doing the tuning for us.




So do the plans still call for a 482" TT aluminum Pontiac??

[69Phoenix]

I will be/am selling the original motor we had planned for the car. It was built for and originally in the Mark Stielow built Malibu "Malitude". The new owner (Jody Bernard) who purchased it from Mark decided to put an LS twin turbo in its place so I bought the motor with less than 1000 miles on it. It's a Nelson Racing Engines built twin turbo 372" small block chevy. I will post it shortly with details. A sweet deal for someone looking to go TT. In the mean time you can look up Mark Stielow "Malitude" for old article or Jody Bernarnd Malibu "malitutde" for details of the car with the LS TT in it. A sweet ride either way.

[69Phoenix]

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[69Phoenix]

128969Exhaust tips mounted.

[69Phoenix]

It's been awhile so I thought I'd give a quick update. The guys at BBT Fab are doing a great job and I am happy to be working with such a great group of individuals. True to form Troy and team are being different and completely moving away from the factory grill and doing something completely different. I am on board with this as I wanted something more unique than the standard and typical Firebird front end. There will be those that love it and those that don't. This is okay by me as its what makes the community what it is. A bunch of folks that love messing around with cars and getting together to discuss what they like and what they don't.

I figured it was time for an update as part of the fun of our hobby is sharing and learning form others ideas. I wish I had time to give more frequent updates but life calls me to duty every day at 6:30 AM and there is little time to spare. I'll try to do a better job this year as we close in on completion.

Happy Holidays to everyone at Pro-Touring.com and here's to 2018!!!

You can follow the build closer by visiting or signing up for updates from BBT Fab's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/bbtfab/

1969 Firebird
482" aluminum Butler motor
Twin Precision 6870 Turbos
RS Gear T-56 (tranzilla)
Roadster Shop Fast Track IRS chassis
Lots of fun machined and fabricated parts



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[Interceptor5588]

Troy and team are completely moving away from the factory grill and doing something completely different. I am on board with this as I wanted something different that the standard and typical Firebird front end. There will be those that love it and those that don't. This is okay by me as its what makes the community what it is. A bunch of folks that love messing around with cars and getting together to discuss what they like and what they don't.

Anything they can do to kill off that ugly factory grill is OK with me. Amazing workmanship all around.

[69Phoenix]

Agreed and thanks for the vote of confidence. The notorious Firebird "Beak" may be something that screams Firebird but it's such an eyesore that we felt it had to go. I'm glad you are in agreement with killing it off.

[69Phoenix]

Frontal and upper view of the Butler Performance prepped aluminum 482" Pontiac engine. Interior view looking towards the rear of the car.




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[BlackHD]

Wow, nice build! Keep up the good work.

[69Phoenix]

Shot of the trunk area. Sure hate to cover all this pretty metal work up.

[69Phoenix]

147423:headbang:

[69Phoenix]

147962

[67SSDan]

Holy crap! This is going to kick some major tail!

[69Phoenix]

Thanks TBG,

The guys at BBT Fabrications in Mahomet Illinois are working their fingers to the bone making every aspect perfect. A group of young, highly skilled, and very hungry individuals, constantly pushing the envelope and doing things that are out of the box. I can't speak highly enough about the level of professionalism they have shown me over the last few years as the car has been in progress. I live 1000 miles away and feel like I know them as neighbors. Good folks at BBT. Troy, Pete, Clay, Paul and Derek are all so talented. Very much looking forward to the finished product. Hope to keep posting images as the weeks and months of 2018 fly by. If anyone is looking for a great group of guys to work with, give Troy Gudgel the proprietor a call. You may be waiting a while as they have a full shop, but good things come to those who wait.

[ryeguy2006a]

124529124530

Love that spoiler! That is a work of art.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Everything that BBT touches ends up looking fantastic. Amazing work.

[69Phoenix]

Thanks Josh. Getting to know those guys over the last few years has been a lot of fun. They are like most of us, just a bunch of guys who like cars and metal work. A quick look at their Instagram accounts and you realize just how much fun they have when not at work. Being from Texas I can appreciate all the pics of guns, fishing, and silliness. Pretty much like all of us in the auto world.

[stevehoj]

Very sharp so far, nice.

[Motown 454]

WOW! amazing build.

[slimjim]

I did not know this build was on PT, I've been following it intensely on IG, it could very much be the best firebird to date IMO, the craftsmanship is a whole new level.

[69Phoenix]

Moving right along. Firewall is complete, now working on getting the rest of the turbo plumbing, intake, and grill completed. Wheels are due in anytime and hope to see what she looks like sitting on the ground under her own weight again. Hope to post more updates in the next couple of weeks.
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[72blackbird]

69Phoenix,
Awesome build- thank you keeping it PONTIAC powered.

Geno

[jamminj007]

That is some awesome work. Just Sexxxxxy!

[rohrt]

That is some amazing metal work.

[69Phoenix]

149057149056Intake design has been in for a while now. Anticipate delivery and updated images of engine compartment soon. One step at a time. I will do my best to upload new images as I have them. Work, family, and the speed at which life is moving at the moment keep me from posting as often as I’d like. I hope those following along find the changes we are making tasteful but obviously “not traditional”. Once the lights and grill are in you’ll see what I’m talking about.

More images on Instagram as well as pics of other builds at Troy’s shop: BBT Fab Instagram should get you there.

Everyone have a good weekend!!!

[andrewb70]

I like the intake rendering, but I would definitely try to go with dual DBW throttle bodies instead of cable.

Andrew

[69Phoenix]

Very good advice and point well taken. I just received the models yesterday and wanted to post them.

[boss_hoss]

149057149056Intake design has been in for a while now. Anticipate delivery and updated images of engine compartment soon. One step at a time. I will do my best to upload new images as I have them. Work, family, and the speed at which life is moving at the moment keep me from posting as often as I’d like. I hope those following along find the changes we are making tasteful but obviously “not traditional”. Once the lights and grill are in you’ll see what I’m talking about.

More images on Instagram as well as pics of other builds at Troy’s shop: BBT Fab Instagram should get you there.

Everyone have a good weekend!!!


Holy cow! Love that intake, I've been thinking for a long time about a modern style EFi intake on a Pontiac engine. Can't wait to see that come to life. Do you anticipate having to modify the coolant crossover?

[69Phoenix]

Kevin Masson of Kingdom Metal Works spent some time at BBT's shop this week. He hails from Hampton Kentucky and does some amazing metal shaping. They devoted some time this week to working on the hood skin for the Firebird. What do you think???

https://www.instagram.com/kingdommetalworks/

[69Phoenix]

the hood before it was one piece. Two halves coming together as one.

[69Phoenix]

Three pieces are now almost one.

[skylark guy]

Holy crap! This thing is amazing!!!!

[Hammered]

Love the reinterpretation of the hood.

[69Phoenix]

Hope to post images on the car on the ground soon. It's been in the air for so very long. Follow the link below to BBT's Instagram page where a short video can be viewed.


https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf9al3EA586/?taken-by=bbtfab

[69Phoenix]

Made a trip to Mahomet to see the guys at BBT fab and to check on the projects. Troy, Pete, Clay, and Paul are doing a great job on lots of customer cars and it was good to spend a few hours with them. The car is finally on the ground and things are looking great. Holding out on showing the wheels for a little while longer while we work on a few other areas of the car. Hope to post that for everyone soon.

What do you all think? Things going in the right direction?

[69Phoenix]

Mock up grill is in place to allow fitment of headlight assemblies, buckets, etc, etc. This will have to hold us over until the machined grill inserts are in. 151023

[69Phoenix]

BBT Fabrications doing the thing they love most. Fabricating some fatness... a little goes a long ways.





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[69Phoenix]

Stance is looking great and we still have plenty of clearance underneath.

[69Phoenix]

How's the butt end looking?

[69Phoenix]

Troy forcing aluminum to conform to his demands. What do you think he is building?

[69Phoenix]

This is a shot of one of the headlight buckets completed. The guys at BBT love working metal more than most. I enjoy seeing their level of craftsmanship as it comes together. I have a hard time believing you can take pieces of aluminum, weld them together, then pound the crap out of them and come out with something that looks like a machine made it. I guess it's why I don't hand build cars.

[1965gp]

My god this car is going to be work of art when it’s done! I love it!

[69Phoenix]

Ready for the wheels to show their stuff. Here's a front corner and rear corner view. Not sure how we are going to finish them but here they are in their raw form. Evod Industries did an "amazing" job.

https://www.instagram.com/evod_industries/


BBT Fabrications is responsible for all the amazing fabrication and assembly work on this car. They are hand building many pieces. Great group of young guys who are passionate about each car the produce and pay attention to the smallest of details. Couldn't be more pleased with the entire team.

Butler Prepped aluminum 482", Twin Turbo, Rockland Standard T-56, Roadster Shop Fast Track IRS.

[69Phoenix]

Here's a shot of the bulged driver's fender. BBT spent much time working this over to give us some additional tire clearance. Thanks Guys!

[skylark guy]

That fender bulge work looks great! Looks like they kept the line on the car nice and clean.

[slimjim]

it's sickening how skilled that group of guys are. this will be such an amazing car

[69Phoenix]

From 2006 with a 377 inch Nelson built Chevy, to 2017 with the Butler built aluminum 482. As with many projects, they take on a life of their own. What was the goal in 2006 before the recession, completely changed this time around. Just glad the project has momentum and will finally be finished. What a ride this has been.

If I had advice for anyone, it would be to lay out what you want in the beginning and stick to your plan. We scrapped 100% of what the local shop here in Texas had done. Including the chassis, tin work, roll cage, and so much more. Hated to lose all that money and time but it was not going to perform to expectation the way it was going so it just had to sit and I had to learn the hard way. I am very confident in what the guys at BBT Fabrications in Mahomet Illinois are doing. They don’t just make pretty stuff.... they make stuff that works and is safe. This car needs to do 200+... at least once or twice and I feel confident it’ll do so smoothly and safely.

[69Phoenix]

Pete Fortney at BBT spent quite a few hours getting the fenders perfect. This provides just the right amount of clearance for the 19” Evod wheels.

[69Phoenix]

Images are out of order but you get the idea. A little bluing material on the fender, some good scribe marks, and then the cutting can begin.

[redmist]

Speechless.

Absolutely amazing work, and I am now motivated! Thanks! ha

[69Phoenix]

Headlight bucket being fitted to the mock up grill insert, and bucket installed for fitment

Hope to have the grill and bezel pieces finished in the next handful of weeks. Hard waiting on everything but in order to get it all right it just takes time. I don’t have the patience Troy and his team at BBT have and can appreciate all the hard work they are doing.

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[cbpldc]

I'm really enjoying this build. Based on the shape of the headlight openings and buckets, are you thinking Mustang or from something else?

Chris

[69Phoenix]

We have and are having all the grill and light components custom machined out of 6061-T6 aluminum. The lights themselves are HID units. Once we have everything together and in one place we'll post some pictures with them installed. Glad you are enjoying the build.

[69Phoenix]

Just wanted folks to see and get an idea of what kind of work the guys at BBT in Mahomet Illinois do. Can't wait to see the dash and doors coming together. For now the focus is on the plumbing for the turbos and the grill/headlight assemblies. We will be machining the grill and light bezels in our shop in Georgetown Texas on a Haas VF-6. Sometimes it’s okay to sit on the sidelines and watch, sometimes it’s fun to get involved.

Will post updates as I have them.

[69Phoenix]

Floors looking at what is now the firewall.

[Build-It-Break-It]

Amazing. Their skills are insane.

[Buryingthesun]

The metal work on this car is just unbelievable

[69Phoenix]

We've been busy on other aspects of the car and I've been waiting on availability on our shop floor to machine the grill components. Finally got some time in the Haas VF-6 and this is how things are progressing. Not sure how we are going to finish the components just yet but this is how they are looking in bare aluminum.

I'll post additional pics as we wrap things up to see what you think.

[69Phoenix]

Each hole is at a 6 degree angle and after roughing them all out we went back and profiled each hole into a honeycomb shape. The run time is long but the end product will be worth it. We wanted to make a few things in our shop to show our commitment to the project and to be a part of the build. Growing up in a machine shop has it's benefits and it's fun for our crew to get involved in more than just machined parts that go "somewhere" but never give the guy who makes them any idea of how they are used. Our programmer is having a good time running these one off pieces for the car. Hope to make more components when we get to the interior.

[ryeguy2006a]

Every-time I see this car, I am in awe at the level of metal finishing. It is amazing to me. Fantastic work!

[skylark guy]

That grill is looking amazing. I have been thinking of doing a billet grill for my Skylark and this may have pushed me into at least drawing it up in CAD. What thickness material are you using?

[69Phoenix]

Thanks for the props on the grill. We are trying to do as much as we can on the car and readily admit we are not fabricators like Troy's team at BBT but we like to machine and thought it would be fun to get involved if only a little bit. The base grill is .375" thick and the two large inner grill bezels covering the main portions of the honeycomb are .750" thick and screw directly to the grill itself from the backside using countersunk hardware. The light bezels/trim pieces are a bit thinner at .875", .375" of which drops down into the headlight openings centering them in place leaving the bezel standing .500" proud of the grill. Hope to have some finished pictures up this weekend.

[Josh@Ridetech]

My lord... That's insane.

[69Phoenix]

An up close shot of the passenger light opening.

[69Phoenix]

Although not a PT vehicle I thought it would be fun to share a new project at BBT Fab. My dad has always bought other people’s “projects” and remade them into his own, always tinkering and tweaking things to his liking. I have been so impressed with the work done at Troy’s shop that I dug out his old 34’ 5 window Ford that has made three moves over 35 years. It sat under a tarp next to the first house I lived in as a kid, then into the driveway, a shed, and finally to our shop where it has sat for the last 18 years. My dad is 77 and I wanted him to have something he could call his own. So... a plan was crafted and Troy and his talented group got busy. They found a Walden chassis with a quick change rear, and Halibrand 16” magnesium wheels from a project that never saw completion out west so we jumped on the opportunity to get the car rolling and scooped those items up.

My dad always liked superchargers and had a small 471 GMC blower he took off an old Diesel engine he found in a junk yard. He reworked it (clearanced the rotors) and runs it on a small block Chevy in a 31’ Model A Ford he bought when I was a teenager. Kind of a rat rod before there were rat rods. Never painted it, never finished the interior, just drove it.

I like technology and low maintenance so I thought it would be fun to blend the two worlds. My generation and his. Texas Speed and Performance is 5 miles from our machine shop in Georgetown, Texas so I had them put together an aluminum 427” LS based long block for the car. BDS supplied a 671 huffer, and Hilborn has the coolest four port stack injectors that are electronically controlled so we bought one of their kits to give it the old school look without the headache of being a full blown race injection system. Hoping this combination will produce plenty of power but be mild mannered enough to cruise the streets.

Lots of plans for the old coupe, hoping to have the car finished by this time next year. Just wanted to share what else BBT Fabrications does as they are not just about muscle cars. They like anything with a motor and wheels.

[69Phoenix]

The old man definitely has a weight advantage!

[Dons67]

so much talent

[69Phoenix]

The brown UPS truck should be showing up at BBT tomorrow with a package! Looking forward to seeing how she smile’s when her new grill gets set in place.

Here are a few shots of the two halves. Not sure what kind of finish will go on the aluminum but for now we’ll be happy just to see how things look with the opening filled.

Thanks to my programmer and machinist Trent Pope who gladly took on the task of taking the aluminum plate and turning it into something pretty.

[69Phoenix]

Full grill assembly. Thanks Trent.

[69Phoenix]

Intake update....

We had the intake designed a while back and needed to check fitment. This plastic 3D printed prototype did the trick and fit perfectly. Now we'll print the intake again out of titanium for use in the car. We'll also be 3D printing other parts to show how this technology can be used in the auto industry.

[69Phoenix]

Just need lenses and the rear is complete. Came out pretty dang close to the rendering.

[skylark guy]

Intake update....

We had the intake designed a while back and needed to check fitment. This plastic 3D printed prototype did the trick and fit perfectly. Now we'll print the intake again out of titanium for use in the car. We'll also be 3D printing other parts to show how this technology can be used in the auto industry.

That is going to be a pricey intake..........

[ryeguy2006a]

I was thinking the same thing about that intake. Just curious what the reasoning for having it made out of titanium vs. Aluminum or other materials? Boost maybe?

[69Phoenix]

I was thinking the same thing about that intake. Just curious what the reasoning for having it made out of titanium vs. Aluminum or other materials? Boost maybe?


There is no reason for titanium over aluminum other than the “fun” factor. We are working with a rapid prototyping/3-D printing company to showcase their capabilities in the automotive world and so our cost to produce this intake is less than it normally would be. No way we would attempt this without a partner in manufacturing, it would be cost prohibitive.

I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product and hope to have some pictures to share soon.

[69Phoenix]

Grill is in place, light assemblies and buckets are done but not mounted yet. Will hopefully post pics of that soon. Things are taking shape but there is plenty to do still. Hoping to get the intake printed soon so we can complete the induction plumbing.

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[69Phoenix]

Grill finally in place.

[69Phoenix]

This a good rear shot. I thInk the stance is good. Nice and low.

[boss_hoss]

Youre inspiring me to go EFI and boosted on my poncho engine. Maybe not quite as crazy as You fella though. Can't wait to see what kinda nd of numbers that beast puts down.



Intake update....

We had the intake designed a while back and needed to check fitment. This plastic 3D printed prototype did the trick and fit perfectly. Now we'll print the intake again out of titanium for use in the car. We'll also be 3D printing other parts to show how this technology can be used in the auto industry.

[69Phoenix]

Time to get the engine compartment gussied up. We will begin work on some unique aluminum parts in the next few weeks that will compliment the grill. Hoping to wrap up the engine area, and interior metal work for SEMA.

[69Phoenix]

One piece at a time.

[69Phoenix]

Front end has been off and on so many times. Troy is working on the engine bay here, trying to wrap things up in time for SEMA. Hope to have updated pics soon with the front end put back together.

Intake should be in within the next couple of weeks. Despite wanting to print the intake like we did for the prototype, the manufacturer lost interest in the project so now we are fortunate enough to have the guys over at EVOD jump on the project and work quickly to knock things out for BBT.

Much thanks to #evodindustries

[69Phoenix]

This is where things stand on the engine compartment. The engine was put back in late last week. We are waiting on a few machined parts for the hood and inner fenders and things should start to wrap up on the front end for the moment.

[69Phoenix]

Time for some cool heat extractors for the hood, a pair for the inner fenders is next after these are done. When finished these will have the same honeycomb pattern the grill has.

Thanks to Trent at SPM Technology for programming and machining these bad boys for me and thanks to Adam at BBT Fabrications for designing them. Very talented guy who is coming up with some really cool component designs for the Firebird. Much more to come.

[69Phoenix]

The engine bay is coming together and wrapping up. Plans for 3D Printed intake fell through despite having a really cool polymer model made. We are now having it machined out of billet and expect to have it next week. Everything does “not” always go as planned. :pat:

[69Phoenix]

Moving right along this week and weekend. Finally on the backside of the heat extractors For the hood. Removing excess material before beginning the process of profiling to final dimensions. Once we are done here we’ll stand them up on end and machine a honeycomb pattern into the face of the pockets where the fins terminate on the top side.

[69Phoenix]

Just need to profile the honecomb on the backside and we will be almost done.

[1965gp]

I love watching this build

[69Phoenix]

This is the underside of one of the heat exchangers. Just a little left to do and I’ll be sending them off to Troy at BBT for fit and finish. Glad we are able to make a few parts for the car.

[69Phoenix]

Hood extractors are done and have been shipped off to BBT. Now they can finish the hood and prepare to load the car up and head to Vegas in a handful of weeks. Valve Covers are being machined at EVOD Industries and the intake is due in anytime. Here are a couple of shots of the engine compartment. Details, details, details.

[69Phoenix]

Front Shot

[69Phoenix]

Wondering what you guys think about these colors. I’ve been over it many times and narrowed it down to a handful of choices. Would appreciate your thoughts. Chime in when you have time.

[andrewb70]

I'm digging the green...

Andrew

[69Phoenix]

I'm digging the green...

Andrew

Thanks Andrew. The two Singer Porsche’s are my favorite two colors... the green and the blue. Really torn between those two. I like the way you are thinking!!!!!!

[andrewb70]

Thanks Andrew. The two Singer Porsche’s are my favorite two colors... the green and the blue. Really torn between those two. I like the way you are thinking!!!!!!

I think that green paint with some sort of goldish....bronzish...wheels would look awesome.

Andrew

[69Phoenix]

Definitely going to have some bronze on the car, including on the wheels. You are reading our minds. Will you be at SEMA this year?

[Bennsb]

That green on the Singer Porsche reminds me of the GM sea mist green with a bit of olive drab. The Koenigsegg reminds me of the late sixties Pontiac engine color. The blue with bronze makes me think of a Subaru WRX. I vote green for whatever it’s worth.

[69Phoenix]

After some responses and discussions with friends it's narrowed down to two. Both are Singer Porsche colors and I really like them both. Have had great response to the Green which Singer calls the car Oregon that wears the color. The other color I really like is one on a Singer car called Cleveland.... it's a deep blue. Very hard choice for me but so far the green is taking it. I like both.

Keep chiming in as I am horrible with making decisions. I do know we'll have some graphite, bronze, and titanium colors on the car, either exterior color will work with these accents so no worries there. Just need to pull the trigger one way or the other.

If you are at SEMA stop by the JET HOT booth and say hello.

[1965gp]

Tough call between those two. I think the green with bronze wheels would win me over

[69Phoenix]

Intake and Mirrors are in. Time for assembly and installation. The heat extractors we shipped earlier this week arrived and are getting detailed while the metal work on the aluminum hood is being finished. Still a lot to do, much thanks to Troy and Clay Mitchum at BBT who are working overtime in preparation for SEMA.

[andrewb70]

Definitely going to have some bronze on the car, including on the wheels. You are reading our minds. Will you be at SEMA this year?

Sadly no...But I am looking forward to seeing how this car turns out!

Andrew

[andrewb70]

Tough call between those two. I think the green with bronze wheels would win me over


After seeing those colors in bigger pictures, I would do the green with straight up gold wheels.

Andrew

[67SSDan]

That blue one is awesome in my opinion. I saw that car after I had already picked my color of blue... and I immediately wished I had seen this one first! LOL You can't go wrong either way I don't think, but I'd go with the blue personally.

Dan

[69Phoenix]

Troy finished the metalwork for one of the heat extractors. He and his team are putting in much overtime from here until SEMA.

[69Phoenix]

There’s light at the end of the tunnel.

[ryeguy2006a]

I'd love to see some closer up pictures of the intake. Is it more than one piece?

[69Phoenix]

I'd love to see some closer up pictures of the intake. Is it more than one piece?

Here's the intake assembled and installed, it is composed of multiple 5-axis machined components. For SEMA it will stay in bare metal as most all aspects of the car will, aside from coatings being performed by Jet Hot where the car will be on display in their booth.

[69Phoenix]

Clay under the car buttoning a few things up. Three weeks to SEMA, the mad dash is on!

[69Phoenix]

Troy and Clay have spent many hours fabricating and forming the metal for the engine compartment. Things have finally taken their final shape. I'm still amazed at what they are capable of doing with metal. We can machine lots of things here in our shop, but working metal by hand is something that's beyond me. Very pleased with what they are accomplishing.

[69Phoenix]

6061-T6 billet aluminum heat extractors are in place and the top side of the hood is complete.

[69Phoenix]

In order to get the flanges for the heat extractors smoothed out after welding, Troy, Clay, and Adam use a planishing hammer, an air driven hammer, to pound the welds into submission.

[69Phoenix]

A BBT designed door handle. Looks like it fits the overall build well. What do you think?

[69Phoenix]

Driver's side turbo plumbing. Most of these pieces are at Jet-Hot getting coated and will be back just in time for SEMA. Please come by their booth # 20143 next to Yukon Gear in the "Racing and Performance" room just behind the Ford MoCo. stage

[69Phoenix]

Here's a map to the Jet-Hot booth in case you happen to be in Vegas. Stop by and say hello.

[69Phoenix]

Troy had these gems machined out of 6061 aluminum by Evod Industries. Looking forward to seeing this chapter complete but hate that all the nice metalwork has to be covered up.

[67SSDan]

Troy had these gems machined out of 6061 aluminum by Evod Industries. Looking forward to seeing this chapter complete but hate that all the nice metalwork has to be covered up.

So are you guys hoping to have this thing in paint by SEMA or just have all the fab stuff done?

Dan

[69Phoenix]

So are you guys hoping to have this thing in paint by SEMA or just have all the fab stuff done?

Dan

Hey Dan... NOPE... we will not have it painted, lots of work left to do before we get to that point. Our goal is to showcase all the fabrication work in bare metal, then after SEMA the car will come apart for final prep, the sheetmetal work on the interior will be done, then painting will begin.

Still trying to decide what color we like best. Many folks have responded they like the Green... the blue and several other blues are appealing also. Hard decision to make.

[69Phoenix]

Evod Industries was kind enough to knock this four piece intake out in record time. Those guys do some amazing work and have built many parts for the car, including the wheels. They are currently working on the valve covers and a few other goodies. Thanks to the folks at Evod Industries for working their fingers to the bone getting these needed parts to Troy at BBT in time for SEMA.

[67SSDan]

Hey Dan... NOPE... we will not have it painted, lots of work left to do before we get to that point. Our goal is to showcase all the fabrication work in bare metal, then after SEMA the car will come apart for final prep, the sheetmetal work on the interior will be done, then painting will begin.

Still trying to decide what color we like best. Many folks have responded they like the Green... the blue and several other blues are appealing also. Hard decision to make.

Okay cool, I was thinking that was going to be a stretch!

Yep, I remember the days leading up to picking my color. For me, it came down to a couple shades of blue... so maybe a little easier than what you're still dealing with. Definitely lots of hand-wringing though!

Dan

[69Phoenix]

Troy and Clay have been burning the midnight oil over at BBT Fabrications. Waiting on the turbos and a few other components to come back from Jet-Hot coatings and the final assembly work on the engine compartment can come to a close for now. The underside support and metal detail on the hood is being completed as we speak. Another week and a half and it will be time to clean things up and load the trailer for Vegas.

Come by Jet-Hot’s booth # 20143 next to Yukon Gear and in the hall directly behind the Ford MoCo. Stage and say hello.

[69Phoenix]

The intake from Evod Industries came out really nice. There’s a few cool details left that we have not installed yet. Looking forward to seeing the valve covers and a couple of other fun parts they are wrapping up for us this next week. Will post pics as soon as they come in.

[69Phoenix]

Much thanks to Paulie Bacon Fingers at BBT for all of his superior welding and plumbing work. He is responsible for the fabrication of the roll cage, headers, entire exhaust, turbo plumbing and much more on this build. He’s in love with his tig welder and really enjoys making perfect beads anywhere he can fit his tungsten electrode!

[ryeguy2006a]

That intake is amazing! Do you plan to have the car running/driving for the show? It looks like you will be close outside of wiring.

[69Phoenix]

That intake is amazing! Do you plan to have the car running/driving for the show? It looks like you will be close outside of wiring.

Don' think the car will be running but its possible and has been on the "to do" list as of late. Depends on whether or not the higher level/more important items get done. Time is running out and the list is still long. Next year is going to be a fun one. Will keep you posted with updates as we have them.

[69Phoenix]

That intake is amazing! Do you plan to have the car running/driving for the show? It looks like you will be close outside of wiring.

Don't think the car will be running but it's possible and has been on the "to do" list as of late. Depends on whether or not the higher level/more important items get done. Time is running out and the list is still long. Next year is going to be a fun one. Will keep you posted with updates as we have them.

[69Phoenix]

Just about done wrapping up the underside. Mate the two pieces together, do some finishing and we’ll have a functioning hood.

[69Phoenix]

Less than two weeks to SEMA. Plenty left to do. Clean hands will never get the job done!!!!

[69Phoenix]

Valve covers came in and look great. We had some restyled retro Chief emblems machined for them. Trying to have some vintage flair here and there on the car. Jet-Hot coated parts will be in early in the week. Install them and wrap things up and hit the road to SEMA.

[andrewb70]

The TB bolt pattern looks like gen 4 LS, if that is the case, you definitely want to use DBW TBs.

Andrew

[Hemi8]

So what reasoning do you tell yourself when you look back at 12 years of work and probably a million dollars spent on an old muscle car that can't even be driven? Hope you are able to insure it. I think all the trick fab work is quite beautiful but Jesus, might as well light your money on fire.

Mike

[69Phoenix]

So what reasoning do you tell yourself when you look back at 12 years of work and probably a million dollars spent on an old muscle car that can't even be driven? Hope you are able to insure it. I think all the trick fab work is quite beautiful but Jesus, might as well light your money on fire.

Mike

Well.... you know what they say... if you’re going to do a job, do it right. Certainly many ways to peel the onion and get to a similar ending on a car build. Things always have a way of spiraling out of control and one thing always leads to another. Definitely not a million dollar car, not anywhere close and in the end it won’t be an old muscle car anymore, it’ll be a new muscle car in an old skin. Why buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini just to be a guy driving an off the lot car? Always good to be different IMO. I love fabrication and machining, it’s the industry/business I am in personally and how I make my living. Working with builders like the folks at BBT Fab is enjoyable as I can relate to what they are doing and am involved on many levels. We made the grill and heat exchangers for the hood ourselves, in our own factory so at least we saved a few bucks. As for lighting money on fire. In the end it is just paper right? Can’t take it with me and would certainly never “waste” it but at some point as we age we have to either “sh*t or get off the pot”. I am choosing to “sh*t” a little bit before I get too old and don’t get to make such a decision for myself anymore.

Insurance... yeah... its out there and won’t be any fun to pay but at least if something happens to the car it won’t be a loss.

As for “can’t be driven”. Bah-Humbug. This thing is going to spend a few weekends at the Texas Mile in Victoria Texas and I can assure you it will get driven. The car is not being built just for show... the go is there too and I intend to use this vehicle. Not a daily driver but it’ll be put through the motions and I’ll be sure to keep the juices flowing regularly.

[69Phoenix]

A parting shot from Friday at BBT Fabrications. Things are are coming to and end and will wrap up next week in preparation for the long haul to Vegas.

[69Phoenix]

Car is ready as it’s going to be. BBT is loading up tonight and heading out mid morning tomorrow for Vegas. Safe travels to all those hitting the road. Swing by Jet-Hot’s booth #20143 behind the Ford stage and say hello.

[skylark guy]

The metal all looks amazing. You guys did great work on this thing. Can't wait to see the full progression.

[69Phoenix]

BBT is officially on the road, arriving Sunday.

[67SSDan]

Been seeing pictures of this thing at SEMA already. Looking sharp man!!

Dan

[69Phoenix]

Been seeing pictures of this thing at SEMA already. Looking sharp man!!

Dan

Thanks Dan. We wore our feet out today walking. Tomorrow is a new day and there is so much to see.

[69Phoenix]

A few pics I took the morning. Engine compartment came out great. Jet-Hot coatings did a great job on the exhaust and turbos.

[stevehoj]

Very talented folks.

[67SSDan]

Very talented folks.

Yeah it's almost a shame to paint that thing!

[skylark guy]

Yeah it's almost a shame to paint that thing!

I agree, however I think it will look amazing when it is all buttoned up.

[69Phoenix]

A few additional pics from the Jet Hot booth.

[69Phoenix]

Close Up Shot of the billet valve covers, intake, and plumbing.

[captainofiron]

amazing work, also very cool sticking with the Pontiac engine and not going cookie cutter with an LS

[69Phoenix]

HID lights with an LED strip below allowing for amber turn signals and white driving accent light much like a halo ring but this one runs below the projectors at the bottom of each light assembly.

[CapSS92]

Saw it in person and it was awesome!! Good job man.

Alex

[69Phoenix]

Work continues post SEMA, the car is coming back apart and the interior sheetmetal/aluminum parts will soon be under construction. Hope to start posting updates again after the first of the year.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone.

[andrewb70]

...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone.

Thanks! Same to you. Looking forward to updates.

Andrew

[76TA]

It's certainly not a vehicle I'd ever consider building (or rather be willing to pay to have built) nor owning but the craftsmanship is there and I can appreciate that.

With that said, at some point a build becomes more of a show piece than a car and this has definitely crossed that line regardless of how many miles are put on it in the near future; let's not kid ourselves!

Lots of man hours behind this and I can't bring myself to scoff at that.

[1965gp]

I love this car, not something I could do, but my god it is a work of art.

[chiva]

My 69 Firebird and I am working on will not be anything like this. This vehicle is a work of art. Just crazy the fabrication on this vehicle. Wow!

[HotWheelz]

Fun on 4 Wheels!

:1st:

[69Phoenix]

A cool video of the engine out of the car while fab/metal work is being done elsewhere. Dash and interior work has begun. Hope to have updated photos soon.

Video on BBT's Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bte87lqlP3l/

[andrewb70]

Cool video clip. I still would highly encourage you to use DBW throttle bodies. The ability to tune pedal% vs. TPS% is indispensable when you have two large throttle bodies.

Andrew

[69Phoenix]

It’s been awhile since SEMA and the guys at BBT have been hard at it. They are making great progress and the focus has turned to wiring and interior sheetmetal. So much to do still but they have come so far since this project started. Very much looking forward to the finished product but am enjoying the journey and am in no hurry to rush things to completion. SEMA will be here again before we know it.

Look for updated pics in the coming days.

[69Phoenix]

Dash sheetmetal nears completion and these pods will house the A/C vents we are machining inhouse at SPM Technology in Georgetown Texas. Too many parts on this project to machine and we are doing all we can inhouse. BBT Fab’s new Haas mill is also turning out some amazing products that I’ll post soon. They are doing such a fine job on all fronts, their new Haas mill is doing double time keeping up width all the products they are desiging inhouse.

Kuddos to everyone at BBT Fabrications in Mahomet Illinois.

[69Phoenix]

The dash pods have been wrapped in aluminum and installed. Moving right along.... lots of cool parts being machined. Will keep posting pics as they are completed at BBT Fab and SPM Technology.

[69Phoenix]

Slipping the engine in “again”. This time in preparation for firing it up.

[69Phoenix]

Adam at BBT whipped up these beauties last week. Center dash reservoir and side speaker covers. Very nice work. BBT has just come out with some very nice products uncluding HVAC control panels. Check out their instagram page for details.

More pics to come as the dash and interior progresses.

[anguilla1980]

Freakin amazingly gorgeous!!!!!!! I'm always so jealous of all metal fab work like this. I'm 39 and I if I had another chance at life, I would have learned metal fabrication like this and chased an artistic career instead of money.

Love what they did with the dash vents. Covered in suede it will look like a modern Ferarri dash.

Just because of those wheels, I also say the green with bronze. With blue, I just can't imagine any color for the wheels that would look as amazing as the green/bronze combo.

[69Phoenix]

Power steering reservoir and heat shield. The shield will go off to Jet-Hot for hi temp coating. One piece at a time. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

[ryeguy2006a]

Amazing work!!

[69Phoenix]

Engine compartment wiring is done and things are moving along to the interior wiring now. There are a lot of moving pieces with the cabling, hoses, lines, both hard and soft, and overall routing. So much behind the scenes being done that will all be hidden when the sheetmetal is put back on the car. Thought it would be interesting to the share things from this perspective.

Work continues on the dash and the interior panels. Will do my best to keep the updates coming. Will also post some pics of the lower grill we are machining at our shop in Texas. Will be similar in design to the uppper grill and hood inserts we recently produced. 164299164298164297164296

[69Phoenix]

164308164309164310164306164307164305A few pics of the lower grill that is similar in design to the upper. Tukes at BBT Fab designed it up right and we slapped it on one of our Haas mills in Texas and are wrapping it up tomorrow for shipment to Troy. Will be good to see the intercooler coverd up and the front end complete. Will get pics of finished product posted before we ship it off.

[69Phoenix]

164311164312

[69Phoenix]

Machined these up in house after Adam at BBT made the models for them. Awesome job by Tukes and the guys at BBT. Still plenty of machined parts to come. 164313164314164315

[slimjim]

Fantastic work, Haas is going strong as well this season

[69Phoenix]

It's certainly not a vehicle I'd ever consider building (or rather be willing to pay to have built) nor owning but the craftsmanship is there and I can appreciate that.

With that said, at some point a build becomes more of a show piece than a car and this has definitely crossed that line regardless of how many miles are put on it in the near future; let's not kid ourselves!

Lots of man hours behind this and I can't bring myself to scoff at that.

“It has certainly taken on a life of it’s own and I won’t ever build another car like this one. Definitely not what was intended when we started the project but there’s no turning back now and so we forge ahead. Parts for us are cheaper to have machined outside our shop here in Texas but we are making as many of the pieces as we can. Next Firebird (1970 T/A) will be the milder probably more fun to drive vehicle. Not as much to worry about if you get a door ding!”

[69Phoenix]

This is the finished product for the lower grill. Shipping it off today to Troy and the guys at BBT. Will update with pics when installed.

[andrewb70]

Beautiful work!

Andrew

[69Phoenix]

164353

[69Phoenix]

Any place that has room for plumbing and wiring is fair game. Trying to keep everything as clean as possible.


164354

[69Phoenix]

A few shots of things wrapping up before the dirty bird goes off to tuning. Rodney and David Butler at Butler performance put together a great combo with the aluminum IAII block and rotating assembly topped off with a set of Edelbrock heads. Looking forward to Travis Qullen’s tuning and some numbers to share. Can’t believe we are almost half way through the year, SEMA will be here again before we know it.

Thanks to Troy, Clay, Paul, and Pete at BBT Fabrications in Mahomet Illinois for doing outstanding work and being great folks to deal with. 164468164469164470

[jlwdvm]

164353

What do you use for fuel line?

[69Phoenix]

Aluminum tubing.

[69Phoenix]

Machined floor mats that double as access panels to the false floor where master cylinders and electrical components reside.

[69Phoenix]

We finished up these kick panel speaker grills in the shop today and shipped them off to BBT. Hoping to get around to the shifter and shifter bezel next once the transmission tunnel is completed and designs finalized.

164533 164534

[69Phoenix]

It’s been a while. Still at it. She’s in primer, interior panels are just about complete, and soon it will be time for paint. For me that’s the hardest part. I’ve thought about green’s and blue’s, silver-platinum, and even some wine, red, brown colors. I am not excited about having to finally choose. I like it it bare but all good things must come to an end.

176276

[69Phoenix]

It’s been a while. Still at it. She’s in primer, interior panels are just about complete, and soon it will be time for paint. For me that’s the hardest part. I’ve thought about green’s and blue’s, silver-platinum, and even some wine, red, brown colors. I am not excited about having to finally choose. I like it it bare but all good things must come to an end.

176276176277176278176279

[TANKMASTERJ]

Wow what a beautiful bird this is. Wish more people see the firebird as such a viable option
I love it

[1965gp]

Wow those lines look sharp- better than factory

[69Phoenix]

A few recent pics of the car getting the underbody, engine compartment, and interior metal painted prior to heading off to exterior paint. With SEMA cancelled the folks at BBT Fabrications will refocus and take more time working the bugs and sorting the issues out prior to SEMA 2021. So disappointed about this year’s event but totally understand. 178750178751178752178753178754

[ryeguy2006a]

I was wondering what happened to this project. Looks killer! Were you able to make it for your dyno session? I'd love to see the power curve on that boosted Pontiac motor.

[ryeguy2006a]

Any updates?

[69Phoenix]

We do not have tuning data yet, certainly anxious to get some numbers and see how the IA II block holds up to boost, and then more boost! It's a proven Butler combo and should allow us to make the numbers we want on a race tune. The car is "officially" at paint getting a few coats of a dark McLaren green. Hope to have some pics soon to post. You heading to SEMA this year? We are planning on being there.




Any updates?

[69Phoenix]

This was the final color we decided to go with.

186481

[ryeguy2006a]

As much as I'd love to go to SEMA, it's on the other side of the country. I'm in NY, so it would need to be a special trip to get there. Not in the cards this year. Can't wait to see it out of paint!

[69Phoenix]

Finally painted, assembled, and with a few miles on it. The McLaren British Racing Green turned out great. We made the trip to SEMA and back which was a lot of fun, made top ten in the Battle of the Builders hot rod category, and made some good memories. Was good to see some folks we had not seen in two years and see some amazing builds. Can't say enough about Troy Gudgel and his entire team at BBT Fabrications, the car turned out great all the way around, a huge "thank you" to them! Hoping to make a trip to Arkansas in the spring after putting a race tune together. I hear the Arkansas Mile is a great place to run a car wide open. We'll see what the weather looks like and if the car is ready maybe we'll put it through the paces.

194906194907194908194909

[stevehoj]

Very nice!

[anguilla1980]

Hell yeah!

[mnr60]

Looks GREAT!!!

[ZZ430]

Pics of the completed engine compartment?

Fantastic build all the way around

[TonyV]

Great results...congrats!

[Vimes]

Very nice. It's not often I like a green car (or green anything, for that matter,) but that's beautiful.

[andrewb70]

Beautiful!

[69Phoenix]

Finally getting around to grabbing some pics off the camera. IA-II blocked Butler prepped 8.0 liter with inconel wrapped Jet Hot coated headers topped off with custom heat shields by BBT Fabrications. Hopefully this will keep the engine temps under control and prevent any issues with the hood/paint. Next stop the Arkansas Mile in mid April.

[badbu68]

Saw this in person at BBT before SEMA, just unreal.

[Motown 454]

That engine bay looks great! Such an amazing build.

[69Phoenix]

Car is getting a race tune for next month’s Arkansas Mile in Blytheville. Hope to have some final numbers to report from the Butler prepped IAII blocked Pontiac early next week. Will let you guys know when I have them.

[Widetrax]

What a beautiful build! Glad you’re out enjoying it, not just letting it sit in a trailer awaiting the next car show.

[gto406]

Beautiful Bird ‘69Phoenix!

[69Phoenix]

What a great experience with a lot of great people. Blytheville Arkansas and the old WWII B52 air force base located there are the location where the East Coast Timing Association holds the Arkansas Mile. The Strupp’s who put the event on are great people and we learned a lot our first time out. We had a lot of fun, and learned a few things.

We learned Sunday morning that 24 lbs is too much boost without an o-ringed block and receiver in the heads. Other issues presented themselves throughout the event and we worked our way through them as we sorted out the car. This affected our ability to lay down good solid consistent runs. Nothing major, what you would expect for a maiden voyage. After some tweaks the car performed flawlessly, was smooth in a violent yet predictable manner and brought plenty of smiles.

A huge shoutout to Troy and Clay at BBT Fabrications, Erin Carpenter from Carma Performance in Nasville TN, and John Jackson from Not Stock Photography. Great people that were instrumental in making the event a success. We enjoyed the time with everyone and I was glad my folks and buddy from high school could be there with me as we finally found out what the car was capable of. It truly was a great experience with a lot of cool people.

Our best mile run was our last late Saturday evening. The car went 192 in the mile with a top speed of 196 before shutoff. I feel with some additional solid runs we could have easily crossed the 200 mark and then some. When we blew a head gasket Sunday morning we knew the trip was over. We have now o-ringed the block and will run copper heads gaskets. This should keep things together as we push for more power at higher boost levels.

Heading back in October for one more weekend of fun and hopefully hit the magic number and then some. I’ll post pics over the next few days.

[T/A Addict]

I spent many years living on that Air Force base and still go back every once in a while.
Those B-52s were always a sight to see and hear take off, but I'm sure that event was just as much a thrill.
I'd love to make that event one day.....How many were there?
Absolutely incredible build BTW!!

[ryeguy2006a]

Wow, that's amazing that you nearly hit 200 mph! Congrats. I'm sure with the new block and more boost you'll hit that target soon.

[BrianP]

Did anyone video the run?

[69Phoenix]

John Jackson took lots of photos and videos. Hope to have a little production out soon. There are a couple of videos on BBT Fabrications Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/p/CctYbe6pIKK/

[69Phoenix]

To answer your question: I'd say there were 40-50 cars and 10 or so bikes. Some folks were only there for a day, broke, had issues or otherwise decided to leave. Some additional folks showed up on Saturday. Incredibly cool place, kinda spooky as it was desolate outside of our group and a giant twin turbine helicopter that left every morning and came back a few hours later. The thing was "HUGE", much larger than it looks in this image. It was cool seeing it take off and land. Maybe we'll see you in October?

200366

[PSMITH]

Beautiful Car. The custom work is outstanding. Green Firebird, you don't see many of them anymore.

[69Phoenix]

The guys at BBT Fabrications took the car down to Columbus Ohio last weekend, ran the autocross on Friday and by day's end Saturday it had won it's first major award taking home top honors over many great builds. Much thanks to the entire BBT Fabrications team for all of their outstanding hard work and commitment to producing a great vehicle inside and out. Winning Street Machine of the Year was a huge accomplishment for everyone involved. I was glad to be there with my dad and enjoy the moment in time with him. Now onto the Arkansas Mile again in October and the Goodguys Southwest Nationals in November.

Many Thanks To:

BBT Fabrications
Engine by Butler Performance
Paint by Relic Restomods
Interior by Catos Custom Upholstery
Fast Track IRS Chassis by Roadster Shop
Wilwood Brakes
Evod Industries
Greening Auto Company
Glass Guy Chicago
Dakota Digital
PPG Paint
Carma Performance
Jet-Hot
Vintage Air
Sure Shine Polishing
Advanced Plating

200893

[69Phoenix]

The guys at Roadster Shop put together a really nice video and just dropped it online today. Many thanks to their team for building a superior chassis but also for all of their support during the build.


2022 Good Guys Columbus Winners | Street Machine & Street Rod of the Year - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2VCN4pXEp4)200916





200917

[69Phoenix]

204859204860

We are at the Barret-Jackson auction participating in the Barrett-Jackson Cup. Please vote using the link here for the People’s Choice Award!!!

https://cup.barrett-jackson.com/2023-cup-voting/

[69Phoenix]

https://cup.barrett-jackson.com/2023-cup-voting/

[ryeguy2006a]

I saw this car on Bitchin' Rides at the one car show!! So cool man.

[69Phoenix]

I saw this car on Bitchin' Rides at the one car show!! So cool man.


Glad you saw the BR episode. Was a great event. Check out BJ Parade of the BJ Cup competitors. At 49:15 they run us across. Let me know if you are there!!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d23Att4--p0

https://www.pro-touring.com/blob:https://www.pro-touring.com/3e5e815f-8159-4b24-a6ad-d6c3bfd82556

[thumper877]

Just saw u won the Barrett Jackson event. Congratulations! Had alot of competition. Well deserved.

[andrewb70]

Congratulations on the win!

[69Phoenix]

Thanks to all who voted for us. Ultimately, we were not able to compete in the "People's Choice Award" due to making the Top 5. Wonderful builds from so many great and talented folks from all of the country made it hard for us to imagine taking home top honors. I was happy to see in the end the judges felt we had the best combination of build and in our case, "use". The Firebird was the only vehicle in the top 5 to be driven and driven hard. I like to think they gave us the extra nod for actually using a car for what it was built for, not just for the build quality and appearance. HP numbers and bragging rights are great but using the power at a high level seemed to give us the edge we needed. Many thanks to Bobby Alloway and Troy Trepanier who judged the competition. They are two of the most recognized builders in the country and we were honored to be chosen by them.

None of this would have been possible without Troy Gudgel of BBT Fabrications. He and Clay Mitchem put together an amazing vehicle spending thousands of hours creating this build. They had the engine out and back in, in record breaking time after both ECTA events and in time for Good Guys Columbus and the BJ Cup. Their attention to detail is over the top and exactly what led me to them in the first place. Very talented guys at BBT and super folks to work with.

Here's to what was a crazy and fun 2022 and a great start to 23'. This wraps things up for the vehicle outside of one more shot at 200 plus in October at the fall ECTA event in Arkansas. We are bound and determined to get north of 200 MPH. 199 is just not enough, so we'll run the car at Blytheville one last time and put the car up for safekeeping.

Thanks for all the support, encouragement, and for following along on this build. This was a long journey and in the end worth the wait. It's not the end result we crave, it's the process and the people involved, the friends made, and the brief moments we shared together at the events last year and last weekend that made it all worthwhile.

Please be sure to check out this month's Modern Rodding where Brian Brennan discusses the builds that won the Triple Crown of Rodding last year in Pigeon Forge Tennessee at the Shades of the Past event. Many thanks to Brian and his team for putting together a great article. https://digital.modernrodding.com/previewissue/february-2023/



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205115

[compos mentis]

Great post…congrats to you all!

[69Phoenix]

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction 2025 is here, Super Saturday is next weekend, the 25th! This car will sell at "NO RESERVE" somewhere between 1 and 5 PM under lot #1369. Wish me luck!!!!!

This vehicle has the following accomplishments since completion:

2023 Barrett-Jackson Cup "Ultimate Best in Show"
2022 Goodguys "Street Machine of the Year"
2022 Shade's of the Past "Street Machine of the Year
East Coast Timing Association: Class RS8/7TG "1 mile and 2K Record Holder"
Featured in Modern Rodding Magazine
Featured in Wheel Hub Magazine


Well,

It's time to move forward. We reached our goal back in October last year, at our last ECTA Arkansas Mile Event in Blytheville AK (Thank you Steve and CJ of ECTA, great folks, wonderful event, so much fun). It was not without some pain as we lost the trans on the morning of Day #2. Luckily, we broke both of our previous ECTA Records before this happened. 200 mph in the MILE, and 213 mph in the 2K. Box checked, and we've now decided it's time to let the car go. It was all about the experience.

It's an amazing vehicle and reaching our goal without the extremely talented crew at BBT Fabrications would have been impossible. Troy Gudgel and Clay Mitchem spent many, many thousands of hours on the car. Nothing was left untouched and almost everything on the car is either one off custom machined, hand formed or modified. It has right at 1000 miles on it, so everything is sorted out. If you wanted, you could get in it and drive anywhere. The trans was sent back to RS Gear and was fully gone through having fresh internals; it's ready to go. The vehicle is detailed to perfection without a blemish or scratch. You could eat off the underside if you wanted to. Most of these cars are built to the extreme and never see a day of action. We built this car to look amazing, be very safe, and hit speeds in excess of 200 mph. We had multiple runs in the 190's at each event but the magic number kept eluding us, so we kept after it. Many thanks to all the folks who helped us get there. BBT Fabrications, Carma Performance, Butler Performance, Roadster Shop, and so many others including the many friends we made in the industry along the way. To all our local friends who encouraged our attempts at getting to our goal, and my amazing folks who sat there and watched me personally drive the vehicle fully knowing it was built to be safe and I would be okay hammering it each and every time we ran the car, which of course I did, "Many THANKS, you are the best".

I could spend a lot of time here heaping praise on Troy and Clay, and the entire BBT Team but I think less is more. They did not just build what I wanted, they worked with me, supporting my goal of going 200 mph, and went to the track with the car and support gear three separate times ensuring we finally got there. They are great people, and I have known them for over ten years now, they are friends and family. I would recommend them to anyone looking to build something special, that once in a lifetime car. Give them a call and talk to Troy if you are serious about doing something crazy and very special. They can and will make it happen. (BBT Fabrications, Mahomet Illinois)

Here are some videos and links to articles that have been put up about the car. Please pass the word along as I'd like to get as much exposure as I can, who knows, we may do okay next weekend. Thanks for any help you can provide!

Thank You Pro-Touring.com for providing all of us interested car guys, new and old who have been around for decades, tinkering and playing with vehicles, a place to share. Without your support many of us would not see what is possible, would not know the folks we met here, and would certainly not have the support your platform provides. Job well done!

LINKS:

Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=barrett+jackson+2025+1969+Firebird+ first+look&refig=2331ca1af2134392af51a85bb96062ce&pc=U531&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dbarrett%2bjackson%2b2025%2b1969 %2bFirebird%2bfirst%2blook%26form%3dANNNB1%26refig %3d2331ca1af2134392af51a85bb96062ce%26pc%3dU531&mmscn=vwrc&mid=8298D87F9D25391201D78298D87F9D25391201D7&FORM=WRVORC&ntb=1&msockid=4b165365d69711ef980bb444e73b5968) (Barrett-Jackson First Look video)

1969 PONTIAC FIREBIRD CUSTOM COUPE - Vehicle | Barrett-Jackson Auction Company - World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions (https://www.barrett-jackson.com/scottsdale-2025/docket/vehicle/1969-pontiac-firebird-custom-coupe-280996) (Barrett-Jackson Car Home Page)

BBT Fabrications (@bbtfab) • Instagram photos and videos (https://www.instagram.com/bbtfab/) (Lots of information here)

Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=Roadster+Shop+Goodguys+2022+street+machine+of+th e+year&&mid=E51DF5B4AC463D64468FE51DF5B4AC463D64468F&&mcid=37AEB138AA5B4470A97E29FFAEE27B0A&FORM=VRDGAR) (Roadster Shop Video Goodguys 2022 Street Machine of the year video)

1969 Pontiac Firebird Looks Like It Was Never Raced, Actually Has Two Records to Its Name - autoevolution (https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1969-pontiac-firebird-looks-like-it-was-never-raced-actually-has-two-records-to-its-name-244583.html#:~:text=The%20first%20is%20for%20a%20t op%20speed%20of,the%20hardware%20that%20hides%20un der%20the%20car%27s%20hood.) (Auto Evolution Article)

Triple Crown of Rodding: Best Street Machine (https://digital.modernrodding.com/issue/february-2023fl/1969-pontiac-firebird-winner-triple-crown-of-rodding-best-street-machine/) (Modern Rodding Article)

Potent Pontiac! BBT Fabrications scores Goodguys 2022 PPG Street Machine of the Year win with Brad Sather’s Turbocharged Pontiac-powered ’69 Firebird! | Fueled News (https://fuelcurve.com/2022-street-machine-of-the-year-brad-sather-69-firebird/) (Fuel Curve Article)

Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=youtube++Firebird++bare+metal&&mid=980C8F13765B0B0F4F82980C8F13765B0B0F4F82&&mcid=DD0D72821D634447807673652D036165&FORM=VRDGAR) (Youtube video in Bare metal SEMA, thank you Hot Rod Hippie for your content)

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[ryeguy2006a]

That car is absolutely amazing. I loved watching it come together.

[69Phoenix]

That car is absolutely amazing. I loved watching it come together.

Glad you enjoyed the process with me. The fun was exactly that, the process and the friends made. Sad to see the car go but I wanted to be a part of building the car and using it, not letting it sit to just look at it so I figured it should go to a collection where it can sit and bask in all its glory. Heck, maybe I'll go visit it somewhere and see it from time to time. Who knows. My 70' Trans Am is more of an original style driver with all the upgrades and go fast goodies. I don't mind driving it and getting it a little dirty. This car, the 69' was just too pretty to put on the road. Watch us Saturday as it crosses the Barrett-Jackson auction block and wish me luck!

[mistral]

Beautiful beautiful car! Congrats on the build, and on the speeds!