Semi-Pro Touring Firebird Convertible

[LSX1STGEN]

Well after perusing the pro-touring community for 6 months, I thought that I would share our project!
It’s a 1968 Firebird Convertible – yes someone did a horrible injustice by attempting to make it a targa top car in the early 1980’s. We scored the car from Old Car City in White Co. Georgia. Our initial intent was to use the doors and a few other parts on a wrecked 67 bird that I bought in Illinois, but after assessing the time to turn it into a 68 we decided to completely rebody and save the targa car from Old Car City.
The Plan: 1968 Firebird Conv.
Stock Sub w/ tublar arms, QA1 coilovers, a fat swaybar and 600 box.
Mast Motorsports L99/ 4L60 combo – the wife won’t have any part of a 6 speed
12 bolt narrowed 2” and DSE offsets and 3” dropped springs.
That’s about as far as we have gotten, but check out the rebody process by GRAVEROBBERS in Forsyth Co. GA – they really know how to reskin and strengthen any muscle car!!!
www.graverobberssheetmetal.com (http://www.graverobberssheetmetal.com)

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[LSX1STGEN]

A Few More...
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[LSX1STGEN]

As of today...


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[BIGX69]

looks like a awesome project:twothumbs

[1971CHEVELLE]

very cool project

[Code Red]

wowzers good luck with that thing

[69TAPoser]

At least the floor cross bracing was still good! (hey, you have to look on the positive side of a project like this...ask me how I know!!!) :)

Phil

[LSX1STGEN]

Thanks everyone - we are shooting for an 8 month build.

[Motown 454]

Well atleast whats left looks solid.

[Hammered]

Always nice to see another bird being saved, especially a '67 convert. I also like the 5 window in your avatar. Any details on that one?

[LSX1STGEN]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Hammered ask about the 5 window coupe on my Avatar. Well I built this one from nothing as well, and have had the car finished for about a year. We are going to sell it in favor of the Firebird - it's not my idea, but my wife just has to have a muscle car. Great gal - right! Below is a link to the ebay auction that I will be listing next week.

http://www.clay.briansabatino.com/1937_CHEVY.HTM

We really need $45K, but I will entertain offers. As you can tell from the pics of the firebird, we will be using the money soon!

Thanks again!

Clay

[LSX1STGEN]

Even More Sheetmetal: DSE Tub to trunk floor mod. We are going 335/30/18!
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[LSX1STGEN]

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[Code Red]

I think I see some more of a car there ;-)

[zman1969]

thats going all the way down with it! good start and I can tell you he's working faster than my buddy the bodyman
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I'm glad I didnt have to go that far! I think thats what you call ground up resto-mod keep us up to date with pics as it progresses
:yum:

[LSX1STGEN]

We will have to modify the Camaro quarters to accept the gills and corner marker.
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[LSX1STGEN]

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We're knocking it out :machine:

[Motown 454]

Thats looking good

[WS6]

Wow! That's a heck of a start.

[mc84_zz4]

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We're knocking it out :machine:
Whew! you had me worried for a moment, I kept seeing less and less on the frame jig.
A TON of work in there so far... great job.

[Code Red]

is it done yet ;-)

[GM_muscle]

looks good. i just picked up a car and have to do the same thing.

[LSX1STGEN]

I know just the guys to help you with your sheetmetal needs. They have nearly 100 years of combined experience replacing sheetmetal on all muscle cars. Below is a link to their site. Tell them Clay sent you...

http://graverobberssheetmetal.com/

Thanks,

Clay


looks good. i just picked up a car and have to do the same thing.

[Steve Firebird]

Wow looks like the car will be great. Good luck on the build. I am going to keep an eye on this one!

[LSX1STGEN]

The good news is that our 1937 Chevrolet is really gaining momentum on Ebay. At this rate we will hit 45K and have the money to keep the progress up!

[DEIGuy38]

Can you say pick up the pace. WOW at the rate they are putting the car together you will be driving it next month. Looks great.

[LSX1STGEN]

As many know, the 67/68 Bird convertible quarters are not being repoped after the first run of stampings fit poorly. We modded 67 Camaro quarter with the bird gills!
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[LSX1STGEN]

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[LSX1STGEN]

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[1971CHEVELLE]

Wow awesome project

[gmcdermit1]

Don't get too carried away or anything. Dang those guys really get with it don't they....Did they make the frame connectors?

[rohrt]

Dam that cool. To think I could have saved myself of year of weekends doing it my self.

[1969CamaroRS]

Wow impressive metal work :twothumbs Great project, keep the pics coming!

[LSX1STGEN]

Don't get too carried away or anything. Dang those guys really get with it don't they....Did they make the frame connectors?

They did in fact make the connectors. We wanted them to flow through the stock conv. crossmember and look factory.

Thanks for all the support. Keep an eye out - we have a huge surprise coming this week!!!

Clay

[LSX1STGEN]

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[LSX1STGEN]

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[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

Great work. It is kind of cool to see all of the different cars come and go in the background. I am way interested in this build. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Motown 454]

Nice work your making a lot of progress.

[LSX1STGEN]

Scratch the LS1, we are going L99 w/ vvt cam and performance kit from Mast. Anybody need an LS1/4L60 w/ fbody harness, accessories, & computer. I will make a smokin deal for local pickup!
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[Code Red]

looking good

[David Sloan]

Clay
It was good to see ya the other day, Thanks for stopping by.
Give me a call,
I have given some thought to our talk about the leather interior for the shop car.
Thanks for the updates the car is looking good!

[LSX1STGEN]

Ok, it's been a whille, but we have been plugging away. I will post some pics in the days to come.

[LSX1STGEN]

I will need to get some more pictures of the subframe

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[LSX1STGEN]

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BTW - the tunnel mod, raising it 2 inches, has caused some clearance issues with the Vintage Air unit mounting location. Probably going to notch the floor for clearance.

[LSX1STGEN]

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[LSX1STGEN]

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[LSX1STGEN]

Did I mention that this is my wife's project. These were Leslie's ideas. She's still looking for front spoiler ideas, but hasn't fell in love with any yet! Any suggestions???:):):)

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[LSX1STGEN]

The Start:
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The Objective: - Special thank to Tom at III Designs for throwing this rendering together. He is going to kill me because he's not finished with it yet. I keep reminding him that the goal is to finalize the rendering before the car is finished. Just Kidding!
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[tones2SS]

The Start:
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The Objective: - Special thank to Tom at III Designs for throwing this rendering together. He is going to kill me because he's not finished with it yet. I keep reminding him that the goal is to finalize the rendering before the car is finished. Just Kidding!
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WOW!!! Big difference huh?!!? Looking good.
Now, did you say this is going to be your wife's car?! Very nice!!

[Motown 454]

Nice progress Its looking good. I wish my wife was this interested in cars.

[icebird84]

Excellent project and work , keep up the good work

[LSX1STGEN]

Yes - This is my wife's project. I really love pre 48 Chevy's but she picked the 68 Firebird - specificallly 68 because it has no vent windows, it has the pontiac quarter lights, and the big pontiac chrome bumper. She really likes Camaros, but couldn't see building something that's most likely already been done.

[icebird84]

your lucky man

[LSX1STGEN]

Here are a few pics of the engine upgrades & test fit:
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[LSX1STGEN]

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[LSX1STGEN]

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[CruizinKev]

wow awesome work! :twothumbs

[LSX1STGEN]

It had been a long long time since our last update and lots has happened:
1) built new shop
2) got a new job
3) finished paint and body
4) over 100 custom machined parts - thanks Pop
5) custom newgen wheels
6) countless nights assembling
7) new direction on suspension
8) Johnson's hot rod shop interior
9) exploded TCI stall converter - R&R 3 4L65E's
10) FINISHED and attended 6 shows in 2013

Thanks and I will post some pics.

Clay

[LSX1STGEN]

http://youtu.be/sNYpXghvosE

[hotrodneb]

nice project.....read quickly through your thread.....see you are looking for vailance ideas----look at mine--I cant use my custom lower It has 69 park lights installed and narrowed openings---make you a good deal. It will need some finish work that we can talk about privately----send me a message if you're interested

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/100221-Project-thread-68-Firebird-with-a-quot-Beak-Job-quot

[RaiderLSX]

Car looks fantastic especially with all the small upgrades and custom machine parts.

[rickpaw]

Car looks great. Found it on youtube while looking at pt firebirds.

[jlwdvm]

What front drive system are you using?

[LSX1STGEN]

They're stock f-body geometry - but we machined the a/c compressor mount and spacers to clear VVT. Turnone pump, sanden compressor, powermaster alternator. Thanks man!!!