carbuff
08-01-2010, 04:03 PM
Hello folks...
Those of you who have been around here a long time might remember me, I built a little 70 Camaro RS about 10 years ago that I called Project Hunk'o'Metal (given that's about what I started with). As many of these projects go, I had to sell it when it was done due to the bad economy of the time, and I have missed it since the day I handed the keys over. Well, after a couple of false starts and a lot of looking, I've found what should become my next project!
I really wanted another second gen Camaro. I've bought, then resold, two of them in the last couple of years that just weren't what they were promised to be (you'd think that I would learn after 3 iffy internet purchases, but apparently not. ;) ). During my search, I kept running across 2nd gen Firebirds / TransAms, and the more I looked at them, the more I liked them. I have to admit that our own John's (Not A TA) car really helped push me over the top. I looked at a couple that were for sale close to me, but both were borderline junk, and the prices were way too high. As I've discovered in this search, 2nd gen 'bird prices are a bit higher than their Camaro brothers.
I decided to expand my search, and sure enough, I found this car for sale on Craigslist in South Florida. Things came together very quickly after several phone calls. The guy wasn't looking to sell outside of his area, but he worked hard with me to make this come together, as he was leaving for 3 weeks just after I contacted him. Long story shorter, the transport company (Reliable Auto Transport) picked the car up Thursday morning and dropped it off at my house Friday afternoon (a 20 hour drive!).
As with all purchases of a sight-unseen car, there were a few little surprises in store for me. But overall, I got a good deal given what the car has that I already want. I basically wanted something I could drive while I pull together the parts for it, and I wanted a solid body, as panels for the 'birds are a bit harder to find. I was told about some rust in the lower quarter panel and deck lid, but unfortunately there is a bit more in other places that were the 'surprises'. Honestly, it's nothing too horrible, the quarter will need a patch, the other places will probably need some small patches. But the trusty magnet didn't find a lot of filler in the rest of the car, so that's a plus.
This car was restored 6 years ago, and the person who did it replaced a lot of part that will save me some trouble. Most of the interior is in good shape (headliner, carpet, dash, seats). I will remove the console and I plan to replace the dash and seats, but otherwise, it's not too bad.
The engine is a pretty weak 350 SBC with some unidentified 4-speed behind it. My best guess is that the rear differential is something around a 2.70, and it's definitely an open diff (as evidenced by the 1-wheel burnout I did this morning. ;) ). The car is running REALLY rich, I need to tinker with the carb to tame it down a bit. I replaced the plugs, gave it an oil change, and replaced the valve cover gaskets (old cork style) that were hard as rocks and leaking oil everywhere today. Then took her for a drive. Nice to be able to drive an old car again! She actually rides fairly well for a 40 year old car, but I am just about convinced that the front shocks are the ones that GM installed in 1971. :-0
Anyway, as you can probably tell, I'm excited to have a project on my hands again. I'm still debating a lot of the details of what I'm going to do to the car... I'm almost certain that I'll do a front subframe from DSE or AME, the rear I'm a bit more torn about. The car will get some kind of LS engine combination with a T56 behind it. I want to convert the hood over to a T/A setup, and I hope to make a functional shaker on top of the LS. It's been done with an LS1 style intake, I'm debating a 4-barrel style intake to make it easier, but I sure hate to give up that beautiful torque curve that the LS-style intake can give you...
So here are a few pics... The whole set that I have so far can be seen at http://www.carbuff.net/71_firebird
This came from the seller before I bought the car:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/dsc01016-1.jpg
Here she is ready to roll off of the transport:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_0957-1.jpg
And a couple of the damage that I will get to contend with:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1005-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1006-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1007-1.jpg
And a few of the more entertaining pieces of handywork that I found on the car. First up, the throttle linkage:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1026-1.jpg
And then there's the parking brake cable attachment. Apparently the person who put it back together couldn't screw the screw on far enough:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_0971-1.jpg
And the bellhousing. Easy access to the clutch plate bolts I suppose?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_0972-1.jpg
And finally, the one that irks me, someone apparently needed access to something behind the AC box, so they cut an access hold in the top of the fender. Grrr!!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1016-1.jpg
Ok, enough of that. As I get some of my decisions settled and make some progress, I'll start a build thread. I just had to share some excitement about this new project! I look forward to joining the ranks of the 2nd gen Pro-Touring 'bird owners! :)
Those of you who have been around here a long time might remember me, I built a little 70 Camaro RS about 10 years ago that I called Project Hunk'o'Metal (given that's about what I started with). As many of these projects go, I had to sell it when it was done due to the bad economy of the time, and I have missed it since the day I handed the keys over. Well, after a couple of false starts and a lot of looking, I've found what should become my next project!
I really wanted another second gen Camaro. I've bought, then resold, two of them in the last couple of years that just weren't what they were promised to be (you'd think that I would learn after 3 iffy internet purchases, but apparently not. ;) ). During my search, I kept running across 2nd gen Firebirds / TransAms, and the more I looked at them, the more I liked them. I have to admit that our own John's (Not A TA) car really helped push me over the top. I looked at a couple that were for sale close to me, but both were borderline junk, and the prices were way too high. As I've discovered in this search, 2nd gen 'bird prices are a bit higher than their Camaro brothers.
I decided to expand my search, and sure enough, I found this car for sale on Craigslist in South Florida. Things came together very quickly after several phone calls. The guy wasn't looking to sell outside of his area, but he worked hard with me to make this come together, as he was leaving for 3 weeks just after I contacted him. Long story shorter, the transport company (Reliable Auto Transport) picked the car up Thursday morning and dropped it off at my house Friday afternoon (a 20 hour drive!).
As with all purchases of a sight-unseen car, there were a few little surprises in store for me. But overall, I got a good deal given what the car has that I already want. I basically wanted something I could drive while I pull together the parts for it, and I wanted a solid body, as panels for the 'birds are a bit harder to find. I was told about some rust in the lower quarter panel and deck lid, but unfortunately there is a bit more in other places that were the 'surprises'. Honestly, it's nothing too horrible, the quarter will need a patch, the other places will probably need some small patches. But the trusty magnet didn't find a lot of filler in the rest of the car, so that's a plus.
This car was restored 6 years ago, and the person who did it replaced a lot of part that will save me some trouble. Most of the interior is in good shape (headliner, carpet, dash, seats). I will remove the console and I plan to replace the dash and seats, but otherwise, it's not too bad.
The engine is a pretty weak 350 SBC with some unidentified 4-speed behind it. My best guess is that the rear differential is something around a 2.70, and it's definitely an open diff (as evidenced by the 1-wheel burnout I did this morning. ;) ). The car is running REALLY rich, I need to tinker with the carb to tame it down a bit. I replaced the plugs, gave it an oil change, and replaced the valve cover gaskets (old cork style) that were hard as rocks and leaking oil everywhere today. Then took her for a drive. Nice to be able to drive an old car again! She actually rides fairly well for a 40 year old car, but I am just about convinced that the front shocks are the ones that GM installed in 1971. :-0
Anyway, as you can probably tell, I'm excited to have a project on my hands again. I'm still debating a lot of the details of what I'm going to do to the car... I'm almost certain that I'll do a front subframe from DSE or AME, the rear I'm a bit more torn about. The car will get some kind of LS engine combination with a T56 behind it. I want to convert the hood over to a T/A setup, and I hope to make a functional shaker on top of the LS. It's been done with an LS1 style intake, I'm debating a 4-barrel style intake to make it easier, but I sure hate to give up that beautiful torque curve that the LS-style intake can give you...
So here are a few pics... The whole set that I have so far can be seen at http://www.carbuff.net/71_firebird
This came from the seller before I bought the car:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/dsc01016-1.jpg
Here she is ready to roll off of the transport:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_0957-1.jpg
And a couple of the damage that I will get to contend with:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1005-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1006-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1007-1.jpg
And a few of the more entertaining pieces of handywork that I found on the car. First up, the throttle linkage:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1026-1.jpg
And then there's the parking brake cable attachment. Apparently the person who put it back together couldn't screw the screw on far enough:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_0971-1.jpg
And the bellhousing. Easy access to the clutch plate bolts I suppose?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_0972-1.jpg
And finally, the one that irks me, someone apparently needed access to something behind the AC box, so they cut an access hold in the top of the fender. Grrr!!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/img_1016-1.jpg
Ok, enough of that. As I get some of my decisions settled and make some progress, I'll start a build thread. I just had to share some excitement about this new project! I look forward to joining the ranks of the 2nd gen Pro-Touring 'bird owners! :)