1968 Pontiac Firebird pro touring project

[bdahlg68]

For my 30th b-day I picked up a project car. A 1968 Pontiac Firebird that turned out to be a real basket case. I picked it up locally, knowing it needed a floorpan and at least one quarter.

Unfortunately, I didn't inspect the car as well as I should have before purchasing. Although I still think I got an OK deal, I could have saved myself some time. After disassembling, the list of parts to be replaced grew to just about everything.

Overall goal for the car is to build a reliable uber-street machine. Something I can track if I want, but primarily drive - and drive hard.

Plan is to put in an LS powerplant - just need to decide which one. Would love to do an LSA, but may go with an LS3/480 package or something like that. Behind that a T-56 (unless GM decides to mate a ZF 6 or 8 HP transmission to an LS before I get to that point) and a Speedtech Torque Arm rear complete with 9" Rear with big torino ends and 31 spline true trac diff.

Front suspension isn't decided yet. I like that the AME front uses C6 parts. Leaning towards that, but again it's open. For wheels I'm liking the ADV5 wheels.

Planning to use as many Anvil CF parts as I can get. Just picked up a rear spoiler, thanks Tyler! Going to get the trunk for sure, and hopefully the inner fenders when they come out. If only they made a CF Firebird Hood (1st gen)


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG_5545JPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG_5546JPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG_5604JPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG_5606JPG-1.jpg

So disassembly continued probably further than it should have...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/2010102420001-1.jpg

At that point, I started accumulating new metal. Fitted the new roof a bit (inner structure still needs a bit of repair). And just roughed in a quarter as motivation. Wheels belong to my G8.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG_5883JPG-1.jpg

That's where it sits for now. Garage is cleaned up and car is cleaned out a bit. I need to get a replacement for the door pillar reinforcement on the driver side (first ever quarter replacement, and I destroyed it). Lots of fitting, trimming, and repairing in the future. Hoping to get the metal work done by end of summer (a bit later than I originally wanted, but such is life). At least the parts are waiting on me and not the other way around!

[rohrt]

Looks like a good start to me.

[Motown 454]

Nice work it looks good.

[Dons67]

looks like a great start - are the G8 wheels staying - they look like a nice fit

[bdahlg68]

Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping to carry my motivation though into the warmer weather.

No, the G8 wheels will stay on the G8. They have the wrong bolt pattern anyway (5x120mm) unless I order custom axles / hubs - which I'm going to try to avoid.

The wheels I like are ADV5.1 Flowspec (http://www.adv1wheels.com/gallery/ADV5_1FS.php) from ADV.1 Wheels. Problem is they only come in 20". May have to step up to the forged wheels. We'll see. Expensive wheels to be driving around on these nice Michigan roads!

[bdahlg68]

Really wanting to put an LSA into my Bird. We'll see, I'm years away from an engine. But, I have a question. Will the alternator need to move? I'm guessing so. Just run a Vintage Air Front Runner?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/F20045449-1.jpg

[bdahlg68]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG00010201101261936-1.jpg

Diet Spoiler. :cool: Thanks to the guys at Anvil and to whoever returned this spoiler for no reason!

[bdahlg68]

Car was blasted and primed at Michigan Sand Blasting. They came and picked up the car last Monday, blasted, primed, and returned the car today. It was blasted with Starlite and primed with Kem Kromik primer. Didn't go with epoxy simply because there is still a lot of metal to remove and the extra cost just didn't make sense. Very happy with the blast and prime - perfect for what I needed. Overall no real surprises except that the rockers are also swiss cheese.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/IMG2011030800015-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/IMG2011030800014-1.jpg

[bonecrrusher]

Looking good!

[bdahlg68]

I just got the color samples for my rendering from Shawn Mascoll. I was already leaning towards the dark blue metallic like my last Firebird (I believe it was the Fathom Blue Metallic like the 68 Chevy's had). But, just in case, I wanted to see something different. I love some of the blues and greens from BMW and Porsche. The lighter blues like the BMW Laguna Seca Blue didn't seem like it was going to look good. I saw the new Cayman R at the NAIAS, and thought it was a really sharp color. So the green is Porsche Peridot Green Metallic. I think the green looks awesome, and someday I just might build a car that color, but I think I'm going to stay with the blue. Keep in mind these are just color samples, so some of the details are still being finalized and the lighting isn't final. Anyway I still think these look bad-a$$. Thoughts and comments welcome.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/BD68F-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/BD68F8-1.jpg

[67blacklist]

looks like you're off to a good and level headed start, its nice to see another old poncho getting done up, also refreshing to see a project that might require more sheet metal than mine... good luck with it, I'll be sure to keep an eye on your build as it goes.

[bdahlg68]

Been awhile since I updated on here.

Final rendering is done...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/68_Firebird-1.jpg

Cowl and fill plate are in...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Canton2011061800015-1.jpg

Question on fill plate... Should I weld every single spot or is every half inch ok???

[68byrd]

The rendering looks great. I really like the concave wheels on both the front and rear.

[BirdsThaWord]

I asked some firewall smoothing questions in a thread I started here: https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80410-Questions-about-smoothing-firewall
Maybe some of the folks that responded can give you some advice. Looks like some of them really did a good job. Hope this helps. Love where you're going with your 'Bird.

[96t/acj]

The rendering looks great. I really like the concave wheels on both the front and rear.

Agreed this is a really nice set up.... what wheels are thoses?

[CruizinKev]

very nice love the final rendering! :twothumbs

[bdahlg68]

Agreed this is a really nice set up.... what wheels are thoses?

ADV wheels ADV5 Flowspecs... Waiting for them to come out in 19" to pick some up.


very nice love the final rendering! :twothumbs

Thanks!


I asked some firewall smoothing questions in a thread I started here: https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80410-Questions-about-smoothing-firewall
Maybe some of the folks that responded can give you some advice. Looks like some of them really did a good job. Hope this helps. Love where you're going with your 'Bird.

I'm going to weld it up solid but I have read that thread. Thanks!

[bdahlg68]

A small update.... things have been at a standstill for the last six weeks since the baby arrived. I have however been scavenging up some goodies. I also changed front suspension directions. In my final research steps, I came across the front suspension from Jakes Rod Shop. Customer service so far has been top notch. I ordered the setup last week and it should be shipping early to mid this week. Can't wait to get it.

Also, my old buddy from back on the east coast happened to pull a 5.3 out of a 2002 Suburban. He offered it to me free of charge. Complete intake to oil pan with coil packs. I just have to ship it out here - working on that now. Engine build plans are under investigation. Debating stroker kits and top end packages. Targeting around 500hp at the crank. Truckin magazine did a good project with the LM7 and went through all these options so I'm using that as a bit of a guide.

Based on all of this, I'm a bit ahead of budget (I think). If I can continue this trend, I'm going IRS (RS or GMR - we'll see).

Drip rails are welded in. Panels were test fitted and I'm happy so far. About six weeks ago, I was working on trunk pan remove and replace. DSE mini tubs are waiting to be installed after that is finished. This is more or less where it stopped.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/08/Canton2011062100022-1.jpg

Still need lots and lots of parts. Timeline is definitely going to be stretched. Hoping to be driving in 3-4 years (yikes that seems like a long time).

[Josue]

Looks like things are going good so far! I now know how things like this can take longer than expected. Trying to restore my dad's '69 Firebird convertible for him, and I thought I'd be ALOT further in the game at this point in the year than I am....but I'm not. haha Life happens though!

[bdahlg68]

JRS Apex C6 Front Suspension is in... took a bit longer than planned to get it here, but it's here. Still missing a few bits and pieces, but I test assembled most of it this weekend. Once I get the missing pieces, the frame will go for e-coat and final assembly will be done. Overall the quality seems pretty damn good, especially on the frame. Some long and impressive welds.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/IMG_6089JPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/IMG_6090JPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/IMG_6093JPG-1.jpg

[BigMal69]

JRS Apex C6 Front Suspension is in... took a bit longer than planned to get it here, but it's here. Still missing a few bits and pieces, but I test assembled most of it this weekend. Once I get the missing pieces, the frame will go for e-coat and final assembly will be done. Overall the quality seems pretty damn good, especially on the frame. Some long and impressive welds.



What made you go with the JRS front clip over some of the others (DSE, SpeedTech, etc)?

[bdahlg68]

What made you go with the JRS front clip over some of the others (DSE, SpeedTech, etc)?

First and foremost I wanted to use a C6 knuckle in order to have a relatively simple ABS option. I also wanted to use C6 control arms if possible as I wanted rubber bushings. My main application will not be racing so a little less harshness is good by me. This initially had me leaning towards the AME front clip. I looked at DSE, but didn't feel the extra cost was valuable for me. I looked at Speedtech but would need the AFX spindles which added quite a bit of cost as well. The JRS clip kind of came out of nowhere as I was getting ready to finalize my decision. I really like the overall design and the performance seems top notch. Add to that the price was right and Jake answered all my questions very promptly and I was sold.

[5280Racer]

Any new progress????

[bdahlg68]

Any new progress????

Not much. Car may be off to a pro soon for some better quality work.

[bdahlg68]

Fast forward 2.5 years and it seems like so much yet so little has changed! I did change direction on suspension and engine so I guess the delay is partially my own fault. The car now rides on BMW E9x suspension front and rear. I built my own frame rails to adapt the suspension to the car. Wheels are 18x10 with 275/35 rubber on all 4 corners. Frame rails are close. Some loose ends to tie up before final welding. For now though it's back to the purgatory that is body panel alignment.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/20150702_160212_zpsn86s4h8z-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/2015063020190939_zpsntylexch-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/20150702_160134_zpsccz4ws5p-1.jpg

[MTblazer87]

Progress????