69 firebird T/A convertible

[SamHatco]

Well I've been tearing down the old bird and found a few issues. Who hasnt'? Heck its a 38 year old car. The previous owner really did a hack job on the floorboards. He cut out the rusted parts and then just overlaid flat sheet metal and screwed the new pieces in then put caulk in the seams. Covered it up with undercoating to hide the shoddy work. All of this will have to be redone if I want the car done correctly. Take a look.

Engine almost ready to pull.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicle.../779346256.jpg

Some rust where the fender attaches to the cowl
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicle.../779346255.jpg

Poor floor pan patch job
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicle.../779347320.jpg

[formula98]

Nice project. Keep the posts coming. We have all run into things we would not have done our selves, but most people would not go for a complete restoration and is why you find the patch jobs. Looks like a fun project.

[restomodbird69]

what are your long term plans for the bird

[68firehawk]

Glad to see another Firebird in the mix. At lease the floor pan doesn't look to rusty. I've seen worse. Judging by the pictures if you get rid of those shody floor patches and weld something back in you'll have a solid floor. Is it an illusion or is part of your dash cut out?

[SamHatco]

Long term plans are new power train since the car is not an original #s matching. LSx / M6. Although the car is originally an a/c car I will go with vintage air so I can smooth the firewall. Global West uca, del a lume bushings, hotchkis springs, front and rear sway bars and suspension, hotchkis frame connectors, and convertible body brace, big brakes. 18" wheels, probably 8" up front and 9.5 in the back

I will definately keep the trans am look. I don't know if it will be white with blue strips or some other color. I really like 69T/APoser's color scheme. Bottom line I want the modern technology packaged in a 60's muscle car era that I grew up with. Make the car as fun, safe, and comfortible to drive as possible, so the missus and I can take road trips. I mean what can be more kewl than cruising in a 69 bird convertible, that can get 20+ miles to the gallon, 400+ hp and light up the tires at the same time?

Sam

[SamHatco]

Jake,

The floor boards seem to look Ok, but its what is underneath that worries me. During the teardown I have found sooo many short cuts and bandaid repairs. As for the dash that's an illusion.

Sam

[69TAPoser]

Sweet!

So it's a real 69 T/A shell?

Phil

[SamHatco]

Phil,

Its a convertible. The previous owner turned it into a T/A clone, by adding the hood, fender extractors, and rear spoiler. When I got the car it had a '74 pont 350 block, edelbrock intake and carb and possible a mild cam TH350 tranny. Car was initially green with black convertible top. It's just one of approx 11,500 convertibles made that year. NOT one of the "8" convertible T/A's built that year.

Man, I really love your project. That will be one beautiful car when it's finished.

Sam

[69TAPoser]

Thanks for the compliment, landscaping has unfortunately prevailed over my car build lately, but the landscaping is just about done!

I guess if it was 1 of the 8 T/A verts, pro-touring it would not be the best investment.

Very cool that you have a vert though. I haven't seen many pro-touring Bird verts.

Phil

[SamHatco]

Got the engine pulled today and when we dropped the gas tank I found some creative body work on the trunk pan. Sometimes I don't understand what the p. o. was thinking.



I hope this wasn't done by a body shop!!

[Hammered]

That's not too bad - at least they didn't use license plates or trailer skirting. I can't wait to see it start going back together.

[curly]

Cool project! If I ever get my hands on either a '69 firebird or '64 Chevelle, I want to go with the same setup you are (LSx / T56).

[rohrt]

Its funny you say license plates. My rear quarters were made of 5 gallons of bondo and a license plate when I started tearing my apart.

[SamHatco]

Well after nearly a month at the sandblaster we had enough dry weather to finish the sandblasting. Found a few suprises but not too bad. Now its off to body shop.

Sam

[steve g]

Glad to see another 69 convertible bird on here. I'm working on mine as well. It's going to wear it's current red paint for awhile but I would like to do a T/A hood and stripes in a silver blue & black combo.

[restomodbird69]

that is a pretty solid body to start with.

[SamHatco]

Took some pictures of the progress at the body shop.



Working of the trunk lid and doors.

[SamHatco]

Took some pictures of the progress at the body shop.



Working of the trunk lid and doors.

Taking care of rust on the cowel.



New trunk pan installed.


Don't you just hate going behind someone else's work?



Windshield channel needs attention.

[SamHatco]

New suspension. Global west UCA, Hotchkis TVS





Notice the difference in the hight of the factory front spings and the new Hotchkis springs.




Sam

[mdprovee]

Nice progress, keep us updated.