69 firebird T/A convertible

[7t3 TA]

Sam, sorry to hear about all of your troubles. I'm glad your family was ok. I hope your house was okay or at least the non-replaceable stuff.

My parents live just north of New Orleans, so I know how hurricanes can affect you. I spent a week with them after katrina clearing trees. They had about 11 100' pine trees down (on 10 acres), luckily none hit the house. Since then they have lost 20 more due to bugs and infections. They were without power for a couple of weeks so I had to get them set up with a generator.

Your 3rd light looks great! I'm going to do that with mine only I'm gonna use a clear lens type, so it blends in with the white paint a little more.

Keep us posted on how things are,

Gary

[SamHatco]

Thanks guys, the bird is starting to look as I had envisioned in my mind. I hardly can wait until it gets painted and I can start reassembly. In the mean time I'm restoring the convertible top frame. Man, it's hard to find the right kind of bolts and bushings for these 1st gen convertible frames. Found a place in California but they wanted like $180.00 for the bolts and bushings .

Sam

[SamHatco]

Very slick job on the rear spoiler. On my '68, my solution was to get a 3rd gen spoiler with integrated light. I test fit it on a junk trunklid, and it works very well. A little tweating is all I need. Sorry no pics.

I wanted mine to look stock, and have people say "Oh.... that looks great" and not realize that it is custom and didn't come that way originally.

Sam

[Motown 454]

Sam glad to hear everyone is ok after Ike. Nice job on the 3rd brake lioghtit looks sweet . I like those spoilers on convertables Birds annd Camaro's . It makes the roof look chopped . Keep us updated.

[zman1969]

Sam Glad you and yours (your car) I mean family are safe and your still getting more done on your car I am . course that wouldnt take much. the third brake light was a great idea as the birds taillights arent that visible - i was planning on trying LED rear lights. I want it to be seen when I'm stopping! keep at it, your doing great!
Oh BTW we had hardly any rain(>1") or wind from Ike go figure

[SamHatco]

LOL! Thanks zman, still fussing with the hood and a few other fitment issues. I don't no how they made so many of these cars, spitting them out everty 15 minutes during production but the panel alignments and gap were horrible in those days. Sometimes the good ole days weren't that good. We're pluggin along though....


Sam

[ssmith100]

Sam,

Car is looking very good. Nice work on the spoiler. I really need to come by and take a look once it comes back from paint. Any particular day of the week better for you ??

Shane

[SamHatco]

Well its been a month since my last update and I thought I would show some of the progress. Finished the gaps on the fenders and hood and completed the third brake light in the spoiler.








Third Brake light is completed primed and ready for paint.


Prepping the underside of the hood


Getting ready to cut the opening for the ram air scoops.


Scoops are now opened so we can make some tube extensions




We made some scoop extensions from a mold of florest's blocks. Wrapped them in wax paper for a releasing agent and the wrapped them in fiberglass



Prefitting the scoops to the hood.



Now were in the process of sanding smooth the underside and will then glass the scoops into the underside of the hood.





We haven't decided how we will route the ram air induction as of this time. We probably wait until I get the engine installed and the tubing routed. More than likely we will use a twin tube design and route the ducts to the sides of the radiator for cooler air.

Sam

[cdoggy81]

How have you been doing on the bird?

I need to contact you about that GTO dash install

Keep up the excellent work!

[68BirdinOz]

What was the outcome on the GTO seats? I am thinking of buying front and rears for my 68Bird from the Australian version of the GTO. Seller is to far away to do a trial fit before purchase.

[Rag-Rat]

First off Sam, your car is awesome. I just read this whole thread and I can't wait to see the finished Bird. I wanted to ask you about your fuel tank. It is one of my last undecided routes to go on my EFI 67 Camaro. How does the bottom of your tank look? Can you see where the sump is welded in? Is that stainless tank Canadian made? I have looked at a full stainless Rick's tank and the new aftermarket EFI stock appearing tank. Yours is a third option for me. I like the stock appearence, but performance trumps everything in my book (even price). Would appreciate any info and keep your pics coming.

[SamHatco]

Thanks Ratag, I purchased the tank from Classic Industries and had them drop ship it to Ricks Hot rod shop. They then installed the Ls1 fuel pump. It's the stainless steel version of the oem tank.

Sam

[cdoggy81]

Sam,
It was a real pleasure speaking with you the other day. Thanks again & I will keep you updated & you me Continue the great work! BTW, I saw the console at Hzemall.... VERY NICE!!! He will get mine for sure!

[SamHatco]

Well it's been almost 3 months at the body shop and I'm finally seeing color. Here are a few shots I took recently:

Here is a few teasers

















I'm am really excited. It feels like the corner has turned and I can't wait to start assembly. Hopefully I'll have it running by May.

Sam

[dropit69]

awesome Sam ..looking killer ..must be stoked to start reassembly !!

[T_Raven]

Holy crap it looks good

[SamHatco]

Thanks guys,

They were color sanding the doors yesterday, hope to have it back in my garage by the end of next week. I didn't realize the amount of hours needed to color sand the car it took. My painter is pretty fussy and if it didn't polish down to suit him, he would go back and shoot another coat of clear and start color sanding again. I think there are a four coats of base, one coat of intercoat, the color for the stripes and four coats of clear. He's doing an outstanding job.

Sam

[ProdigyCustoms]

Looks killer, Congratulations. that is a huge hurdle cleared.

[BMF Machine]

SweeT IndeeD! LovE It!

[SamHatco]

Thanks guys, Frank, I'll be calling you for an exhaust system in the near future .

Sam