Another 69 TransAm clone

[dhutton]

I've been working on this car for over a year now but thought I'd post it now since these seem to be getting popular. I bought the car as a parts car but then decided I'd use it to learn bodywork. Replaced floor pans, outer rockers, quarters, rear filler, roof, outer wheel housings, trunk dropoffs and sectioned the tail panel with a Camaro tail panel. I also have new fenders and the fiberglass T/A hood. The car currently sits on an AME subframe and G-Bar. I have installed a stock LS1 and 4L60E. If the car turns out well I hope to upgrade the engine. Most of the body work is done and now I plan to get all the mechanicals installed before paint. With a little luck it will be running by Christmas and I plan to paint it myself in the spring. Plan is for a white car with black T/A stripes and interior instead of blue. The goal is a nice clean driver that handles well and still gets decent mileage so I can drive it daily in good weather.



I'm not even sure if this qualifies as "pro-touring" but since this site is the one where I did a lot of research I thought it was worth posting here. Maybe once I upgrade the engine it'll be a little closer...

Don

[dhutton]

One more shot that didn't upload. Wheels are spares off new GTO's that I'm using for rollers until the car is complete.

Don

[BA.]

I think it qualifies as PT but none the less, we love musclecars here so I'm sure many will be glad you posted up. It sounds like it will be a beautiful driver!

The 69 Pontiac deserves more spotlight.....actually, I think 1st and 2nd gen Firebird/TA's need it. Love seeing them.


Keep us updated!

[curly]

All these '69's are making me jealous! This is another great looking Firebird project!

[MZ 500]

And I thought I was doing a lot of body work you have basicly rebuilt the hole car body wise that is nice work looks like you have all the hard work done.

[ProdigyCustoms]

This is going to be a very cool car. It certainly has the proper parts DNA to be Pro Touring.

[dhutton]

This is going to be a very cool car. It certainly has the proper parts DNA to be Pro Touring.

Given that most of that DNA was purchased from you Frank I've nicknamed this project "Empty Wallet" in recognition of your awesome Empty Nest car.

Don

[Rebird]

ha ha.... Empty Wallet is perfect!

[zman1969]

Given that most of that DNA was purchased from you Frank I've nicknamed this project "Empty Wallet" in recognition of your awesome Empty Nest car.

Don

I second that! Welcome here also cool to see ine in my backyard-im in Lewisville, think that qualifys us a neighbors! heres the thread link to my project https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=14992 and i guarantee yours is moving faster than mine , looking good id like to come out some weekend to see it upclose. Keep the fire(bird) lit brother!

[Vegas69]

Given that most of that DNA was purchased from you Frank I've nicknamed this project "Empty Wallet" in recognition of your awesome Empty Nest car.

Don

Ya join the club!

[dhutton]

It's been a year since I posted this and I've made some progress. The car is running and painted. Painting your own car is a very humbling experience. It still needs some wet sanding and buffing but it's not going to be much more than a nice ten footer. Some assembly and the interior to go but hopefully we will be on the road this spring. Just did a test fit on the used HRE wheels that I bought on ebay. Looks like the backspacing was right on. Still have to dial in the stance a little once I get some tires installed in a week or so. Looks like I need the back up a little and the front down a little. Might need to go to 450 pound springs on the front coilovers but I still need to install the Firebird front bumper and grill assembly which is heavier that the Camaro one. The hood is fiberglass so that's not helping much. Here's a picture of where it is today.

Don

[BossaNova]

_That_ is a beautiful car!
Great work.

[nbecker]

Keep the pics and progress coming! I would say pro-touring, your upgrading in all the right areas.

[GM_muscle]

the car is lookin great. why out of the blue people are now starting to build up 69 firebirds? for along time it was the camaro.

[dhutton]

the car is lookin great. why out of the blue people are now starting to build up 69 firebirds? for along time it was the camaro.

When I started looking for a project car I wanted a Camaro. Sticker shock from the price of rusted out Camaros sent me to the Firebirds. Since this was my first project I thought I'd start with something less expensive than a Camaro. Now that I'm into it I'm happy I chose the Firebird. I'm already thinking my next project might be a 2nd gen Firebird.

Don

[conVerted]

Nice project!

[SixSpeed454SS]

I love early Fbirds...Especially '69s

Keep the pics coming.

[restomodbird69]

glad you converted to the bird.i think the fanbase is growing fast.

[steve g]

Nice project. Count me among the legions of Firebird fans. My 69 vert is coming along slowly with a little help from Frank and Michael. I'm in the "empty wallets" club or my car would be in Frank's shop already.

I've been trying to get this thing done for a couple of years and even talked some concepts with Kevin King at Year One who wanted to do a modern version of the 69 TA convertible, but I just didn't have the budget to do it. I'm glad to see that Frank, Michael and Lisa got Empty Nest completed first.

[feuervogel]

I think the '69s are so different looking from the '67-'68s. The nose looks like the '70 GTO but on a smaller, more nimble car. I'd like to see a custom treatment Pro-Touring stance with shaved door handles, wipers, and maybe body-color no-chrome everything...like Venomous only a BIRD!