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Thread: "After the Fire" 1968 Firebird
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11-01-2008 #1dlrepmn Guest
"After the Fire" 1968 Firebird
Thank you for a bunch of inspiration. The rides on here are truly spectacular.
After quite a few years I have decided to take my baby the Pro-Touring route.
Introducing "After the Fire".
This is my 1968 Firebird Sprint that I received for my high school graduation present in 1985. I have kept her all these years. When I got her there was 63,000 miles on it. Now over 72,000. I used it for everyday transportation to college one year until the first winter and found out I needed something that I didn't want to sacrifice to a Michigan Winter.
I didn't name her. The guys at the paint shop did. Back in 1992 I slept peacefully in my rental condo and the next morning found that someone had set my car cover on fire. Firefighters couldn't find out who owned it. The only thing that wasn't burned was the roof and the deck lid. Anything plastic on the car was melted. I was devastated. My car was charcoal.
I took the car to Jimmy Lewis of Lewis Collision in Houghton Lake Michigan. I told Jimmy to just paint it so I could sell it. He asked if we wanted to take it full boat with the subframe off and I said no, just get it to a point where I can sell it.
Needless to say when it was done it was so pretty I couldn't sell it. They had the car for 1 1/2 years. It wasn't until a few years ago that I found out they had named it "After the Fire". We have had him paint my dad's '34 3 window and my uncle's 60 Bentley.
I have had this motor (4.1 Liter OHC) out and back in 3 times since I have had the car. New cam, lifters, seals, you name it. Very oily motor (which helped in the long run under the car). I kept it original since 1985.
Fast forward to 2008. I have lived in Minnesota for 12 years. Now I have 4 kids and not a dime for the car. I still kept it though. I drove it about 4 times a year.
I go to "Back to the Fifties" and "Car Craft Nationals" which always provided inspiration. I moved from Motor City to Hot Rod City.
I had purchased a basket case 1940 Ford Pickup to go to 50's with. It was a heap. I was over my head. I purchased a full street rod frame from from Total Cost Involved in California. It sat, it sat, the wife complained, the wife complained.
Well I took it to 50's last year and sold the thing and probably lost a grand on the whole deal (thankfully).
I did build a motor for my truck though. A 383 Stroker Chevy motor. Yes, a Chevy for a Ford.
I did it full out. They needed a roof. I needed a motor for my truck. It ended up as the motor builder's display in the Minneapolis Boat Show. Everything is chrome or polished.
I could never dig into the Bird since the Pontiac guys were GA-GA over the very rare Sprint (only 1600 made in 1968). Yes, it was the 210HP four speed with the 4 barrel (H cam) true dual exhaust. I had 2 offers for the car at Car Craft. I called the wife and said "here you go, money". I get a new corvette!. She said don't sell the car, the car is you.
Between Pro-Touring.com and Car Craft I found inspiration. I told her that if we were keeping it I was going to put some money into the car.
Well, now we have a Quadra-Link being installed with Detroit Speed and Engineering mini-tubs. A Chris Alston Chassisworks complete show subframe power rack with 6 piston Wilwood brakes all around. Vintage air with Billet Specialties pulley kit. An Ididit tilt column. 12" BFG KDW 2's on the back and 10" on the front. A narrowed 12 bolt. A Tremec 5 Speed. And I am on the edge of two toning the car black with the original red on the bottom. I have decided on Intro Wheels Vista 2's that I am trying to get Year One to anodize the spokes black to resemble a Pontiac Rally wheel, but 18's and polished. We are blasting and painting under the car and engine compartment which I should have done in the beginning.
I am using AJ' from Overhaulin's "Lady Bird" for a lot of ideas. I know, its still bitch'n for a girl car. Mine is for sure a boy car. I am even installing the 2002 Camaro seats with the headrests removed. Changing from a white standard interior to a black deluxe with power windows and power locks.
I found the Hot Rod Factory at Car Craft Nationals. I went over with a neighbor to buy a 1970 Chevelle Malibu that he is turning into an SS. I was impressed with their open house.
Too late now, there is no turning back now. Yes, there will be a Chevy in a Pontiac, sorry. It did pull over 400HP and over 450lbs of torque on the dyno just last month. Sorry, I am just going to have to deal with it. This is more torque than AJ's LS3.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...ird/index.html
I am going to fill in all the 4.1 badges and replace my rockers with plain no emblems.
Here is "After the Fire"
http://www.hotrodfactory.net/groups/...ges.php?aid=58
Scott in Minnesota