Project: "FZZYNVL" 1973 Camaro Build Thread

[69TAPoser]

As for the project name...it will be hugger orange with white stripes and that is what we came up with and will also be the license plate.

I am really looking forward to the build as my son is almost 13 and we have a "deal" that if he helps me build it, he can drive it to cruise nights and car shows (when he turns 16) and I'll drive my '69 Bird. So this will be a father-son project.

It was delivered today by Intercity Lines. I am glad to say that the car was as promised....totally rot free! It's pretty amazing, actually. After looking at so many cars over the years and being disappointed (living in New England, all we see is rust!), this truly is a diamond in the rough. It may not be pretty, but it is solid. Right down to the last original window trim mounting pin! Don't mind the panel fiment, the seller just bolted the fenders and front end on quickly for shipping. The seller also sent me a few spare parts (bumpers, door panels, doors, wheels, etc.) and I am going back to the bodyshop tomorrow to sift through it all. The only "damaged" piece is one of the doors has a good size dent in it (4"), but I was sent 2 spare doors that are also solid!

I am still finishing my '69 Bird, so I had it dropped at my bodyshop. They will drop the suspension and put it on the rotissere and bring it to my media blaster. Once the shell is stripped, it will go back to the bodyshop to be put in sealer...I don't want the body sitting in our New England climate without protection. By the time all of this happens, it should be about time to send the '69 to paint jail at the bodyshop (they will keep it until next Spring). This will free up my garage to bring the '73 in an start assembly. This all looks good on paper....we'll see how the timing goes.

Here's a few pics from this afternoon:








More pics here: http://www.73camarobuild.com/beginning.html

Phil

[WS6]

Looks good. It's more solid than my 79TA that's for sure.

[Motown 454]

Looks great Phil ! The way its going for me you'll have both of them done before mine is .

[69TAPoser]

Got the spare parts out of the car to get a better look at the metal...

[68400BIRD]

Looks like a very solid car. This one should take less time to reconstruct, right?????

[69TAPoser]

Looks like a very solid car. This one should take less time to reconstruct, right?????

I hope so.

I am not [planning] on going too crazy on this one. Definitely suspension upgrades to the front (coil overs) and I keep getting sucked into looking in my Heidt's catalog at their 4-link rear. Interior will be a simple front seat upgrade. Not sure about the powerplant yet, but it will have an automatic tranny. I would love to do an LS swap, but again, I want to keep it simple.

I hope it will be a 2-year project as opposed to the Bird which is already in year 3.

Phil

[craigs73]

i cant wait to watch this build i think that 70-73 camaros are my second favorite car

[69TAPoser]

Thanks Craig, I don't know what has gotten into me, but I have totally gotten bit by the 2nd Gen bug and am totally psyched to start working on this car.

I think a lot of it has to do with finding out how clean the car is. Not having to go through the process of "resurrecting" the body (like I did with my '69 Firebird) makes the process so much more enjoyable.

Phil

[69TAPoser]

I am still working on getting the Bird finalized for paint (another 6o days or less). But I did pick up a new part for the '73 build. I couldn't pass it up. This will give you some ideas of the powerplant direction:




...Brand new chevy big block 48 IDF Weber carburetor conversion.

- 4 NEW WEBER 48 IDF CARBS
- NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD
- CENTER BELL CRANK LINKAGE
- 6 - AN FUEL LINE KIT

Phil

[Motown 454]

I alway loved that setup. They will look sweet.