1971 Firebird455 - Project

[Ripper]

I really dig the dash! Looking real good!
Oh, I dig everything btw...Great build, and I really wish I will have the same high finish on mine.


Did you mount the aerocatch flush or on top of the hood? It's hard to see on the pics (at least on my screen...).

[tazzz25906112]

Nice Leigh!!! Please forward some shots from hood latches (top and bottom side) to my e-mails at [email protected] if you get a chance...
I really like the placement they chose for the Areocatches and I'd love to see more...

[LeighP]

No worries....I'll take some more pics of the whole install. They positioned them in that spot (and facing the way they are) so the strikers could mount on the rear outer edge of the rad support....just outboard of the hole thats there fro mthe factory (couldn't use that as it put the latch in the wrong spot).

[LeighP]

Still playing with the dash wiring...today I got the main instruments and the starter switch wired to plugs.



Just the billet switches on the side to do now...those are a little fiddly as I have to solder the wire connections to the pins on the switches.

[sr73bu]

Looks amazing Leigh! Love the Color, Guages and hood latches! Can't wait to see this all come together!

-Sean

[LeighP]

Had a quiet afternoon - everyone was out, lol.
Got a chance to finish off the dash wiring.....a couple of more plugs than I intended, but with the pulse generator for the speedometer and all the button switches with LEDs in them it got a little more complicated.
Annoying soldering wires to the button switches....my small circuit board soldering iron doesn't put out enough heat to solder the wires, and the larger one I have is a bit tight to work with in the small spaces between the pins....

Heres the connections on the button switches, the LEDs light up when the switch is selected on...I tested them and they work fine.



And heres the finished dash from the rear. All the looms are designed to pass through the structure of the dash itself, so I didn't have to cut anything behind there for clearance.

[LeighP]

Those are the "on top" style...they sandwich the hood between the catch flange and the nuts/washers underneath.
You can buy a flush version, but that either bonds to the hood, or requires screws with countersunk washers on the outside of the hood. I thought the flange style would be stronger.
These are also lockable, which I like.

[Ripper]

yeah, I know. But some people lowers them down in the hood so they sit in the same level. However, since your hood is a fiber glass I was curious if you done it some how...


lockable is nice, definitely...

[LeighP]

I see what you mean...thats a neat job, but no, it didn't occur to me to try doing that....they are just surface mounted. Looks good, though.

[Takid455]

Both have pros and cons. The recessed one has a nice flush look but debris can build up in the void and may be tough to clean. The flat mounted one, well will have an obstruction on an otherwise flat surface.

I would have used them if I knew about them prior to painting the hood. No if I want to install them, I would need to have the top mounted style as making the recessed area will damage the surrounding paint.

[LeighP]

So, I'm still doing small projects to fill in time and save time later.

Fitted up the Autometer Trans Oil and Engine Oil Temp gauges to the A pillar pod housing I got from Anvil Autos. They do lots of cool CF parts for 2nd gens.





And I fitted up an eye level centre brake light to the rear headliner trim retainer, as well as refinishing the front and rear trims in satin black.





The pegs are just holding the wiring where I've bedded it into some sealant while it sets - to stop it moving around.

[FirebirdSteve]

Very Interesting........

[LeighP]

Wow, thats a blast from the past.....sort of matches the vintage, though....lol.

[LeighP]

OK...so we've reached the stage where theres enough progress to warrant more pics.
Car is back in pieces, getting the final undercoat - it'll be blocked and get the base colour on it next week.....theres a public holiday coming up, so its a short week, but at least it should be in the base colour.

Heres a pile of Firebird parts ready for priming.


Doors are done.


And the body freshly primed.

[LeighP]

WE HAVE SOME COLOUR!!!!!!

Well, its only the base colour, they still have to apply the top colour (pearl green) over the base, but he's identified a couple of extremely slight low spots he wants to fix first....so since tomorrow is a public holiday, the guys are also getting friday off to make a long weekend...so mine will sit till next week...hardening up a little.

[aronhk_md]

Leigh.....all I can say is wow....on all of it. Can you come help me with mine? lol

[bhcustomdesigns]

Its looking good Leigh,I cant wait to see it finished its going to be a very nice car!Now if I can just get mine that far along lol.

[LeighP]

Thanks guys....pretty happy with how it looks...the flash actually fades out the colour....its not a bad colour on itsown, but with the pearl jade green over the top, its AWESOME!!!!! lol.
Be nice to live closer to a bunch of other 2nd gen guys, help out on projects etc...there aren't that many of us around!

Just had some good news on the registration front...they changed some rules on the required paperwork recently, meaning a $450 compliance certificate required on imports to ensure they meat government design rules.....well, it seems the cut off point is cars built after 01 AUG 1972, which means all I need is a vehicle ID and safety check, rather than the expensive compliance certificate....yippee, $450 better in my pocket!

[68400BIRD]

It's looking great. Can't wait to see the top coat and clear on it. This is going to be a long weekend for you. LOL

[Doug1]

It won't be long now! That is really looking sharp Leigh. I'm looking forward to the action photos!