Getting her out of Mothballs...

[ho428]

After taking time off from the Coupe to concentrate on the race car I've finally started in on the coupe again.
17 x 9 and 17 x 8 Rally II's, probably going with Nitto 555 275-245's



What I need is a kick in the pants to finish it. Everything is about 85% done, but every system on the car needs that last 15%.
Hopefully she'll see the ground this summer.

[monteboy84]

Gorgeous car, good luck.

-matt

[astroracer]

Damn... My foot won't reach to SC but if it would you have your kick...

[68400BIRD]

I'll give ya a kick. That car is going to be to nice not to finish in a timely manner. Can't wait to see more.

[mikewoods]

Beautiful! be sure to post some progress pictures!

[Buryingthesun]

Looks great!

[number98]

Good looking ride...

[BirdsThaWord]

WOW! Your 'Bird looks cleany, clean, clean! Got more pics?

[ho428]

Dug it out from under everything to see where I left off. Started lining up the fenders and looking for long lost bolts. Bagged and tagged, but finding the right bin took some time.
I need to get the doors opening without rubbing the fenders so I can get inside and finish the interior.

It's kind of, where to start? Pypes SS system is under it but it needs hanging, brakes need a complete bleed since they're all new. Fuel system needs finished, PS system missing, wiring harness, front grill assembly, dash and gauge cluster installed...
Several parts got robbed to keep the race car going so those need replaced.

A few pictures of where it stands.

[Dave B]

Nice! Someday the floor in my garage will look like that

[Rag-Rat]

That looks really good, the color, the wheels. What size motor is that ? Auto or Manual, can't find a hint from the interior shot.

[MidnightSpecial]

Screw the cars, give me that garage! Haha

Looks like you have a nice stable of rides

[Pontiac Chris]

Beautiful cars Gordon, love those Rallye's, good luck with getting her on the road.

[slammedwhitec5vert]

Nice Garage, Nice Birds!!!!!

[ho428]

Engine is a very rare 4 bolt RA-V block, 433 cu in, forged 4" crank, Eagle H beam rods and BRC Pistons, Comp cams Hydraulic roller. Ported RA III heads w/ Ferrea SS valves, Edelbrock P65 intake w/Dual Carter AFB 500's, Long branch manifolds, SS Pypes 3" with X pipe.
Hays flyweel and clutch, Autogear Muncie M20, hurst shifter (haven't cut the carpet yet).
12 bolt rear w/ slider link bars, 4:11 gears (probably switch to a 3:55 or 3:73)
Brakes were a simple single piston kit with drilled and slotted rotors and drum rears, but since I've kind of changed directions with the 17" rims I'll probably get some 13" Baers, but only "after" I get this damn thing back on the road.

Everything is either rebuilt or brand new. I've owned this car since 1976, it was my first car in high school when I was 16, so a lot of sentimental value.

[Nicks67GTO]

Engine is a very rare 4 bolt RA-V block, 433 cu in, forged 4" crank, Eagle H beam rods and BRC Pistons, Comp cams Hydraulic roller. Ported RA III heads w/ Ferrea SS valves, Edelbrock P65 intake w/Dual Carter AFB 500's, Long branch manifolds, SS Pypes 3" with X pipe.
Hays flyweel and clutch, Autogear Muncie M20, hurst shifter (haven't cut the carpet yet).
12 bolt rear w/ slider link bars, 4:11 gears (probably switch to a 3:55 or 3:73)
Brakes were a simple single piston kit with drilled and slotted rotors and drum rears, but since I've kind of changed directions with the 17" rims I'll probably get some 13" Baers, but only "after" I get this damn thing back on the road.

Everything is either rebuilt or brand new. I've owned this car since 1976, it was my first car in high school when I was 16, so a lot of sentimental value.

Cool to see real poncho power in there including the ported iron heads! I see you have a Ram Air V block? How did you come across that? Those are practically untouchable. I bet you could sell that block to one of the boys on PY and build an IAII forged shortblock for what you would get out of it!!

[ho428]

I bought the block in 1978 from a local racer that ran Pontiac in NASCAR and CAN AM, he had 4 brand new blocks sitting in his shop collecting dust. Paid a whopping $250 for it. I went back a couple of days later after I borrowed some money to buy the other 3 but someone beat me to them. At 18 in 1978 that's a whole lot of money.
The heads I pulled off a GTO in a junk yard the same year, paid $20. Ahh, the good old days when you could find stuff like that. Found the intake with old Carters on it used at a local speed shop. The ones on it now are matched NOS.

[Nicks67GTO]

I bought the block in 1978 from a local racer that ran Pontiac in NASCAR and CAN AM, he had 4 brand new blocks sitting in his shop collecting dust. Paid a whopping $250 for it. I went back a couple of days later after I borrowed some money to buy the other 3 but someone beat me to them. At 18 in 1978 that's a whole lot of money.
The heads I pulled off a GTO in a junk yard the same year, paid $20. Ahh, the good old days when you could find stuff like that. Found the intake with old Carters on it used at a local speed shop. The ones on it now are matched NOS.

Yeah I dont know anything more than iv'e heard about the good old days. In 1978 I was 4 years out from my production date yet....haha. Thats cool you have a real RAV block. Is it set up for optional dry sump like the SD blocks? Have you ever tried to score some RAV heads/intake to match? That would be awesome...

[ho428]

Original Iron V heads and intake are way out of my price range, if you can even find a decent set for sale. But a couple of guys are making them in Aluminum, hopefully they'll get them figured out and in production. My plan is to get a set once they do.
Always been my goal to have a complete V, actually it could be considered a RA-VII with the 4" stroke crank and dual fours, the VII's were factory experimentals, only a handful every got built.

Moroso deep sump pan with Melling pump.

[68firebird]

Holy crap dude, 3 firebirds! I'm jealous. I really love the race car the best, but that white one is looking pretty fine. good luck getting it done. Mine's not nearly as clean as yours, but I'm still trying to get this to a cruise night or show, still have the body lean gremilin nagging me.