1970 Firebird - Redemption!

[RussMurco]

I guess I’ll go ahead and formally introduce my new 1970 Firebird project, “Redemption”… I'd post a rendering but I'm still awaiting one... (Hint hint - B)!

I had searched for years to find a good clean shell and suspension for my Firebird project, this one fit the bill and I pounced on it when it popped-up locally. My thinking is I’ll be replacing most everything that isn’t on this car anyway, why go through the hassle of taking off parts and trying to sell them and if it’s “naked” I can inspect the body and chassis a lot easier.

This mostly rust-free 1970 Firebird shell came from California with a complete suspension. The owner had been prepping it for a Trans Am replica but life events had caused him to abandon the project.

One of the ad photos

The primary motivator for this? A picture in a book, a Firebird concept car from February 1969. We'll use this as my "rendering" for now...


Something about this car just hit me as "right" from the moment I laid eyes on it 30 years ago. I couldn't afford to do these modifications to my first one and that is why I named this one, "Redemption". Seeing as I'll be using a lot of carbon fiber on the build I considered naming it "Fiber-bird" but thoughts of sponsorship by Metamucil kept popping into my head.

Being that we are in Minnesota I had the owner store it until roads and weather were better and I brought it home in April. Before I could begin on the Firebird I had another project to complete, a 1972 Cutlass that belonged to my boy’s Dad who had passed away in 2008 (the same year as my wife). Only July 4th the Cutlass was on the road again, the boys are both old enough to drive it, and they are on Cloud 9 having their Dad’s Cutlass again. We spent the rest of the summer cruising around to the car shows and taking care of the little things that needed attention.

The Cutlass at the Car Craft Nats this summer

Now that it’s completely done, it’s Firebird time! Here are some pictures of my starting point...

It has a completely rebuilt front subframe that was powder-coated...


the bottom has already been cleaned and detailed...


And those floorboards are original!

The only rust discovered so far...
D/S toe box...

My first 1970 firebird was “pea-green” so as you can imagine I chuckled a little when I caught sight of the original color of this car!

Here it is at home for the first time, back in April, in the front garage...

Notice the salt on the floor, we got snow into May this year!

And yesterday it finally made its way to the back garage, or "Skunkworks!"


You'll also notice I've found a 1976 Formula hood for it!


I also have all new glass for it, a '72 grill set, front turn signals, the inserts for the hood, DSE SFC's, C6 booster & DSE mount, and C6 Brakes with other brake components.
I will be updating the lighting in the back garage, installing new heaters and laying down a new floor for heat retention for the winter. I also will be relocating all the woodworking equipment upstairs in the garage for more room and possibly replacing the cabinetry with all metal parts.

As for the car itself - I’m seeing a lot of cars edging closer to race cars here, and that’s awesome and all, but I’m going with a more conservative, more street friendly approach. I will stick with a stock subframe and leaf-spring suspension for now with some targeted upgrades that I’m still weighing. For this car the build plan is more tilted towards daily-driver comfortable with upgraded capabilities. As long as I can keep Weld away from it I should be able to maintain my plan, budget, and sanity…

Here is the plan for now…
LS Engine being built by Ravenworks
T-56 transmission (already have)
Carbon-fiber nose and rear panel
Flush glass, modified rear bumper, duck-tail spoiler
Suspension… Still deciding… Leaning towards Hotchkiss
Corvette C6 front brakes on AFX spindles, ’00 Z28 rear brakes and Master Cylinder, 1LE prop-valve
Recaro Orthoped seats with heat & cool options
Completely custom designed dash, door panels, console, and speedhut gauges
Schroth retractable 4-point belts
Custom-made LED taillamps and HID or LED headlamps
Vintage Air AC with filter and fresh air capability.
Year One 17x9 Snowflakes with gold inserts
Stay tuned!

[ProTouring442]

Very cool!

I have that Firebird book too. LOL

And a '72 Olds "442" for that matter.

Looking forward to seeing this one built!
Bill

[Vince@Meanstreets]

awesome merco!! its a bout time bub

[RussMurco]

Originally Posted by ProTouring442

Very cool!
I have that Firebird book too. LOL
And a '72 Olds "442" for that matter.
Looking forward to seeing this one built!
Bill

You have this one? I looked for another copy for years, just found one a couple of months ago!

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

awesome merco!! its a bout time bub

I've been going to school for it, watching your work!

[NOT A TA]

Nice project! Are those factory 70 TA Rally wheels in the pic? If so and they're 70 date code JW's you might be able to sell them and buy the YO wheels you want.

[RussMurco]

I haven't really looked just yet and I'm told that there are a few "1970 only" pieces still on this car that may be worth some $$$. The radiator/core support, package tray, and I was told the doors on the 1970 were different, something about the handles?
PS - Love your 'bird!!!

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by Ravenworks

You have this one? I looked for another copy for years, just found one a couple of months ago!

Yes... though the dust cover is long gone. I'd love another one though, mine's looking a little worse for wear.

My personal Firebird build idea (maybe for my 50th, after I finish my 442)...

-Late 2nd gen body (modified to take an early rear window) with T-tops
-'70-'72 front end
-'74-'75 rear bumper
-Full independent suspension
-LS3/6speed
-Full leather
-P/S, P/B, P/W, Cruise, Tilt/Tele, CD/Stereo/Nav, Power Seats, etc

Basically, my own everyday sports car, but wrapped in a Firebird body. I think I'd go Trans Am wheel spats and front and rear spoiler, and I'd love to do a set of 17" '79 "10th Anniversary" wheels to go with it.

Ah... dreaming...

Guess I'd better finish that book of mine.

[RussMurco]

Long overdue update...
The car has been sitting as it got pushed-back for other projects over the summer. Now that the Missus has her new, spectacular deck, the boys have their cars rolling, vacation is over, and my neighbors have all their crap done I can turn attention to this car again. But, the garage is getting an overhaul in the mean-time.
As for progress, I've got the rendering ordered, many parts have been gathered and there are many to go but it's progress. The CF nose I picked up from Anvil in Cali, the fenders from Bryan (carbuff) in Texas, a big thanks there! The nose, hood, and fenders recently went on to make sure I had all the hardware but mostly to motivate me. Here it is in its mismatched color glory...


The brake and fuel lines are being bent, I have the firewall modified to accept the C6 booster with DSE bracket, the DSE subframe connectors are going in soon, and the new rear quarters from Goodmark (the new ones with the sail panels) are here are well.




And there are things I've been making for the car, here is one I started today. The tail-lamps on these cars have always struck me as slightly undersized. I've got our LDI scanner mapping the contours and surfaces and I'll transfer those dimensions into solidworks for "customizing", we'll cut the parts and I'll have an LED board and some other unique features coming for it soon.


I'm still struggling with color, I've narrowed it down to 4, perhaps seeing the renderings will help!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Ravenworks

Long overdue update...
The car has been sitting as it got pushed-back for other projects over the summer. Now that the Missus has her new, spectacular deck, the boys have their cars rolling, vacation is over, and my neighbors have all their crap done I can turn attention to this car again. But, the garage is getting an overhaul in the mean-time.
As for progress, I've got the rendering ordered, many parts have been gathered and there are many to go but it's progress. The CF nose I picked up from Anvil in Cali, the fenders from Bryan (carbuff) in Texas, a big thanks there! The nose, hood, and fenders recently went on to make sure I had all the hardware but mostly to motivate me. Here it is in its mismatched color glory...



I'm still struggling with color, I've narrowed it down to 4, perhaps seeing the renderings will help!

Its about time!!!!

Color? judging by the first pick, I'm betting its red, white, blue or black?

I have a few ideas on tail lights.....

[RussMurco]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

Its about time!!!!

Hey, easy now! I pay cash for my stuff, and all the other projects and vacations that go on around here! That damn deck cost me at least a couple of ported heads!

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

Color? judging by the first pick, I betting its red, white, blue or black?

White is in the running, but the others are chrome yellow, Fiat Copper Orange, HOK Cherry Wine, and that dang blue that Devers turned my brain inside-out with!!!

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

I have a few ideas on tail lights.....

I'll bet you do! You turned me onto that DSE booster bracket, what a nice set-up!!!