Lateral-g Forums - OLDFLM's (Ty) 71 Firebird comes to Fletcher's Customs!! Giving back for my Freedom!!

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- - OLDFLM's (Ty) 71 Firebird comes to Fletcher's Customs!! Giving back for my Freedom!! (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17027)

I've been talking back and forth with Ty via email but just saw this. I knew the paint shop was taking much longer than expected but I had no idea it was turning into another on of those body shop rip off stories.

Is there a Paypal or snail mail address I can send a little something? :thumbsup:

-Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFLM (Post 173583)

I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or humbled by all the attention this project is getting… but I am truly grateful!

(I thought) The car was a pretty nice “restomod” but I wanted to go the pro-touring route… call it my mid life crisis… but I sold my daily driver Pontiac G6 GT to eliminate the monthly car payment/free up funds and pulled the money for the wheels, brakes and paint out of my Roth IRA. I know, I know… don’t beat me up too bad over it… but that’s the only way I could afford to give the car the facelift I felt it deserved. I’d have probably lost the money by now anyway right! LOL

As Chad described, his part of the project started out as just getting it out of a local 4 month paint jail… a scuff-n-shoot job that was quoted to take only 3 weeks. That was mid-June. Fast forward to the present and I think “good things do come to those who wait” because I’m certain I’ll end up with a MUCH nicer car in every aspect than if it had stayed where it was! I can’t thank Chad and Jerry enough for taking on this project and the deal Fletcher’s Customs is giving me on the car!!! He’s literally doing the entire car for what the local guy originally quoted me for just the scuff-n-shoot! About 1/4th of what he would normally get for the same job! These guys are amazing!!

Even taking Chad’s generous discount into consideration I’m still trying to avoid project creep as I am on a very tight budget. I’m certain that the car has never been taken this far down before since it’s a 71 and I bought it in 1985 and it shows. It seems that nothing on the car has ever been apart and nearly everything needs to be replaced. Chad’s doing a great job of staying focused on what’s really “needed” to do it right this time and not letting me get carried away “dreaming” about what I’d like to do to the car if the budget allowed.

Here’s what we know is “needed” to continue:

- LUGNUTS! LOL I've misplaced the lugs that came from DriverzInc somewhere!

- Master Cylinder... either a 77 Malibu manual MC or the Wilwood deal

- Body bushings… Chad said the original rubber core support bushings crumbled in their hands when they took them out!

- A-arms… bushings weren’t installed correctly back in 1990 (PST kit) and the A-arms were bent

- Bushing kit… A-arm bushings, sway bar bushings etc.

- Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends… 18 years old and need replaced.

- Rear spring bushings and shackles… the bushings are the original rubbers and the shackles had to be cut to get them out!

- Bolt/fastener kit… 90 percent of the bolts they touch either break or have to be cut out!

Here’s a laundry list that I had already started before Chad got the car… what I “wanted” to get to give it a deserved facelift:

- New shocks… the KYBs were put on there in 1990 along with the PST rebuild kit… it’s gonna be a driver!

- Gas tank/sending unit… had to buy new fuel and brake lines when they cracked while patching rust in the rear frame rails…

- Morris Concepts 3-point retractable seatbelts… front belts are inop... 3-points provide added safety factor!

- New glass… original side glass is badly scratched… front and rear glass is pitted/scratched… needs replaced

- Vintage Air… it’s gonna get hot down here next summer and I plan to use the car as my sunny day daily driver

- P O N T I A C emblem for trunk filler panel… Formula 400 emblems for the fenders…

- Hedman 28150 headers… freebie Summit 4-tubes are showing their age and one hangs an inch lower than the other

- Trans cooler lines… just prebent replacements needed…nothing fancy

- Overflow jug… junkyard find doesn’t seem like it’ll fit the car when done any longer!

- New Carpet… Original carpet is badly faded and smells like dead mice! LOL

- Dynamat/Hushmat/Second Skin… something to put under the carpet and quiet the interior

- New sill plates… just the $25 repops… no need for expensive NOS stuff here…

- New seats… even though they’re in good shape the stock seats don’t offer much support or bolstering

- Battery tray… the stocker is only about half there! Or we could move it to the trunk?

- Dash pad cap… the stock dash is badly cracked as is common in 2nd Gens…

- Washer bottle, hose, filter… missing in action… the car hasn’t had one since I’ve owned it.

- Interior trim screw kit… would like to replace all those dry wall screws

- Dome lens kit/bulb… again it’s MIA and has never been in the car since I’ve owned it.

- Remote battery kit (trunk mount)

- Bright Driver Headlights

- Upgraded altenator

- Selecta-speed wiper kit

Now, IF I weren’t on a budget and could build my dream: (c:]

- 462 stroker kit for the Poncho 400, KRE 290cfm D-port heads, Hyd Roller cam... OR...

- LS2/3/7… with a Schwartz drive by wire TBI intake and a repop Ram Air air cleaner to work with the hood…
(and Pontiac baby blue valve covers!)

- TKO600 5 speed

- 9" rear or 12 bolt

- Full Tubular Arm package

- Coilovers

- 4 link rear

- Aluminum Radiator

- Upgraded Seats

- 5 point cage

- Power windows, locks and an alarm system

- Killer stereo system

Again, I truly appreciate and am humbled by all the attention this project is getting! (c:]

V/R,

Ty

Heck at least you know you will be getting active duty retirement pay when you get out. I Have been in the air guard for 7 years and already have almost 4 years of active duty. Almost wish I would have went active duty for the retirement. Glad to see your car getting the care it deserves. Thanks for your service.
Ryan

Quote:

Originally Posted by L n L (Post 173601)

Too Cool!

I first met Ty about 11 years (I'm guessing, you know, "memory"....) over at www.classicalpontiac.com. Not very often you meet someone so genuinely a "good guy", you gotta hang on to friends like Ty when you find them :thumbsup:

A few years ago, my son and I took a road trip in my '03 Mach 1, and drove up through Colorado Springs, where Ty was stationed at the time. Ty gave us a key to his house, and graciously let us "base camp" out of his place! My son still speaks fondly of the experience.

I know there are alot of flakes out there, but Ty is NOT one of them! He is an all-around great guy/friend/dad/husband/serviceman/gearhead. To all of those helping out on this, I congratulate you for doing a wonderful deed, and assure you that Ty is a very deserving person.

Thanks,
Lee Atkinson

Lee is responsible for taking what I had and making some real Poncho power!

I had an anemic 8.0:1 (or less) Pontiac 400 with bad heads and a WAY too small cam and was lucky if it made 200hp at the crank! Lee spec'd the custom Bullet cam that's in the car now, sourced the somewhat rare #13 Ram Air III heads (off a 70 GTO) and helped me sort it out to make nearly 400hp! And that's with cast iron home ported heads and cast pistons!!

Thanks for the kind words Lee!! You know better than anyone how long it's taken to get the car to this point! Has it really been 11 years since we first started talking about the "new combo"? LOL

V/R,
Ty

You guys ROCK!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker (Post 173605)

Thanks to SPCHIV for coming through with a gracious gift

He donated a full Poly bushing kit and full stainless bolt kit from Year one!!!

Thanks to Syborg tt for his gift of a set of locking brushed hood pins from hoodpins.net

I can't thank Steve (spchiv) and Marty (Syborg tt) enough for their generosity!!! MUCH appreciated guys!!!!!! :patriot:

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearheads78 (Post 173624)

PayPal:
[email protected]

Snail:
Chad Fletcher
c/o Fletcher's Customs
21971 US Highway 319 North
Coolidge, GA 31738

Rushforth Superspokes

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker (Post 171602)

the final look

https://lateral-g.net/forums/atta...2&d=1215608833

Here's a pic of my Rushforth Superspokes with my son Tyler!

I can't thank Jon and JayR enough for all their help in selecting these wheels!!

I'm simply blown away by the quality of these wheels and their truly personal service!!!

V/R,
Ty

p.s. Now if I could just find the dang lugnuts!

KORE3 C6 Z51 brakes!

To complement my Rushforth Superspokes I called Tobin Knighton @ KORE3 and ordered up a complete C6 Z51 brake kit for my Firebird. You can't believe the quality and service that Tobin provides! He guided me through every step and offered great advice geared toward my intended driving applications.

My Firebird will have DBA 13.4" & 13" rotors front and rear with KORE3s matching black powdercoated PBR calipers and all the hardware to make the install a breeze for Chad and Jerry. And the best part? He had everything in stock and I had them in just over a week!

Tobin is great to deal with and I highly recommend KORE3 to anyone who wants a great product delivered in record time with great advice and customer service!

Check out KORE3s kits @ www.KORE3.com or call Tobin at 1-800-357-5467

V/R,
Ty

I am truly honored to be apart of this!! Giving back means so much to me and it really floors me to see the amount of respect and help folks are wanting to give back also! WE have people donating money and parts and we have some great companies coming along also. Wow what more can I say... you guys are the best!!

We have some great companies that have addressed interest in partial sponsorships and some freebies!!! But we are going to need to raise some money for Ty to get some of these parts. I'll have some more info after SEMA, but you vendors and folks are the best!!!

Companies that have expressed interest or given something already:

Hoodpins.net- thanks for the hood pins!!
Fesler
Anvil Auto
Marquez Design

You guys rock!!!

Sent a small donation last night. Thanks for helping Ty out!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearheads78 (Post 173917)

Sent a small donation last night. Thanks for helping Ty out!!

Richard,

Thanks so much for contributing to the project!

Although I had to go through the whole paint jail ordeal it will be worth it in the end as I’ll end up with a MUCH nicer car (thanks to folks like you!) than if I had left it where it was!

I have Frank @ Prodigy to thank for putting me in touch with Chad @ Fletcher’s Customs.

AND I have Chad to thank for taking on the project to get it completed for the same amount as what the first shop quoted me for just a scuff-n-shoot! What a blessing and what a stand up guy to take on the project and then dig deeper to make sure it IS done right this time!

With the help from Chad and all the others who contribute I'll finally get to see this lifelong dream come true! (c:]

Thanks again my friend! Truly appreciated!!!!! :patriot:

V/R,

Ty

Wow, I am floored by the response this is getting! We have had so many great companies get back with us about helping out on the project. Even with SEMA going on they are still going out of their way to help out. This project gets better and better everyday! Ty will truly be getting back something he never imagined!

We are gonna have to do some fundraising! There are so many offers for great products at discounted pricing. And some secret things I would like to do for Ty also. If anyone wants to help out let me know, on here or by email.

I'm gonna take $500 of what Ty was giving me towards the paint and turn around and donate into the "Extra fund" for somethings he only dreamed about!! So now after my paint and material bill from this week, for the car, and deducting the $500. I am making $324.36. And that doesn't even include labor!!:cheering:

I'm sitting here, at work, in uniform, choked up and trying not to lose my demeanor... your generosity is amazing!!!
Thanks Chad!!!! You are truly a class act!! And I am a very blessed man!! Humbled and Grateful!
V/R,
Ty

Had a few minutes at lunch, so I ran by the shop and grabbed a couple of really crappy pics!! I really need a new camera!!!

Nothing major, just a couple shots showing it stripped. One day I'll learn how to pull a motor without making a mess!! There must be 40lbs of kitty litter on the floor. Tonight will be clean-up the shop and strip the interior!!!

Subframe!! It will be blasted, primed and painted semi gloss black!! more on that later!!
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/subframe.jpg

Two really crappy pics in the shop!!
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...stripped-1.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o.../stripped2.jpg

Wow the outpouring of generosity is amazing!! I want to personally thank the following companies for their contributions and for helping me to make Ty's dream car a reality!

-Inland Empire Driveline http://www.iedls.com/
They have offered to donate a complete driveshaft for the project!

-Billet Accessories Direct http://www.billetaccessoriesdirect.com
They have donated a custome one off billet steering wheel!

Thanks so much to everyone willing to be apart of this project! It's just one little way we can give back to the men and women who have protected our freedom without asking us for anything!

Few more pics!

Spent last night cleaning the shop, so not too much to show. But the shop was nasty and needed a good cleaning. Also had a couple of teenagers stop by that have a love for cars, and I try to mentor and teach them all I can. Well, I learned last night not to give them a couple cans of spray paint! lol

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o.../stripped4.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o.../stripped5.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o.../stripped6.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_0097.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_0103.jpg

Wow! What an awesome weekend! Really got a lot of stuff accomplished even though the pics don't show much. Spent Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday doing rust repair!! Woohoo! We all know how much fun that can be!! After this weekend we are 42 hours into the car, spent 9.5 hrs yesterday on the tail panel alone!! Car is really in a better place. Cut about 2 sq feet of rusted panels out and replaced with new metal. Had some major issues in the tail panel; little small 1/2" area in the rocker and some other pitting issues here and there. I forgot how much fun it is to tack weld for 4 hours!!! lol But everything is good to go now. After we welded everything in and smoothed with the grinder, we then covered with a skim coat of Fiberstrand filler. I've shaved hundreds of doors in my life and have always had the best results with a nice skim coat of glass reinforced filler down first. Anyway, onto the pics!!

Shot showing the skim coat of glass filler put on the shaved markers, quarter seam, etc.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ms/repair2.jpg

Cutting out the rust, this is one of my helpers Micheal, couldn't do it without him!
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ms/repair1.jpg

After we got it all cut out, we got two good places for exhaust outlets and a perfect spot for the trailer hitch to come through! :banghead:

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ms/repair3.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ms/repair4.jpg

And the support keeps coming!! This place and its vendors never cease to amaze me!!

I'd like to welcome Autorad Radiators http://www.autoradradiators.com/ to the project! They have agreed to donate a custom built aluminum radiator specifically for this project! Thanks for your help!!

James Walker's AutoRad Radiators!

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker (Post 174847)

And the Support keeps coming!! This place and its vendors never cease to amaze me!!

I'd like to welcome Autorad Radiators http://www.autoradradiators.com/ to the project! They have agreed to donate a custom built Aluminum radiator specifically for this project. thanks for your help!!

Thank you Jim and Karen for your generous contribution to the project!!! :patriot:

Look forward to hearing from you when you return from SEMA!

Ok all the rust repair is done and the big dents have been pulled. The bare metal has been killing me, seems like I all I do is remove surface rust that seems to pop up overnight, lol :pat: So last night we put the car in a coat of epoxy primer. Nothing special just thought I would post a couple pics

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ustoms/2-2.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ustoms/3-2.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ustoms/4-1.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ustoms/1-3.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ustoms/5-1.jpg

looking good :thumbsup:

:woot: :thumbsup: :dance: :cheering:

I just wanted to take a moment today as I reflect on all the others before me who have fought for our freedoms and for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this great country and say thank you to all my fellow veterans and to all who have contributed to this project!! Your patriotism and support of our troops means more than you could ever imagine! :patriot:

Very Respectfully,

Ty

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFLM (Post 175962)

Did you say something? I was distracted by the TV :lol:

Seriously thanks to everyone that has served to protect mine and my families freedom. Equaly important but often forgotten is the sacrfice made many wives, husbands, daughters and sons of those service men. Thank you all!!!

First; thanks to all the Veterans today. Without them, I'd probably be typing in German or Japanese right now.

This is coming from a "retired" auto mechanic. I have little to no hearing left in my left ear (childhood fever damage?) anywhoo, As I look at the pics of your helpers, I can't help but shutter at the thought of them using grinders and cut-off wheels without hearing protection.

Please get these kids to use some type of protection for their ears!! I have permanent ringing in my 'good' ear as well as what's left in the bad one. Whenever I work on my car or even blowing the leaves now, I HAVE to wear the 'ear muffs'. It's necessary to protect what I have left (only 37). I have a long time left on this earth and don't plan on not hearing.

Morris Classic Concepts Seatbelts!!

The outpouring of support and the generosity of the vendors just continues to blow me away!!!

I'd like to personally thank Robin and her family at Morris Classic Concepts for their generous donation of front 3-point and rear seat belts!!! :patriot:

V/R,
Ty

http://www.morrisclassicconcepts.com/

Taken from Tony@ Mac Inks post over on Protouring...

In honor of Ty Ingle's service we are offering T-Shirts featuring Ben Hermance's rendering of 'Old Flame'. All profits will be donated to Chad (boilermaker) of Fletcher's Customs to help fund and complete the build of Ty's 71 Formula.

Shirts can be ordered here:
http://mac-ink.com/shirts/OldFlame

http://mac-ink.com/shirts/OldFlame_Shirt.jpg

This is one person that I have forgotten to thank!! And Ben I do apologize.

I need to thank Ben @ Hermance Design http://www.hermancedesign.com/ for all the hard work he is doing on the design and layout of the car! He is doing this out of the goodness of his heart, and I want to publicly thank him for all he is doing! He has been doing countless color combinations and changes for Ty and I to look over and I just can't thank him enough for all he has done!! Ben, thanks again!!

It's my pleasure and honor to welcome Anvil Auto http://www.anvilauto.com/

Matt has been gracious enough to donate a ton of Carbon Fiber goodies for the car and then in turn have the molds to be able to offer his great products for Second Gen Bird owners!

Here is some of the goodies he has coming!!
Carbon fiber Formula hood, full front nose, lower front valance, rear 3 piece spoiler, rear bumper(that'll be tucked and smoothed), tail panel, dash gauge bezel, console and various other pieces!

Now all I got to do is get everything refitted, blocked and sent out his way!

I would personally like to thank you for your support!! Thanks from Fletcher's Customs!

Ok I guess a progress update would be good too!! Unfortunatly no new pics right now. The last week was a blur, I spent the weekend of the 8th-9th in Atlanta painting a high dollar one of a kind import show car that's had more covers by itself than most shops get total. And needless to say while there I came down with something called the Roto-Virus. Last week was by far the worst week of my life!! Me and the porcelain became great friends as well as the trash can or two. I lost 13 pounds in 3 days!!! So, work on Ty's car last week was at a stand still. This weekend I mustered up a little energy to do some sanding but not too much. I'll have some pics later this week of the body work in progress as well and the refit of the sheetmetal before a ton of the parts go out to Anvil Auto for custom Carbon Fiber pieces to be made from them. Stay tuned!!

And once again thanks to everyone who is helping to make Ty's dream a reality!!

It's my pleasure to welcome Marquez Design http://www.marquezdesign.com/ to the build! Pascual has been generous enough to donate his custom interior door panels and rear package tray to the build. I want to personally thank Marquez Design for their involvement and support!!

Wow - this awesome. Kudo's to the guy's at Marquez

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker (Post 177594)

Its my pleasure to welcome -Marquez Design http://www.marquezdesign.com/ to the build. Pascual has benn genourous enought to donate his Custom interior door panels, rear package tray, billet strikers, billet jamb vents, billet hood adjusters. I want to personally thank Marquez Design for there involvement and there support!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker (Post 177370)

This is one person that have forgot to thank!! And Ben I do apologize.

I need to thank Ben @ Hermance Design http://www.hermancedesign.com/ for all his hard work he is doing on the design and layout of the car. He is doing this out of the goodness of his heart, and I want to publicly thank him for all he is doing. he has been doing countless color combinations, and changes for Ty and I to look over, and I can't thank him enough for all he has done!!Ben thanks again!!

Ben has really gone way above and beyond the call of duty on this project!!
I simply can't thank him enough for all the time and talent he's put into it already!! :hail:

AND There more in the works from him gang so stay tuned! :drool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by syborg tt (Post 177598)

Wow - this awesome. Kudo's to the guy's at Marquez

I second that!! Pascual really blew me away with his willingness to help with the project!
He's truly a standup guy and I'm proud to have him and his products as a part of this build!!! :thumbsup:

ty

very happy for you.
awesome growing line up of sponsors .
cant wait to see it come together.

radrambler

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker (Post 177379)

Its my pleasure and honor to welcome -Anvil Auto http://www.anvilauto.com/

Matt has been gracious enough to donate a ton of Carbon Fiber goodies to us, for the car and then in turn have the molds to be able to offer his great products for Second Gen Bird owners.

Here is some of the goodies he has coming!!
Carbon Fiber Formula hood, full front nose, lower valance, rear 3 piece spoiler, rear bumper (that'll be tucked and smoothed), tail panel, dash guage bezel, console pieces... now all I got to do is get everything refitted, blocked and sent out his way!

I would personally like to thank you for your support!! Thanks from Fletcher's Customs

What more can I say about these amazing new pieces from Anvil!! :bow:

I never onced dreamed I'd have exotic stuff like carbon fiber pieces on the car! Thanks Matt!!!! :patriot:

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrambler (Post 177755)

ty

very happy for you.
awesome growing line up of sponsors .
cant wait to see it come together.

radrambler

Thanks Rad!

You know the words "thank you" just don't seem like enough... :rolleyes:

I NEVER imagined my car being taken to the level it's risen to with the generosity of all the amazing folks who've donated to the project! :bow:

I can't express how greatful and humbled I am... this thing's gonna be amazing! :drool:

THANK YOU to everyone who's contributed to the project and for making my dream come true!!!! :woot:

And a special thanks to Chad Fletcher for taking this project on and sticking with it as it's taken on a life of it's own!!
I'm truly blessed to have you as my builder on this project! :patriot:

And the outpouring of support continues!

It's my pleasure to welcome AGR Performance http://www.agrperformance.com/ to the build! Larry with AGR has graciously donated a Billet 12.1 Steering Box and one of their great billet steering pumps. Thanks so much!!

congrats! this is looking awesome!

awesome Ty! I'm SO happy for you. And THANK YOU for all you've done for the country and for your selfless service. I just knew our communities would come through for you. I look forward to the updates.