Project BRUISED EGO. 1971 Formula Firebird
 

This is going to be a short thread, because the modifications of this car are quick and painless..

I have a 1971 Pontiac Formula Firebird that I am trying to customize a bit for product photos. I know some will not like what is being done to the car, but it is mainly being done to stand out for photos. Everythings being done is completely reversible..LOL Although, I think it is going to look awsome..

I am goint to install Black Side Pipes on this car, they are at the coating place because I couldnt find black pipes. They are 4 into 1 pipes and will be wrapped in Black Exhaust wrap to keep your skin from stick as you get out.

The car was lowered 3 inches in the rear and is running 19x9.5 rear wheels, and 18x8.5 front. I am going to drop the front down about another 3/4 to an inch as soon as I replace the long tube headers with shorty's for clearance.

In the theme of this car, it will have Flat Black Rally style stripes that will go from the bottom of the air dam (to be installed with the complete Trans Am Flare kit) to the rear pan. The stripes will be on the top of the car also, and the rear bumper is being painted the body color with the stripes on it also. The door handles and locks will either be body color or flat black, I am not sure yet.

The car should be done by this next week, so please hold all the wrong comments until it is completed...LOL I understand alot of people may not like what is being done to the car, but I cant have a cookie cutter build for product pictures...

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...ulabefore2.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...mulabefore.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...rebird/003.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...rebird/004.jpg

I think it is killer:thumbsup: don't worry for one second about what somebody else thinks of your car, build it for your own taste.

Pretty clean and straight looking car to begin with. I like those wheels. And like the last post said, it's yours so don't worry about what anyone thinks.

It is a great car to start with.. I is a fresh paint job that began with complete media blasting and rust protectant. The previous owner had great intentions, but gave up at the end and kind of threw it together. New pontiac engine and trans, new paint, new seats, new tires, new gauges, new carpet, complete new front suspension kit and lowering springs all still in the boxes, ect, ect..

The work I am doing to the car is just the details and finish up. After I am done with what I need it for, it will be on the market.

Hey Robert, is this the marketing car for the second gen windows? I would like to see those on a car. We spoke about that a long time ago, early last year I think.

I was also going to ask, did the black car and the "paint" issue turn out ok? Were you able to get it all cleaned up ok? I hope so. I hope those responsible paid dearly too.:cheers:

Yes, I am doing these mods to help showcase the Glass Kits. And sadly, the paint on the Ferrari was more of an issue on the engine and chassis work.. It cleaned off the body pretty well, and the car has left for retirement in Hawaii...LOL

I saw the pictures, what a shame too. Oh well, out of your hands now anyway. :cheers:

That's right. I had forgotten about the ferrari being vandalized. Glad you were still able to sell it though. Did they ever catch the people responsible?

The firebird actually sounds pretty cool. Do post pictures when you're done. One question though, are you sure you haven't gone too low with the suspension. It looks like it is riding on the bump stops now. I love them low but riding on the bump stops isn't safe.

I know I don't need to say so but do post pictures of the flush glass. I bet it'll look great.

No, it isnt riding on the bump stops.. The 19 Inch wheels gave me a bit more clearance and fill out the wheel wells even with the suspension that low. The Bump stops unbolt so if I do get into them, I will remove them.. I have been driving the car all over town and down the highway(Oklahoma Roads), and it has been fine, but the car isnt loaded down with 4 passengers and a trunk full of grocery's...ha ha

Here are a few pics of some parts fitment.. I will still have to do some treeking, but it is off to the body shop to get the rear bumper, flare and air dam, door handles and locks, and stripes painted. I will say, the flare kit I purchased was about the easiest I have done yet. They actually fit correctly with no trimming, and they are fiberglass rather than ABS plastic.. I havent installed the shorty headers yet, so I havent been able to lower the front end..

What do you guys think, should I lower the front end about 1 inch or raise the rear end a bit?

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/003-1.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...rebird/006.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/004-1.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/001-1.jpg

lower the front

Nice car to show off your glass product Robert.
Question? Can somebody buy your glass as separate pieces or is it packaged as a set front/rear.

At this time, we only sell front and rear sets, unless you are a customer that needs replacement glass due to breakage.

I say that if you have the room and it won't cause any driving issues to lower the front just a bit. It would look best with the same spacing between the fender lip and wheel at both ends. Looking good so far Robert.

I was looking at those pics and the tape stripes look off hopefully you have double checked these. And good looking car. And I like your product when will you have stuff for 3rd gen NOVA

Oh the tape on the hood and the nose are not even or to scale. I was roughly taping off different stripes and two-tones.. Just left them there to give the paint shop the general Idea of what I wanted. HA HA

oh cool just looking out

Here are the updated pics, let me know what you guys think. I am more than positive it will only appeal to a very few, but that is all it takes to draw interest sometimes.... LOL

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...rebird/009.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/004-2.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/002-2.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/006-1.jpg

I like it Robert. I think it will work to showcase the glass. Bright wheels, sidepipes, and stripes would draw attention away from the canopy.

I'd black out the parking lamp bezels or paint them body color. Doesn't look quite "right" IMO with chrome bezels there and black headlight buckets.

Here are the pics with the numbers on the doors.. Please dont ask the significance of the number, there isnt one, I had to make one up on a whim.



http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/001-3.jpg



http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/003-3.jpg



http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...bird/002-3.jpg

I have an appointment at the tint shop later this week for the side and rear glass, but I am thinking the car doesnt need it.. What do you guys think?

Looks great. I'd do like John mentioned and paint the other bezels black as well.

Tinting to me says, the car is driven. So I say tint the windows.

Oh and bring the back up or lower the front. Definitely can't have more gap in the front than rear. It makes the car look like it is squatting out back.

Yes tint the windows. It will accent the flush mounts and make them look better in promo pics. The tint turns the glass into mirrors so people will see the glass in the pics and not be distracted by what they can see through them (like those hanging seatbelts). The flush mount rear glass will also give the car more of a fastback look which will be more pronounced with the tints.
This pic kinda shows the effect.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...eRockPark1.jpg

I agree with Trey and others that for looks, the car doesn't sit quite right. It looks like you might have rubbing issues if you lower the front more but raising the rear is more of a challenge.

If I lower the front more, I will have a bit of rubbing issues on extreme driveways and roads.. Right now, it clears about everywhere in our rural area. I really want to lower the front more, but I may just balance it out buy raising the rear a half inch, it wont be that bad.

Raising the rear won't be too bad, you're right. I'm in this same dilemma with my 79. I can see now that the car needs the front springs cut since the LT1/T56 is much light that the 403/auto but I can't get the back end any lower without changing springs. I don't have the money for that right now so I'll have to wait. Ultimately, I doubt I'll be able to get my car as low as the DSE 2nd gen or Dale Jr's 2nd gen which is my goal. Decisions decisions. I say make it look good without compromising safety or functionality.