"Encore" brought to you by BBT Fabrications
 

Hello everyone!

Id like to share our most recent project being built by BBT Fab in Champaign, IL. It is a 1969 Firebird we like to call "Encore". This is the second car we have built for owner Sid Tracy. Our over all goal is to build a modern sports car out of the 69. We will be running products from Detroit Speed, Forgeline, Mast Motorsports, Ring Brothers and Recaro. First we contacted Ben Hermance to get some ideas on paper.

Hope you all enjoy,

Troy

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._1578058_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._6122215_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...e/untitled.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._1235843_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...8_743479_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._5886194_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...3_748663_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...l/Encore/1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...CONCEPT1b1.jpg

front end looks pretty cool. more like a 67/68 than a 69.

That rendering looks awesome. The hood looks great.

^^I agree. Looks awesome indeed. (Great job Ben!):cheers:
I like the front end a lot. Keep us posted on this build.

Wow that rendering is stunning! The nose really caught my attention. Looking forward to this one!

way kool going the keep an eye on this build :thumbsup:

I like the way Ben has the nose of the car right up against the front fenders, instead of leaving that big gap like GM did. I think that's the biggest fault with the exterior of these cars from the factory

damn Ben, you hit the ball out of the park on that nose. Love it!:thumbsup:

The hood and tail panel is very cool, too!

WOW, like everyone else said that front end is amazing. The tail and hood are also badass. Awesome rendering for sure, can't wait to see the progress.

Nice design.


<Subscribed>

Thanks for the comments guys and thanks for getting me involved Troy.

It was a fun project, not only because I love Firebirds but a 69 in particular was always a design I cringe over. TJ pointed out that puzzling expansion joint between the nose and fender, but as far as I'm concerned the entire nose needed an overhaul. It's way too busy with holes and lights and huge parting line gaps. And Pontiac rear bumpers are basically just a not-as-streamlined version of a Camaro...too clunky and "hung on".

There were some other concepts but this was the one that we felt worked best on this project. One looked like a progression from a 68 to a 70 and another had more of a 70 GTO feel to it. I look at a 69 and just say, "Where did that design come from? It's like the entire GM design team worked on the 69 Camaro and the Firebird was a total afterthought. Sure, let's just take what the Camaro has and double it.....

It's going to be very fun to follow this build! Lots of hand built parts....can't wait to see pics as things progress!! :yes:

I love the front end and rear end design! Should be a great looking car and a fun project!

Got the car back from media blasting and this is how she looks... also got a pallet load of parts from detroit speed

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._4809234_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._7351449_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._2615422_n.jpg
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Nice design Ben.

Looking good.

I have to agree the nose is SPOT on! Nice work. I cannot wait to see this thing come together.

Chris

Looks like it could slightly resemble one of my other favorite cars....not a bad thing at all.

http://mcar.ru/news/i/1970-Plymouth-...colas_Cage.jpg

Good looking design, You guys have a great build going!!

Good to finally see you guys over here.

Subscribed !!!!

:thumbsup:

Got all of our suspension installed!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._6627145_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...6_913248_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...3_277696_n.jpg
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http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._6946523_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...l/Encore/4.jpg

-Troy

Very, very nice Troy. Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

we recently started on the cage. The owner wanted a little something to stiffen up the car and add safety but he didnt want to be able to see it at all in the interior compartment of the car so we are building it as tight as possible then building a pillar panels and one peice headliner to cover it up. Heres where we are at so far...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...l/Encore/2.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._4098582_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._4690587_n.jpg

Awesome idea. Looks good.

It was a bit of a tightrope walk because we wanted to keep it unmistakably Firebird so I actually had a few pix of Cudas pinned up for a boundary reference. Retaining the double headlights really helps.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._3644548_n.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._2975622_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._6731746_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._7048703_n.jpg

Looks great guys. Good job.:thumbsup:

Wow, what a job with the cage!!!

question since you stiffened it up with the roll cage do you still need to add frame rail connectors??

Sub frame connectors are in already as well

started on the firewall...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._5566922_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._7845659_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...6_806424_n.jpg

-Troy

Wow, that front end is going to look insane!

Make two and I'll buy one from you. Hell, I'll even throw in a down payment.

I really wish fabricators would manufacture cool styling parts like this in stead of some of the mundane parts like door jams and hood latches. They'd make a killing.

Please keep us updated on the manufacturing and fabbing of the overhauled nose piece.

Really like the install of that roll cage, well done. :thumbsup:

This has actually been a thought. I will let you know what we come up with.

Thanks

Troy

More firewall pics....

We are going to tie the subframe to the firewall.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._7880505_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._1516033_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._6482256_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._6867871_n.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3..._4693245_n.jpg

-troy

Very nice Troy. The firewall looks good.

Help me out here....What's with the vents in the firewall?

The subframe pieces are just accent peices to cover up the holes. The peice on the passenger side is where the a/c bulkhead will come through and the holes are just accents as well they arent actually vents they are capped on the back side.