Bring up the next generation rodder
 

Well, I bit the bullet and invested in my son's future as well as aiding in the future of the "classics' car hobby. My 13 year old son and I make a road trip this weekend to pick up his first car - a project 68 Firebird.

It sure is different today. Most of us grew up turning a wrench both because we had to, and because it's what many of our friends did. Kids today grow up around computer games and couldn't tell a vice-grip from a claw hammer. I've always been a car hobbist but also the guy who saved my family many thousands of dollars by doing all the family car repairs. I'm sure the same can be said for many of you.

In my humble opinion, due to video games, cell phones, instant messaging and so on, kids today are programmed on quick, real time results in most aspects of life. It seems to me that there is little patience for anything that is to be done with your hands, projects that can't be completed quickly and easily. I'm afraid for the future of this hobby.

For me personally, my son David has fallen in this same mind set and I hope to change it, I've now made a financial investment to change it. He does love cars and goes to most car shows with me. But when it has come to working in my shop with me, he gets bored too easliy and wants to go back to the computer or x box. He has always had an eye for the Firebrds so I found a project car to his liking. The goal is to have the car driveable by the time he gets his license.

My hope is that his love for his own car will make the difference, that he will learn how to fix things and experience the satisfaction of looking at what you've created and accomplished. Needless to say, those skills will also save his own family money throughout the years.

David and I (mom too) agreed that to write a contract of expectations. Must spend a certain amount of time each month working on the car, grades can't slip, must eventually get a part time job, must still save for college...... If expectations are not met, or corrected, the ownership of the car would revert back to my wife and I.

I love the thought of working on our project cars in my shop together. If it works out it will be a major item to cross off my bucket list.....Build a car - together with my son - for him.

For those of you who may have gone down this road already, I would sure appreciate your advice and tips.

Gene

I like the idea. Out of curiosity, what kind of build will it be (parts, etc) and who covers the cost of parts? Hope it goes according to plan for you and your son.

That's cool. Have fun.

I like the way you think. Best of luck with this, and keep us posted!!

You nailed it on the head with the direction kids are taking today. My kids are all spoiled and have all the up to date electronic gadgets you can think of and i feel the same way you do sbout the future out come.

I equate it to me as a General Contractor and the engineers and architects that I meet with. They can throw it on paper but have never actually built anything hands on so when it comes time for the build some of the things on paper just dont work realistically when actually trying to put it together by hand.

Anyhow, I commend you for your effort, getting your son to work with his hands will certainly give him a better understanding of all work that is incorporated in putting a project together.

Thanks for the comments guys. He sure has that gleam in his eye right now and has been looking up many Firebirds online to figure out color scheme, wheels, etc.

Questions had been asked about what parts will be used and who will pay for them.

As far as who will pay for them - my son will over time. That is also part of the contract. My wife and I will borrow the funds as the build progresses and keep track of the totals. He will pay us back (without interest) as time and circumstances permit. If he would decide to quit the project before it is finished, he would not pay us for the parts as the car will revert back to me.

But here is where I could use your input. What parts to buy... The plan is for an extreme budget build. All the body panels have already been profesionally replaced and the chassis redone. That portion was done over 10 years ago so the ride height needs to change. I have some parts that I will give him for half price such as a 13" brake package that I had bought for a previous project that changed directions.

The car comes with a four speed and has a posi rear that's already been rebuilt and installed. With the price of fuel and the scary thoughts of much hp (I don't want him driving like I did in my Chevelle at 16 :faint:), I'm perplexed on what to do for a motor. We live 13 miles from town so the gas goes quickly. Fuel economy is most important at this point. It can always be changed over to hp when he's old enough to handle it.

If anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears. Also, if anyone is upgrading suspension and has some decent aftermarket used stuff they would give my son a deal on, please let me know.

My real hope is that this is something that carries forward for years to come. The two of us driving our own cars to car shows together. Can you imagine the fun of autocross racing trying to stay ahead of your son's best times?! Now that's what I call dreamin!!!

I REALLY LIKE your thinking and direction with the father/son build. My son is 7 now and we are building "his" car. He will own it one day. And he loves helping me work on it too.

For your build, just some basics. Maybe a Hotchkis TVS suspension. Or Global west spring and shock package. Both very good systems and are budget friendly.
Possibly DSE leaf springs and coils up front. Just to get the look you want and better performance too.
For wheels that will fit your brakes, give Jon or Justin a call at Driverzinc. They are a sponsor here. They just started a sale on the New Gen line of wheels. They have some really cool designs and the prices right now are GREAT! They can put together a complete package with tires, wheels and suspension for you.

A decent small block chevy motor like a 290hp crate motor right from your local dealer. About $1,900.00 all new with a warantee. Run a small 600cfm carb, decent ignition and exhaust and you have a fun car without killing the budget.
As for the mileage, a V8, 4 speed, carb,........its not going to be a Prius on gas. But it shouldnt do too bad either.

Good luck, start a build thread so we can all watch it happen.

I hate to say it but that will still put us well over what we can spend on the Firebird for my son's first car. He's got three older sisters that are already cleaning out my pockets on a regular basis. Much of this build will need to be done the old school way with used parts.

As far as the drivetrain goes, this is what crossed my mind. Buy a used LS motor, tune and gear it for fuel mileage. I wouldn't be afraid of a higher mileage motor as they are pretty tough. Then as he got older, the motor could be freshened, upgraded, retuned and geared for performance. I thought this set up would be much better on fuel than a carburated 350. The car will still need paint and some interior purchased and of course a ton of the small this and that.

I'll be up front, I paid $4000 for a rock solid body and chassis as I'm no good at bodywork and it can take a ton of build time. The chassis already has subframe reinforcements welded in, new body mounts and chassis bushings throughout, new springs front and rear, new floors and quarters welded in and new GM inner and outer front fenders. That being said, I need to have this car on the road for under $10,000 total invested.

Keep your thoughts coming guys, it is really appreciated.

Gene

Ok. No problem.

Hotchkis or Global West coils in front, leafs in back. Or cut your coils up front and use blocks to drop the rear.

Drop out 5.3 L LS truck motor (i have over 210k on mine with no problems), ls1 or 6 intake, modify the stock tank for EFI, (the stock intake might fit under the firbird hood if you are lucky)


A set of cast wheels from Driverzinc, and you are done. If you do the work yourself you can easily fit this and a decent paint job within your budget.
The 5.3 ls motors are dirt cheap now. Just 300/500 bucks gets a good one on ebay with tbe ecm and harness.

although I think a conventional 400 Pontiac would be much cheaper, a Junkyard 5.3 out of a truck and some highway gears would really make a nice driver out of it.