1971 Firebird build thread

[ProdigyCustoms]

Very cool, I love those cars.

[fletcherscustoms]

Let me know if I can do anything to help. We are wrapping up a 71 bird and have learned the ins and outs of these cars.

[ccm399]

Thanks for the offer Chad. I have looked over Ty's build thread MANY times! Great work.

Chris

[ccm399]

Well, the wife and I spent the better part of the day at GG Columbus Saturday.... so much to see! Got some good pictures and ideas from the SMOY cars. It was cool to see a '72 Firebird in the ring there!

So now it is time to start tearing the car down for media blast. A good friend of the family has a Media blast room/equipment I can use all I need is the media. So I am knee deep in research about the different medias that are used. I think I am leaning toward Walnut shells or maybe corn cob media for most of the surface and StarBlast or Aluminum Oxide for the rust removal needs.

Oh, and we have decided the rear seat is pretty much pointless (I am 6'7" after all) so I am leaning toward a more "conventional" C5/C6 driveline. Going to go the 6 spd Puddle Shift automatic route....probably... After seeing the way they finished the rear interior area of Scar I have a new direction for that area (hence the C5/C6 driveline).

The fun should soon start!

Chris

[ccm399]

Well couple quick updates....

First, I won a Corvette A6 trans off eBay for $500 shipped to my door!!!! Should be here late this week or early next.

Second is I started taking an inventory of of thins that came wit the car. I was pleasantly surprised to find the weather stripping is a complete set (Doors, Upper Rails, and Trunk) of Year One soft seals!

I also found front and rear TA wheel flairs...not in too bad of shape either. I also found the rear filler panel in the trunk so that was cool. Speaking of finding things the A-pillar covers for the interior were in there too.

I started stripping it today so we can media blast it. Not too much progress but a start none the less. Too bad I am going to be out of town most of the week....and then again over the weekend. That's gonna put a damper on the progress.

Chris

[Ron Fox]

Nice project Chris. Great to see another Bird on this site. Any reason why you chose a '71 Bird?

Keep us posted with pics please.

[ccm399]

Hi Ron,

Good question, I went with an early 70's Firebird for a couple reasons. When I first started looking for a project I was drawn to the 1969 Camaro but they are pretty popular here (everywhere I suppose) and the price is pretty much out of sight for the most part. So I started looking for a different car.

I have always liked Firebirds and Trans Ams (First car was a 1978 TA and I drag raced an 89 TA for twelve years) so I started comparing and contrasting the different years and trim packages and such and I decided I wanted to build something I did not already have at some point in my life so I decided on the early 70's Firebird. I really like the "all business" look of these cars!

I will post up some pics asap. I have not uploaded them to the PC yet and I am typing this from a hotel room in Cincinnati.

Chris