Project Frankenbird - 1968 Pontiac Firebird

[Tuske427]

Sounds like a great plan! Take your time (don't rush it) and you'll get there.

Have you considered moving the engine back for better weight distribution?

[65_LS1_T56]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

^ love your vision. Can't wait to see it....

Me too Ron, me too.

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by 65_LS1_T56

Me too Ron, me too.

^ Aaron might be that buddy helping take it on!

I can't wait to see it either! But progress for the next 6 months is going to be slow... Should be in the new house in April. If we are successful in selling the current place or renting at a decent price, the budget may free back up a bit shortly after. Then I just need a stack of various size steel tubes and a better welder to start building up a chassis table and frame rails.

[bdahlg68]

Ok, so almost 6 months later...

Just got into the new house about a month ago. Love the house, lots of space, builder was a schmuck, but all-in-all, I'm happy. Old place is up for sale and we're hoping for a quick sale since there are no other 3 bed units in the sub. That will help free up the budget again... we shall see.

Anyway, so I've started piecing together the rear suspension. Made some good progress in procuring parts over the last few weeks so perhaps its time to share. Don't mind the banged up dust shield or anything like that, this is still mock up time.





Long way to go from here, because that is unfortunately not just going to bolt-in if you know what I mean..... to help progress my front sub is for sale if anyone is looking...

[65_LS1_T56]

Well I'll be....thought this project was a gonner. Almost deleted my subscription

Looks pretty good. That should be a good challenge for you to stuff that under the firechicken. I'm visualizing some rocker arms to turn the shocks (coilovers later) 90deg to a lateral orientation in the trunk..

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by 65_LS1_T56

Well I'll be....thought this project was a gonner. Almost deleted my subscription

Looks pretty good. That should be a good challenge for you to stuff that under the firechicken. I'm visualizing some rocker arms to turn the shocks (coilovers later) 90deg to a lateral orientation in the trunk..

I've got beer in the fridge if you want to just come on down and knock that out....

[GregWeld]

Dude let's see pics of the new house!!

[bdahlg68]

I don't have much at my fingertips, but here is one from before she was finished.



Took this looking into the backyard from the kitchen.....

[GregWeld]

Nice!!

[bdahlg68]

So when I was removing the drivers quarter I absolutely destroyed the brace that the door striker threads into. I will NEVER make that mistake again. First, because you can't just buy a new one. And second, because these things are a nightmare to extract from another car.....

I did eventually win though...



I will hopefully be able to have the rear of the car welded back together by thanksgiving and start roughing in the rear suspension. The replacement panels aren't perfect, but the quarters don't seem too bad. The tail panel might be a different story, but we'll see as it is really only near the bottom. I'm less concerned there as I may do something unique back there anyway. Any 1st gen experts want to lend a hand? I pay in really good beer and food!