Project Tomahawk: 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400

[atomicjoe23]

Time to post up some more updates on the Tomahawk!!! I've been working a lot with Brian from Problem Child Kustoms and I decided to make some last minute changes in the plan right before Brian finished the final drawing so he's working on the revisions. . .it will be a bit longer before a finalized concept drawing is complete and I can share it with you all. . .be patient. . .I'm sure it will be worth it.

I can provide some of the details on some of the changes that I've decided on though:
-Spott's Performance Super 400 hood
-'68 Firebird door windows (cleaner appearance without the vent windows that the '67's have)
-'68 Firebird rear side marker lights
-'69 Camaro front valance panel/foglights grafted into the '67 front valance panel (the '67 front valance panel will be filled in some as well. . .the '67 Firebird foglights/front marker lights will go away and that area will be filled in with metal. . .I've still got to figure out what I'm gonna do for front turn signals now though)
-'69 Firebird/TransAm tail lights
-hidden antennae
-gas cap door will be filled/smoothed into the rear tail light panel since the gas filler neck/cap are going to be relocated to the driver's side C-pillar
-Hurst pistol grip shifter with black pakkawood handle

That's the majority of what I've come up with so far. . .the item that is causing the most rework for Brian though is changing the front/rear fender flares. . .I'm going with some pretty radical flares. . .if you've seen the DynoWest Camaro you will know where I'm going. . .if you haven't seen this car do a search and you will find photo's on this website.

Let me know what you think and if anyone has suggestions on what to do about the front turn signals, a suggestion for more aerodynamic/attractive mirrors and door handles let me know (I've decided against the shaved door handles with poppers because a lot of tracks won't let you run with them).

[atomicjoe23]

OK, some more updates:

-Brian is working on the last revision to the concept drawing so I should be able to post that pic up soon.

-I've decided to go with a quick change Tiger Rearend. . .saw it on Musclecar where Lou is using one on his '65 Mustang fastback which he will be competing with in the NASA road racing circuit so I know it will stand up to the use (abuse???) that I will put it through

-Also decided to try a second thing that I saw Lou using on Musclecar. . .the AFCO three link kit. . .should be considerably cheaper than any of the ready made kits out there. . .will be lighter than the truckarm suspension and I get the overall impression that a three link rear suspension with a Watt's link is the preferred rear suspension for the type of use that I am most interested in.

Once again. . .let me know what you all think!

[Speedster]

Sounds good so far with the aforementioned changes. Yes, if you plan on racing in sanctioned events most will not let you run without exterior door handles for safety. For mirrors, there are so many to choose from and easy to find, just depends on what look you want. As far as turn signals, that again is a preference thing. There are many choices. If you need a '69 T/A wing, I have a brand new aftermarket one sitting in my garage. Will give you a good deal on it if you want it. Just PM me.

[Speedster]

The Spotts hood gives you extra clearance, but be ready to spend either a boatload of hours trueing it up, or having someone else do it.

[atomicjoe23]

Originally Posted by Speedster

The Spotts hood gives you extra clearance, but be ready to spend either a boatload of hours trueing it up, or having someone else do it.

Thanks for the heads up. . .I may do it myself just based on the amount of bodywork that is going to be done to the 'Bird that I will not be able to do myself. . .the fender flares are going to cost a pretty penny I'm sure. . .I'm keeping my fingers crossed that when it gets blasted the body is not full of holes. . .I don't think that it will be based on what I have looked at but you never know the whole story until the metal's bare!

[atomicjoe23]

I got the go ahead from Brian to post up the renderings so I will post them as soon as I get home from work this afternoon!

[atomicjoe23]

Been gone a long time now. . .been busy moving into a new house and getting a new job. . .and all the extraneous stuff that comes with that. . .so I haven't had a whole lot of spare time lately. . .plus I'm currently away from home in Washington state for work (at least the weather has been nice so far!!!)

Decided to do a quick update though. . .decided to change the colors (I'm sticking with the same design but different colors I think). . .I'm gonna go with the main body color being the color of the Lamborghini Reventon and the stripe/graphic color probably being a dark bronze color. . .the wheels may end up being either body color or the bronze graphic color. . .I'll have to see how it ends up looking with those colors though.

Later,