Frostbite - 1967 Firebird

[Tuske427]

Originally Posted by EBmotorsports

Hi all,

I'm really excited to share a new project I'm working on. It's a 1967 Pontiac Firebird. My client has had this car for the past 15 years, but hasn't gotten around to restoring it. The client initially wanted to do a regular factory restoration with a little bit of an upgrade to the engine. I'm very passionate about pro-touring and I shared some of the recent technology and trends in pro-touring with the client; he absolutely loved the idea and agreed to move away from the factory restoration and go with a pro-touring project.

We spent a about 6 weeks looking at all of the options from engine, suspension, and wheels. There are many different options when building a completely custom car; each with its own benefits and drawbacks. The final goal for the client was to have a street-able car that looked and performed like a brand new car. Turn the key, hot or cold, and the engine starts right up. Plenty of power and good MPG. The suspension had to be tight and nimble allowing the car to handle like a modern sports car.

We've been working with Ben Hermance for the past month coming up with the perfect styling, color, and stance. Here's what we have planned for the 1967 Firebird project:

• Start with the 1967 as the foundation
• Use the 1968 quarters to add the Pontiac side markers
• Use the 1968 windows to remove the vent windows
• Use the 1969 Trans Am hood for a unique, aggressive look
• 1970 GM bullet mirrors for a clean, modern look
• Off-white paint scheme on the exterior.
• COPO Camaro inspired stripes on the quarter panels and hood
• The stripes are titanium to match the Forgeline wheels
• Each stripe has a thin ascent of gold, which matches the brake calipers
• The interior is off-white, black, and uses gold-stitching
• The style and color is designed to flow from the interior to the exterior
• Very clean interior with a mixture of old-school and new-school styling

Enough with the description, let's take a look at the renders that Ben put together for us.

Side View


Rear View


Top View


Front 3/4 View


Interior View


Composition 1


Composition 2


We've been thinking really hard what kind of components we want to use in the car. So far here is what we have planned:

• GMPP LSX454 EFI engine
• Billet Specialities LS Tru-Trac front assembly
• Tremec T-56 Magnum 6sp transmission
• Art Morrison Max-G full frame chassis with upgraded C06 front suspension and 4-link rear suspension
• Forgeline ZX3R wheels
• Michelin Super Sports 275/35R18 and 325/30R19
• AutoRad Radiator with aluminum core support and power steering cooler
• Digital tail lights
• Billet hood and trunk hinges
• Sparco R700 front seats
• Ring Brothers billet door handles
• DSE remote windshield wiper
• New Vintage gauges
• Sparco 383 steering wheel
• Clayton Machine Works pedals
• Rick's Tank + ZL1 fuel system

I'm really excited about this project. Be sure to subscribe to this thread for future updates. I have a bunch of pictures as I begin to work on this car and transform into a modern pro-touring machine.

Eugene- you must be an incredible salesperson. You talked a client out of a stock restoration for all that. Very impressive. And agreed, this car is going to look great.

[EBmotorsports]

In all honesty I think all of that is what he wanted to start with, he just didn't know it. He's a great guy and is very open to suggestions that will improve his enjoyment of this car. His family has a stock resto 68 firebird convert and they just didn't like the handling and the lack of good highway cruising. You know how these things snowball, it all started by looking at some Mild suspension upgrades and the next thing I knew we ordered a chassis, go figure...

[YoungProTourer]

Looks like its going to be a cool build! Cant wait to see the progress as the build moves along

[rickpaw]

It's going to be a cool build. Love the renderings.

Subscribed.

[WSSix]

Fantastic rednderings. Good luck with the build, Eugene!

[EBmotorsports]

Have some new updates. Looks like we're going to try using a used GMPP LS7. Picked it up for a great deal. Engine only has 3K miles on it.

[EBmotorsports]

Was really disappointed to see the damage done to the LS7. We had a lot of confidence because we bought it from a board member of the Corvette association. Thankfully the seller agreed to return the engine and a full refund.

On a better note, it feels like Christmas around here. Lots of new parts showing up at the shop.

[EBmotorsports]

Well today wasn't very good news. Was performing a compression check on the LS7 and noticed a particular cylinder was very low. Checked it again just to make sure it wasn't a bad seal or equipment, and built up enough pressure to pop out the little plastic plugs.

Water shot everywhere. Engine was completely flooded. This was very, very disappointing because we ran a CarFax report on the car the engine was pulled from and the car was totaled, but was no where near water. The seller swears up and down he didn't know the engine was flooded. Right now my client wants to return the used LS7 and just go with a new LSX 454 instead. Now we need to work with eBay and the seller to get a refund.

[89 RS]

Cool build, those renderings are awesome.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I was going to say this build deserves a new engine but I did'nt want to come off as a Richard Head.