69 firebird update - Page 3 - Lateral-g Forums

**fleetus macmullitz** · #21 05-19-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zingercustoms

What do you think of the stripes on the hood? You can't see it clear in the pic but I plan on a line drawing of a more contemporary bird (kinda grunge art style) done so faintly that you won't see it until close up, probably in pearl. anyway, I have to work on that render.

With what you said about your brother, it could be a redneck family crest!

zingercustoms · #22 05-19-2009, 08:49 PM

Yeah, LOL.

Pontiac does run in the family tho-
You see my Grandfather ordered a Bonneville conv. in 1967, he had ordered 2 before it, and just like having them, but my mom got married that year and he never let that car go. He only drove it in the summer and since he was a bachelor since my mom was 2 years old he just tinkered with it. He kept it garaged and well cared for. Many times he was asked if he would sell it and the answer was always " not for love or money". He never remarried and kept that car. It was perfect, he ordered it with a 428 ho and holley carb on it, not sure but i think it was the original, power top, ac, power windows...etc. navy blue with a baby blue top. anyway it was perfect until some lady hit him in a parking lot while he was stopped, it pushed him into the car in front and really messed up the rear end. That was in the mid 90's , Maco did a quarter panel replacement leaving 3/4 in gaps for the doors and nasty frame work. a maco paint job and the car was never the same. He still babied it and drove it in the summer. He passed away about 4 years ago. and the car has been sitting at my parents outside for about 6 years since he had to be cared for. I have the car now and am not sure what I will do with it. I would love to restore it or make it a lean mean machine but know how much money that cost and time it takes. starting a business is hard. and slow. We threw around the idea of using his 428 and tranny, badges and interior pieces in the fire bird. I would hate to desicrate it but at the same time, will I ever be able to do something with it? I have some awsome memories in that car, the sound of that exhaust rumbling through downtown Fort Wayne, when he picked us up because my little brother was just born. And waiting for that boat to appear coming down our long drive way. I loved to push the button to put the top down.

The problem is that it has some pretty bad rot starting underneath, at least it is inside now. I thought using its heart and soul would be a really cool way to make that motor roar down the road again. The "Bonni-bird"!
I think we will leave it untouched.....maybe

**fleetus macmullitz** · #23 05-19-2009, 09:34 PM

That is a cool car.

Tough decision based on what you have going now. But if you just committed a couple hours each week, maybe 1/2 a day, that might work.

Or, if you honestly don't have the time and/or money it might be best to sell it. Find someone who really likes that model Poncho and wants to keep it together.

Samhatco · #24 05-20-2009, 03:10 PM

I've been following your build, and I think your work is great. I'm building a 69 T/A vert tribute and I noticed your photo shop of the rear spoiler light. This is my version on my car. I used a 3rd brake light from a toyota celica.

Looks like it came from the factory that way.

Sam

MWCC · #25 05-20-2009, 03:38 PM

Very tough decision with the Bonneville, but here's my thoughts. With that much history and such high sentimental value, you will probably regret doing anything short of holding onto the car and restoring it at some point. Remember, once its gone, its gone forever.

zingercustoms · #26 05-20-2009, 05:34 PM

Great work!, I may be hunting down a light like that. I think everyone is right, selling is not really an option for me but I may start doing some renderings to see what the potential is. I love the front end and hate the side profile of the rear quarters but the tail panels is awsome. I thought about chopping the length of the quarters some and seeing what that looks like. I could still fit my s-10 in the trunk that way. LOL.

**Ummgawa** · #27 05-21-2009, 03:29 PM

Great work on the TA. I love 69 Ta Verts and this one is very sweet. Don't forget how we like pictures.

zingercustoms · #28 08-23-2009, 11:20 AM

Sorry for the double post!

We finally decided on the wheels for the Firebird. They are 09 corvette spyder wheels, chrome, 9.5x 18 in front and 12x19 in back.

The tires are the new Generals 325/35 rear 275/30 front. I wanted to go with something way nicer and more custom on the wheels but we have a budget problem now that the economy went to the toilet. They will fill the car out well. We had a ford 8.8 rear laying around out of an explorer and the width is doable with minor spacers, It has 373 gears, and had disk brakes too. I plan on welding on some support tubes and making it look pretty with a new cover. NOT what we planned before! We are also deciding on the front clip. We will most likely go with a speedtech since we bought the wheels with their dimensions in mind. We have to get the spindles and hubs.
What would be the cheapest price wise to get the spindles, should I go with 2" drop or regular, and the hubs to fit up with the corvette bolt pattern? We plan on using stock corvette brakes up front.
This is getting out of my area of knowledge as I am a body guy. So I appreciate the help.

Anyway, I have the last coats of primer on the doors and fenders. I may have color on them next week, Also the body is ready to get its last coat on monday.
I am on it full time now so I will be posting updates more frequently.
Later

Ron Fox · #29 08-24-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zingercustoms

Actually I have been kicking the idea around of pulling molds for glass fiber pieces off the rear end lower area and a whole bumper plug. I also may pull molds off the front fenders for the scoops, I was going to make it from the bodline down and make a carbon fiber add on piece that would work with any fender with basically no modifications just stick it on. I probably should, the hard part is done on the car and I saved the files for the rear panels, pretty simple to reproduce. I still want to do some mods to the front end but time is running out as well as money. anyway, thanks for the compliments

Your progress looks nice on the '69.

I am interested in your rear end bumper as well as your modified scoops. Please let me know if you intent to follow through with this.

What size are your side walls on your tires? Your tires and wheels fit nice.

Did you have to modify your back seat with the mini tubes?

Thanks for your help.

zingercustoms · #30 08-27-2009, 09:38 PM

Here are some more pics of the current state of the car. Last stage of primer on doors, fenders and body. I hope to get to color soon.

Here is my solution to too much space in the fender at the bottom. Now I won't have to use shims.

I cut slits in the inside of the fenders where the scoops are to make a place for a metal mesh, something like this. I think I will have some cut to this shape on a water jet that matches the honeycomb panels on the rear, also the plastic inserts in the nose will not be square mesh but honeycomb. I will have pieces cut for them as well.

In order to get the cheeeep fiber glass wing to fit snug I had to remove the regular mounting parts and sand the bottoms so they sat tight on the deck lid. I put some 80grit sticky sand paper on the deck lid where the wing sets and sanded in the same plane so the bottoms match perfect. Then I epoxied bolts in, not what I wanted as far as looks go on the inside but I will have to come up with a creative solution.

Thats all for now.