1967 Firebird Convertible - Project "LEGACY"

[Firebird-Geek]

First off: title/name explanation:

I am a 34 year old IT Manager (Computer guy)... hence the "Geek" title... I have always loved cars and dream of building one that I can enjoy with the family and then passing it on to my kids some day.

Project: 1967 Firebird convertible

Back around 2000 I searched high and low to find a Firebird convertible. I respect and like all the Camaro's out there, but thought it would be fun to be just a bit different, and go with something a little less seen. Being that the car was to be build for fun... the wife and I decided a convertible would be best. I ended up placing an ad on a website looking for a "rust free"as possible car... not caring what drivetrain it had, for I wanted to choose that for myself. Ended up finding a car on the Idaho/Nevada border. (figuring it was at least not in the rust belt where I live... South Dakota) story on this... to follow!
The trip to get the car was a story of it's own...trailering it home through a blizzard.

Flash forward 11 years and I am just now starting my project. Thanks to the bank (loan) I now have a place to build it... and thanks to my family... I have been able to squeeze some time in lately to get it started.

Between me being a bit of a perfectionist... and having a family (2 teenage stepdaughters and a 6-year-old son with high functioning autism)... I expect work on the car to be a bit slow.. but hopefully steady!

I have not gone to school for this, nor have I ever done a complete car before. I will be doing most of the work myself, due to budget and the satisfaction of doing it myself. I was raised on a farm and can thank my dad for teaching me to weld/fabricate... I hope to share the little I can and get advice and tips from all of you that have already been down this road... there are some AWESOME cars on this site that I have been drooling over for months!

Here we go:

Ideas: (as of now.. I seem to change my mind after seeing some of the awesome stuff some of you guys are doing)
Engine: LQ9 408 Stroker. (was going to do a LS3... but wanted something different)
Trans: 4l80e (I know "NOT AN AUTOMATIC" but I have a wife and step-daughters that will want to drive it. Plus, they are damn near indestructible)
Suspension (front): Speedtech full subframe (Bang for the buck... can't beat it... Plus, these guys are AWESOME to deal with! THANKS Roger)
Suspension (rear): Speedtech torque arm (compared all the competitors... easy decision... GREAT PRODUCT!)
A/C: Restomod A/C - Haymaker System (There stuff is AWESOME... quality - look - design)
PLUS.. then some GEEK stuff... on-board computer... etc...

[Firebird-Geek]

The previous owners added some "NICE" touches...

they removed the fan shroud so I am guessing it didn't cool enough... SOLUTION: add a custom electric fan! (notice the wiring... it actually looped back directly to the battery.

]

[Firebird-Geek]

The next "upgrade" the car had in the past was the stereo guy... need to add some speakers... NO PROBLEM... I'll get my torch!
He actually torched the GM doors...

cut and bent in the inner rocker panel braces to fit some speakers (I already bent it back)...

cut (by drilling hundreds of little holes) the back seat panel.

[214Chevy]

Man, sweet ride. Nothing beats a convertable. After the few fixes from the speaker damage and your finishing touches, she'll be a beauty.

[Ron Fox]

Looks like a fun project. Good to see another Bird.

Keep the pics rolling.

[Tuske427]

Sweet car! If I were going to have a convertible, this would be the car to have!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[Firebird-Geek]

Thought I would share the banks and my "Shop" where we will be bringing this thing back to life...have been working 7 years (just on the building) to get to this stage... (I will need to work until I am about 95 years old to pay this all off it seems)....



Yes... there is a HUGE mess on my benches...

I was able to get the lift used from the dealership I work at (came out of another dealership we purchased)... It is AWESOME addition...

[Firebird-Geek]

Here is my helping crew...
My son... and stepdaughters...

[Firebird-Geek]

Tear down begins... have been working the last few months on getting it down to the skeleton. Mostly new parts going back on... so most of these will never see the car again!


Tired old 350 getting ready to be pulled out...



This old subframe will not be coming back... decided on a Speedtech complete replacement... Roger and the crew over at Speedtech have been WONDERFUL to work with. They take the time to actually help you decide on what you need and offer tips and advice were they can. Customer service is #1!!!

subframe is in bare steel... so I just rattle canned it silver to see what it would look like until I get it powder coated.

It is amazing to see the welding and fabrication difference between the stock subframe and the Speedtech... WOW.

[69MyWay]

Awesome project!

Having just come out on the otherside of that tunnel with our 68 Bird build....(okay - not quite there yet)...

I can tell you that there is plenty of fun in store.

Let me suggest you look into the Dakota Digital VHX gauge cluster. That has to be the single coolest addition to our 68.

Good luck and keep the updates coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!