FS: 1971 Pontiac Firebird Pro-Touring Car (Project TOW)

[carbuff]

Item Location (City/State): Austin, TX

Price: SOLD!

Description:

Up for sale is my 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am clone Pro-Touring car. Originally a Firebird Formula, the front sheetmetal has been replaced with an original pair of Trans Am fenders and a VFN fiberglass hood. The remainder of the body is GM sheetmetal with both rear quarterpanels having been replaced by the previous owner.

This car has been extensively modified with high craftsmanship fabrication and high-end parts. I have effectively built this car twice by upgrading parts after having a fully running/driving car. I have learned that I enjoy the build as much if not more than the finished product, and thus a big part of my reason for looking to sell.

I worked hard to build a car that maintains the classic original lines and look while adding significant performance. The interior utilizes a lot of the original parts and pieces with modern updates. The dash panel is all new yet has a similar look to the original. The Recaro seats are similar to originals as well. Under the hood is clean and simple (a ton of work to make it so). The car maintains a lot of the original classic feel.

I will list the significant parts below. I’m certain I will miss something, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Body
• Original Formula Shell (have the PHS build sheet)
• Early 2nd gen Trans Am front fenders
• VFN Fiberglass Shaker Hood with AeroCatch latches
• Fesler billet hood hinges
• Carbon Fiber shaker (custom mount to throttle body)
• DSE Minitubs
• Engine bay down bars (firewall to subframe) with removable cross bar
• Smoothed firewall
• Custom-built aluminum front spoiler and belly pan
• Rear bumper mount bolts shaved and smoothed
• Painted 1990 Mitsubishi Fiji Blue Metallic (body painted in 1991, TransAm sheetmetal around 2014)
• Reproduction decal set for Trans Am stripe

Interior
• New reproduction dash pad
• New reproduction door panels
• Recaro Specialist M front seats with custom mounts to place them as low as possible (I’m 6’2 and need room with a helmet; I can fit with this setup)
• Original recovered rear seats (narrowed to fit with DSE minitubs)
• 73-81 style center console
• Custom made gauge panel to house the Vintage Air AC control and vents, SpeedHut gauges, and Ridetech billet wiper and light switches

o SpeedHut 4.5” Speedometer (180MPH) and Tachometer (8k RPM)
o SpeedHut 2” Oil pressure, Fuel Pressure, Water Temperature, Oil Temperature, Voltmeter, Fuel gauge

• Custom kick panels covered in vinyl with speaker mounts
• Pioneer head unit with CD, USB, Bluetooth (remote mounted mic)
• 2-way speakers in kick panels and 6x9 3-way speakers in rear shelf
• Complete replacement American Autowire replacement harness
• Vintage Air Gen IV Magnum AC and Heater
• 4-point custom roll bar with removable crossbar / harness bar
• Schroth Racing 3” 4-point ASM harnesses
• Custom rear inner quarterpanel panels to accommodate DSE minitubs
• Carpeted trunk floor with fold-down panel to mount and hide amplifier and fuel pump controller
• Trunk-mounted Optima Yellow-Top battery with cut-off switch
• Sparco swede steering wheel and NRG quick-release
• Modo Innovations pedal covers

Chassis
• SpeedTech Extreme front subframe and suspension with Sweet Manufacturing Steering Rack
• JRS Apex Torque Arm with Watt’s Link (modified for adjustable roll center)
• JRS Ford 9” Housing
• Custom through-trunk Sway Bar with multi-hole arms (4 settings)
• DSE Subframe Connectors
• RideTech single adjustable coilovers all around

Brakes
• StopTech 6-piston Trophy big brake kit front and rear

o 14” Rotors, 6-piston Calipers
o Integrated parking brake

• Detroit Speed 2nd gen booster and aluminum master cylinder
• Baer Adjustable Proportioning Valve
• StopTech Flexible Stainless Braided brake lines

Engine
• 434ci LS7-based engine (720 horsepower engine dyno, 620 rwhp) – 4.155” bore, 4” stroke
• LSA/LS9 (I don’t remember which but the one with the larger head bolts which I think is the LS9) block sleeved by Steve at RED
• Callies DragonSlayer 4” crank with 2” small rod journals
• Callies H-beam rods
• Wiseco pistons (~11.9:1 compression)
• Custom-spec Comp Cams low-lash solid roller camshaft
• Crower Solid roller lifters
• Mamo Motorsports (MMS) CNC ported TrickFlow LS7 cylinder heads
• MMS Yella Terra adjustable rockers
• Katech valve covers
• GM coils with MSD plug wires
• Holley LS7 single plane intake
• Accel 1550-cfm throttle body
• Deatschwerks LS7-style 60# fuel injectors
• Dailey LS7 3-stage Dry sump pump and billet pan
• Wegner billet front drive system (modified for dry-sump drive gear)
• Vintage Air / Sanden AC Compressor
• Jones Power Steering Pump and reservoir
• Powermaster compact alternator
• Ultimate Header’s mid-length headers (custom to the SpeedTech subframe)
• Holley HP EFI engine management (behind-dash mounted)

Driveline
• QuickTime SFI Bellhousing
• Monster LT1-S dual-disc clutch
• Tilton Clutch master cylinder
• Hydramax Hydraulic throwout bearing
• Tremec T56-Magnum transmission (close ratio: 1st - 2.66, 6th - 0.63)
• White Lightning Short-throw shifter, custom stainless shifter arm, delrin shift knob
• Driveshaft Shop Carbon Fiber driveshaft with 1350 u-joints
• Strange Engineering Nodular 9” third member with REM polished 3.70:1 gears and TrueTrac differential
• Moser 31-spline axles

Wheels/Tires
• Forgeline GA3 3-piece wheels with exposed hardware, polished outer rims, satin black inner rims, and satin gunmetal coated centers

o Front – 18” x 11”, tires at 6/32” tread
o Rear – 18” x 11.5”, tires at 3/32” tread

• BFG Rival S tires (315 / 30 / 18 all around)

Other
• VaporWerx Fuel Pump controller
• Rick’s Tank Stainless Fuel Tank
• ZL1 Camaro fuel pump module
• Trunk mounted fuel pump cut-off switch
• C&R aluminum radiator with integrated oil and power-steering fluid coolers
• Canton overflow tank
• Custom designed/built Stef’s Oil tank (3.2 gallon)
• Full 3” dual exhaust using Borla Pro-XS mufflers and h-pipe crossover (tailpipes all the way to the rear of the car, up and over the rear axle)
• Detroit Speed variable-speed wiper motor
• Russell AN fittings and hose for oil / power steering, PTFE fittings and hose for fuel lines
• Dynamat Extreme and Dynaliner throughout interior and trunk

Some comments about the car. I don’t like surprises, so I’ll tell you as much as I can think of that a buyer may like to know.

First, the body and paint. This car was painted in 1991. Given that, it’s an excellent “10-footer”. Between the Falken and BFG tires, the rear edge of each fenderwell has been sand blasted. There are a couple of other chips along or just under the body line on each side as well.

It would appear that the previous owner (who did the bodywork on the car) used a filler material in the sail panel areas where the replacement quarterpanels meet the roof. Each side has some ‘sag’ in that area that you can see when you get close. There are no cracks or issues, just a bit of wave under the paint.

The urethane nose is in very good condition, but there are a couple of cracks in the paint on the top where I have probably leaned on it or bumped it. They are not very noticeable, but they are present. And the lower front valence has the expected array of chips.

I bought this car already painted and in the condition it’s in because I intended to drive it, and I have. I never planned to build a show queen. That said, the car gets a ton of compliments and attention at shows.

The interior has a small amount of wear although almost everything was new during the build. Some of the rear seat area trim and panels are originals. Those were repainted when I assembled the car, but the rest was replaced. The driver’s seat has a little bit of wear, but that’s me being a bit picky.

I just had some work done on the car which included rebuilding the exhaust from the headers through the mufflers (pictures below). We replaced the mufflers as the originals were worn out. The exhaust is a full 3” front to back with an H-pipe crossover. The most commented-on aspect of the car when I drive the GG autocrosses is the sound it makes. I can’t tell you how many people have told me to never change that sound. It also sounds great going down the front stretch of COTA.

The other recent work was to build a new base and air filter for the shaker. I have remained determined to keep the functional shaker on this car even through my multiple iterations of engine and subframes. I have succeeded and am happy for it. The pictures with the carbon fiber shaker are current.

All underhood items including the fenders, down and cross bars, valve covers, radiator support, etc are powder coated. Nothing painted. Powder coating provides a much more durable and consistent finish.

I do have a variety of extra items that I will include with the car. I have a pair of 10” front wheel rims (inner and outer) which allow for the use of 275 front tires in case someone wants to run in SM class instead of PRO class at the GG events. I have other things I will have to dig through, but we can discuss that at a later time.

I have a ton of pictures of the car. Due to the Photobucket debacle, I moved them to Imgur which is not as easy to peruse, so I will try to post the most relevant below.

https://imgur.com/gallery/BHB9m

The car is located in Austin, TX. I invite, and highly encourage, any interested parties to come visit the car in person. I’m happy to show the car top to bottom and explain all the details and nuances in person. I can also work with any transport company to facilitate a pickup, but any and all arrangements for this will be made by the buyer once a transaction has been completed. I will generate a bill of sale along with the original title for the car to complete a transaction.

If you would like to discuss the car, you can reach me at bryancope at gmail dot com.

[cpd004]

I've always liked this car and enjoy the build pics. Hopefully another 2nd gen is in your future. GLWS Bryan!

[WSSix]

x2 good luck, Bryan. What do you plan to build next?

[carbuff]

Thanx. I'm still pondering my next project. I have a few different ideas. One is to build another car like TOW but go way more "racecar". Another idea is there are a few street rods I would enjoy owning. I grew up working on those with my dad and would enjoy having one. It will depend on what my mood is when TOW sells, but there is no lack of options...

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by carbuff

Thanx. I'm still pondering my next project. I have a few different ideas. One is to build another car like TOW but go way more "racecar". Another idea is there are a few street rods I would enjoy owning. I grew up working on those with my dad and would enjoy having one. It will depend on what my mood is when TOW sells, but there is no lack of options...

Turnkey race car. Do it.

[WSSix]

Good luck whatever you decide, Bryan. I've got a 79TA that would make a good race car if you're interested

[Che70velle]

Bryan, I know that for every one of us, there will be a time to sell. I really hate to see this one go, as I know you enjoy the car very much. I feel you have it priced right and it should move quickly. Lot of car here for the price.

[carbuff]

Thanx Scott. This isn't a new decision for me, I've been thinking about it for a while as I have pondered what project to sink my teeth into next. I've enjoyed this one for about 8 years now, so it feels like the right time.

There isn't any part of this car that I cheaped-out on, so whomever enjoys her next will know they have the right parts under them to do whatever they want to do with her!

[carbuff]

Updating to let everyone know that TOW has now been sold. And through Lat-G no less! Thanx to everyone that helped me make this car the great ride that she is! I hope the new owner enjoys her as much as I have for 9 years now...