'79 Firebird-Year One Clone

[mc73nova]

Originally Posted by usp55

Looks great. In that door jam area are u blasting? Some spots I just can't to get to on mine with the sander or wire wheel.

Thanks, I am sandblasting the jambs, firewall, trunk and floor(undercarriage). The interior, I am just going to scuff aside from a few pieces I have to patch, its in good shape.

[mc73nova]

The weather has been slowing down our progress but we got a good amount of time in today.

[Brendan713]

look awesome its great motivation for me too, because one day i want to restore a 77, i already know some of the things im going to put in the car even though i don't have it yet!!!!

[maroman88]

update????????

[mc73nova]

I know its been a while but we just started working on it again. Not sure why we stopped in the first place but here are a few pics. Got in on the rotisserie and finished blasting it(the back panel wasn't blasted because it has to be cut out and replaced). He just ordered a bunch of stuff so we can start repairing the sheet metal as well as a very nice suspension kit from Hotchkis.

[1320B4U]

Nice...great thread to follow.

[L695speed]

Before you put in that Hotchkis suspension...I'm shamelessly plugging here but how about a Schwartz Performance chassis? I know they have one for second gen cars, as well as first gens. I went to school with Dale Schwartz whose Dad owns the company. I understand if costs are an object in that regard, but if they're not....

Good to see this one back underway. Look forward to more progress.

[mc73nova]

Originally Posted by 1320B4U

Nice...great thread to follow.

Originally Posted by L695speed

Before you put in that Hotchkis suspension...I'm shamelessly plugging here but how about a Schwartz Performance chassis? I know they have one for second gen cars, as well as first gens. I went to school with Dale Schwartz whose Dad owns the company. I understand if costs are an object in that regard, but if they're not....

Good to see this one back underway. Look forward to more progress.

Thanks guys.

We are going more of the bolt on route, nothing too custom or crazy. Tubular arms, sfc's, brake upgrade and some more but nothing too crazy. Its not going to be an exact clone, it will look real close externally but it will not be mini tubbed or anything like that.

[mc73nova]

Not a fan of getting rid of factory steel but it is what it is. Besides this car will be the furthest thing from original when its complete so I guess it doesn't matter much anyway. Here are few pics of just the beginning of the cutting fest! I just wish we could spend more time on it.



New Panels from Goodmark

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by L695speed

Before you put in that Hotchkis suspension...I'm shamelessly plugging here but how about a Schwartz Performance chassis? I know they have one for second gen cars, as well as first gens. I went to school with Dale Schwartz whose Dad owns the company. I understand if costs are an object in that regard, but if they're not....

Good to see this one back underway. Look forward to more progress.

Jeff makes great stuff but you have to add a zero to the price tag so you really got to need that ultra high level of chassis.

The hotchkiss package will make for a good street car that can take some auto-x and track use.what arms and what sfc sd are you going took use?

[mc73nova]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Jeff makes great stuff but you have to add a zero to the price tag so you really got to need that ultra high level of chassis.

The hotchkiss package will make for a good street car that can take some auto-x and track use.what arms and what sfc sd are you going took use?

I would like to stick with the parts all being the same brand but its hard to justify the prices. Considering that my friend will just be cruising around in it, he is not the type to use a car to its full potential but I will have no problem doing that for him!

[L695speed]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Jeff makes great stuff but you have to add a zero to the price tag so you really got to need that ultra high level of chassis.

The hotchkiss package will make for a good street car that can take some auto-x and track use.what arms and what sfc sd are you going took use?

Yeah, I'm not sure if I would spring myself if I was on a budget. There are cheaper alternatives that utilize the factory chassis. And you're right, they do work very nicely. I believe I saw somewhere the base Chassis from Jeff is somewhere around 3K sans brakes etc. So yes you're adding 10K to the price to get a complete chassis from him. But if you have the money and going all out why not. Saw you had fun on the track from the looks of the pics in the run to the shore thread, even with a stock chassis.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Jeff makes great stuff but you have to add a zero to the price tag so you really got to need that ultra high level of chassis.

Only more like multiplying it by 3, that Hotchkis stuff is almost $4,000

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Only more like multiplying it by 3, that Hotchkis stuff is almost $4,000

not what is in this pic

[PolarBear]

OK, so if you add the shocks to what is pictured it is ~$3,000

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

OK, so if you add the shocks to what is pictured it is ~$3,000

no. for all that I paid well under $2000. At hotchkis site msrp pricing that picture is $1565.95. Add $543.95 for shocks. $2109.90. I'm sure savvy shopping reduces that price somewhat

http://www.hotchkis.net/tvs_systemsm..._firebird.html

I'm not really sure why you are arguing this. will you feel better if I say the far superior Schwartz setup will be 4 times more? It’s all about intended usage and budget. The obvious OP comment “will just be cruising around in” makes his choice of the TVS kit pretty good. Sure maybe he could save a few bucks here & there but it’s a nice balanced and proven package. So no need for the 10/10ths the JS chassis would bring as you’ll never use it. Hell, for that setup I think from what I know now I might pass on any tubular arm, do GW del-a-lums in UCA and LCA and a tall UBJ and call it a day. Or what I did and keep the stock lower and a decent UCA. And of course SFCs and solid body mounts.

OP, my car is available for cruises whenever you want, Full Hotchkiss TVS.

[mc73nova]

That kit was $1280 shipped from SummitRacing. I might have to take you up on that!

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by mc73nova

That kit was $1280 shipped from SummitRacing. I might have to take you up on that!

get the matching bilsteins.

[mc73nova]

Not breaking any records with the build but its progress none the less!