Start of a car

Robert Swartz · 02-18-2009, 07:01 PM

The old saying about a "journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step" is finally about to become our motto. This past weekend, the 1979 Firebird finally came into our official possession. Now the work really begins.

I know we've batted around the merits of buy versus build and debated cost as well. Be all that as it may, this is going to be done. Here is my game plan.

I'm going to pull the doghouse. Then clean and paint the front end. Rebuild it with a bunch of Global West parts. In addition add a set of Moroso front springs. While I'm doing this, be a good time to put aluminum bushings under the body.

Next step, put in subframe connectors and add an 8 point roll bar. Then a set of Cal-Tracs and split mono leafs. Rebuild the 10 bolt rear end with a good spool, axles, gear and a girdle or cover. Rebuild the brakes front and rear. Add shocks. A fuel cell, plumb and wire everything. Put a drivetrain in and we're ready to go.

Sounds easy, I know it will be alot more involved. Hopefully the day will come when I can show up at a race and not just be another message board warrior. If anyone has any advise or alternatives, I'm open to listen.

Robert Swartz

Tom keedle · 02-18-2009, 08:54 PM

take lotso pitchers.......

i'll be watching and asking questions (if you don't mind)

i'm collecting parts for a stock stick rambler.....

Tim H · 02-18-2009, 09:12 PM

Looking forward to following your progress. I enjoyed when the Parker Stocker Camaro was built and the details and pics were posted on their site. That car turned out really well . It is a late 70's F body as well.

Prostreetbird · 02-18-2009, 09:46 PM

When I bought my 67 Firebird back in 1986, it started out to be a S/ST car. My brother ( Derek Clark S/G 174 ) was a big help in building the car which I still have today, but due to things that happen in life, its a street car now. Build it your way, take pride that you did it your way and built it from the ground up. A lot of money and time yes, but its yours.

Alan Warman · 02-18-2009, 10:56 PM

Good luck on your journey mine started on Feb 10,2006.I am walking down the last couple of miles.It was a lot of fun and I would do it again.Just listen to every one's advice and use what best fits you needs.

Dion Hildebrandt · 02-18-2009, 11:34 PM

congratulations on a project to focus on. its fun to build, frustrating when it doesnt work, but a real rush when it does start to work. im still pretty green in my adventure in stock eliminator, but lovin the 'cheap class racin' you will too

Mark Yacavone · 02-18-2009, 11:44 PM

Good luck, Robert.
What engine combo are you going to be using?

Troy Henderson · 02-19-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomslik

take lotso pitchers.......

i'll be watching and asking questions (if you don't mind)

i'm collecting parts for a stock stick rambler.....

Now that sounds cool.

55 Chevy · 02-19-2009, 10:48 AM

Yes,take pictures of everything. You will not regret it. I did mine twenty years ago & took a few pictures with my instamatic but not nearly enough. My Nikon D60 seems to have a better memory than me & wish they were available then. Fortunately I have one now to follow doing my project again this time.
Plan to spend a BIT more than you are thinking you will now.. There always seems to be something else to buy you had not figured in.
I look at it this way. Just as well to throw it into the car. At least you have an investment when its done.

Allan

Philip Saran · 02-19-2009, 08:16 PM

Yes lots of pictures, can't have too many.

Cost of doing it?? Always more than you planned. I just got my Duster back from the
chassis shop and 8 point roll bar, back seat firewall, frame connectors and a "few"
other items I added along the way sent my bill up about $1000.00 over my original
estimate. Did I complain....NO, was I happy with the workmanship....YES!!!!!

Cheaper to buy a turn key car? Probably, but I bought a car that "ran", but had been
sitting for many years and needed lots of updating.....fuel system, brakes, the roll
bar just to name a few.

Did I have the $$$ to buy a true turn key race car....No. But the build is part of the fun.

Just my $0.02 cents.

02-18-2009, 07:01 PM	#1
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Start of a car The old saying about a "journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step" is finally about to become our motto. This past weekend, the 1979 Firebird finally came into our official possession. Now the work really begins. I know we've batted around the merits of buy versus build and debated cost as well. Be all that as it may, this is going to be done. Here is my game plan. I'm going to pull the doghouse. Then clean and paint the front end. Rebuild it with a bunch of Global West parts. In addition add a set of Moroso front springs. While I'm doing this, be a good time to put aluminum bushings under the body. Next step, put in subframe connectors and add an 8 point roll bar. Then a set of Cal-Tracs and split mono leafs. Rebuild the 10 bolt rear end with a good spool, axles, gear and a girdle or cover. Rebuild the brakes front and rear. Add shocks. A fuel cell, plumb and wire everything. Put a drivetrain in and we're ready to go. Sounds easy, I know it will be alot more involved. Hopefully the day will come when I can show up at a race and not just be another message board warrior. If anyone has any advise or alternatives, I'm open to listen. Robert Swartz __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock

02-18-2009, 08:54 PM	#2
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Start of a car take lotso pitchers....... i'll be watching and asking questions (if you don't mind) i'm collecting parts for a stock stick rambler.....

02-18-2009, 09:12 PM	#3
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,042 Likes: 1,075 Liked 482 Times in 159 Posts	Re: Start of a car Looking forward to following your progress. I enjoyed when the Parker Stocker Camaro was built and the details and pics were posted on their site. That car turned out really well . It is a late 70's F body as well.

02-18-2009, 09:46 PM	#4
Prostreetbird Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bel Air, Maryland Posts: 52 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Start of a car When I bought my 67 Firebird back in 1986, it started out to be a S/ST car. My brother ( Derek Clark S/G 174 ) was a big help in building the car which I still have today, but due to things that happen in life, its a street car now. Build it your way, take pride that you did it your way and built it from the ground up. A lot of money and time yes, but its yours.

02-18-2009, 10:56 PM	#5
Alan Warman Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Angelo Tx Posts: 231 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Start of a car Good luck on your journey mine started on Feb 10,2006.I am walking down the last couple of miles.It was a lot of fun and I would do it again.Just listen to every one's advice and use what best fits you needs. __________________ Alan Warman STK 4107

02-18-2009, 11:34 PM	#6
Dion Hildebrandt Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 383 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Start of a car congratulations on a project to focus on. its fun to build, frustrating when it doesnt work, but a real rush when it does start to work. im still pretty green in my adventure in stock eliminator, but lovin the 'cheap class racin' you will too __________________ Dion Hildebrandt 6009 STK H/SA

02-18-2009, 11:44 PM	#7
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,818 Likes: 2,909 Liked 5,126 Times in 1,954 Posts	Re: Start of a car Good luck, Robert. What engine combo are you going to be using? __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

02-19-2009, 10:48 AM	#9
55 Chevy Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary,Alberta area Posts: 229 Likes: 23 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Start of a car Yes,take pictures of everything. You will not regret it. I did mine twenty years ago & took a few pictures with my instamatic but not nearly enough. My Nikon D60 seems to have a better memory than me & wish they were available then. Fortunately I have one now to follow doing my project again this time. Plan to spend a BIT more than you are thinking you will now.. There always seems to be something else to buy you had not figured in. I look at it this way. Just as well to throw it into the car. At least you have an investment when its done. Allan

02-19-2009, 08:16 PM	#10
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 165 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Start of a car Yes lots of pictures, can't have too many. Cost of doing it?? Always more than you planned. I just got my Duster back from the chassis shop and 8 point roll bar, back seat firewall, frame connectors and a "few" other items I added along the way sent my bill up about $1000.00 over my original estimate. Did I complain....NO, was I happy with the workmanship....YES!!!!! Cheaper to buy a turn key car? Probably, but I bought a car that "ran", but had been sitting for many years and needed lots of updating.....fuel system, brakes, the roll bar just to name a few. Did I have the $$$ to buy a true turn key race car....No. But the build is part of the fun. Just my $0.02 cents. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado