1968 Pontiac Firebird convertible

Here is the before picture of the 350 - 2BBL engine originally in my Firebird. It was tired, barely running and even a HMO wouldn't touch it. Notice the manual drum brake master cylinder. This set up would not stop a small child on a big wheel, let alone a Firebird with power. A friend offered me a free 400 and the rest is history.

Here is the after picture. 400 engine, RamAir 3 heads, Edelbrock intake and 750 carb, MSD distributor and 6A ignition box, quick ratio steering box, 1 1/4" front sway bar, 7/8" rear sway bar, complete frame off, interior completely rebuilt, frame powder coated, power front disc brakes, 4 core radiator, everything done in my garage.

Engine and transmission going in.

Working on the car out doors is much nicer than in that small garage.

Interior completely rebuilt. Seats rebuilt with Mercedes comfort foam, double dynamat, upgraded speakers and stereo that still look stock. Oh yeah, brand new convertible top. Should be ready for paint in a couple weeks.

Nicely insulated against heat and sound. Double insulated through out, front to back including behind the rear seat and around the convertible top pump.

This is how the frame looked after powder coating. A thing of pure beauty. Actually every part of the front end was powder coated, radiator support, A arms, bumper support, every bracket and fitting, wheel wells and pullys too.

Pulled the 40 year old gas tank and replaced it with a new stock replacement. Along with all the fuel lines, this bird drinks from one clean cup. Her first taste was a mix of 114 Rocket Racing gas and 93 octane. It made for a sweet drink.

The hood and fenders have been installed to align everything prior to going out for paint. Check out the chrome hood hinges.

Here is the view from the pilots seat. Notice the PONTIAC hood tach.. It took me 3 hours and a lot of measuring to cut the hole and mount it. Drilling that first hole was torture.

As you can see, the hood is not yet ready for paint. I still have to drill the holes for the 400 hood emblems. Also the doors and fenders took a beating during alignment and fitting of the doors and then the front fenders. That's okay, since it is better to scratch and scuff now than later.

That is one HUNGRY looking front end. Those open scoops look ready to devour any little Honda or Kia that gets in the way.I will be installing open hood scoops to vent more cool air to the motor while driving. I will never drive her in rainy conditions or on country back roads (Dukes of Hazard) so the open style scoops will work just fine.