[68birdfreak]

Nice! Attention to detail ...incredible! Any chance I could get you to sponsor my race car this spring? lol.

[John Haley]

I just made some pillar post covers for my car. I should have them done and clear coated next week. These are for converts only. I know Anvil makes some already, but theirs are for hardtops(Camaro only?)




I had to bond a second piece on, so it would tuck into the stainless weather seal trim of the side window.

[428RA4]

Hmm....

Im wondering if the hood latch area is strong enough to take the pressure of closing the hood...

[John Haley]

I have slammed the hood shut about 100 times. Seems good to go still. I have a stainless steel plate embedded for the striker to hit on as it closes and another plate for the catch to ride on, on the inside of the frame.

[428RA4]

Hmm..

I really dont see the point in making a copy of the existing hood because it's being reproduced in a few other variations. What I would do is to improve on the part by having the scoop cover 80% of the front of the hood rather then the stock 55%. I would also open the scoops up at least 50% more to make the part function much better.

Just my 2 cents.

[John Haley]

Originally Posted by 428RA4

Hmm..

I really dont see the point in making a copy of the existing hood because it's being reproduced in a few other variations. What I would do is to improve on the part by having the scoop cover 80% of the front of the hood rather then the stock 55%. I would also open the scoops up at least 50% more to make the part function much better.

Just my 2 cents.

Hmmm..

I see you did your car your way. It looks very nice!

I did mine my way. Thanks for the compliments.


If you want a hood like what you described, all it takes is money. If you have one made let me know.

[428RA4]

Hey John -

Thanks for the complement. It's been a long and painful project to say the least. I could of built 3 cars with the funds in this one...sigh.

I was thinking about fabricating a custom hood for the car out of metal and may do so one day, but at this point I just need to get it back together for the 3rd time.

I'm right in the middle of the build and have posted some more new pictures from last night. The project is hot right now and I have to push forward before I burn out....

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...pictureid=3663

[Josh69]

Nice work, glad to see the progress you're making!

I am curious what your plans are for the dash. I really need to get something figured out for my car. Covan's Thunder Road was supposed to come out with a 5" version of their ABS dash for the Firebird but that is now delayed at least a year and I really want a real carbon part anyway. I'd like to work with you on the layout, or provide any assistance you need to facilitate it. I have my original dash to use as a foundation and I'm local. Let me know what you have planned and maybe we can figure something out. I already have my 5" monster tach to use, and will get a matching speedo and the rest of the gauges I want to run in a row above the HVAC controls and stereo. I need 5 aux gauges.

[John Haley]

I just finished another spoiler.

[John Haley]

Early tall style hood tach housing.




Pass. side air vent cover.




I have 2 sets of Convertible pillar post covers done.

[John Haley]

67-68 hood tach housing and bezel.






Convertible Pillar post covers.





I am making a mold of my 4 speed console. Here it is covered in orange tooling gelcoat.




Mold for console door.




Mold for glove box door.

[John Haley]

I just pulled this out of the mold!











Glove box door too!

[RAJ7395]

Sweet!

What's next?? Decklid, cowl, dash bezel, front valance, fenders?

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by RAJ7395

Sweet!

What's next?? Decklid, cowl, dash bezel, front valance, fenders?

Originally Posted by John Haley

Over the winter, I plan on making carbon fiber front fenders, front wheel wells, front bumper and headlight bezels as one piece, core support, lower front valance and pan behind it along with the 69 trans am front spoiler, turn signal bezels, full inner and outer doors, trunk lid, rear bumper. dash gauge bezel, center console.

Kind of sounds like it.

[ponjohn]

John you're an animal.

Have you tried a hood in fiberglass so it can be painted?

John

[John Haley]

Yes I have a 69 T/A hood done in fiberglass with a fiberglass frame.

[John Haley]

Some more pics of the console after a few coats of clear and sanded with 220 grit sand paper. I just wipe it down with wax and grease remover and it has a little sheen.

[MikeNoun]

John, you're doing GREAT work!

Are these pieces going to be painted when finished? I really like the look of a carbon fiber product, and they do save tons of weight (no pun intended) over steel, but I just wasn't sure whether you're going to paint these parts or not.

Talk about a "stealth" car, you could make enough carbon fiber parts to shave about 500 pounds off that Bird by the time you finish, then paint it all, no one would know. All the body panels, wheelhouses, bumpers, etc.

If you leave everything natural carbon fiber texture, that baby is going to look like "The Terminator" going down the road, and you know, that would look cool too! At least it's something we haven't seen before!

Curious, how much would a T/A wing cost?

[John Haley]

Thanks, No paint for me, but they could be painted. I am doing just Clear over the 6k carbon fiber.

69 T/A carbon fiber wing $1500

[John Haley]

Pillar post molding with gauge pods. This fits 67-69 Convertible Firebirds and Camaros