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| THE LOBBY A gathering place. Introductions, sports, showin' off your ride, birthday-anniversary-milestone, achievements, family oriented humor. |
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#1
08-18-2022, 03:11 PM
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Long Journey of 1970 Firebird Restoration
My father bought the 1970 Esprit new in May of 1970 when I was 15. I was able to buy it from him in 1974 and drove it until 1998. Ohio and Michigan salt ate up a lot of the body, but I was able to find a garage stored one in Texas as the new platform for restoration. Initial prep work on the body and the chassis rebuild was done in 2000-2004, then it went into storage for 14 years again. Finally locating a suitable shop in 2018, it was into paint where the Coronado Gold was nicely duplicated. A 4.25" stroker kit from Butler was ordered for the 350 block, 6X heads were added along with Comp roller rockers, Johnson Hyd roller lifters and a Comp XR276HR cam. Len Williams did the assembly work and the engine dynoed at Reher-Morrison. After Covid delays, work is finally underway again as the serpentine kit was installed and the engine/transmission put back in the car. It will be finished out as an Esprit again with a TA hood and HD suspension package for a 1976 model including the 3.23 posi rear axle. Completion hopefully in October.
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#2
08-18-2022, 03:12 PM
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Next set of photos.
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#3
05-05-2023, 12:03 PM
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sounds great
__________________
Esquire '74 T/A 455 Y-code SD clone previously on Dawson's Creek: '74 T/A 400 '81 AMC SX/4 '69 FB 350 |
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#4
08-18-2022, 03:13 PM
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Hopefully looking close to original (except for that serpentine kit, of course).
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#5
08-18-2022, 03:37 PM
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Nice work! That looks like it's going to be a blast to drive.
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Mike 
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#6
08-18-2022, 03:46 PM
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Congrats.....I know you are excited to get it drivable again.
Love the gold color....beautiful car! |
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#7
08-18-2022, 04:07 PM
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Congratulations, nice.
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#8
08-18-2022, 04:46 PM
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Also like the gold. Nice work.
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#9
01-19-2024, 12:44 PM
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Some good progress has been made on the car the last few months and the upholstery shop is nearly finished with the interior. All that is left are the sail panels and passenger door hard trim. The rear glass has to be redone though as the installer set it too deep in the channel and the sail panels aren't fitting right. The glass installer sent the wrong tech out for the job. He had no experience on "vintage" cars.
Once done though, the exhaust system gets fitted up, the hood put on, shaker scoop assembled and then it's road test time. |
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#10
01-19-2024, 01:31 PM
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NICE!
 Originally a custom interior?
__________________
John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
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#11
08-18-2022, 05:38 PM
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Looks great!. My only comment would be that the TORKER intake is Taller than stock. There may be some aircleaner base issues, etc if you intend to have the shaker " shake" and fit correctly. Nice project! Thanks for posting!
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"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather |
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#12
08-18-2022, 06:13 PM
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Looking great!
I love the Coronado Gold!
__________________
John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
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#13
08-19-2022, 01:35 AM
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Quote:
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#14
08-19-2022, 07:40 AM
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Really nice looking car! What CID is it now with the 4.25" crank in a 350 and what did it do on the dyno?
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Chris D 69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w Ram Air manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, T400, 9" w 3.50s 3905lbs 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60' |
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#15
08-19-2022, 08:08 AM
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413 cu in. 9.13 to 1 comp ratio
442 lb ft @ 4300 rpm 453 hp @ 5600 rpm Sure, the 350 block is a small bore, but the big intake valve allows for a good cylinder fill. |
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#16
08-19-2022, 08:16 AM
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Very nice. I run a Torker 2 on my 76 T/A. I had to mod the air cleaner a bit to make it fit. Now that you put the T/A hood on it, I'd add the wheel and trunk spoilers for a T/A look. Just me though.
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68 Firebird. IA2 block, 505 cu in, E-head, Solid roller 3650 weight. Reid TH400 4:11 gear. 29" slick. Best so far 10.12@133 mph. 1.43 60 ft. 76 Trans am, TKX .81 o/d, 3.73 Moser rearend, 468 with KRE D-ports, Doug headers, 3" Exh. |
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#17
08-19-2022, 09:20 PM
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Nice build!
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keith k 70 Trans Am RA III / T400 / Lucerne Blue / Bright Blue 70 Trans Am RA III / M20 / Lucerne Blue / Sandalwood 70 Formula RA III / M21 / Lucerne Blue / Bright Blue |
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#18
02-16-2024, 02:43 PM
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More visible progress! Hood is on but won't close. Snorkels will have to come off the air cleaner housing to clear the A/C compressor and a hood brace. No real issue since the scoop will be open all the time. Pypes exhaust system tucked up under the car nicely and the body is just about down to the correct ride height. The shop says one more month to go.
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#19
02-17-2024, 09:52 PM
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Quote:
Or the standard GTO / Gprix air cleaner ? The drop base bird units have a big dimple hump at the rear to clear the distributor . If you don't see that feature , its a GTO type. Hood won't shut using those. Car and interior look Great Engine build is definitely impressive |
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#20
02-17-2024, 10:02 PM
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Truly beautiful. Thanks for sharing the photos and an impressive 350.
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