On the list we were talking about getting together a first gen firebird show that we would plan about a years time out. Chime in with ideas, thoughts, and what not.
Idea: Centrally located, get sponsors involved, prizes, show, Possibly a drag race?
-Paul
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
Colorado's 1,000 miles for me but fine. We get through Loveland often (End of this month too) My Bird has made the trip through the Big Thompson a few times. Once, a day before the '76 flood.
I sure remember the carburetored Bird running really sluggish there.
That second picture from the left below was in the Big Thompson, not far from Loveland.
Colorado is 1060 mi from Houston....16 plus hours mapquest says...
we could make it a modern day "canon ball run" LOL.. everybody starts at time figured out by distance and avg mph....whemever gets there first gets a prize....every speeding ticket counts for 1 hr added time! LOL
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Colorado sounds like a really good choice as far as making it a vacation as well as a meet. Seems like everyone is just under 2k miles. Most are within 1600 miles. Of Course people are more than welcome to fly in and ride in other's first gen birds.
I'd probably bring the Bird and Jeep, go wheeling part of the time and Cruise the bird the other time.
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
I think a huge cruise like that would be a whole lot of fun. Similar to Hot Rod Power Cruise; that they do each year for a week. With GM dumping Pontiac, this would be nothing but Cool and maybe cause the big boys to rethink their division, I mean this is the Corp (gm) that killed Firebird and Camaro, then Ford sticks it to them with the redesigned Pony, and they even let Dodge beat them to the punch with Challenger, before they came out with the new Maro. Now they are killing Pontiac; who brought us the one and only GTO, The TRANS AM Firebird, Bonneville, Grand Prix, man are those awesome names. How can they kill this Historic Brand. That is what a cruise like this could be about. I think it would cause quite a ruckus, especially if the media picks up on it. Who knows and did I say it would be hell of a lot of fun. Bjorns "CannonBall Run does it for me too, Colorado would certainly be a gorgeous drive, but blowing wide open on the Kansas Turnpike would be a kick too.
mtgriz70 I'm in the HALF group in Houston, 69 Trans Am Tribute "T/A My Way", convertible, Dark Blue/pearl, 400/tremec 5sp
I keep seeing the show "Mustangs across America" on HD TV.
This would be a great event for something like that to be filmed for better visibility of our fgf's.
The Mustang show follows a big group of all generations 'stangs traveling from SW to SE America along the southern US. I watched this show with my wife a couple of years ago, and it greatly increased her interest in our own fgf's. I think it helped her understand the 'old car' mentality that so many people have (that she never understood). Most of the cars were first and second generation, but some were newer models. I think the film included a lot of home video clips from the members own drive to and from the cruise.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
two answers on HALFs mail, several interested so far by the way
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Lebanon, Kansas is the geographical center of the continental US. There or somewhere around there looks like a good spot to me. Otherwise maybe where Route 66 crosses somewhere near the center. A report needs to be taken on how FG Birds are distributed throughout the US.
Let’s crank ‘em up and go.
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Somebody said something about meeting in Kansas... it would be cool to meet at Heartland Park Raceway in Topeka Kansas... its an all in one race park.
I've been on that Rocky Mountain National Park drive. It's great scenery but I don't know how well the bird would run at 12,000 feet! And better make sure your brakes are up to snuff for the coast down the other side! Lots of traffic on the one road through the park.
Check this out, this was in July!
-=>Lee<=- Due to budget constraints the "light at the end of the tunnel" has been turned off!
Heartland Park, while there is a race park there, otherwise there is not much there.... Went there for the SCCA Solo nationals... not a vacation spot to say the least.
I was hoping that we could have a vacation spot as well, I only get a week of vacation so I would love to do something in conjunction with the meet.
YES, we need the major publications there to see this!
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
Steamboat Springs was mentioned on the list... They have a mustang meet in the summer there, we could one up them with more class... or lack there of....
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
Another Idea is Deadwood SD, it's about 300 miles from Colorado in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Deadwood is about 3o min from where the Sturgis bike rally and races (one of the largest bike rallies in the world). It is close to Mount Rushmore Monument, close to Crazy Horse Monument, the SD Badlands and Devils Tower in Wyoming (all worthy of seeing) and to boot its about 40 miles from the center of the nation. Deadwood puts on a weekend show every year called Deadwood Kool Nights, it's a weekend dedicated to old muscle cars with lots of events set up during the daytime and concerts at night to go along with the gambling/salons on Main Street. Lots of hotels and camping...it might be a good venue for us to crash! Here is a link http://www.deadwood.org/DeadwoodEvents/KoolDeadwoodNites/
David Meyer 67 400 400 coupe
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
I've been on that Rocky Mountain National Park drive. It's great scenery but I don't know how well the bird would run at 12,000 feet! And better make sure your brakes are up to snuff for the coast down the other side! Lots of traffic on the one road through the park.
There is a track in Pueblo, CO that would be a great place for the meet. Pueblo Motorsports Park. http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/CO/Pueblo.html#TrackMap They have a Drag Strip and a Road Course. Lots of parking and closeby accomodations and restaurants. Do they "cannonball run" to get there and then take your pic of local destinations.
Ok, here are a few thoughts regarding a get together (in no particular order):
1. To make it really fun and worthwhile, we need a large turnout. We need to plan and organize this thing in such a way that a good percentage of this group (as well as other First Gener's that we can reach out to) would want to participate and would be able to participate.
2. To get a good turn out, we need to plan far enough ahead so we all have time to put it on our calendars, schedule the time off work, save up the dough, buy/rent/borrow a trailer (for those that don't want to drive in), get the Bird's put together and running, etc. Fall of 2010 would be great, but might be too soon for some. Maybe 2011 would be better?? Hard to know until we get more feedback from the group (more on feedback later).
3. As to the time of year that we meet, I personally like the idea of a Fall meeting. Even though none of us should have any problems with overheating (yah, right), many of us don't have A/C and therefore prefer to drive when it's cool out. Summer is too dang hot for any long road trip in my Bird anyway! Not to mention that there are lots of nice scenic drives in the fall. Mid to late September or early October sounds good but anything later than that is probably getting too close to winter. We also need to make sure we don't conflict with any other major car shows.
3. Location is important for lots of reasons. We need access to reasonable food and lodging (with a good auto parts store nearby) and we need to do our best to find a central location so no one has to drive 2,500 miles to get there. Do we still have access to the online map that shows where all of us live? Might be a good resource to figure out where the center of our universe really is. The Colorado locations sound great but are a little left of center. If moving a little further east will get us a bigger turnout, we ought to consider it (Kansas is the center of the country). David's suggestion of Deadwood, SD is interesting and might be worth serious consideration. What's the average temperature in Deadwood in September??
4. Regarding organization, communication and feedback, we probably don't want too bog down this message board with tons of emails concerning the planning and organizing process. We need to set up a separate email list so those who want to be involved (and even those who want to lurk) can communicate without filling up everyone else's inbox. At some point we can build a simple web page or blog where we can publish details as they become available. In the meantime, though, we do need to figure out a way to survey our group to get everyone's input on a date and a location, and to try and get a feel for how many of us think we can make it. Anyone have access to a free online survey tool that we could use?
5. Done right, and with the right planning and execution, I think we could put together a great time that could turn out to be the beginning of an annual Firebird event. I'm sure we can get some good press, some sponsorship money, etc.
Sorry for the long post, but the more I think about this the more jazzed I get. Maybe it's because I just turned 50 this summer and I've decided that I need to start having some more fun. Maybe it's because I need an incentive to get some things done on the Bird that I've been neglecting. Either way, I'm ready for a road trip and I'd really like to meet some of you guys.
Here's my email address and cell phone if any of you want to communicate directly. Regards, Scott
Last edited by Paul Z; 09/03/0906:14 PM.
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
1) Paul Z has already posted this on the forum, I have forwarded to HALF group, and WAPA. If we turn out most of our groups we could bring in 20+ cars?
2) fall 2010 is fine w me , or spring 2011?
3) spring is fine to as far as temps.
other 3)LOL, location, mid country is fine not thinking 12,000 feet will be too good for many carbs,m a little lower might be better, since Kansas is in the ctr , why somewhere close to it...a little hilly wouldn’t hurt though, with scenic roads
4)why not use the forum? everybody here should know where it is, that’s where you signed up for the list!
4) annual event , could be , but I think you`re stretching it a bit, but maybe?
I am shamelessly partial to the Woodward Dream Cruise. It is simply an event you have to drive to experience. Just imagine a flock of 50 or 100 birds pulling out of a lot and cruising together for the entire 32 mile cruise loop, in front of close to a million spectators. And, of course, the trip here would be an adventure as well.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Thinking of the center of the USA, just a bit south is the Ozark Mountians and for the vacationers you can get your tickets to a Wayne Newton show...HAHAHA!
Another idea is the Chi-Town Kruze in Chicago (patterned after Woodward Dream Cruise), Classics cruise along Lake Shore Drive.. It started in 2005 and has been a hit ever since. It's in early June typically and put on by the Buick Club. Did it a few years ago, and it was fun and not too much traffic either. It finished with a car show at Soldiers Field with plenty of sponsors (Sta-Bil). Lot's of tourist stuff to do also with the Museums along the drive, and downtown of course.
Just a thought. And this is great timing since my bird has no quarters or tail panel or engine at the moment. Just my luck.
Hmmm, I wonder if we could manage to finagle a trip into the GM Tech Center, and line 'em up in view of the fountain that John Delorean posed in front of when the 'bird was introduced.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Not sure how many from our HALF group will or can attend....we just did a quick calculation the other night on just gas usage....
I`m not trying to be negative about this ,but just realistric.
not sure exactly what MPG everybody gets , but lets say the "normal" for most are around 14 mpg....if we travel to the center of the US...its a little over 1,000 mi from Houston, I know its quite a bit more from many areas , like Miami...+_ 1500 miles...
so a round trip, plus a little driving while at the meet 100-200 miles? would be 2,200 to 3,200 miles , at 14 mpg that is 155 to 230 gallons, and at current prices that’s about $425 to $630 , not to speak about a gas increase (that very possibly is coming?) if it goes back to $4/gal, it would then be $620-$920 worth of gas alone... then you`ll have hotel/motel costs , not much for food since you`d eat at home too, for most people at least one night in ea direction , plus one to two nights at the meet......so that’s 4 - 6 nights, at ?? of course depending on where you stay , but lets use a low/medium number of $50 avg, that’s another$200-300....
again not trying to put a damper on the enthusiasm , but I know that for many this could be very expensive ,especially the ones trying to finish a car also....
It would still be a blast, I may try to do it, but I know that several in our group probably would hesitate at this expense, plus a week "vacation" taken that possibly the spouse may not totally agree with...
has everyone thought this thru?
I wouldnt have a lot of thoughts like this if we were a group of Ferarris, Lamborghinis or Aston Martins, but afterall, we are not quite in that league...
OK, here's a quick online survey to gauge interest in a get together. It's only one page and will take less than 5 minutes to complete. At this point, I'm primarily interested in feedback on dates, location, and whether or not we should try to coordinate with some other car show/road rally event. Your input will be appreciated.
I haven't been to this particular Pontiac event (yet), but I have been to Branson several times and have been to large car events there. It would be a good central place. I think piggybacking a larger event might be good too. Maybe this time next year.
From a more fair view, once a good amount of definite attendees were compiled, the "central" location should be derived based on the distance from the largest group of attendees.
For me, if it were more than 5hrs from Fort Smith Arkansas I would not be able to attend. Just don't have the time or cash to make such an outing.
While I think that piggy backing a larger event would be fun, it would be great to see our own first gen firebird event!
Maybe that's just me, it would be easier to coordinate hotels etc if we're not trying to get something together while there are a lot of other people trying to get rooms and what not.
-Paul
1968 Pontiac Firebird (In the works: 440ci Pontiac + Doug Nash 5 speed + posi rear = 1320 and Corner Carver Wanna Be)
This sounds like a great idea. I have been to national Pontiac shows and national Camaro shows and would love to be part of a national first gen firebird show.I know at least 2 or 3 guys other than myself who would attend if possible. Lets get this thing rolling!
Scott, I filled out your survey and I am more than willing to do anything that I can to make sure this happens... is there any way you can forward me the results from your survey. I have already talked to a couple different companies about sponsorship in this event... All thus far have been really excited... just need to know a general location and a possible/probable head count.
Bjorn, I agree that we should make this "Our Own". I have already mentioned it to a few Corporate people that sound excited at the opportunity to be involved! One has already "promised" Grab Bags and has a form to be filled out for "Organization Donation".
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