Okay,
I’ve been commenting on posts for a few months now and thought that I’d introduce myself. I’ve been messing with 67-81 Firebirds since I was 14. I’m a little over 40 now so I have a little experience with them. My father used to own Fabulous Firebird in MO, before he sold the business. My first car was a 1973 Formula that I built from the ground up. It has a dash fire in it and I had to replace all the interior and wiring and so forth. It was a nice car afterwards. I’m still partial to 1970-1973 Firebirds. I moved on from there and built a 1967 Firebird, orig 326. I put a 67 400 in it and super T-10 4spd. That was the car I drove is high school. It matched up well against the Chevelles and Camaros at the time. I joined the Navy and spent time touring the world to go back to work for my dad in the late 90’s to early 2000. Some of you have probably met me at one point or another. We always tried to give the correct information and help that we could. Our saying was if we didn’t have it we would try to point you in the right direction. I re-entered the Navy after being offer to let fly and that is what I’m currently doing now.
Now for the car in my profile picture (which is probably what most people really want to know). We bought that car out in San Jose Ca back in 1995-6 timeframe. It was the nicest body I’ve seen on one for a while. No rust just damage in the Qtr where a tire was run off. It didn’t have a motor at the time but judging from the exhaust and the vin it was a sprint 6. I wanted to build a car that was mine so I started with it. So if I could have ordered one from Pontiac and had it made my way what would it have been? I decided on a 428 HO 4spd.
So here’s the spec I decided on :
Engine: 1969 390HP 428 4-Bolt (Bought out of 69 Grand Prix SJ in Ridgecrest CA from Alice)
Long Branch Manifolds.
Transmission : M-22
PWR windows
Tilt Steering
4-Wheel Disc brakes (Rear Disc from 1969 Camaro)
PWR Top
Deluxe Interior
PWR Trunk lock
8” Snowflakes.
Intense Blue/with white top/interior.
Console

Okay I think that is all. I’ve been asked about the hood a few time. It’s a one of a kind (that I know of). I took the scopes out of 1976 Formula’s hood and welded them into a 1968 flat hood. When it was done you would be hard pressed not think it was factory. I built the car for myself so I wasn’t concern about stock option and so forth. I’ll include pictures in the following posts. I sold the car to buy my first house and have been kicking myself ever since. The gentleman that I sold the car to back in 2004 still has it and doesn’t want to sell it. So I guess he loves it as much as I do. It’s time to do another one so hopefully that will come soon.

This is going on long enough but I have to talk about the car that I’m currently doing a little bit. It’s a 1968 400 4-spd all numbers matching car. We bought the car around the Oakland area in CA. It’s probably the nicest body I’ve seen. The car is sitting apart in my garage ready to be put back together at this time while I’m deployed to the Arabian Gulf. I’m hoping to get started on it when I get this fall. I’ll post pictures of it later. That’s about all the time I’ve got and probably all the time someone wants to read so here are the pictures that I promised.

Larry

Sorry the engine is dirty.

Now finally the last picture and the best one. It's the reason I'm going to build another one of these. My boys love it.

Nice little stroll down memory lane. Always make the car your own is my thoughts. As long as you don't make it a camaro clone.... lol. Involving the family in your hobby is a big plus. My kids love my birds... They argue which one will be there first car at 16. Scary huh? Anyways enjoy what you built and get the kids involved as much as possible!!!! Joe

Larry, thank you for your service and good luck with the new build.

Welcome Larry,

Better get crackin cause the boys are going want one each for themselves! lol

Good luck dude!

Thanks everyone. I didn't see a welcome center to post this in so I figured this would be a good place. I really enjoy this forum and Love these cars.

The kids look like they are in heaven. I like the look of the hood makes it it's own

Car looks good!!! I like something different as long as you keep it clean and make it look right. The hood is cool in my opinion...

Love that hood... way cool and nice job!

Very nice. You just gotta make it your own.

I can't believe you ruined that factory hood! JK!! I had a '76 formula with a 455 in it and man that car ran well! Especially when the nitrous switch was pushed .

Welcome.

I like that hood! What part of Florida are you in?

I think thats 'the other part of Florida"...lol

I live in Pensacola. I'll be in your neck of the woods in a couple weeks while I'm back in the states. Taking the kids to see Mickey and then over the Kennedy Space center.

Again thanks everyone.

"I can't believe you ruined that factory hood! JK!! I had a '76 formula with a 455 in it and man that car ran well! Especially when the nitrous switch was pushed ."

At least neither hood was worth that much at this time. The only left in the Formula's hood where the scoops. lol.

I wanted something differant that still look time period correct and that is what I came up with. It's kinda like a 1968 Trans am. (a cross between 64 GTO, 69 Trans Am, and a 400 car.)

I like the hood. It looks like something that could have come out of Pontiac styling. I guess it did since it is all Pontiac parts.
Way better than those Lund stick on scoops that I have been seeing way too many cars and trucks. Saw them on a Grand Prix over the weekend. YUCK!

There's a lot of different parts of Florida. The one unique thing about Florida is the more north you go the more south you get.

Great work, and a nice color.

very nice car..

Hoods nice, the honeycomb TA mags can go!

Larry. I made a couple of trips to your place in Farmington to buy parts and also sold some parts to your dad. First time I was there I pulled up to the shop and your dad came running out with a pistol and started shooting at some cows in the front yard. Guys if you haven't been there before, this place is out in the boonies. I saw this and wondered if I should just backup and leave. Your dad and Randy(?) always treated me right.
Barry

Rallys wouldn't fit with the disc brake rear end. Also I've always like the Snowflakes. But I guess that's why there are so many differant rims out there.
Barry, That would have been long after I was gone. I can believe it about the cows though. The place was 15 miles from the nearest town. You had to know where it was or you wouldn't find it.

Hey Larry,
Its looking good. I Like that hood and that blue.

What branch of the service are you in?

Navy.