Howdy boys. Not to bore you with my life story, but I started in on a total 69 restoration project about 2.5 years ago. Since then, empty-nest, mid-life crisis, divorce, and now packing up my house of 23 years and moving on.

So my Firebird project sits in my garage, staring at me, mocking me. I really don't know if I have the energy to move this thing and start up all the necessary energy to give her the finish she deserves.

I really don't have a coherent question, but maybe some of you could just weigh in with some advice.

The interior is totally removed. I've lovingly restored the subframe, front disk brakes, drop-spindles, completely rebuilt 400 from a 69 GTO, refurbished 200R4 from a 2005 Grand Am. The body is straight and all the panels are stored safe and dry and rust-free.

The motor still needs the finishing touches: distributor, fuel pump, pulleys, AC, alternator, wiring, that kind of crap. Need to break 'er in still.

The interior is original and needs to be restored completely.

The subframe is re-attached, the motor and tranny all aboard. Drive shaft, brake lines, and drum brakes still need to be installed.

I guess I'm wondering if the hard part is over or the hard part is yet to come. I'm so overwhelmed staring at this pile of parts and the thought of moving it to my eventual new home.

Wrestling with selling her as a partially complete project but figure I'll take a huge bath. With enough energy and motivation, I suppose I could finish the job I started, but it seems so long ago.

Yes, I'm bitching up a storm. Not feeling sorry for myself, just wondering if anybody can relate and can offer some advice to move forward.

Thanks for listening,
Tom

I just finished moving. I had 4 cars to move in which 3 were totally striped down. Took $5k and a week to move not to mention the 2 months spent prepping for the move. So yes it's a pain in the [censored] and if I had to do it again I will sell all my furniture and burn the rest and load up the cars and parts and head down the road!

Never give up on your car projects. I promised myself I would never be the guy with the story "I used to have a Firebird, but I gave up on the restoration". :}

Don't give up. Hire some of the work out if need be. You will regret abandoning the project.

Just my opinion -

You never feel worse than the day after you sell something you haven't finished and regret the money and time you can't recoup

You never feel better than the day you finish it and start putting smiles per gallon back in the bank

By your description it sounds like most of the hard stuff is already done? If I can gut a 69FB interior and make a decent driver look okay then anyone can do it.

I have been in your spot before. On June 13th 2003 I was in a near fatal motorcycle accident which changed my life drastically. I lost my job, wife, home, money, my dog died, my insurance was canceled, everything disappeared in less than six months.

It took me two years and two major surgeries to learn to walk again and I still fight the pain on a daily basis.

But I still work on my Firebird.

I can relate, (not the divorce part, she still loves me!) but I can't tell you how many times I started gathering up all my parts and taking pictures to put it on the internet to sell!
I thought I will never get this done and not sure if I had what it takes to finish the project.
I now have a short list of about 6 or 7 items and she is going to be done!
I included a couple pictures of where I started.

I say try to stick with it. I would feel horrible if I saw someone driving my car around after I did all the heavy lifting and they got the easy parts and the fun.

Hope it gets better for you.

EB

Keep it going!

One word of caution.... Don't finish her and get her too nice too quickly.... your ex or other creditors may come hat in hand!

Don't sell her Tom. Basically she's not worth anything right now so really there is no upside to getting rid of the pile aside from the fact that you wouldn't have to move it. Besides there will be times when you don't feel like going out to chase pussy and it will give you something to do up there in the hills.

Tom,

You have some bad things happening to you right now- and that really sucks. I feel for ya. Painful as they are they will eventually numb out with time.

You really don't want to get caught up in going to the bars all the time, and this would give you something to hold on to and be productive at - always a good thing when the chips are down.

I am thinking that you might find life renewed in your bird?

Think of the day you turn that key for a first real test drive, and realize that life is good, and that hard work does pay off.

Plus, you might just get noticed a time or ten by the opposite sex while you are cruising around in it. Never a bad thing for a single guy- right?

Best of luck with whatever you decide Tom.

It would be much more difficult to replace the Bird at any time in the future than it would to replace anything else (Home, Ex-Wife, furniture etc). This is something you started for yourself, and something that you know inside and out. The feeling of getting it back together and being able to take it out and enjoy it is priceless.

I agree, I think your well past the halfway point and you could do just what you need to do to put her back together and get her back on the road so you can enjoy it for a while. Then you can finish things up as time and money allow. But something like that, you couldn't do again for what you have into it... you deserve to see it through and the benefit of enjoying it for many years to come! Good luck with everything!

Brett!

I was about half way and realized it was to much to finish in a timely manner. So now she sits in the resto shop waiting for paint this week. It sat in my garage for about, oh I say, 8 years. So you don't have the record. Time goes by so slow and then boom another bird brought back from the abyss! How do I post a picture of my bird?

Hey guys. I am just overwhelmed by the encouragement and perspective. I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to weigh in and offer up some insights.

I've decided to sack up, and do what needs to be done. I rented a big storage unit down the road and have moved all the Firebird parts that could be carried. I just need to get a tow dolly and get my roller in. My back is tired but my mind is feeling right.

This car deserves the life it was "going to get" before the crap hit the fan. Now, I can move out the rest of my junk, sell this place, and regroup wherever I land.

I probably won't be on here for some time but I will DEFINITELY be back when I unpack this stuff and wonder how it all goes back together.

Life is strange, but as somebody said, there's life to be found in restoring these old girls. There's something indescribably cool about bringing history back to the road.

I hope to post something much more positive soon.

Humbled,
Tom

Tom,

Having gone through the same type of situation I would advise not staying away from the forum. Its a a great place to share ideas, work on your Firebird and keep your mind busy. There's nothing like taking the negative energy and turning it into a beautiful running Firebird that you can drive and enjoy.

Marc

That is some sound advice. Beside this site is not only the best resource for Firebird but it can also be one of the best support systems for whatever issues you run across.
If you need help or info, Tom, I'm not that far away in the bay area. You can give me a call anytime 510-223-3944. Glad you decided to stick it out. I think you'll be happy you did.

I agree, keep on it....no matter how slow. I thoroughly enjoyed the three years to rebuild mine nut n bolt.Looking for another while I drive this baby!

Tom!! you need to grab a couple of your old friends just like yourself and go to your local cruise or car show swapmeet street race etc. It wont take you long to get that love & drive back and pick right up where you left off!! We got your back because here were all the same and want, think, and do alike.