Bought the car when I was 25 in 2006 and it was a basket case, having not run in a decade or two I'm told. I rebuilt the engine, trans, carb. Put in all new engine support systems cooling, fuel, wiring. I redid all the suspension, steering, brakes with new hardware and bushings, etc. Drive it for a summer then took it all back apart for body work in 2008. Spent 9 years replacing rusty sheet metal in between having 3 kids and moving many times. I've spent more in towing costs than actually buying the original car. I've towed that car with me to 4 rental houses and 3 purchased across four cities and two states. When we moved up to the Bay Area from San Diego the car was just a shell so that was a busy time trying to get the frame, wheels, engine, trans back in. Got it running again during covid after 12 years. The past year I've spent redoing all the interior and getting the exterior trim all shined up and installed. I've done everything myself except the exterior paint I took it to Maaco for that
17 years later and it's finally done. Many hours spent on this site learning from you all and I want to thank you for that. This place is wonderful.
Looks very nice. I like the color but I am very partial to blue. Looks to me like your not finished after all. You are missing the two rubber seals in the door jamb where your window rolls up in the back area.
I've been driving it when I can. Have to pull the van and truck out to park on street to get the Firebird out of the garage. I took it to a car show and that was a blast. It's a trip to drive after all these years. Also the first carbureted car I've ever driven so getting used to starting it. It has a hesitation when leaving a stop and doesn't start or idle as well as I'd like but it's pretty good. So there are some things to work on
What carburetor is on it? Rochester? 2 or 4 barrel? Hesitation/ hard start sounds like an accelerator pump. With engine off, take off the air cleaner and work the throttle while looking down into the throat. You should see two big squirts of fuel each time you work the throttle. If not, pump time. Has the carb ever been rebuilt? Resist the temptation to replace it with something else. The best carb is the one that came from the factory. But they get dirty and parts wear out. Learn to rebuild it and be the envy of all your friends!
Mark in Queens NY. Home of Spiderman and the Ramones
