Tuesday at 9pm (EST) and again at midnight, 1968 Firebird gets overhauled. I'll catch the midnight showing I guess - b/c I watch The Unit at 9pm. Wish I had tivo.

"Wish I had tivo."

I wish I had the overhauled bird. Then I could cruise to the May Ocean City event instead of contemplating my jack stand rust queen. Vrooom vroom!

I'll be watching tonight!

Great. They already did a '69 vert and now a '68. My dreams are shattered.

i wish they would send me all the parts they took off the car and did not re use

Ok - just watched the midnight showing. Only read on if you've seen the episode, or don't mind some of it being spoiled!

Re: Paint scheme. Ok - I like black paint, but I'm not so sure about that silver treatment. I've seen some great 2 tone paint jobs black/silver (who's the guy here with that?) - but Chip's design did nothing for me. Made the back end look like it belonged on a different car or something. Didn't blend well with the door lines.

Re: Chrome. Would have been nicer had they put on (left on?) the chrome rocker panels, and wheel well moldings. Against the black paint, that would have been sharp.

Re: Wheels. I prefer the Pontiac Rally II's he had on there.

Re: no spoilers added? Come on - at least toss on a front spoiler!

Re: Interior- ok, first off, those sure didn't look like factory seats that came out of there -at least not 1968 factory seats. And the seats they replaced them with - uh.... ok. Whatever. They might be functional (might be - but I didn't even get a good look at the seat belt system in the car, so who knows), but they don't look like they belong.

Re: Radio. Ugh. It glows blue. They cut up the dash and put that in?? And I guess he won't be needing a spare tire? If he gets a flat, he can listen to tunes as he awaits the tow truck.

Re: Shifter - where did they find that thing? It looks like it came out of a Ford or something. Am I missing something? The B&M wasn't my favorite, but it looked better than that thing they put in. I guess the entire console wasn't out of a '68 - is that a '69 design, or a 2nd gen?

Question - where did the rear antenna go? And why was it removed?

Alright - should we talk about the elephant in the room? The 500hp elephant? For shame. And to disgrace the new 400 hood with that badging. Ugh.

And let's talk about the hood. I'm actually confused here. Chip said it had "functional hood scoops" - but then intake was a single snorkle unit (sticking out the passenger side?). How exactly does that make the hood scoops functional?

So - they added the "correct" 400 hood (sans hood tach - grr), but removed the pontiac emblem from the front bumper? While they were at it, they left the grill area painted the wrong color - but it's not like they were going for anything close to original here, so those are minor points really.

All in all? I'm a bit disappointed. They took an "original" 400 car with little rust, and turned it into - er, something. Not quite sure what it is now - but it's certainly less "Firebird-like" than it was before.

I will admit - that huge hood "scoop" thingy he originally had on there was rather hideous.

Alright - let's open up that can 'o worms!

paint job looked like Chip got his inspiration from a 71 plymouth cuda. Overall, I liked the car but I also enjoy seeing creative ideas on cars to a point. If you are someone who only likes original parts, equipment, restorations...overhaulin' isn't the show for you. The owner of the firebird could easily add a front spoiler/bumper emblem/rocker mouldings, etc on his own. I personally would love to see my car turn out like that (for free!) then put minimal $$ into modifying it to my tastes after chip did his work. My car is a basket case rust bucket with a 283 chevy lol. "One day, she'll be on the road...pontiac powered".

First thing I gotta say about it is I do not like the paint scheme. I agree with Ashtray that it did not fit the car.

The Rally II's that were on the car to start with looked like they were in excellent condition, but I know Chip only puts his rims on cars.

The seats new were terrible for an older car.

As for the hood, anything would of been better than what he had on their. Did you see how much mud they had to put on the thing to get it straight? (It was the host Steve? that said the hood had functional scoops.)

It is just a shame they took such a nice rust free 400 and did that to it. Their were/ are much better candidates for this kind of resto.

Oh and steve's 67 - nothing is free. I bet that car is going to cost the guy at least 40K in taxes.

And of course, they put a Chevy engine in it!! I only got to see right at the end of the show, so I don't know what it looked like before they did their thing on it, but the glimpse I got, the original car looked better than mine does now. Heck, if he would have come to me, I would have let fix up a real project car!

Actually, I like the show, but not the pranks they pull. Not sure I believe the show isn't scripted. I think his paint looked a little bizarre, but I love the quality of the paint job. Wish I could afford to get a paint job that cost $10k.

Jerry

There were a few things that I would have questioned, like the 69 Camaro console and shifter
(but in only a couple days, where could you find a complete "New" Firebird console and shifter complete?) So I have to give them that one

The paint was well thought out, and he explained where his styling que came from... while I'm not sold on it, perhaps a darker silver/charcoal would have worked better? Not as much in your face contrast?

The motor? At least they pumped it up, and made it something very special. Then I started thinking... ok, just how many Pontiac Engine Builders are out there that will build or donate a built Poncho mill on a regular basis? Ok... well I have to give them that one too.

And yes, the seats they too out were Factory seats... just 1972 Factory Firebird seats.
But, they did go towards the pro touring theme in which these seats do fit. And doing up the rear seats to match makes it all flow (I didn't see the door panels?) But since they matched the sub box... I assume the whole interior follows the whole theme. So again... I have to give em that one too.

If you've ever had the opportunity to see any of these cars up close and personal... they are NICE! MUCH better than I would have thought possible. The attention to detail is outstanding for basically a one week turnaround for the main build. (obviously they do more finish work in the month after the show that they have the car) But I don't think anyone would be disappointed in any way.

Besides... the whole premise of the show is giving the owner a one off custom, in as close to what they would want if they could do it them selves, and beyond.

Brett!

Sorry to come off harsh... it's only b/c I LIKE the show so much, and I have so much respect for Chip Foose - I just held him to a higher standard. And then when they said he used to own a late 60's Firebird, so this build is even more special to him - well, I felt he should have some insight into what makes a Firebird a Firebird.

As for the parts - I don't buy it. They picked the car to work on months before filming. They had time to line up the Pontiac parts, engine, interior, etc etc. The build time is only 1 week - doesn't mean they can't start looking for parts a month beforehand. They ask for a TON of pictures of the car when you submit for a car to be done, so they knew what was inside before they got it. Minor gripes.

As for the engine - ugh, even the valve covers said "Chevrolet" on them!

Taking a step back:
Was the work done high quality? I'm sure it is!
Fit & finish? Excellent.
Custom touches? Check.
Performance? No doubt. (500hp, Baer brakes, etc)
Flawless body work? Most likely.
Flawless paint job? I'm sure.
Would I like to own that car, and enjoy driving it around? You bet!
Would I want something different had my car been overhauled? Yes.
Was my car overhauled? No, so it doesn't really matter what I think!

It would be interesting to find out just what their schedule really is like for producing just one eppisode? I'm sure there are many things they can line up in advance... but I'm sure there are many more that they do have to get with in a few days!

I always wonder if they are able to get the original parts back that are changed out after the show?

Yeah, I'd still do it with any of our cars...
But if any were rare, and original... no, it wouldn't happen.

Brett!
(oh, and Ash, it didn't sound harsh at all... no worries! Hey, did you "local" guys get any gifts from Scott?)

Why worry abour coming off harsh? I could see why you'd be disapointed.

I appreciate Foose's work more than like his work. It's fine craftsmanship, but it seems to be lost in the past, in the graphics of the 80's. I like flash, and it's well known that origional isn't that important to me. But I'm still old school, perfering one color on the car and maybe one more color. After that, the car starts to become busy.

As far as engine selection, we don't know the driving force behind the scene. If it's a cheby dominating force, and the engines are pretty much crate engines, they are going to use chevy engines. UNless of course, an owner absolutly insists on a Pontiac power plant. I might consider an alternative to a poncho powerplant, but if I got wind of Foose possibly overhaulin' my car, I would make it be known that a 455 Pontiac plant under the hood is the only option.

I wouldnt mind them overhauling my car IF I could tell them what to do, an NOT to do.....
like a re build of a Pontiac engine, no "flashy" paint...and you can always switch the rims out...wouldnt mind the non orig seats, radio, dash etc...

Any gifts from Scott? That bat rastard still owes me, uh, wait, what did he borrow from me again? I forget. :p

As for Amervo's comment: "I appreciate Foose's work more than like his work." - you're getting all semantical on us! Took me a few reads to figure out what you were saying (could be the medications I'm on). You've been reading too much legalese at your new job!

As for the final blow - I've been parking my car outside for the past few months, and commenting to my wife whenever we go away for the weekend or whatnot that "the car is still there"... thinking she is going to have it Overhauled for me. Now that they've done a '68 Firebird already though (and I'm no one special, and have no special story) - I guess I should give up on that idea, and start parking the car in the garage again!

Ashtray, be careful what you wish for. That might be the week they put a Honda motor, Honda brakes, Honda Seats, and a shaved Honda grill on your "tuner" inspired front wheel drive 68 Firebird. When interviewed by Chip, all your wife could remember was you wanted your car black... and fast like your neighbors car.