For my fellow bored desk-jockeys out there looking for a diversion...

I was thinking the other day about how many reproduction restoration parts are available these days, and wondered how accurately someone could reproduce a 69 TransAm with ONLY new parts.
What do you think? I think it could be done to at least 90%. Of course, it would never fool a collector and would have no Pontiac part numbers, but to the naked eye it would look very much the same as a real '69....
Consider this, the body, block, heads, exhaust, interior, RA components, and various trim pieces are all available.
Granted, the block and heads are aluminum, but they are Pontiac molds and can be painted blue.
Here's what I came up that is NOT available:

-intake manifold and Quadrajet, although Edelbrock would function fine.
-Rear end case
-Trans- no new Muncies, but does anybody make an all-new TH400?
-Seat frames, although I bet they could be fabricated by a welder
-Delco radio, but Custom Audiosound would fit in the dash.

So, what am I missing- what else is NOT available new?

radiator gusset plates ....
the metal hood?

metal hood.... hmmmm.... would still look the same... Or, we could change the game to build a 69 RAIV bird.....

The intake manifold IS available as a reproduction part, and there is an all-new Muncie available, too.

Cool!
for those keeping score, the updated list:

-the Quadrajet, although an Edelbrock would function fine.
-Rear end case
-Radiator gusset plates
-Seat frames, although I bet they could be fabricated by a welder
-Delco radio, but Custom Audiosound would fit in the dash.

Vin plate, not available. Lower valance baffle, not available. Rear bumper brackets, not available.

'69 air dam
Seat frames are available.

Post deleted by Yellowbird

isn't the air dam and lower baffle the same thing?
Seat frames- I know the front springs are available but does that include the whole frame? and what about the rear seat frame?
rear bumper bracket- noted...
VIN/part numbers not part of the game (making this up as I go along)
I still think it will be a pretty short list... we'll see....

Front seat frames are available. Haven't seen rear seats and probably won't as they are readily available.

They make completely new muncies try :
http://www.autogear.net/muncieproducts.htm

i spoke with them this fall about them making a 4speed for my 69 but i am going to go to an automatic instead.I'd be curious to see if you build a compelte car.Heck,mine is almost completely comprised of Goodmark sheetmetal and the interior is all brand new peices minus a few peices,the engine is all new minus the block,the rear end is soon to be an all new peice and the trans is almost completly built from new stuff.I think it could be done if not complete i bet 90%.

Jeremy Wyborney
http://firstgenfirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=790

no way I'd actually build it! I'd bet it would cost ~$50k in labor and $50k in parts. It would be cool to see one of the major magazines try it to see if it can be done. They could probably sell it for break-even, if it could be registered. It would make quite a conversation piece. I still think 90% of it would "match", with the other 10% being functional replacements, like the Edelbrock carb.

Things that make ya say hmmmm

for those keeping score, the updated list:

-the Quadrajet, although an Edelbrock would function fine.
-Rear end case
-Radiator gusset plates
-Rear Seat frames, although I bet they could be fabricated by a welder
-Delco radio, but Custom Audiosound would fit in the dash.
-Lower air dam
-rear bumper brackets

is that it??? come on, y'all can do better!!

how about the cocktail shakers?
assuming were building a convertible ,and OF COURSE we are!?

We should focus on the coupe, then branch out later Bjorn.

Whats the dollar talley at the moment Z? Is the complete 69 front nose available?

$50,000 is probably being conservative. With the parts I've got & have committed myself to I'm @ $3000 + with a ways to go & most of the car is already there. Some of you would know better than me because yours are done.(if there's any such thing)

you could spend $50k easy in parts, the labor i think you could save on like do the bodywork yourself,sheetmetal work,assembling the vehicle,engine and drivetrain,brakes,interior,etc.only farm out things you cant handle like plating which you can even do some of this yourself,they have kits available which work great.this is what i did and i saved a boat load on labor(only wish i could have done so on parts).I think this could be done,actually after we finished my 69 this summer,my father in law actually talked about if this could be possible with all the stuff thats coming out for the camaro.

Jeremy Wyborney
http://firstgenfirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=790

I think there are a bunch of nose frame pieces that are not being reproed. You are going to need to make a nose out of styro foam and glue it on with epoxy glue.

the tail panel is coming out and the plastic dash is out.in 8 months the steel hood will be out

lol! It's one thing to take a little "diversion" at work, its a whole other thing to take the day adding up 1,000 pieces of Firebird- don't think the company would like that!! I just guessed $50k off the top of my head- $15k for the body, $15k for the engine, $5k for the interior, etc, etc....
...I didn't think about the nose- I had '68 in mind...
...anyway, consider what we've come up with here- a fairly short list of relatively obscure items that are NOT reproduced, while everything else needed to build a brand new 40 year old car is readily available! If I were a gazillionaire I'd give it a try- but I'm not...yet.
I think this would make a great project for HPP. I'd bet that if you parked the final result next to a "real" 69, the average layperson would not be able to tell them apart.

I know I just saw a recent ad or website touting the repro '69 hood. Can't remember if it was traditional or possibly a special T/A product.

I jokingly asked my wife if I could build one (there's NO way I'd have the $) & she said that's a divorcable offence. That's what I get from someone who's favorite car is a Mushtang! LOL

James, I'm not too critical when it comes to spelling, and maybe I'm wrong, but I think the correct spelling is Mustank. Could be wrong and have been wrong before. For instance, I was wrong one time in 72. I thought I was wrong, but I was right.

"in 8 months the steel hood will be out"

Terry: Are you serious?!

Another non-repro'd part is the square bird medalion for the T/A type steering wheel.

Merv, if I'm not mistaken I believe there were several models of those Ferds made, just like our Birds, therefor we are probably both right!

I always thought the correct spelling was "rustang"

See, another model! Sorry about the hijacking, guys. This is a good topic. They're my favorite car ever & unobtainable, to me anyways.

There HAS been a great deal of hijacking of Subject Threads going on these past few months. Luckily the original posters have kept their cool it seems. I'll gladly refresh us all on proper protocol. This is pretty simple.

Proper polite rules are (inhale):

1 - If you replied on a thread and your reply took the subject OFF the original posters subject for more than 3-4 replies - STOP your posts and politely start a new thread (and point interested parties in that direction).

2 - If the original poster replies to your off-subject post in a POSITIVE mannner, then he/she assumes responsibility - and you do NOT need to start a new thread.

3 - If you replied to a post from a poster that took the subject OFF the original poster subject, you are obligated to point this out to the poster who took the subject off the original, and SUGGEST that he/she start a new thread as pointed out in Rule #2 above. You are of course expected to follow him/her to the new thread and avoid further CLUTTER postings on the original thread.

So, as you can all see, we ALL play a role in keeping the original post protected and focused. If you are confused, just stick with Rule #1. As a matter of fact, I'll abide by the rules here and post a new thread with this thought process.