Hi, I'm new. I just bought a 1969 Firebird and I am a chick that knows nothing about cars. My bird needs a lot of TLC. It's got a 400 in it that runs and the interior needs to be redone. The front end is OK, but the floors and trunks are about to fall through. One side has a skin over the quarter panel and the other side needs help. The metal between the tail lights is all chewed up. The windows are cloudy and the car is SPRAY PAINTED black. Aaah! Somebody please help me, I really want to learn how to fix this thing up but I don't know where to start.

I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU LET ME KNOW. YOUJINCHO@PRODIGY.NET

ML It sounds like your first step with the car is to get a job that pays really well because the repairs that you described are going to cost a small fortune. I'm not trying to scare you out of doing them but you should know that these cars are becoming more and more expensive to get parts for everyday. But if you need something this is the place to find it. Good luck.

Robert

It would help to know if you are planning on driving it while your fixing it or are you taking it off the road for a full restoration?

First, you have to decide if your restoration is going to be a daily driver or for strictly show. Obviously,show cars involve alot more time,money,and the know how if you plan on doing most of the work yourself. Than you have to decide if you want the car to be orginal or willing to install some high performance aftermarket parts. Depending on your preference. Either way, I suggest the first step is to find a repair and maint. manual for your specific vehicle. I find them very helpful and they will explain how to fix and repair everthing from changing a tire to rebuilding the engine. Hope this helps a little it is great to see more and more people getting involved in the hobby. Mike

Thanks for your suggestions so far. And to 69firebirdman, thanks, I'm sure I'll have some questions for you soon. Salmon38,I will not be doing a frame off restoration. And I hope it becomes my daily driver.

ML Regal, First thing I would do, is make sure all of the major mechanical things are in good order. First off the brakes, then the electrical, (lights, turn-signals, brake lights etc...) Just check all the basic things that you'll need to opperate the car properly.

Then you can start ordering some catalogs for refernce, and to get familiar with the parts:
http://amesperformance.com/
http://www.classicindustries.com/
http://www.yearone.com/
http://www.npdlink.com/ (have your VIN # handy)
http://performanceyears.com/newsite/index.html
http://www.jegs.com/
http://www.summitracing.com/

Then, I would pick one area at a time to concentrate on, like the interior. No one says you have to restore it completely, just give it a good cleaning, take the front seats out (4 bolts each) and clean the heck out of the interior and you'll feel 100% better about diving into the whole project. One step at a time, and start on the little things that you can accomplish in a resonable amount of time (an evening, a week-end)

And then, little by little you can move up to the more complicated projects. We are all here to help you with questions, and any problems you may run into! Don't be afraid to ask! This IS, something you can do!

Start by cleaning everything up really well, then get into the more mechanical stuff, and then when you learn as you go, you'll know when it's time to have a shop install a new trunk pan, and new floor pans, and a tail panel, and a 1/4 panel etc... and you may even find some of the parts here for a great price!

I say go for it! You can do it!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455! (brett@cisdirect.com)
http://firstgenfirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=129

I know your pain, I got a 67 and was going to make it a dayly driver, now I have done a total rebuild, if you want details of how to start, just e-mail and I will let you know, it's not as bad as you might think. 1st thing is determine the amout of money that you want to put into your bird, from there it makes life eaiser deciding what you want to do.

hendrix3@charter.net

When I first got my 67 I made a list of what I thought or knew that it needed. The list grew faster than I could check things off... At a certain point of taking care of things I finally started to feel like I was getting somewhere.

I agree with Brett. Clean it up as best you can.

Then make a list!

I recently got a 69 and have been asking these guys tons of questions about things so keep your eye on my posts/topics.

Hi ML,
I have a ' 69 also and when I got it I was going to fix the engine and drive it. Well, that was 2 years ago and I still haven't driven the car yet....lol. I started cleaning and went to a frame off. The car had to much potential not to do it right.New floor pans, engine and trans rebuilt,new brgs in rear end.New gas tank and all suspension parts. Everything will be done and documented with pics and PHS literature. Need any help or questions....just ask. Take care and good luck and you can do it with help.

Ray