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Post by the light works on Feb 3, 2017 15:19:25 GMT
Dem's Pretty wheels you got there, and look just about right. I have questions... Is this a true restoration or Resto-Mod?... How much is being "Updated". I know for sure coil-over are better than leaf springs, I know that double-A-Frame suspension gives one hell of a better handling than other types, but I dont know what is true under the original Trans-Am enough to know from what you are picturing what you got there, and what you may have changed... Are you doing some updates, better brakes for instance?.. I note that you have leaf springs to rear, I think, from that last picture, have they been "restored" or replaced?.. I am just interested is all. I just watched someone do a complete frame re-build on a "classic" 30/40's truck, the thing was trash underneath, so all they kept was the body, the body looks good, but underneath is all new 2017 technology, it goes like stink, and is a perfect "Sleeper", I know you aint doing that, but that kind of stuff fascinates me. Its also better for me to be watching that than some other junk you get on TV these days?.. I am keeping as much original as possible. Original Pontiac 400 engine rebuilt with better pistons and a high lift cam. Suspension and brakes original I did the same sort of thing when I did my Jeep. it is pretty cheap to convert them to a chevy 350, and you can tweak EVERYthing on a 350, but I wanted to keep it with AMC parts. |
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Post by oscardeuce on Feb 7, 2017 3:06:36 GMT
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Post by the light works on Feb 7, 2017 14:36:23 GMT
good progress.
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Post by GTCGreg on Feb 7, 2017 15:22:27 GMT
When do we get to go for a ride?
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Post by silverdragon on Feb 9, 2017 9:55:13 GMT
Question, the lift-our roof, where does that get stored?..
I am presuming the boot [Trunk?..U$A?..]
What if the boot is full, can they go behind the seats?.
Just for information is all.
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Post by the light works on Feb 9, 2017 10:02:20 GMT
Question, the lift-our roof, where does that get stored?.. I am presuming the boot [Trunk?..U$A?..] What if the boot is full, can they go behind the seats?. Just for information is all. as I recall, most cars with lift out roof sections had a specific place to put it. |
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Post by oscardeuce on Feb 11, 2017 2:07:17 GMT
They go in protective bags in the trunk
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Post by silverdragon on Feb 11, 2017 10:56:42 GMT
They go in protective bags in the trunk This I didnt know... they provide you with bags, [possibly padded ones?..] to protect them in the trunk?.. now thats a good idea. Especially if they have retaining clips to keep them from rattling about. I have never driven a lift-out roof car. Soft tops and convertibles, in UK?.. your having a laugh aint you?.. not really for all year use, maybe one or two days a year?.. But those few sports cars that dont have roofs in the first place [think AC Cobra.... or Ariel Atom...] LOADS of laughs on a good day, thats how you go roofless.... And much more fun on a track that you can ever believe. If you have the weather, then yes, when the roof comes down the price goes up, and the smiles increase per mile. Thats the old way of the true joy of motoring, and why Bikers love open air. The problem I have encountered is the age old problem of lack of stability in the frame of cars that were converted from hard-top to Soft-top... the roof was an integral part of the frame. The cars frame has to be strengthened, and it often doesnt work, especially in monocock frames. But from those built from the ground up to be roofless, they can either build in a little flexibility or build a solid frame. With the Firebird, because there is still part of the roof in place in the centre, its got around all that. That roof want an afterthought either, it was designed that way. |
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Post by the light works on Feb 11, 2017 15:12:05 GMT
They go in protective bags in the trunk This I didnt know... they provide you with bags, [possibly padded ones?..] to protect them in the trunk?.. now thats a good idea. Especially if they have retaining clips to keep them from rattling about. I have never driven a lift-out roof car. Soft tops and convertibles, in UK?.. your having a laugh aint you?.. not really for all year use, maybe one or two days a year?.. But those few sports cars that dont have roofs in the first place [think AC Cobra.... or Ariel Atom...] LOADS of laughs on a good day, thats how you go roofless.... And much more fun on a track that you can ever believe. If you have the weather, then yes, when the roof comes down the price goes up, and the smiles increase per mile. Thats the old way of the true joy of motoring, and why Bikers love open air. The problem I have encountered is the age old problem of lack of stability in the frame of cars that were converted from hard-top to Soft-top... the roof was an integral part of the frame. The cars frame has to be strengthened, and it often doesnt work, especially in monocock frames. But from those built from the ground up to be roofless, they can either build in a little flexibility or build a solid frame. With the Firebird, because there is still part of the roof in place in the centre, its got around all that. That roof want an afterthought either, it was designed that way. it is also old enough to be a chassis on frame design. |
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Post by oscardeuce on Feb 12, 2017 1:44:05 GMT
There were 2 t top roof designs. The first was the Hurst. They basically took coupe cars off the line, cut the roof out and installed trim and glass. They leaked bad. The Fisher body t tops were designed for installation during assembly and a much better and reinforced design. My car is a 77 and really should have the Hurst but I could not find one I know a bit about British convertibles as I also own this 1957 Triumph TR-3  |
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Post by silverdragon on Feb 13, 2017 9:51:23 GMT
There were 2 t top roof designs. The first was the Hurst. They basically took coupe cars off the line, cut the roof out and installed trim and glass. They leaked bad. The Fisher body t tops were designed for installation during assembly and a much better and reinforced design. My car is a 77 and really should have the Hurst but I could not find one I know a bit about British convertibles as I also own this 1958 Triumph TR-3
Do you find that a bit "skittish" on corners?... |
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Post by oscardeuce on Feb 13, 2017 17:35:33 GMT
This I didnt know... they provide you with bags, [possibly padded ones?..] to protect them in the trunk?.. now thats a good idea. Especially if they have retaining clips to keep them from rattling about. I have never driven a lift-out roof car. Soft tops and convertibles, in UK?.. your having a laugh aint you?.. not really for all year use, maybe one or two days a year?.. But those few sports cars that dont have roofs in the first place [think AC Cobra.... or Ariel Atom...] LOADS of laughs on a good day, thats how you go roofless.... And much more fun on a track that you can ever believe. If you have the weather, then yes, when the roof comes down the price goes up, and the smiles increase per mile. Thats the old way of the true joy of motoring, and why Bikers love open air. The problem I have encountered is the age old problem of lack of stability in the frame of cars that were converted from hard-top to Soft-top... the roof was an integral part of the frame. The cars frame has to be strengthened, and it often doesnt work, especially in monocock frames. But from those built from the ground up to be roofless, they can either build in a little flexibility or build a solid frame. With the Firebird, because there is still part of the roof in place in the centre, its got around all that. That roof want an afterthought either, it was designed that way. it is also old enough to be a chassis on frame design. Not a full frame for the Trans Am. Unibody in the back and sub frame under the engine. |
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Post by oscardeuce on Feb 13, 2017 17:36:56 GMT
There were 2 t top roof designs. The first was the Hurst. They basically took coupe cars off the line, cut the roof out and installed trim and glass. They leaked bad. The Fisher body t tops were designed for installation during assembly and a much better and reinforced design. My car is a 77 and really should have the Hurst but I could not find one I know a bit about British convertibles as I also own this 1958 Triumph TR-3
Do you find that a bit "skittish" on corners?... Not really. |
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Post by silverdragon on Feb 14, 2017 7:40:12 GMT
Do you find that a bit "skittish" on corners?... Not really. Hmm.. perhaps you dont push it as hard as I did then?..  Or perhaps you dont get roads as "twiddly" as we do around here. |
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Post by oscardeuce on Feb 14, 2017 10:10:10 GMT
The car has been in my family 50 years in July.
It is almost 60 years old so I do not push too hard.
Plan to replace the suspension over time.
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Post by silverdragon on Feb 15, 2017 8:39:25 GMT
The car has been in my family 50 years in July. It is almost 60 years old so I do not push too hard. Plan to replace the suspension over time. My initial thoughts, "That car is nearly as old as me, and I have been in my family that long as well, but they still push me that hard?.. " The one I got to drive a few years ago was restored and looked after, but the owner was devout "Drive it like it was meant to be" owner, he had the thoughts that whats the use of owning a car if it is never driven, and absolutely hates those "Collectors" that never ever drive the cars at all. But I dont think bad of anyone for driving "Carefully", in fact the opposite, because if its not a track, wind your neck in a shade and behave?.. Its just I met the car at a track day, the owner being a friend let me have a drive. |
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Post by the light works on Feb 15, 2017 14:56:28 GMT
The car has been in my family 50 years in July. It is almost 60 years old so I do not push too hard. Plan to replace the suspension over time. My initial thoughts, "That car is nearly as old as me, and I have been in my family that long as well, but they still push me that hard?.. " The one I got to drive a few years ago was restored and looked after, but the owner was devout "Drive it like it was meant to be" owner, he had the thoughts that whats the use of owning a car if it is never driven, and absolutely hates those "Collectors" that never ever drive the cars at all. But I dont think bad of anyone for driving "Carefully", in fact the opposite, because if its not a track, wind your neck in a shade and behave?.. Its just I met the car at a track day, the owner being a friend let me have a drive. on a car of that age, I always have the thought of "don't break something that can't be fixed" but at the same time, proper maintenance requires you blow the creosote out of it once in a while. addendum: to clarify the point: last time I had my jeep in to the mechanic, he told me it was time to start keeping the wheels on the ground, because it was cracking the frame when it landed. |
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Post by GTCGreg on Feb 15, 2017 19:01:33 GMT
My initial thoughts, "That car is nearly as old as me, and I have been in my family that long as well, but they still push me that hard?.. " The one I got to drive a few years ago was restored and looked after, but the owner was devout "Drive it like it was meant to be" owner, he had the thoughts that whats the use of owning a car if it is never driven, and absolutely hates those "Collectors" that never ever drive the cars at all. But I dont think bad of anyone for driving "Carefully", in fact the opposite, because if its not a track, wind your neck in a shade and behave?.. Its just I met the car at a track day, the owner being a friend let me have a drive. on a car of that age, I always have the thought of "don't break something that can't be fixed" but at the same time, proper maintenance requires you blow the creosote out of it once in a while. addendum: to clarify the point: last time I had my jeep in to the mechanic, he told me it was time to start keeping the wheels on the ground, because it was cracking the frame when it landed. But Jeeps don't like to keep their wheels on the ground. Not more than one at a time. And at least Jeeps have a frame to crack, unlike most cars built today. |
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Post by the light works on Feb 15, 2017 19:13:35 GMT
on a car of that age, I always have the thought of "don't break something that can't be fixed" but at the same time, proper maintenance requires you blow the creosote out of it once in a while. addendum: to clarify the point: last time I had my jeep in to the mechanic, he told me it was time to start keeping the wheels on the ground, because it was cracking the frame when it landed. But Jeeps don't like to keep their wheels on the ground. Not more than one at a time. And at least Jeeps have a frame to crack, unlike most cars built today. but the big ones aren't made to fly. |
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Post by GTCGreg on Feb 15, 2017 19:53:51 GMT
But Jeeps don't like to keep their wheels on the ground. Not more than one at a time. And at least Jeeps have a frame to crack, unlike most cars built today. but the big ones aren't made to fly. No, they are not. I'm still not 100% convinced they are really Jeeps. |
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