Ben\’s 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 Rod & Restoration

I’m trying to get my head straight on what I need to do the the bird, versus what I want to do to it. Otherwise, I’d go nuts, go broke, and probably go into a ditch. When I bought the car, it had a bunch of extra parts that came with it, since the previous owner was in the middle of a nice restoration when he got another car and lost interest. The engine and interior were both nice, and a lot of the tough work had been done, new headliner, new door vinyl, new carb and spark wires and a lot of other things, but you could tell he stopped working on it and it sat outside for about a year. Little things, like rusty sparks and bald tires – simple and easy maintenance stuff, just neglected. Not bad, just needing attention.

I figure since I just dumped a bunch of moo-lah into the damn thing, I’d ease back on the hammers a little bit and do the stuff that he had planned and had parts for. Most importantly and number 1 on the list is the ball joints, front springs, and just about everything in the steering that needs redone. I don’t have the tools and stuff to do it, so I’m going to have to take it in, I think. But, since the final plan for the car is black/grey paint with red badges and accents, I think tonight I’ll hit the hardware store and pick up some red rustoleum spray paint and give the springs a good rust proofing and paint. Simple shit. I doubt I’ll be able to get the car in the shop until next weekend, since I have to go to an out-of-town wedding on Saturday, and won’t be home until Sunday afternoon. In the meantime, I guess I’ll look through my catalogs and drool. I could, however, do the brakes on Sunday if I’ve got the time.

I think #2 on the list is going to have to be the door locks/handles. Right now, to get out of the driver’s side, you have to reach through the window and open it from the outside. Classy. On top of that, there’s no key for the door locks, and even if there were, the lock mechanisms are either bent up, rusty or both. This would be why I don’t really want to park it in public right now. Also, if I’m going to be redoing all of this, I want to do it modern, with a remote entry keychain and power locks.

Now, after talking to my friend Roy, he thought I should shave off the handles and do a remote door popper and all this stuff that I had to look up. I’m thinking that’s a LOT of extra work, and if it gets fudged up, I’m permanently locked out of my car. I’m not that hot of a technician, so after a little research, I think I’m going to go with one of these sets, at around $100. Not bad.

A1 Electric – 2 Door Power Door & Keyless Entry Kit

JCorp – SPAL AS80 Remote Entry System w/ 2-Door Power Lock Kit

I don’t think I’ll be getting around to this for a while, since I’m going to try to keep the priorities in order; get the steering done and paid for, before buying the next big thing.

The next few things (not in any particular order) which I need to look into doing are tires and/or wheels, deck lid, spoiler and front bumper (which came with it), floor shifter & center console (which I have, but might sell since I think it’s ugly), seat covers & interior, radio & sound system, windshield wipers & motor, a/c unit, heat and sound guards for interior, front spoiler & valance bodywork (including busted front blinkers), and I’m sure there’s a pile of other things I don’t even know about yet.

Lesson #3 – This hobby is expensive.