Above 1200 Sq/FT Blackbyrds Basement

[Blackbyrd]

Now that I have the child wrangled.... I came home to him and our neighbors kids dissassembling his playground tree house ....... with a golf club....

Anyway adulting completed punishments levied accordingly


Now onto the details. 4/5 years ago I got this pontiac display from a lovely women whose farther was a massive Pontiac fan. After he passed they let go of a large chunk of his collection along with a classic GTO. It was a local pickup ebay purchase, showed her pictures of my garage she was so happy it was going to a good home.

Fast forward, I was watching this sign and when I added it to the list it was more a whqtnwould it go for then a planned purchase. Ebay notified me I'd purchased from this user before which I didn't think anything of cause I'd bought a ton of stuff over the years.

So they send me an offer lower then advertised I counter my max offer, they counter and ignore it...... she messages and asks me to consider the offer. I say it's my max and id love to have it cause it would match the previously purchased. She tells me to resubmitt and she will take it. Turns out it was then same person, and she had kept this to remember him by, but it was time to let it go. She said she couldnt explain it but just felt she needed to message me about the offer. So the standing display and this pontiac emblem were from the same dealership in Alabama. The emblem is from the front of the building.

Small world, we spoke for a while on the phone, she laughed a bit and said she teared up a bit when she saw the attached photo. Now I just have to hang it and send photos.

Wanted one of these for a long time, pretty crazy they came from the same family.

Early 40th bday gift for me

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Very cool story and memorabilia for the shop!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks I'm excited to get it up on the wall.... though it may need the fluorescent lights replaced with leds....

Hoping to find time this week to get it on the wall

 

[6SpeedBowtie]

That is an awesome sign, and the story just makes it 10 times better. It's funny how things have a way of working out like that.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

That is an awesome sign, and the story just makes it 10 times better. It's funny how things have a way of working out like that.

Agreed, I think the story makes the whole thing frankly.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Yeah it was kind of a special moment

Now I gotta hang it haha

 

[Blackbyrd]

Took a little longer then planned... but it's on the wall!

Next up is to clean it and potentially rewire the innards. Though as bright as my garage is it being on doesn't make much difference....
If you look real close you will see the t top swap on the 2nd gen is inching forward also

I trimmed more away and got a spot weld drill bit so I can open up some joints a bit and get the back in better spot. I'd say one more good day of work and I'll have it spot welded and ready to check glass. Then it's on to a quarter skin.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Brief hiatus with last weekends road trip and a busy week with after school shenanigans

Made a little more progress on the roof, next up is hitting some spot welds to open up the inner layer a bit and essentially make a lap joint to weld on the inside, and take some.bracing off the A pillars.

Got a wild hair and removed the gas tank and the old exhaust. Car is still surprisingly in good shape despite being 50 years old.

 

[68400BIRD]

Can I borrow that sign. I have a perfect place to hang it in my garage.

 

[Blackbyrd]

It only took me 5/6 years to find that one, next time I find another one Ill send it your way hahahaha @68400BIRD

 

[jbrentd]

Awesome find with that sign! Looks good!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Was sick all last week absolutely miserable, felt like allergies and a headcold together. Our weather has been back and forth between 30's and 70's.

While under the weather though.... I managed to sell quite a few car parts including my old gto wheels and the ls1 5.7 that's been on the stand. Money that will be funneled back into the second gen camaro.... just not sure how yet. I'm considered sending it off to be media blasted once the roof swap and quarter swap are done. Then I can put it in primer and get into the build. With the ls1 gone the 6.2 liter takes its place on the engine stand. With all the old stuff I sold off I have less clutter.... which is making me consider moving somethings around.... we will get there.

For those that asked here is the wife's side of the garage since I mopped the floors....

 

[Blackbyrd]

Work has been beating me up since I last posted, but feeling the need to have a bit of creativity I finished the passenger armrest and door pull bezel. I learned from the first go round that the armrest was a bit much solo so i built a jig. Made the process so much smoother.

fixed some wiring and added some lights to the doorpanel while I was at it....... @zmotorsports got real upset setting on my crappy harbor freight roll stool and day dreamed a bit........

I also finalized a gauge idea I've been stewing on for a while. Got a 3d printed bezel coming to work off of, but this fits the car more then my Stewart Warners I have now

 

[Blackbyrd]

Finished up my interior wrap! Very happy with the change. We will see how it holds up over time, if money was no object..... I'd get them done for real.

I found a local guy to dustless blast the 2nd gen so I need to get on this roof swap. That will really make me feel like I've done something if I can get it in epoxy primer.

I'm learning some additional things I'd like in the shop though. Like another drop down extention cord, table grinder, and I've got an idea for a new shop table instead of my roll around that's not super sturdy to name a few.

I'd also like a pegboard for the far back wall so I could clear up some benchspace......

 

[Blackbyrd]

Well another month has passed but atleast this time I can say I've got some things accomplished.....

The Byrd made it to a cars on coffee on my burthday of all days so that was a lot of fun. Small turn out but lots of compliments on the custom touches so that was nice.

Decided less is more and painted my speaker grills covers black. After wrapping the door panels I liked how much more the red stitching stood out, so I'm taking a but more of the red out. Defrost vents are next just not sure what I'm gonna do yet.

 

[Blackbyrd]

While at the show I found a guy that did powder coating locally. So while I have some spare funds I decided to get my chassisworks subframe out of storage. I stripped the flash rust off and dropped it off. He sent me finished pics that night man has my business for sure. Plus he's a pontiac guy so we have plenty to talk about he has a gorgeous red G8.

On a side note Tennessee now offers a black license plate........ so the Z got one..... firebird will get one in September. Black car with the now blue plates they offer just doesn't work for me.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Last weekend I worked on the roof swap a bit more. I can't take full credit here, one if my good friends has been a body guy since we have known each other (in highschool) and he helped me out here and between the 2 of us we got to this point and I'll call this 80% there. The rear is basically there. I've got a little interior work for the driver side. Unfortunately I figured out a better way on he passenger, so I'll have cut and reshape something on the driver. The outer skin will be cut last and then it will set flush.

A pillars are next, I'll take some of the excess to make a guide post and weld it in to the car and it will leave a shelf for the new roofs a pillars to slip over and support it and also give me wiggle room to adjust to my windows and front glass.

First real progress on this car since I've owned it (2011 I think?)

 

[Blackbyrd]

So a lots happened since my last post mostly 2nd gen related. I test fit the window seals and I'm in good shape with the roof swap. So I pulled it to do some patch and paint on the underside.

This required stripping to bare metal...... meanwhile I finally unloaded the ls1 and spare parts in the shop. Which funded a huge chunk of car parts. I now have a majority of the sheet metal I need as well as a arms upper and lower with spindles with enough left over to powder coat them to match the frame.

 

[Blackbyrd]

I'm hoping though it maybe a stretch. To get the body done and in primer. As well as underside coated and my new frame under it by end of the year.

I've still got to assemble the a arms ball joints and bushings.

Roof patches have been slow going, I dont have quite all the things I need. Up next is epoxy primer and possibly a hammer and dolly set.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Got a bigger dry erase board..... list is too big hahaha.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Got a bigger dry erase board..... list is too big hahaha.

I think that's the reason I haven't put one up...there would be too much anxiety with the large list

 

[Blackbyrd]

@OutlawDrifter ........ yeah I have problems


Then again I've also gone out of my way to get red painters tape for detailing cars.... this isn't that bad

 

[eastmtn]

Got a bigger dry erase board..... list is too big hahaha.

Good call on the whiteboard. I need one too. I've got tons of scrap paper lists in my daily go bag.

 

[zmotorsports]

^^Agree. Good call on the white board, I'm a fan of them myself.

 

[Blackbyrd]

I function off check lists. It's something I picked up from my job. Seems unnecessary at first, but when life gets in the way and things get derailed it's easy to go back to the list.

When you get into a big project like a restoration it's almost a necessity!

Thanks for checking in!

 

[zmotorsports]

I function off check lists. It's something I picked up from my job. Seems unnecessary at first, but when life gets in the way and things get derailed it's easy to go back to the list.

When you get into a big project like a restoration it's almost a necessity!

Thanks for checking in!

You're preachin' to the choir my friend. I have worked off checklists daily for 35+ years and seem to function much better when I have a list and can check things off and visually see those tasks disappear or be completed. Gives a sense of accomplishment and knowing the project is advancing or progressing. I don't work well in chaos or "wingin' it".

 

[Blackbyrd]

So next for me is either some omniwall or other similar product for the back wall above the table to A clear space off the table and B give additional storage for some of the more unique tools and they have an optional shelf piece that would allow for some box storage which I kind of need.

Some more electrical.... so once you make it to the large area where the 71 camaro is, sadly there are only 3 electrical outlets in the entire area, one where the workout equipment is, one in the cubby under the steps (which also need another run through) and the last is the jut out wall that divides the sink and hot water heater. So the back wall and short wall against the driver side of the 71 Camaro has no electrical outlets, yet has the conduit and boxes in place to do it..... not sure why? I really just want the one that is behind the HVAC unit as I could plug in the built in power strip under the large table. So the drill press could be used or any additional items. Really considering the need for a bench top grinder? Feel it would come in handy with some of the things I have going on.

additionally I'm finding my table with the vice is not near sturdy enough for the things I'm working on recently so a better fab table is also on my list, yes I could build one but since I don't have a truck I'm considering just buying one. Lord they aren't cheap.... thanks Covid. Also my OCD, as I like a certain appearance which I know is dumb, but cant escape it unfortunately ...... atleast it leads me to making functional choices instead of things that just look pretty but arent useful (like me hahah). Granted my current work table goes against that thought process. I wasnt sure what I was gonna do with it when I bought it cause I did much smaller work at that time...... hurray scope creep!



I finally got the rattle can of epoxy primer I have been waiting on so I can finish up the under side of the roof patch work and get back on the roof swap....

 

[Blackbyrd]

Patch work and epoxy primer complete on the underside of the roof!

It's ready for final install, so Sunday my buddy thats a body guy is coming to help me wrap the install. Hot rods and car builds are never a solo job right?

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Patch work and epoxy primer complete on the underside of the roof!

It's ready for final install, so Sunday my buddy thats a body guy is coming to help me wrap the install. Hot rods and car builds are never a solo job right?

It's more fun when your buddies are invovled!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Some of my favorite memories and stories come from building the firebird across 2 years. Multiple evenings in a sheet metal building across all the seasons. hilarity ensued

But yeah always more fun with help, and I stand by the statement that having a a buddy help doesn't always make the job faster, but Ill take laughs over efficiency anyday.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Welp she is officially a t top Camaro

 

[Blackbyrd]

So to expand on this a bit more, I was excited cause we worked on it from about 1130-6 yesterday evening.

its essentially tacked in at all for corners but only on the outside for the rear. there is a flap on the inside that makes up the inner quarter skin and structure bewteen the outer and inner skin that needs to be massaged into place to do the inside properly, its prepped and ready just ran out of time. It will be a combination of fill welds and spot welds along the flap as it lays over the roof skins inner structure.

Few patches still to be made on the driver and I think I may be in for a **** show when it comes to the seal lip for the Ttops.....

Fronts are tacked in all 4 sides, but since we used some of the old a pillars to make sleeve guides to line them up with the body, there are a few gaps that will need to be filled in, but will only make the bond stronger as I complete them. all in all though its was a large success and I owe some great thanks (and beer) to a good friend for helping me out. Same friend that made the front bumper for my Firebird. He is an incredibly talented autobody guy who I've known since high school, we even worked together at a dealer ship when I got out of college. He buys into my crazy ideas and helps me make them happen.

anywho quite a bit more welding before I remove my inner bracing and move onto the quarter skin, floor panel and fender patch. The roof swap is the biggest part of the job though, so having it practically completed is a huge win and big step forward...... we are no longer cutting things off the car.... we are repairing hahah.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Finally got my chance to open this up, the old neon was still there but no guts. Someone installed these puck style leds. So took those out and got a led strip to wrap around the innards twice. Light output is awesome, but wish the plug wasn't white haha. Gotta do some re wiring to get a plug moved...... been busy lately

 

[loganb]

Light looks great!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Since I don't have a lift anymore I've been pining over things other than jack stands..... had been eyeballing RaceRamps wheel cribs for a while, but was a bit leary of them. While at a show I got a chance to put my hands on them so I ordered a pair of 12 inches ones. I know at one point in time taking 1x2's and making these was cheaper, but time included in chopping and assembly I decided against it. So this is my first go at using them. 12 inch height is really nice most things were at a perfect length while I drained the diff and eyeballing something ls with NOTHING in my way.

The bad, it was a bit awkward to get the car that high..... tried lifting by the axle with a single but got near verticle with the lift arm. Had to get both Jack's and raise each side.....

Definitely want another pair

 

[Blackbyrd]

Had a productive day, got the outer skins stitch welded and ground down.

Worked on the driver a pillar. It's pretty much done there's a large plate that was on the 78 roof at the bottom of the pillar not present on the 71. I want to put them back on and stitch them to the 71's interior sheet metal. Maybe not necessary but more structure better. Still got the passenger side left but I'm really close to removing the bracing.

 

[HogDude]

Finally got my chance to open this up, the old neon was still there but no guts. Someone installed these puck style leds. So took those out and got a led strip to wrap around the innards twice. Light output is awesome, but wish the plug wasn't white haha. Gotta do some re wiring to get a plug moved...... been busy lately

Always liked the retro stuff but that Pontiac sign is flat out SIC. My dad bought a new 1965 Pontiac LeMans, 326 with 3 speed and counsel.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks @HogDude I wasnt really a fan of the retro pontiac signs the old chief head just doesnt do much for me. Their is an older Pontiac logo id love, but you hardly ever seem them. It was the old Pontiac letters in with a sort of argyle pattern behind and each letter was in a diamond of the pattern, those were cool!

As a whole though I really liked the branding of the 2000's better.

 

[zmotorsports]

Love the Pontiac illuminated sign/wall art. Great job resurrecting it.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Took advantage of a HF coupon to upgrade the welding cart.

I will say HF quality finally got me, one of the drawer slides is backwards so the drawer won't fully extend.... yet.....