1972 Firebird - “My 72”

[roadking77]

Looks really nice Jim, I too started working on my interior a couple of weeks ago, about the same time you started. My car still looks the same though 

[737driver]

Here are som pics of the console. I really like this console because it has cup holders. I used a similar one on my 79 TransAm. I got this from NPD and I believe it is designed to fit first Gen Firebirds without a console. It mounts and fits quite well on the Second Gen cars. I made an opening for the power window switch and the switch mounts similar to stock.
Jim

[Jack]

The console and shifter combo looks great, I wonder how it would look with an auto trans?

[roadking77]

Is that relay block something you bought or made up? Looks nice.

[737driver]

It is a relay block that was made using the schematic that was on TAC before the crash. It would work with an automatic console as well. I made it with the smallest footprint so I would work with a stock console automatic or manual.
Jim

[roadking77]

Youre gonna have to bear with me a bit, as I can get a little dense when it comes to electronics, but where did you source the base plate and the screw in connector thingy?  I have the same relay in my 77 but its nowhere near that neat.

[737driver]

CE auto Electric supply has all the stuff you need. If you give them a call , Tony Candela Is the owner and he is quite helpful. He actually built this prototype. We talked and emailed a bit about it , but he put the pieces together and sent it to me. The only change I made was simply minor reposition to make it a bit more compact.
Jim

[737driver]

I finally got the door panels installed and to be honest it was a bit more work than I expected. I used PUI door panels and although they look very good, the holes for the retainers aren’t even close to the original. It took some time doing trial and fitment but finally got them in place.
I used OER lower door panels as well as the inner door handles. Although they look identical to the factory pieces the fitment was just okay. The inner door handles had to be reworked with some filing in order to get full motion to open the doors. The lower door panels fit okay, but again I needed the modify them a little. The stock mounting style with push pins really wasn’t working well so I used interior finish trim screws which worked out well.  All in all , the repop stuff does work and look good, but it isn’t always an exact fit.
I also installed the steering wheel which was a leather wrapped one from Sue Sarfinski. Other people have used her before and she and her husband do a great job on the steering wheels. I got this one done with the extra padding which I believe is correct for 72 and prior steering wheels.
Really all I have left is the two front seats to install and I hoping to have that done over the next few days.

Jim

[5th T/A]

Looking great Jim,

You are so close to completion and must be beyond excitement.

Sorry the door panels were such a pain. I have only purchased a few small reproduction parts for my car, they all were close but not exact.

[roadking77]

Does look really nice.

[ryeguy2006a]

Those gauges look amazing!

[737driver]

I’ve got the interior pretty much finished up. I reassembled the seats and installed them as well as the seat belts. I put the “RAM AIR” decals on the hood and that was easy enough , I took the measurements from the 72 Firebird Assembly Manual.
I also charged the AC and I couldn’t have been happier with the results. The Vintage Air System works exceptionally well!
So now I have a few more things to do, I need to get the front and rear window glass installed, and I need to get an alignment done as well. Once those things are addressed then it will be drive time!

[737driver]

Last  week I got the windshield and front glass installed. I got a it from Auto City Glass. I used a local company to install them and it fit excellent. I also installed the wipers and window trim. The original trim was in pretty decent shape and it fit black in place pretty good. If you are looking for good replacement glass then Auto City glass is a good choice. I got the tinted glass and it fits every bit as good as the originals.
Jim

[737driver]

Today, I took my 72 Firebird out for its first drive on the road. Yesterday I had the alignment done and my alignment shop did a great job. It’s a small business but the guy does a great job especially on older cars.

The first highway drive turned out quite well. No major issues or problems. I drove it for about an hour and took a short drive to Boulder City. All in all , I put about 42 miles on it. The one thing I was anxious to see is the 5 speed transmission. I got to say I love having the overdrive. I was going just about over 70mph at 1900 rpm. First through fourth gear felt just like my 79 Transmission with a 4 speed. The 5th gear with a .64 overdrive really does well with the 3:23 ratio on the axle.

There are only a few very minor things I have to address and I will take it out for some more driving.

Jim

[Nexus]

WOW!!!!!!

It looks amazing!!

[roadking77]

Jim, another Great Job!  Absolutely stunning.  I guess youre ready to work on the 77 now. I think the count is up to about 3 cars you have finished whilst I am still toiling away at my 79   I think I need to get you into my shop for about a week.

Good to hear on the Auto City glass. I am about to order a new windshield from them for my 79. Unfortunately they dont have antennae delete in stock. And I dont know if it was bs or not but the guy told me the 2nd gens are in short supply and will be going of stock soon!  They were at Hershey and the price was $120 for the windshield. I had no way to carry it back to my truck that was parked a couple of miles away. Such a shame now I will have to pay the price plus shipping.

[kentucky yeti]

Congratulations!  What a dream car!!!  I absolutely love what you have accomplished.  OK- maybe I'm a bit jealous of that '72    Well done and well-deserved!

[Y88 TA]

That Firebird is a real head turner. Way to go!

[5th T/A]

Congratulations on an outstanding job Jim!

Honestly I am a big fan of maintaining a stock or near stock appearance. I think your modifications have been very tastefully done. Many of the changes are subtle and improve on what the factory did fifty years ago. This car is certainly worthy of a magazine article and calendar picture if you were into to that sort of thing.

I am looking forward to hearing about how it drives. If you could drive an unmodified car and compare it to yours.

[737driver]

Thanks for all the replies! The car really drove well and I was really happy overall. I still have some shakedown drives ahead, but so far I am quite optimistic. One thing I had to do was make a retaking clamp/ mount for the parking brake cable in the rear wheel area. The parking brake cable which mounts to the rear brakes was very close to the rear wheel. I fabricated a simple bracket to fix that issue.



The one thing I feel in love with was the TKO600 5 speed transmission. I really liked cruising in the mid 70’s and turning 1900/2000 rpm. The upshift and downshift, was great. If needed to pass on the highway, dropping it into 4th gear made for a great passing gear.

There still may be a few things I’ll have to do,  it that comes with any restoration.

Jim

[MNBob]

I got to say I love having the overdrive. I was going just about over 70mph at 1900 rpm. First through fourth gear felt just like my
79 Transmission with a 4 speed. The 5th gear with a .64 overdrive really does well with the 3:23 ratio on the axle.

Not surprisingly, 1900 is exactly what I am getting with the same equipment.  I don't want to change a thing.

Car looks fantastic.  The paint is really deep looking and the formy hood and the honeycombs make it look period correct.  The interior looks nice and clean and I think the door panels are fine.

Congratulations!

[Jack]

Congrats Jim, what everyone else said. Just stunning.