Rusty Bowtie
Miscellaneous => Interesting Internet Finds Chevy-Ford-MOPAR Cars/Parts/Other => Topic started by: 28chevyguy on September 26, 2019, 08:34:41 AM
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So I found a 71 Firebird Formula 455 , numbers matching car sitting on the side of a guys house. 42 K miles , car looks good but has been sitting out side for at least 10 years, was garaged before that at his dads and they "lost" the storage.
The car is supposedly 1 of 350 , 455 formulas made that year. Motor had marvel mystery oil added before being stored
Tires are flat and floors are rusty pretty sure but the car is sunk down and I cant really see the undercarraige, the areas of the frame rails that I COULD reach seem there, trunk floor is there, rockers look good... car looks good but I know at least the floors are bad... not sure the whole undercarriage might need a ton of work. I can get the car between 4 - 5 grand … might have to act quick there is another guy trying to get it . Isnt this car worth a lot more than 5 grand because of what it is ????
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Man I would think if the motor was free, no exterior rust and if you could get it for under $5k it would be a good buy. Those Formulas w/455 have really gone up in price the last 5-7yrs.
When I bought my '70 Formula 400, it had the motor locked from sitting. Brakefluid and ATF 50/50 mix and a 2week soak I got it free, put plugs back in and fired up.(smoked like a skeeter fogger till it burned clean) Ran like a scalded dog, never smoked or used any oil after.
I just ran across my Unicorn yesterday. '70 Camaro possible Z/28-RS option. Man if I had the cash, I would be gone now picking it up.
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Wow both of these cars are very desirable. Let us know how it goes.
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4-5 grand doesn't seem like a lot of money in today's market, of course you saw the car, so you know the condition. You know if you get it you have the skills ;).........................Buy it!!
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Found this link:
https://www.bandittransamclub.com/Speed%20Demon%20Firebird%20TA%20Buyer's%20Guide.htm
Might help with 2nd generation F Body areas of concern
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Got the car !! Starting to clean it up today , lots of crap inside and out but over all im very impressed … trying to figure out how to clean the ULTRA STICKY Steering wheel If that's the worst of my problems for the day Im doing good . I guess I heard wd-40 can clean it down but its BAD. Car needs a couple little patches here and there but over all way way cleaner undercarriage than I expected . It was impossible to see 75% of the underneath being sunk down a bit , you gotta take a chance in life sometimes.
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Cool man. Glad you ended up with it and that it's better than expected. Post up some pics when you get a chance.
Oh, if you have a bottle of wax & grease remover, it works good on cleaning that nasty sticky crap off the steering wheel. That 72-3 up original 4 spoke Camaro/Chevelle steering wheel was really bad about that sticky crap when it sat for a while.
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Thanks sammons , will get some pics later today of this beast . I think I have a bottle of wax or tar remover somewhere , try to get it best I can then throw a cover on it for now … turns your hand black instantly and don't come off easily haha
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Glad you got it! Looking forward to seeing some pics ;D
Tom
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Congratulations 28chevyguy! Don't forget, lots of pictures! Good luck!!
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pics of the new junk mobile
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put your mask on, you made out like a bandit.
mike.............HAIRBALL
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thanks for all the kind words ! Almost got her started , cleaned out the fuel tank and lines, pulled fuel up to the pump manually but cant get the pump to deliver to the carb yet. not sure if pump is bad or the pump cam is toast on the motor , worst case I'll hook up an electric In line to get it moving around . runs when you pour gas down the carb which is awesome !! All the electrical seems good , battery has been installed for 5 days now and isn't drained yet !!!
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figure fuel pump is toast........take it out and test it . Electric pump can easily overpower the floats is you do not have a regulator set to 5 or less. New Fuel pumps mechanical are fair cheap.
mike......................HAIRBALL
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Nice ride!
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You lucky dog!!!!!!!!
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Boy you came out very well on that Bird! Looks like a great keeper or money maker.
Brother just picked up a '73 LT/RS. It went in for a paint job 20 some yrs ago and the guy had to pull it out of bodyshop jail. Been sitting ever since.
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Around here we call it TURD ROW , where a car gets pushed to the sidelines in a body shop , as everything else takes precedence over your car.
Problem soon becomes time and it just sits there , the more the body shop looks at it , the LESS THEY WANT TO TOUCH IT.
Best thing when that starts happening is quickly remove the car and find another place and they start same nonsense, take it out right away.
Yesterday I went over to tool and die shop full of CNC machines and retrieved my 1/4" thick aluminum firewall panel for my 35 touring and a pair of samples of Wilwood/jaguar disc brake caliper adaptors I wanted 25 pair of made. Basically ran into the TURD ROW with firewall and calipers adaptors just sitting there for 4 weeks.
Enough bye bye clowns.
Will do it myself starting with Forstner bit, large drill bit and a zip cutter to cut long slots in the aluminum , all the way thru for different look. Will put thin brass sheet on back side instead of the milled slots 1/8" deep.
mike lynch...........HAIRBALL