Vehicle Owner

Member ID: Retrobird

Location: San Diego, CA

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Vehicle Info

1968 Pontiac Firebird

Bragging Rights

  • 1/4 Mile0 sec @ -1 mph
  • 0-600sec
  • Top Speed-1mph
  • HP-1
  • Weight-1lbs

Major Upgrades

  • turbo
  • nitrous
  • bore increase
  • port and polish
  • supercharger
  • extrude honed
  • stroke increase
  • engine swap

Modifications

Performance Parts

Car Audio & Video

Ratings

    • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Sep 28, 2009

Hits: 6,639

Ron’s Pontiac Firebird

  • Currently 3.9076923076923 /5 Stars.
19 guestbook comments

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac FirebirdRetroRetrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebirdbird

This is my 68 'bird. I plan on turning it in to a 70's era hot rod. It looked OK when I got it. But, it had 3 coats of paint topped off with an authentic Earl Schieb paint job. So, she gets the full treatment.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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The non matching 400 in it was sold to a Bonneville racer, who will use it to test frames. A fully built 455 will fill this void soon.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Here is the future.
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Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


It's a 455 from a 77 Grandville.

Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads
.040 over KB Premium Pistons
10.5 to 1 Compression
Comp Cams Xtreme Energy Camshaft
Harland Sharp Aluminum Rocker Arms
Edelbrock Victor Aluminum High Rise Manifold
Road Demon 725 Carburator
Hedman Ceramic Coated Racing Headers
Flo Master Exaust System
Holley 12-125 Fuel Pump
Morosso Alumimun Water Pump
MSD Distributer
MSD AL/6 Ignition
Turbo 400 transmission w/ shift kit
B/M Shifter 
Eaton Posi-traction 10-bolt 3.43 to 1 Rear End

I'm looking at a very streetable 450+ HP and even higher torque numbers. A 150 shot of nitrous and we're talking 600 HP...

The intake manifold and valve covers have been powder coated the same color as the Hedman ceramic headers. Aluminum water pump and heads have been left as is and the alternator has been polished. This will look sharp in the black semi-gloss engine bay. The car will be painted Victory Red.

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Pacific Bay Collision Center in San Diego is doing the paint and bodywork. They have been great to work with.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

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A poorly repaired back end of the car was fixed before replacing the trunk pan.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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The replacement pan did not have the extra space for rearend to bottom out in. So, it was left in and the replacement pan was trimmed to leave the orignal space.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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The Bird sported a hi-rise manifold and tunnel Ram. But the original hood is going back on. Massive torque and horsepower under the hood is cool.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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It wouldn't be a 70's era hot rod with out some bondo. I'll be keeping the original fenders, since they have very little rust and will be redoing the bondo.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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The standard black interior will be converted to the deluxe interior in parchment.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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I'll be adding updates later...

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Update 11-22-05

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The new passenger floor pan is set in place. The seat supports are being kept.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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The passenger side has been welded and off comes the driver's side floor pan. Notice the big bump in the floor.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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The finished floor(covered with sanding dust).
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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Rodney(In the center of the picture, caressing the bird) has been doing most of the work so far. But, the whole crew is getting into the act.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Annie
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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The new trunk deck.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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Update 12-22-05
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Here's the sub frame. It has been straightened and has been left in place while the floor was fitted. It will come off for new polyurethene bushings later.
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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Being a California car meant, I could keep the original doors, hood, fenders and do minimal work on the roof. However, my good fortunes ran out when we got to the rear quarter panels. The passenger side will be getting a new quarter panel skin.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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The naked quarter panel skin.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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This whole can of debries came from inside the passenger quarter panel
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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This car may of had some work done on it down in TJ. This wad of newspaper was found as backing for the bondo inside the passenger quarter panel.
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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The driver's side quarter panel will have to be replaced entirely, to correct a poor previous repair job and rust on the bottom.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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1-22-06
Here's the driver's side full quarter panel. I got it from a guy in Santa Ana in about 2 weeks. This was one of the few parts I couldn't get from Year One or Classic Industries.
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Some of the brackets had to be fabricated where the trunk meets the quarter panel. But, things are comming together.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

The hood has been blocked out and is ready for primer. The passenger door has been primed and gives hope for the future.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

I hope to be in paint for my next update...

2-22-06

The back half is done and primered.
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Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
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The front isn't too far behind

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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The previous owner cut out the air vents for speakers. This is the last sheetmetal work on the car.
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Soon...

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
The new front end looks sharp.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
It is test fitted before painting the car.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
The inside of the cab and engine compartment has alread been painted black and the door jams, outer engine compartment and outer hood have been painted Victory Red.
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Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Ready for paint.
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Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird
Victory Red

All Buffed out and ready to go back together.

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Cool Hood Tach
Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

 

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Retrobird's 1968 Pontiac Firebird

Guestbook Ratings

Displaying entries 1-5 of 19

1Insaniac  

Posted by: 1Insaniac

01/04/2010 04:44PM

Friggin' awesome ride Ron, I hit ya with 5 stars. I wish I could give you more my first generation bird bro.

BigMane187  

Posted by: BigMane187

09/27/2009 12:55PM

Very Nicely done...I was wondering I have an 400 transmission that came out of an 72 Chevy Impala...Do the 400's have the Kickdown Cable on them..Looks like you know your stuff..and by the way gave you 5****'s..Please contact me on this matter..Thanks!

LPATRON  

Posted by: LPATRON

12/20/2008 08:57PM

nice. almost makes u wanna cry lol. 5 ups. check out my 85 GP n tell me wut u think, its a work in progress

Tal-Melh  

Posted by: Tal-Melh

11/14/2008 03:24AM

no words can describe your firebird ron believe me and 5 stars aren't enough believe me on that too... keep it up man you restored this beauty to the top

Shorty96  

Posted by: Shorty96

07/18/2007 03:35PM

"Bumblebee" to appear at Camaro/Firebird 40th Anniversary Party

Greetings,
West Coast F-Bodies, in association with Chuck Felten and Cool Running Camaros of Southern California proudly present the:

40th Anniversary F-Body Car Show

It's been forty years since General Motors released one of the most iconic cars in history and we are here to pay tribute!! We'll be at one of the best locations in Southern California for automotive enthusiasts, Ricky and Ronnie's Cruise-In Diner located in Torrance, California.

This just in:
Making a grand appearance at this prestigious event will be none other than:

"Bumblebee" himself from the Transformers movie!

You heard right folks! Arriving in style, the 2009 Camaro Concept in Yellow with Black stripes will be showcased in the VIP area at the main Diner.

Please visit this link for more details and registration info. http://www.wcfb-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=301

Do not forget to stop by my page and leave your thoughts!

Thanks,
Crystalyn
Co-Founder/President of WCFB
www.westcoastfbodies.com

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: Retrobird

Location: San Diego, CA