This Expo project started by shoehorning a rebuilt 3.8 liter Thunderbird engine into a 1971 Spitfire. A 2 bbl. carb was used along with Duraspark 3 ignition and the stock AOD trans. As the photos show a 95 T-bird rear end was grafted to the stock frame and the rest of the frame was strengthened. The exhaust was created from inexpensive truck pipes with no mufflers for the Cobra look. The steering shaft actually goes through the left exhaust manifold and solid steel motormounts keep things aligned. The hood scoop was bent up on the metals department brake to copy the Corvette L88 and a damaged Trans Am shaker scoop was repaired and added to the top. It is really something to drive with ample torque and unbelievable cornering ability with that wide fully independent suspension.
Engine mocked-up in place.
Engine view.
T-bird rear end mockup.
Making frame mods.
Independent suspension installed.
Frame painted.
Rear end painted.
Body back on.
Engineering hood scoop.
Side shot.
In primer with hood scoop molded.
Shot with original metal hardtop found at a garage sale for $50.