[Bentwheelbob]

As many of you know I played a minor role in in NJSteve acquiring his new toy. When I sent him the tip on the Formula SD on Labor Day morning, I somewhat jokingly said to put me first on the list for the Black Car should he need space, money, or both. I was very surprised that night to receive a PM from Steve telling me that the Black Car was ready for a new caretaker and that I had the first shot at the job. After a little hand wringing, and more than a little consultation with my wife and a few friends I'll call "the Therapists", I decided to take the plunge. My Pal Dave and a friend of his went up to New Jersey on Sunday and the Black Car has now been delivered to its new home in the Hot Rod Garage.

I am away on business and have not seen it yet, but my 12 year old Mini Me loves it and My Pal Dave says it is the best piece I have. He drove it through the neighborhood today and left at least one set of black rubber strips at my request.

Before Chris asks, yes there will be a smokey burnout video posted once I get home. Here's a few pictures.

NJSteve - Thanks.

[keith k]

Congrats to both of you. That's a great car...!

[johnta1]

Congrats!

[blue71ta]

it looks right at home with the others in it's new nest. Congrats

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Dammmmm Bob

you really pulled one over on Steve
bait and switch extrodinaire

[njsteve]

LOL. I'm a firm believer in Karma and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. If it wasn't for Bob posting that heads up on the board on Labor Day mornng, and me running across it at 9:00 AM and then calling the seller here in Jersey, I wouldn't have the white SD I'd always wanted. So I owed Bob a debt that needed to be repaid.

I didn't have to sell the black car but just seven days earlier my Dad called and told me to come over and pick up my Grandfather's car before he donates it to charity. Wth the arrival of the Lincoln, i ran out of room and didn't want to put anything out in the driveway under the elements. Now I have both my Grandmother's 1975 Firebird she ordered new and my Grandfather's 1971 Lincoln Town Car Golden Anniversary Edition that he was given as a retirement gift by ABC Television after working there for 55 years. It's an amazng story and they were an amazing couple from the "Greatest Generation".

Here's a link to the Lincoln, and their story:

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...a_L#Post539151

[REFORMULATED]

Wow what a beautiful car, paint is like a mirror, Congrats, enjoy and post more pictures. Black give the body lines a whole different and mean look.

Simply stunning

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

As many of you know I played a minor role in in NJSteve acquiring his new toy. When I sent him the tip on the Formula SD on Labor Day morning, I somewhat jokingly said to put me first on the list for the Black Car should he need space, money, or both. I was very surprised that night to receive a PM from Steve telling me that the Black Car was ready for a new caretaker and that I had the first shot at the job. After a little hand wringing, and more than a little consultation with my wife and a few friends I'll call "the Therapists", I decided to take the plunge. My Pal Dave and a friend of his went up to New Jersey on Sunday and the Black Car has now been delivered to its new home in the Hot Rod Garage.

I am away on business and have not seen it yet, but my 12 year old Mini Me loves it and My Pal Dave says it is the best piece I have. He drove it through the neighborhood today and left at least one set of black rubber strips at my request.

Before Chris asks, yes there will be a smokey burnout video posted once I get home. Here's a few pictures.

NJSteve - Thanks.

[njsteve]

It's a neat car and needs the attention of someone who has a good painter available. From what Bob's friend Dave said, they have a local guy who does things on schedule and within budget. I just coulldn't bear putting both the car and me through another episode of "body shop prison" to replace the 25+ year old paint after what I went through with the 72 T/A.

[70RAlll]

Hey Bob.. need more items for your mission creep?? How about the HVAC controls, disassembled they clean up real nice. Many of the control parts need cleaning, filing down the contact points etc.. the vacuum piece is a good candidate for repair with thick grease to ensure it holds vacuum.. while you have the interior apart, take the steering column apart and replace the bearings, clean inside good and grease up ..hee hee...

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

Hey Bob.. need more items for your mission creep?? How about the HVAC controls, disassembled they clean up real nice. Many of the control parts need cleaning, filing down the contact points etc.. the vacuum piece is a good candidate for repair with thick grease to ensure it holds vacuum..

Thanks to My Pal Dave this item that Bill kindly added to the MCL has been checked off. The HVAC controls have been pulled, disassembled, cleaned and lubed. I appreciate the recommendation because they were very dirty with 43 years of accumulated grime. MPD did a fantastic job, and despite the fact this will never be seen, there is satisfaction knowing that the controls should be in good working order for much longer than I will be. There is some light haze/scratching on the clear faceplate cover near the word "cool". I'll need to see if this is something that can be removed and polished out, absent a better suggestion from someone on the Forum. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and here they are.

Before:





After:

[70RAlll]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Thanks to My Pal Dave this item that Bill kindly added to the MCL has been checked off. The HVAC controls have been pulled, disassembled, cleaned and lubed. I appreciate the recommendation because they were very dirty with 43 years of accumulated grime. MPD did a fantastic job, and despite the fact this will never be seen, there is satisfaction knowing that the controls should be in good working order for much longer than I will be. There is some light haze/scratching on the clear faceplate cover near the word "cool". I'll need to see if this is something that can be removed and polished out, absent a better suggestion from someone on the Forum. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and here they are.

Before:





After:

Bob.. two things,.
1.was 1972 the first year defrost was used??I thought 1973 was?? if yours has been replaced, I have an extra de-ice unit

2. I have 2 of the wood grain face plates for your HVAC controls. I think there were two different grain patterns or something like that. PM me if you want one. these are NOS in the old GM wrapping. for some reason always had a hard time finding anyone who wanted these.??.

I guess my "it's easy" comment now makes sense?? That is one item many overlook when doing a clean up/body on restoration. Easy to get out and is a part that always is dirty and needs grease..
glad I could help with the list.. If you'll let me.. I will keep you busy until Christmas lol..

[LeighP]

I'm not sure I'd paint it......I'd lavish attention on it to be the best it could...that Firebird is beautiful!
I can understand letting it go to take on the Lincoln - amazing car with a family history like that. I think the "junk it" Ford dealer wanted to get his hands on it - no one junks a car that looks like that. Interestingly, my 77 Ford LTD (Australian Build) had the same speedometer set up....glowing red trace that moved across the face of the speedo as you speed up.

[RamAir]

I've admired this car since Steve acquired it, congratulations! This is a great forum and another example of it's stellar members. I don't think I would do a thing to it but drive and enjoy it.

[70RAlll]

Bob.. I have 3-4 sets of the bumper brackets.They are for '70-71 model years,I am guessing '72 is the same. Will check this morning on the side brackets and see if I have a nice spare set..I can easily get delivered from TN to WV in 2 days.. And yes, your chrome on the bumper and the bumperettes really look sweet.Looking into my crystalk ball.. this fall when the weather starts getting cold in WV, that car ends up getting a full repaint. You will then have a completely restored to perfect condition.. your list will never end !!!lol.. not saying the paint looks bad, but with all the other items you are getting perfect.. you will end up with a dead on correct paint job.. I would do it in original lacquer, lacquer in black always did look bada$$..

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

looks great Bob!! wow!
I have not been impressed with the dimming ability of the LED dash bulbs ( 194) and the hue of the color either..cant use them ( 194Led) on front side markers as they dont have enough resistance to make flasher work correctly

Thanks Bruce. I ended up ordering Sylvania 168 long life bulbs. They are 4.9 watts and 38 lumens. The standard 194 bulb is 3.8 watts and 25 lumens. We'll see how the perform.

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

Bob.. I have 3-4 sets of the bumper brackets.They are for '70-71 model years,I am guessing '72 is the same. Will check this morning on the side brackets and see if I have a nice spare set..I can easily get delivered from TN to WV in 2 days.. And yes, your chrome on the bumper and the bumperettes really look sweet.Looking into my crystalk ball.. this fall when the weather starts getting cold in WV, that car ends up getting a full repaint. You will then have a completely restored to perfect condition.. your list will never end !!!lol.. not saying the paint looks bad, but with all the other items you are getting perfect.. you will end up with a dead on correct paint job.. I would do it in original lacquer, lacquer in black always did look bada$$..

Thanks Bill, let me know. You seem to be bailing me out a lot. I appreciate it. If you don't have them don't worry because as you surmise this bumper will probably come off again at some point.

[Norwood]

Thats a pretty nice car there

[njsteve]

The white car now has a new garage mate. I still have to move things around so both of my Grandparents cars can sit next to each other, once again.

[Judge273]

The "HOT ROD" Garage looks even better!!! Congrats!!!

[70RAlll]

Bob your shoulder belt mount plastic clips on the upper part. It will fold down not backward. If you take a small screwdriver and press outward on the top corners you will see.

[transam1972]

I happened to check mine today..the plastic hinge is on the top..if you look closely at it the hinge is on the top...I then snapped it down to lock...this was the drivers side I checked..I did not check the passenger side