ASSEMBLY LINE 1969 T/A RESTORATION
 

This thread will illustrate some of the steps necessary to perform an OE Assembly Line Restoration. It will cover the details that go into a project of this nature. I will start with original features and the numerous Factory (NOS) parts that will be used during the process. Many photos will be posted!

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Sweet! Subscribing!!

Hi Dave, Thanks for starting this thread! I hope to learn a great deal as I plan to restore my 69 TA.
By the way, I will purchase one of your exhaust systems for my car when you get them bent out.
Regards,
Steve

Great! Glad to see another T/A restored to active duty! Bring it on!

im taking notes:popcorn:

I love these! Subscribing :D

Awesome - looking forward to this!

Thank you Steve! I also want to express my appreciation to many other of the Members who have contributed to this project thus far. Eric Budre has provided some very rare parts for this Car along with valuable information to boot.

I have acquired a couple of parts cars that will help in providing original aspects to the project. One of the cars I bought was a low mileage1969 Firebird (57,000 miles) just to obtain the ALL original BLUE Interior. The carpet was even original to the car! I don't want to use any reproduction body panels so I had to find parts that were basically rust free and nice.

Along with these original components, I have also invested over $60K in NOS pieces. A pair of NOS Fenders was $4K and the hood was another $9K. I thought my Hemi Cuda was expensive but this vehicle takes the cake. (lol) I'll start posting the pictures of some of these parts as we progress. This project will also be the springboard for many new parts to be reproduced. In the mean time, please feel free to request pictures of any components of particular interest. THANKS everyone!! :)

In another thread someone was discussing the Gas Tank and vent line for the 1969 Firebird. I was lucky to find a vehicle that still had its original Gas Tank that had never been dented, dinged or altered. It was undercoated by in 1969 so the original look and finish was preserved from day one. The Tank straps are also original and different looking than the "NOS" replacements & reproductions that are being offered.

Below are a couple of photos showing the Gas Line vent tube and the original floor pan "drips" when the car was submersed in the corrosion/primer after the Body was assembled. We will retain all of these "original" assembly line characteristics to make sure the finished project will be an accurate representation of an Assembly Line vehicle.

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Subscribed! Thanks

I'm in for the long haul on this thread!

this should be good. getting my popcorn ready.

im on the band wagon

This project differs from my other OE ventures. Instead of dissembling the vehicle and collecting components along the way, I have spent over 2 years gathering everything necessary to restore the vehicle. Similar to the other projects however, it is crucial that every possible part and component be Original and/or an NOS replacement. No bare metal components will be painted to "look" like metal. If the part(s) came on the vehicle "bare" it will be restored to original bare metal condition. This T/A will look new with all the quirks and details that would have been evident from the Factory.

I'm sure that as the project progresses, we will find the need for parts that I am not currently aware of. The first step in the Restoration is to photograph every square inch of the car before ANYTHING is removed. We took over 10,000 photos (literally) of my last Restoration project prior to disassembly. (Linked below.) All of the pictures will then be downloaded into a lap top computer for ease of reference and visual aid. If any components of the car have already been altered or removed, we will document other untouched 69 T/A's to get an idea of how things were originally assembled. Documentation is vital to achieve the end result.

http://www.moparaction.com/Article/N.../NEW_GOLD.html

It's not done yet?

WTF?

Everyday gets us one day closer! Below are photos comparing Factory Parts versus Reproduction components. I re-furbished my green 1969 Firebird about 23 years ago. The vehicle is nice, I don't consider it a true "restoration" because too many parts & details are no longer Assembly Line correct. For instance, the Heater Hose Bracket illustrates a completely different appearance. The Original unit has stamped indented sides to secure the hose in place and the Reproduction does not. Also notice the difference between the original Gas Tank Strap and the Reproduction version. They are very different!

While these might be small details in the overall scheme of things, it shows how History has been re-written with these cars and what is now considered to be technically correct.

http://ecsautomotive.com/other/2014/08-Aug/08-01/04.jpg

http://ecsautomotive.com/other/2014/08-Aug/08-01/01.jpg

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excellent thread
 

I am subscribed!!!!!

Original heater hose brackets are easy enough to find still.

Factory NOS replacement parts differ as well.

You are correct. Factory and NOS Service replacement parts had variations in their appearance even though they functioned the same. I have also noticed some Factory features that have differences between them. Take for instance the attaching screws & holes at the bottom of the interior Door Panels. I have seen some 69 Firebirds with 4 attaching screws at the bottom and some with 7 screws. Does anyone know why there would be such a difference in the way the Door Panels were attached? The comparison vehicles were built at the same plant so it would not be an assembly variation. Does anyone have an explanation for why there are 4 hole Door Panels versus 7 hole versions? :confused:

All the early Camaros and Firebirds i've seen had four screws at the bottom of the door panel but I can tell you that none of them holes are in the same place from one car to the other. That is if you want to install a door panel found on a 69 Firebird and install it on another 69 'Bird, chances are the holes won't line up.

The fact that some of them had 7 screws does not surprise me either.