[jhein]

That's awesome! Very cool car, and especially as a first car. In a bit of a way it reminds me of when I got my first car, a 76 Formula 400 4 spd. Sadly, when I got it in 1981, it was not in as good condition as your son's car! LOL. I had a blast with that car and I hope your son does with his too!!

[Held for Ransom]

Here is the info on the '74 interior swatches.
Also, the stripe look. Phoenix Graphix has them. https://phoenixgraphix.com/gm/7374spnt.php

[dataway]

Great photos! I'm going to be watching the progress on this one. Really gives me the Jones for something similar.

I'd be turning that into a classic 1970's "Private Detective Car" .. you know the deal, tame looking, blend in with the crowd, but with certain "enhancements" kind of driver. But of course the younger generation might not appreciate that look

[Gastiresandoil]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

We’ve been searching for the interior parts. This green seems to be hard to find or maybe not reproduced? The carpet is faded and dirty, and the headliner and package tray are gone so I don’t have a good reference.

Repro carpet and package tray are available in dark green, but the door panels and seats aren’t what I’d call dark green. I don’t see a green headliner available. Anyone know what colors I should be looking for or a reference for the interior combo?

Welcome to my world.

Black is usually easy to find and/or fix. Other colors, especially the greens, not so much. Even moreso, when it is a single year option only.

[1965gp]

Man that green and yellow stripe would already be in order!

[1965gp]

As far as the paint goes I suggest the following:

-Wash with dish soap (really scrub the paint clean)
-Clay bar the entire car
-Put Meguires Mirror Glaze on it by hand and let it sit for a while (1-2 hours) then wipe off. It almost feels like this lubricates the paint if that makes sense?
-Use Adam’s brand blue compound with a blue foam buffing pad at high speed, probably go through a few pads. (May need to do this twice).
-Use Adam’s brand white polish with a white foam buffing pad at high speed
-Use Zaino brand show car polish. Put on by hand or low speed buffer. Let sit for 30 min. If you want to use more thank e coat use the ZFX curing additive.
-Spray with Zaino gloss enhancer
-Enjoy your new paint!

Here are some before after pics of the process

[b-man]

Mexican blanket over the bench, color coordinated of course.

455 mild state of tune, totally stock just slip in the 068 cam/lifters new timing set, 60 psi oil pump, dual 2-1/2” exhaust w/Dynomax 17734 14” Super Turbos keeping the log exhaust manifolds. Stock TH350 and converter will play well with this if in decent shape, don’t beat on the transmission by putting a harsh shift kit in there.

Good used 3.08 rear gears factory posi or if getting extravagant new Eaton posi. Of course some slapper bars.

15x6 and 15x7 steel wheels rattle can gloss black with 205/75s and 275/60s. No hubcaps.

Buff the paint.

The kid deserves his first hot rod now while he has no real adult responsibilities, the nit picky restoration can come later.

At his age I had a rough and ready street warrior that was regularly kicking asses and taking names, the best years of my life.

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

As far as the paint goes I suggest the following:

-Wash with dish soap (really scrub the paint clean)
-Clay bar the entire car
-Put Meguires Mirror Glaze on it by hand and let it sit for a while (1-2 hours) then wipe off. It almost feels like this lubricates the paint if that makes sense?
-Use Adam’s brand blue compound with a blue foam buffing pad at high speed, probably go through a few pads. (May need to do this twice).
-Use Adam’s brand white polish with a white foam buffing pad at high speed
-Use Zaino brand show car polish. Put on by hand or low speed buffer. Let sit for 30 min. If you want to use more thank e coat use the ZFX curing additive.
-Spray with Zaino gloss enhancer
-Enjoy your new paint!

Here are some before after pics of the process

Dang, those cars cleaned up nice! I've got most of the stuff on your list. We'll give this a try.

This kind of style doesn't come cheap. $95/yd for the vinly and an eye watering $169/yd for the plaid. I think we'll be rocking the Mexican blanket while he saves up. I ponied up for all the stuff to make the car safe and drivable, appearance is on him. Funnily enough, SMS is about 30 minutes from where the car was in Oregon.

[kingbuzzo]

That's a sweet unit...congrats

I had a '74 Ventura Custom 350/auto back in the day...oh the mammories

[SD455DJ]

Ha! I can relate to the Mexican blanket seat cover in my '69 Custom S (the front seat has since been reupholstered).

Dennis

[b-man]

He’s better off with an interior he and his friends won’t have to worry about damaging.

Let the fun begin!

Automotive freedom awaits.

I was hitting (participating in) the street races regularly at 17 to 19 years old.

If my parents had any idea what I was up to…..

Of course times were quite different 47 years ago, pics from ‘77 or ‘78 at OCIR.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Picture in post 39. Does this car have a custom dual exhaust??? I see 2 pipes running to the back???

[67drake]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

Picture in post 39. Does this car have a custom dual exhaust??? I see 2 pipes running to the back???

I think Verdoro mentioned that they used part of the original y-pipe to make a true dual, if my old memory serves me right.

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

Picture in post 39. Does this car have a custom dual exhaust??? I see 2 pipes running to the back???

Originally Posted by 67drake

I think Verdoro mentioned that they used part of the original y-pipe to make a true dual, if my old memory serves me right.

Yeah, someone left the original y-pipe and spliced in a dual exhaust that runs parallel until the rear. It's an odd setup, but it sounds pretty throaty.

They loaded up the car for transport this afternoon. We should have it here tomorrow morning. My son is excited to take it to shop night as his school on Thursday to get started cleaning it up.

[b-man]

After having driven your GTO he’s going to get bored with that little 350 pretty quick.

I’d be on the hunt for a running 400 or 455 preferably and make that the focus after the braking has been upgraded.

A pretty interior would be the last thing I’d be into as a teenager, having a quick car is much more satisfying especially since it kinda looks like it might be his mom’s car.

[Verdoro 68]

Yesterday he told me he wants to leave the two barrel on it for a while. I think his opinion is going to change once he gets some more seat time. His car is going to feel sloooow.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

Yesterday he told me he wants to leave the two barrel on it for a while. I think his opinion is going to change once he gets some more seat time. His car is going to feel sloooow.

Yep.

I can foresee that future.



The Pontiac 350 is far from a gas mileage king, most all of the road tests of similar cars back then equipped with a 350 were more fuel efficient than the Pontiac. The 400s were actually better so there’s not much reason to keep a 350 in there for the long term.

Let him have his fun with the 350 but soon the honeymoon will be over.

With a 455 that little thing’s gonna haul ass no matter what rear gear is in it.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I drove a creampuff 74 Firebird for a while in my early 20's with that same factory 350 2bbl Auto AC set up.
It was a fine car to drive.
Had bigger plans for it , but got smart and left it stock.
74 Bird was not my dream machine.
Bought other cars that already had the juice as I climbed the ladder.

[1965gp]

I would leave the seats for later- don’t need to do it all at once.

Clean up the paint, throw on the green decals, black out the grill and let him save up for some pro-touring style wheels. Unless it needs tires now, then you may decide to invest in the wheels right away.

[spartazoo]

Not cheap for sure, but SMS is great. They had all the robin egg blue vinyl and fabric to restore the interior in the 63 Tempest I built. Great car, love the 74 Ventura nose.