[Mr Anonymous]

Nobody knows how an automatic transmission really works. Too many whirling bits inside

[mgarblik]

Finally was able to take about a 10 mile road test in the SD yesterday. Longest "trip" it's been on since 1978. The transmission is a solid A- now. No leaks and the shift timing seems to be normal. The 1-2 shift feel still needs a little tweaking. The 2-3 shift feels good. Car drives excellent. Tracks straight, brakes are fantastic, and the Mickey Thompson Sportsman radials are very smooth to 70 MPH. That's as fast as I have had it so far.
This was the first drive with the hood on it. Speaking of the hood, what a nightmare to fit perfectly. Now I really understand why so many 70-73 Firebird hoods don't fit the greatest. Very complicated fitment and adjustments. How in the world did they build these cars in less than 1 minute coming off the line? It took three of us, with considerable experience 7 hours over 2 days to get the hood to fit just right. But we got it. Opens and closes perfectly and the gaps are as good as I have seen on one of these cars.

I will post some finished pics and some driving video in the next week or so. Thanks for hanging with this thread through some ups and downs getting it on the road again. Plan is to put some local miles on it the next few weeks and if I am confident enough in it, drive it to Norwalk next month. That will be about a 450 mile or so round trip.

Things left to do, The grilles need some minor attention and installation. Transmission needs some tuning and a working detent switch. General detailing before the trip.

[PAUL K]

Excellent!!!

[sdbob]

Good to here. When I put the nos73 TA front end on my 70. I had limited experience with sheet metal alignment! It was a sharp learning curve.

[Jack Gifford]

Drive carefully Mike!

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Jack Gifford

Drive carefully Mike!

Will do Jack. I hope to see you at Norwalk.

[mgarblik]

Well, this 5 year project is finally coming to a close. I have driven the car 30-35 miles now. I will continue to rack up some local mileage on it before my 500 mile round trip to Norwalk in a couple weeks. I finally have the transmission where I am happy with it. I received the new detent switch and installed it. Instantly it transformed the trans to shifting properly in all situations. I failed to realize that detent pressure combines with both modulator and governor pressure once activated and really changes the timing and feel of the shifts. Learned something new. Look forward to seeing some people that have followed this thread for years at Norwalk. I am not a show car guy, so not planning to put it in the car show. I will have it parked in or near the Arnie Beswick display area on the "car show" side of the track. Arnie Beswick is generally set up near the grandstands at the starting line end of the track. Arnie likes to use my cars as a backdrop for pictures with his many fans. Here are a few pics in running condition.

[PAUL K]

Looks fantastic! Great job!

[P@blo]

Dream car material right there. Thanks for detailing the restoration as well and found your thread very informative.

[Skip Fix]

Job well done!

[Held for Ransom]

I'll be searching for the car at Norwalk.

[SD455DJ]

Absolutely amazing Mike! I'm the guy the helps 'park' the Firebirds for the show, so I'm bummed I won't see you and the car on Saturday. Dan is one of the show car tech guys at the front of the line. We'll just have to mosey over to Arnie's tent to say Hi and check out the TA once we're done around 1:30. Well done!

Dennis

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Absolutely amazing Mike! I'm the guy the helps 'park' the Firebirds for the show, so I'm bummed I won't see you and the car on Saturday. Dan is one of the show car tech guys at the front of the line. We'll just have to mosey over to Arnie's tent to say Hi and check out the TA once we're done around 1:30. Well done!

Dennis

Thanks Dennis. I just don't feel I can have it car show ready in time for Norwalk. It has some little issues I want to address but It takes time to find the right people to deal with the little paint and "rat bite issues". Probably going to try and show it at the TA Nationals. I also can't stay for Sunday at Norwalk. Will be there Friday and Saturday. Take care.

[sdbob]

We will be there from Thursday till Sunday. Not bringing a car just my GMC. I look forward to seeing your build. I noticed the front valance that in my experience is rare. I usually stop and talk to Arnie. Last year I was in my golf cart and Arnie needed a ride, right now, sooo we talked riding to .......

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Thanks Dennis. I just don't feel I can have it car show ready in time for Norwalk. It has some little issues I want to address but It takes time to find the right people to deal with the little paint and "rat bite issues". Probably going to try and show it at the TA Nationals. I also can't stay for Sunday at Norwalk. Will be there Friday and Saturday. Take care.

I hear ya...It's challenging to get the entirety of the swap meet in, let alone watch some racing along with the demands of the car show work we are committed to, then maybe, quickly look at the cars in the show and get over to the vendors area next to the grandstands to check out what's there. So little time to do so many fun things! We usually leave early Sunday morning for home as well.

We'll definitely be at the TA Nationals too!

Dennis

[Mr Anonymous]

The car is amazing and its in great hands!

[Jim Scites]

This has been one of my favorite posts for as long as I can remember. Thank you very much for sharing and letting us live vicariously through you. That is a really rare and beautiful car along with it being very well done.

[mgarblik]

One more post with some pics of the finished car. Due to poor weather and smoke fallout from the Canadian wild fires, I did not take the SD to Norwalk. I don't have a trailer and the idea is to drive it wherever it goes. Steve M from this forum spend 3+ days going over the body, interior, door openings and such to detail it. Started with a clay bar, then various compounds and cleaners. Finally finishing up with a hard Carnauba wax. I think it looks great for nearly 50 year old lacquer paint. Especially the front bumper. It looked really dull and chalky. He just kept working on it, 5-6 applications and every time it just got better and better. May take it to a local car show tomorrow. Then the Norwood plant reunion and the Trans Am Nationals. It was nominated for a Concours De Elegance show in late Sept. but haven't been awarded a spot yet. Supposed to find out Aug. 15. Thanks again for following along the last 5 years.

[steve25]

Beautiful!
I hope you enjoy it a lot this season!

[hojs69]

I must have missed it but you have the rarer FG valance. Was it in good shape when you started the restore?