[JJKJ]

I've really enjoyed reading the shark threads lately. They're a great learning tool, and when you come across a car like I did today--they help you appreciate attention to detail even more. I'm no expert, but the 71 I saw today really impressed me. Many of the items discussed in the other shark threads seem to be in order on this car.

The transporter showed up today to take my 78 to its new owner. I was pretty suprised and happy to see the rear of a very nice 70-73 T/A in his trailer when he opened the door. As I just mentioned, after it came off, I was able to tell it is a 71. Fortunately for me, he had to take that car off (and a very cool Viper ACR) to put mine up front. I asked if it was ok to take some pics, and since I had my camera with me to document my T/A being loaded, I was able to take several pics. I took several pics for reference and a few fun shots with my 78 and the Viper. I wish I had taken some underbody shots but I didn't. It was as detailed as everything else and finished in black oxide.

What do you guys think?



























Although the T/A's had their share of onlookers, it wasn't until the Viper was unloaded that some people started to gather around the cars. Maybe Firebird appreciation is just a little more subtle.

[weranc55]

Very nice car. Looks like the car that was for sale at restore a muscle car.

[RAFormulas]

Still in the wrapper.

I'm not a 71 expert... but this car looks almost 100% correct from what is visible in the pictures. My hats off to the person/people who restored this one.

Lower lip on endura bumper not black... not sure when they quit doing this... 70 only?

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by weranc55

Very nice car. Looks like the car that was for sale at restore a muscle car.

This one??

http://www.restoreamusclecar.com/veh...ls?fdid=950162

[2manyT/A'S]

That IS a VERY NICE car!

Both T/A's look GREAT,but what's that silly looking green and black thing?

One item on the 71 sort of jumped out at me; on 71 standard trim,the inside door handle escutcheons /covers should be the full cover style & match the color of the door panels.(the only chrome visible should be the release lever)
The ones on the car would be correct for 72-74 standard trim.

Also,the rad cap is not up to the caliber of the rest of the car.

Not much to eat here,I'm still HUNGRY!

[Dens71TA]

Originally Posted by RAFormulas

Lower lip on endura bumper not black... not sure when they quit doing this... 70 only?

'71 is the same way.

Things that stand out to me. Master cylinder should be black, hood hinges missing blue bolt torque inspection paint dabs, Pep Boys radiator cap, shaker looks like they matched the blue in the stripe instead of painting it Lucerne blue, bolts attaching inner fender at top are way too short, tower clamp on lower heater core hose is facing down, there are so many body shims on the passenger side fender top bolt that the firewall bolt hole had to be redrilled(bent subframe??), rear exhaust tips are at a funky angle. If the underside was black then this could be a Van Nuys car and should have the rubber A-arm water shields attached to the inner fender on the engine side.

[3tas4me]

Battery is current style, not repro. I have the same thing on my car though....

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Dens71TA

'71 is the same way.

Things that stand out to me. Master cylinder should be black, hood hinges missing blue bolt torque inspection paint dabs, Pep Boys radiator cap, shaker looks like they matched the blue in the stripe instead of painting it Lucerne blue, bolts attaching inner fender at top are way too short, tower clamp on lower heater core hose is facing down, there are so many body shims on the passenger side fender top bolt that the firewall bolt hole had to be redrilled(bent subframe??), rear exhaust tips are at a funky angle. If the underside was black then this could be a Van Nuys car and should have the rubber A-arm water shields attached to the inner fender on the engine side.

Good call on the P/S cowl bolt hole,there is something out of whack there!

It appears that both a-arm splash shields ARE in place.

No hood bumpers in either fender.

Rear parcel shelf appears to be the mesh style which is incorrect for a standard trim car.(unless it came with optional rear speaker)

Door armrests are of the custom trim (soft) variety.

Aftermarket headlights (s/b Powerbeams)

While we are on bolts,should the cowl to wiper transmission bolts be BRIGHT plated?

Also,bolts from inner fender to battery tray are too long and could possibly wear/punch a hole in the battery case. (that makes a REAL mess) I know,it happened to ME!

I hope the NEW owner of this car is a "good sport" if he's reading this.

[Todd Mullin]

I like the hood hinges and springs, how do you think they refinshed them? Did you notice where the car was built? I'm just starting to restore a 71 just like this one, low options 4 speed car in blue. Its nice to see pictures like this to see what you get if you do it right.

[njsteve]

Sitting kind of high on the springs. Wrong battery, rad cap. Missing blackout section on lower portion of nose, where the four mounting bolts are visible in the valance opening. Nice car otherwise.

[Norwood]

This car was restored by a member here. I do no that he really put effort into making it as right as he could. He even had me fabricate new correct clamps for the leaf springs.

[68bird400HO]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

One item on the 71 sort of jumped out at me; on 71 standard trim,the inside door handle escutcheons /covers should be the full cover style & match the color of the door panels.(the only chrome visible should be the release lever)
The ones on the car would be correct for 72-74 standard trim.

This was discussed in another thread, it may have been on the 455HO thread. I have interior pieces out of 3 71 firebirds (all van nuys cars) and all of them had the chrome interior door handle bezels. When this was discussed a month or two ago on the other thread, I posted several examples of 71 std interior cars with the chrome bezels but could only find two with the plastic handles (including Giles' car). I guess I am saying that I don't believe that it is a hard and fast rule that 71 std interior cars had the plastic color coded bezel.

Also, standard interior cars in 70 and 71 had the padded armrest just like the deluxe interior cars. I have heard that toward the latter part of the 71 model run (march or april), some birds came with the camaro hard plastic ones, probably because the padded ones were running thin. I have only heard this but have not investigated it. I don't know if standard vs deluxe had anything to do with which cars got what.

This is a really nice car and if it was the restore-a-musclecar car then it is a Van Nuys car and previously belonged to a board member here.

[weranc55]

Originally Posted by Norwood

This car was restored by a member here. I do no that he really put effort into making it as right as he could. He even had me fabricate new correct clamps for the leaf springs.

I wonder why restore a muscle car finished it? No cowl seal.

[Judge273]

Looks sweet! Craig's hood latch too? Looks like someone else finished it from restore??

[wein77]

I still wouldnt mind owning this 71

[Norwood]

Its got a few of my parts on it.

[JJKJ]

Seeing the car in person, I was very impressed. I think any owner should be proud. So far I've read a very short list of minor fixes.

The biggest thing I noticed as has been mentioned is ride height. Especially in front and when compared to my 78. Also, no trim rings on the honeycombs, were they optional like they were on the Ralleys?

Since you guys figured out who's car this is I'll post these pics that I held back on the first post. Also, any idea what RAMC was asking for this car? There was no price listed on their website. After seeing the car in person, I'd love to get an idea of value on this level on restoration. Driver told me this car was not going to a new owner but to auction in FL. What auction is coming up in FL? Maybe the BJ in Apr?

[JJKJ]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

That IS a VERY NICE car!

Both T/A's look GREAT,but what's that silly looking green and black thing?

I know, it almost looks like a caricature doesn't it? Impressive car though. I'm pretty sure that each back tire was wider than my 2 rear tires put together.

I think in all black would look pretty sinister.

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by JJKJ

Seeing the car in person, I was very impressed. I think any owner should be proud. So far I've read a very short list of minor fixes.

The biggest thing I noticed as has been mentioned is ride height. Especially in front and when compared to my 78. Also, no trim rings on the honeycombs, were they optional like they were on the Ralleys?

Since you guys figured out who's car this is I'll post these pics that I held back on the first post. Also, any idea what RAMC was asking for this car? There was no price listed on their website. After seeing the car in person, I'd love to get an idea of value on this level on restoration. Driver told me this car was not going to a new owner but to auction in FL. What auction is coming up in FL? Maybe the BJ in Apr?

Trim rings were not available on Honeycombs in the early years & on T/A's with Rally II's,they were optional as well in 70 & 71.

I believe this car went through ebay a few times recently,so you might find it searching completed auctions?

I'm thinking the asking price was around 90K?

[se428bandit]

Being a early '71 T/A shouldn't it have had the chrome bezals around the gauges or was that just the Norwood cars?