[4mula73]

Hi all, I'm making more progress on my 73 Formula. I've bought a set of 73 fender braces that will take some light clean up before installing. Boy, are they heavy though. Just curious, what was their purpose, and why weren't they on 70-72 models? Was it crash safety? Are they really needed if I ever decide to make it a track car?

[njsteve]

They were for stiffening the radiator support to fender area for better handling. Also played a part in the new 5-mph crash regulations for 1973 (which begs the question as to why they didn't put them on all 73 Firebirds and not just T/As and Formulas with the handling package).

Did you get an actual 1973 set? They are different than the 74 and up bars as they were a little longer for the mating with the rubber bushing on the upper bumper bracket unique to 1973.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by njsteve

They were for stiffening the radiator support to fender area for better handling. Also played a part in the new 5-mph crash regulations for 1973 (which begs the question as to why they didn't put them on all 73 Firebirds and not just T/As and Formulas with the handling package).

Did you get an actual 1973 set? They are different than the 74 and up bars as they were a little longer for the mating with the rubber bushing on the upper bumper bracket unique to 1973.

These were on All '73 Birds... Not for handling, for crash. Combined WITH the factory 4 piece "Box" behind the core support for '73, they added around 100 lbs.
I have seen these on a factory 250 car as well.

[Formulabruce]

I have seen a set of these for '73 made out of Aluminum, however I have not seen any since, they could have been a "1 off"

[4mula73]

Yes, to my knowledge they are a 73 set. That's what I was told they came off of. Also, lucky for me, someone has swapped a 70-72 nose onto my car, so some of that weight is gone!

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by 4mula73

Yes, to my knowledge they are a 73 set. That's what I was told they came off of. Also, lucky for me, someone has swapped a 70-72 nose onto my car, so some of that weight is gone!

If you do Not have a '73 Core support, I would leave them off the car.. ( IMHO)
They are longer than the '74 style as the bolt to the core support and the front bumper mount.

[4mula73]

To my knowledge, it still has the 73 core support. The factory engine detail sticker is still on it, and says 73 400. I believe just the endura nose was swapped.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by 4mula73

To my knowledge, it still has the 73 core support. The factory engine detail sticker is still on it, and says 73 400. I believe just the endura nose was swapped.

I have a 73+ support and fenders, so I'm running the bars on mine with a 70-72 nose. They look good.

[bird72]

For a non original car I would leave them off regardless if core support being 73. The weight factor alone is why. Cleaner looks and easier access aspects are gravy. One will be buying core supports and noses in the degree of crash they do anything substantial. And really, crash technology shows collapsing versus rigidity can be better in front ends, energy absorption. It was a quick bumper stiffening cure for bumper requirements in 73 is all. For twisty road running, things of this nature can help, but they have vastly trimmer and lighter alternatives for that and geometrically better, no doubt. IMO only.......

[4mula73]

Originally Posted by bird72

For a non original car I would leave them off regardless if core support being 73. The weight factor alone is why. Cleaner looks and easier access aspects are gravy. One will be buying core supports and noses in the degree of crash they do anything substantial. And really, crash technology shows collapsing versus rigidity can be better in front ends, energy absorption. It was a quick bumper stiffening cure for bumper requirements in 73 is all. For twisty road running, things of this nature can help, but they have vastly trimmer and lighter alternatives for that and geometrically better, no doubt. IMO only.......

This is my thinking too. I was just wanting to make sure leaving them off wouldn't compromise any structural integrity. 70-72 didn't have them, so I figured I'd be ok, but checking with you guys always helps. Thanks everyone!

['ol Pinion head]

Herb offered alum flat braces, they had big round holes in them, i wanted a set but ones that had not been machined out. Not having access to thick alum stock, nearly 30 years ago I installed '73 braces on my modded '80 (car was autocrossed). There was so much weight removed from up front of the '80, the addition of the '73 braces wasn't that big a weight issue at the time. A little later, I did pick up a pair of '74-76 braces & swapped the '73's out. For decades, in boneyarding, typically, when one found a '73-76 Bird in a yard, the driver side fender brace was missing. So many times when the battery was pulled, the drivers side brace was pitched/never reinstalled. Was always a bonus just to find a lone drivers side brace.

[fbd73]

Hi All,
My '73 has these fender braces on it but for some reason someone in the car's past has welded the RH side one onto the support panel. Photos attached.
Has anyone ever seen this before? I have no idea why this would have been done.
I want to take them off and clean them up and repaint them but I will have to break the weld to do that.

Any thoughts?

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

I have seen a set of these for '73 made out of Aluminum, however I have not seen any since, they could have been a "1 off"

That was me.
Years ago when I was developing the WFO shaker unit, I had the Idea of producing the "stiffeners" out of aluminum bars stock. So I used the '73 bars as a template. I sold quite a few complete with mounting hardware but demand dropped off the map. Never had a question whether they were available so I stopped producing them. Still have a box of hardware and a couple of sets of bars on the shelf. Here's a pic with them on my '79.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

That was me.
Years ago when I was developing the WFO shaker unit, I had the Idea of producing the "stiffeners" out of aluminum bars stock. So I used the '73 bars as a template. I sold quite a few complete with mounting hardware but demand dropped off the map. Never had a question whether they were available so I stopped producing them. Still have a box of hardware and a couple of sets of bars on the shelf. Here's a pic with them on my '79.

i had asked about them a year or so ago but got sidetracked with other things on the car. they look very nice, were they made to factory specs? they look a little thicker than the factory steel ones.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

That was me.
Years ago when I was developing the WFO shaker unit, I had the Idea of producing the "stiffeners" out of aluminum bars stock. So I used the '73 bars as a template. I sold quite a few complete with mounting hardware but demand dropped off the map. Never had a question whether they were available so I stopped producing them. Still have a box of hardware and a couple of sets of bars on the shelf. Here's a pic with them on my '79.

Those bars look great!

A little off topic, but where did you get the T/A 7.6 decal? I'm looking for a set for the 79 I'm building with a 455. I can only find them in German lettering.

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by 78w72

i had asked about them a year or so ago but got sidetracked with other things on the car. they look very nice, were they made to factory specs? they look a little thicker than the factory steel ones.

I used the '74 bars as a template. Thickness is the same. The '73 bars extend to the "donut" so I didn't bother making those.
The bars I make only have the holes for mounting at fender and core support. My market was basically targeted at those who wanted a bit more rigidity, less weight over the thin steel bars that were produced for the later year trans ams.

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Those bars look great!

A little off topic, but where did you get the T/A 7.6 decal? I'm looking for a set for the 79 I'm building with a 455. I can only find them in German lettering.

I did this way early back in 2000 and others soon followed my trick.......
It's a combination of 6.6 Litre and T/A 6.6 decals.....

destroy a 6.6 Litre decal and use only the "L"......flip it upside down .....7.6

did the same thing for a buddy who had a can-am with a 461.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

I did this way early back in 2000 and others soon followed my trick.......
It's a combination of 6.6 Litre and T/A 6.6 decals.....

destroy a 6.6 Litre decal and use only the "L"......flip it upside down .....7.6

did the same thing for a buddy who had a can-am with a 461.

Hah, that's really clever!

Thank you!

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

That was me.
Years ago when I was developing the WFO shaker unit, I had the Idea of producing the "stiffeners" out of aluminum bars stock. So I used the '73 bars as a template. I sold quite a few complete with mounting hardware but demand dropped off the map. Never had a question whether they were available so I stopped producing them. Still have a box of hardware and a couple of sets of bars on the shelf. Here's a pic with them on my '79.

Very cool !! Thanks for posting ! . same length as the '73? ,NM I saw you used the 74, its a great idea

[TTOP350]

I have 2 complete sets of the bars for 73s. I was wanting to do a set in aluminum for my car.