This car is not seen as many good platform to create the ideal muscle car, but it is worth paying attention to. Then you will understand what kind of space it gives to the work and how it is paid attention to detail. In addition, it can be set as the turbocharged engine from the Japanese Miata and the motor from the Bavarian BMW.
The Firebird was released in the amount of 75,000 and was not as replicated as the Camaro those years (250 000 vehicles). That is what prompted the owner Sid Tracy, road masters of Troy Grudzha BBT Fabrications, and designer of Ben Hermance Hermance Designs Pontiac taken as a basis.
How it all began, Troy said, «Sid came up to me after a couple of months after we built the first machine for him (Ford Roadster 1930). He wanted us to build his muscle car. After a short conversation, we decided that the best choice is Firebird 1969, since it is similar to the Camaro, who liked Sid. After the construction of the first machine Sid trust us and made a few wishes: his car has to be dark gray to resemble a European sports car have interior exotic sports car and be equipped with the modern transmission. »
Many think that Troy — this is an old, honored racer, but completely different. He is only 27 years old, his skills he got in the BBT Fabrications in the city of Champaign (Illinois). Now Troy and his team BBT («Build the forces of Troy») is already producing some of the best hot rods in the United States, even though they run the business just 6 years ago.
Sid, the owner of the Firebird and a variety of classic cars, a feature explained Troy transform metal into art: «It has not been even formally training body works, but he is a master in this field. Troy has made a name for himself and now is popular across the country. He is a true talent that is able to create great things. » Among them was and Pontiac Firebird in 1969, which was among the five finalists for the title of a street car at the national show Goodguys Rod & Custom Association's PPG Nationals, held in Columbus (Ohio).
Sid is a fan of the Chevrolet Corvette, but loves Italian sports cars. He wanted his Firebird was a true American muscle-car. Troy and Ben had to take into account these aspects in the performance of the final rendering, which is supposed to make Firebird a more modern and understated.
The main changes undergone appearance of the front of the vehicle. «Firebird» has found a new front bumper and grille has been replaced by more modern. In addition, the car got the lights from Dodge Challenger 2011 and an aggressive spoiler. All this set the tone for further changes, Firebird lost chrome and aluminum parts has got a body and a new rear diffuser.
Exhaust pipes were removed so that they looked like the Italian sports cars, both Syd wanted, but the engine was a purely American — with 550 horsepower V8, based on the LS3 6.8-liter capacity, modified by masters from Mast Motorsports, Firebird became look after all the improvements though built for the film «The Punisher» (The Punisher). Manage this motor helps the computer Mast Motorsports model M-90. Were established camshafts from Mast Motorsports, «beehive „valve springs, cylinder heads, forged crankshaft and the H-shaped connecting rods, pistons Mahle, fuel rails and roller lifters LS7, custom-made by BBT valve covers, power brakes, tanks clutch and a brake cylinder and a 2.5-inch exhaust system Borla.
Hood and magnificent castles stainless steel handcrafted by specialists Detroit Speed, they also installed air conditioning system, complete with a water pump, power steering pump, alternator, pulley system balancing ATI and custom bracket to facilitate installation of modern engines in the old car, such as our hero.
Detroit Speed and set a new front axle subframe, the impressive aluminum spoiler, giving the suspension a view similar to Corvette, using tubular upper and lower control arms, front coilovers on all four corners of the car.
The car got a new rear axle with the main pair Moser 3.73, it is connected with the system Detroit Speed's Quadra Link, and antisway front and rear. In addition to the new main couple at the Firebird and a new gearbox — 6-speed Tremec T-56 Magnum.
Special attention should be paid to the rear wheels, which have been modified for the sake of the arch to set the wheels Forgeline ZX3P and tires 335 / 30R18 BF-Goodrich. Front was set BFGoodrich 275 / 35R18. A new Baer brakes with 6-piston calipers, Sid can feel confident on any road and track.
But the team worked hard and Troy on the changes in the car, they also perform at the highest level. Virtually the entire interior was decorated by hand to expertly hide six-point roll cage. Sid wanted him to have was «a closed cage,» as in a Ferrari. That's not enough for racing, but it makes the car safe to drive civilian. For Troy it was a real challenge to cope with the task of Sid, the team Troy coped brilliantly.
Jesse Greening of Greening Auto changed the interior and breathed into the driver's seat of modern exotics. He hand-made shift knob and remade the space around it. Black Italian leather and suede are used in the design of the center panel and doors were custom made seats from Audi TT.
Rudder from the company MOMO, engine start button and the screen of modern navigation system — all this completes the process of modernization. If somewhere and preserved in original parts, they just did not find.
That's how the car of the last century has got modern features throughout, while retaining the charm of the design of its time.
