My 1970 Formula Rebuild Project

[70formula]

Spent Memorial Day working on the firebird. The inner structure of the wheel housing that the package tray mounts to cut out, made a new one, and got it welded in. tray mounting area was pitted and rusted, so needed to get redone. I also sorted working on the lower package tray area as well. I got the curve section mocked up, as well as the secondary piece as well. Was nice day to zone out and tinker.


cut out peice
View attachment 183518

Mocking up...

Still got to do some more finishing and clean up the weld a bit more, but im content with how it turned out.

Will also need to create the old flange and 90 degree turn that was on the quarter panel and get it welded all together.

Mocking up for the bend on the package tray.

 

[Knightrider189]

Spent Memorial Day working on the firebird. The inner structure of the wheel housing that the package tray mounts to cut out, made a new one, and got it welded in. tray mounting area was pitted and rusted, so needed to get redone. I also sorted working on the lower package tray area as well. I got the curve section mocked up, as well as the secondary piece as well. Was nice day to zone out and tinker.


cut out peice
View attachment 183518

View attachment 3257

Mocking up...
View attachment 3258

Still got to do some more finishing and clean up the weld a bit more, but im content with how it turned out.

View attachment 3259

Will also need to create the old flange and 90 degree turn that was on the quarter panel and get it welded all together.

View attachment 3260

Mocking up for the bend on the package tray.

View attachment 3261

Sounds like a busy day!
Unfortunately the pics didn’t load.


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM

 

[70formula]

hmmm ok hopefully now works...

 

[Knightrider189]

hmmm ok hopefully now works...


View attachment 3262View attachment 3263View attachment 3264View attachment 3265View attachment 3266

They loaded that time.

Looking great!


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM

 

[70formula]

Been puttering along working on the bird...todays workflow was removing the old gas tank, and getting a good look up into the pan from the bottom, and in general getting my thoughts together for the my plan of attack. I drilled up through the pan right next to the frame rails, and started getting some measurements to trunk opening, and will be grabbing some angle iron to use for bracing, as before I cut the tail pan out, I want to make sure the ass end is all braced so it doesn't go caddy whompus on me.

From what I can see, and when stabbing with a metal rod, the rear frame rails seem very solid, so I'm hoping when I actually tear it all apart, there's no major frame rail surprises waiting for me. If there is...perfect excuse to build a custom full frame with my Brother.

 

[70formula]

ne the other areas I've been tinkering on- the package tray. I got the old shoulder cut out, and starting to see how the aftermarket piece will fit. I ended up deciding it was smarter just to order the stamped package tray verse trying to patch in multiple pieces. Im constantly torn between the desire to keep the car original, and go full hog custom...but I have to remind myself, this car is sitting in my families garage, not my personal house garage, so its not really the time or place to spend hundreds of hours extra for fun. Someday I will do a fully custom handbuilt car..but for now, they make the stamped panels, lets get the rust out and get it presentable.

 

[Munkyslut]

That’s excellent progress!

Good work bracing the sections before you cut; many people, even experienced ones, often omit that & pay for it later!

 

[70formula]

Well, really no turning back now. Got a big chunk of rust cut out...but still a lot to go. Got the brace welded in, and got my locator rods on to make sure I get the new tail panel put in the same location. Also took some measurements and got everything hopefully locked down between the measurements and the bracing

 

[70formula]

 

[Munkyslut]

Brilliant progress!

Just my opinion, but attach the brace under the deck lid drain channels & that way, you can easily drop the deck lid on to check the gap fit.

 

[Knightrider189]

Awesome project!

I can’t wait to see the finish results.


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM

 

[70formula]

 

[70formula]

 

[70formula]

Another solid day of work on the ol rust bucket today. Spent the day behind the wire wheel and flap disk getting the rear frame rails and the rear of the seat pan area all cleaned up and de- dirt and grimed. I also decided that I wanted to strengthen the frame up by boxing it up and putting a fresh plate of steel on top the frame rail, so got my template made up and cut out the plates and got them test fitted with the trunk pan and tail pans roughed in after to make sure it didnt create fitment issues to add a boxing plate. Looked ok to me. I know it's not really needed...as the factory rails were just spotted welded to the trunk pan. I wasn't loving though how the new trunk pan ends in the middle of the frame rail, so anyway that's happening lol.

I also worked on getting the flanges of the rail all flattened and straight again as well, in preps for welding the boxing plate on.

After getting everything cleaned and ending the work day, I then slathered the areas with koreseal rust converter primer, as I have a gallon just sitting on the shelf, Next I will por 15 over that.

 

[70formula]

Solid day of progress...
Old package tray cut out, and new tray all roughed in. Clamps and sheet metal screws holding it together at the moment as I need to set the deck lid on and measure the glass and make sure everything is lined up. Its really close...and looks like these aftermarket panels anyway won't fight me to much.

 

[70formula]

Helped my Brother get his cab on his 29 Ford Hot Rod. Had to push it outside to stare.

 

[70formula]

Happy fathers day to everyone out there. I spent fathers day with my FIL working on the firebird. He is working on getting the headlight buckets rebuilt, and the headlights working with the wire harness I made. While he did that, I used some Clecoes and get the firebird rear end sheet metal all rough fitted in. Im going to test fit the deck lid and rear glass, but based on the measurements I took, and the way its looking, I think I am pretty close to where the panels need to be.

 

[Knightrider189]

Happy fathers day to everyone out there. I spent fathers day with my FIL working on the firebird. He is working on getting the headlight buckets rebuilt, and the headlights working with the wire harness I made. While he did that, I used some Clecoes and get the firebird rear end sheet metal all rough fitted in. Im going to test fit the deck lid and rear glass, but based on the measurements I took, and the way its looking, I think I am pretty close to where the panels need to be.

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Starting to take shape! Looking good.
Happy Father’s Day!


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM

 

[Munkyslut]

That Rodney is so Kool!

The progress on the Bird is epic; you really get **** done, don’t ya?

It’s a treat to watch.

 

[70formula]

Solid day of work on the firebird today. Extra frame boxing finally got final fitment, welded in, and welds ground back to flush rough. Likely overkill, as the factory didn't do this, but I'd much rather make it stronger then factory. pictures failed but also got the package tray welded in and the first package tray shoulder welded in.