Thursday, June 19, 2008

A Lift is Better than Blocks


This fellow felt his F-body car was far too good to put on blocks, so he built a new garage and installed a lift. His comments follow:

"Firebird takes to the air.
It's been a while since I posted anything. It was a big day when I got the lift working and picked up this junk Firebird. The inside of the garage sports a partial third floor with open space for the lift to raise tall vehicles.
I haven't crashed through the floor yet, but then this car only weighs about 2500 pounds in its current state. The lift is good for *gulp* 8000."

Isn't it amazing what people will pay to salvage an old Firebird or Camaro? 

Why Firebirds and Camaros never die. They're saved even from junk yards

I found this in a Forum. The kid found it in a junk yard and bought it for $400. His commentary follows. The second picture is the car after he "fixt-er-up." He actually did! Bravo!


"My first car was a 74 455 Trans Am. I bought it little more than a year ago from a junk yard for 400 bucks!. Buccaneer red, deluxe white interior. Ended up spending the whole summer blocking, and sanding on it. Huge project but finally got it finished, and had the nicest car at school. The only 74 TA around here, and well known by everyone."





You wonder if it's the same car. Looks great!


Sunday, June 15, 2008

Looks Nice from Afar, but Not So Pretty Up Close

I found this fine specimen up north a little. My friend said that he said this car still ran. After I took a closer look, I concluded that it hadn't been for a while. Notice the flat tire.



Up close I found that the spoiler was very sun burned on top and the interior was pretty shredded. I guess the owner figures this car could be a jewel...........maybe after $5000 and a few hundred hours of TLC. I guess the back tire must be a "run flat" model. This old girl has plenty of life left in her.


Runs Like a Gringo Full of Jalapenos

This little black Firebird runs and is parked outside a tire and tamale store every day. I'm not kidding. They sell tires, wheels, and Mexican food all at the same business. I think the wheels and tires cost more than the car.





With a little paint, this car might look pretty nifty. The hood actually fits pretty well. The dings on the corners will cover nicely and this car would have a new lease on life. No blocks for this one.........yet.



This One Needed Chocks to Stay in the Driveway

Here's "Redbird." She won't stay still, so she's got chocks, no blocks yet. Notice the rear spoiler is missing, the left front wheel is bent, and the rear deck doesn't fit. She sits a little high,too




Redbird's been punched in the nose. Her face is a little deformed. It kind of looks like she's been launched and landed hard. She's pidgeon-toed in the front.




I'm sure the owner has plans for her. He must figure that there weren't many made like her. She's special, bowed legs and all.











Old F-bodies never die. They just end up on blocks.

I found this beauty across the street from my office. She's bent in front and the left front tire is flat, so it hasn't been moved in months. I'll bet the owner is goin' to fix 'er up someday 'cause she's special. Let's call her "Bluebird."




















This is the other side of Bluebird. Notice the flat tire and the sunburned finish. She'll need at least one block.