Words: Tommy Parry

Build Thread: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/136105-Project-Anchor-(68-Firebird-Coupe)

Lee’s nephew picked up a ‘68 Firebird Coupe to tinker on during his free time. While it looked pretty from fifty feet, it had the typical dents and rust—as well as a bad motor. He started tearing it down the day after it rolled up his driveway and got as far as replacing the left and right floorboards and cutting out the trunk floor.

Being in the Coast Guard, Lee’s nephew has to bounce around as he works his way up the ranks. While he had the car on a rotisserie, he failed to brace the rear of the car sufficiently, and during a move, the rotisserie collapsed, causing the frame rails to twist into a pretzel.

Being a supportive uncle, he built a jig to hold the body in place with the correct elevations for the body support points. Following that, he cut out the quarters and tail panel, fixed one frame rail, installed the other, and put a new trunk pan in place.

Following that, he fixed the corroded subframe mounting points and bolted on a rust-free roof. The new mounting points would help him install a fairly major addition: DSE subframe connectors.

Once the body was on the cradle, Lee installed the Ridetech four-link rear, then began shooting it with a coat of epoxy followed by a layer of Lizard Skin. The aim was to keep this car quieter and cooler than his old Camaro build.

Safer, too. When referring to his Camaro’s suspension for a few pointers to use on his new car, he noticed that the top of the shock mount was ripping itself away from the subframe. So he made the necessary reinforcements and replicated them on his Firebird. Following that, he added air shocks and ride leveler components.

Following that, a Flaming River rack and pinion. “Yeah, I know. That rack and pinion won’t work on the stock subframe. In my defense, I brought this setup even before I started working on my Camaro. It was one of those spur of the moment purchases I regret. Anyway, I’m going to take some bump steer measurements then decide if it stays or goes,” he stated.

Next to this collection of shiny new bits, he replaced the inner fenders. Both inner fenders were beyond repair. He found a used one off a Camaro for $50 and Summit had the other one in stock. It only required some modifications to the front to make it fit into a Firebird inner fender.

Up front, he continued on the cosmetic orders with a set of LED lights from an ‘07-’17 Jeep, which he bolted to the front valance with the aid of some 3.5” piping to serve as housings. With a new set of fenders, a little hood straightening, and a new Camaro’s hood scoop fit into the existing hood, he had a fairly pretty front end.

There’s much more in store for this interesting Firebird-Camaro mashup. To keep tabs on its development, visit Lee’s build thread here.