redraif

Ok many of you have express interest in Notchbacks. I have heard over and over how everyone wishes that one be made that is just like the factory original. Well thanks to this board I found one that is very, very close to a factory original. The main differences being that mine has a removable back glass, it had the screw caps on the top like our factory glass hatches, and there is no ridge down the center. Well I Purchased this Notch and the previous owner had no idea who made it or if any were still being produced. No one else could figure this out either. But since it was so close to an original and no one could find a current producer of it, I got together w/ Hawks 3rd gen and we are trying to produce this notch.

Well I did my part and bought the notch and got it to Bruce.
He did his part and got a fiberglass guy all lined up to make a mold.
Now its up to you all...here is the info that Scauffiel got from Bruce while I was absent from the boards due to being rearended on the 5th in my Dually.

As far as when I need my notchback, back...well I will need it back in time to get it preped, painted, fitted, and a new piece of plexi cut to be tinted to match to the windows...all by the TA Nats in August!

So let Bruce know your interest and get those deposits in! I got this notch and gave it to Bruce for you guys, so we 3rd gen Enthusiasts could have some styling options. Don't let this opportunity pass the 3rd gen community by. Until enough interest is generated the notch is on hold. He just wants to get 10 for the initial run to make making the mold worth while. From there they will probably make extras periodically to have on hand for future orders.

So come on guys and gals!

Here are the links to the current threads:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=171967

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=156753

Here is a link to the pics. I'm trying to keep this thread 56K friendly...

Pics of the notch and info!
I even went ahead and compiled pics of factory notches and of the aftermarket notches so you could compare them to this one!

For those of you who hate to scroll down here are some answers to some questions asked below...

Bruce and I discussed the spoiler option and figured it would get too complicated to offer one with the notch. Most people do not want the base model style spoiler that the notches came with. And each spoiler has different mounting points. And to offer a spoiler with it would bump up the price. So we figured we would make it easier by leaving off the spoiler and having no spoiler holes in the notch. Then you can add whatever style you like!

Since the surface of the notch where the spoilers would mount is essentially the same as a stock decklid, any 3rd gen spoiler should fit. Now the onle problems I could forsee is with the wrap around style spoilers. Because of the notches raised sides and lack of the hatchback style window, I'm not sure how factory wrap arounds would fit and mount (they use clips on the edge of the glass). This is something that Bruce could probably check out if people are really interested in using this style with the notch. I suggest asking Bruce when you call to put down your deposit... He can always go try a few styles on for you guys if the interest is there.

scauffiel

*BUMP*

Hey Mods - Can we get a sticky?

S.

Diabolical

yeah this definately deserves a sticky

HamSpiced

i want one, but i dont ahve the cash, i probably wont have it for quite a while...

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

Here ya go guys, good luck!

scauffiel

Thanks MCRS for the sticky.

Of course, it looks like this deal will be going nowhere. Per the norm - we get a bunch of talkers, but when it actually comes down to doing, everybody bails.

Bummer.

S.

Jurrel

Oh I WILL call, I jus need to hear from RedRaif first on something
in PM first....
How many folks have called any one have any idea?

admrlam

I talked, and im definetely interested in doing it. Im gonna give him a call early next week and see when he'll be needing the full balance to be handed in. If i think i can spring it, im sending him my deposit.

And its not that we all want to talk **** and do nothing, and perhaps i cant speak for everyone else. But for me anyway, this is the WORST time of the year financially.

redraif

Thanks for the sticky!

I will talk to Bruce this weekend at the F-body Gathering here in Atl and see what the latest is.

Come on guys lets make this happen!

masterz

will that 5" 3 pc. wing I see talked about fit the notch?? This might go good with my new jongbloed hood. Is that wing going to be made??

masterz

I am new to this site but from what I see Hawks is the way to go for parts. Is the right??? I need some interior parts.

redraif

The notch is designed just like a factory decklid in the area where the spoiler would mount. So any spoiler that would fit on a decklid will fit on this notchback!

Yes Hawks should be able hook you up with any interior part you need. He has tons of F-bodies on his lot. Just click on the banner at the top of the page and give him a call!

86IROCNJ

Just a thought since the 5" spoiler thread has a lot of interest too,well, there was interest anyway, maybe we could do a group purchase on that spoiler? no? I would buy it now! I already emailed them for a shipping quote. Anyone in? I know i should probally post this in the 5" thread but this thread just had me thinkin.... later guys, and gals.

TorchTA

Will be callin in my deposit by weeks end.
Of course, the fact that everyones backing out means itll probably be a moot effort. :-\
What happened to all the people that were after one of these?

-JT

Jurrel

Okay I JUST heard from Bruce and laid out my deposit...and to be honest all I can say is UGH, come on people lets get this thing going! Including ME Bruce said he is upto person #2 ONLY!
I donno bout the rest of you but from the discussion earlier sounded like 10 people wanting this was not going to be hard to find! The window for this isn't all that large, as I assume he needs the original one to work with still. And as RedRaif said she needs it back by Augest at the latest!

That isnt long at all so come on people and get in touch with him at Hawks!

89transam

The $600 is unpainted correct?

Ugh...gimme a week...I am debating wiether or not to keep my car


But if it looks anything like this ....:hail: :hail:

I might have to keep the car

redraif

Real factory notch...


Factory side...


This notches side....


***********************************************
Factory rear....


This notch rear shot...


***********************************************
Factory angled


this notch...


************************************************

I was not planning to post pics, but it seems some new to this effort need the side by side comparison!

OK this is a limited time offer people. You are really letting me down here. Where are all the interested people who were bugging me to death before?

Once this notch is on my car and you see it you are going to regret letting this opportunity pass you by! I'm not going to mess up a brand new paint job by trying to copy this notch once its painted and installed on the 82! I got you guys this chance, just like I promised. Come on! Get this notch produced!

I tried to convince Bruce to go ahead with the mold, but he is not sure that makes good business sence. He needs to have that 10 to show this is a worth while investment. Now if he gets very close to that # he may still go ahead. Remember this is his business, his lively hood... He can't put big $ out there on something and have you guys not buy it.

redraif

I have updated my Cardomain site (82s) With the above info as well as some pics of other aftermarket notches. I also compiled pics of Real factory notches so you could compare the 2.

Check out theNotch Page!

Also revamped the site a bit!

Come on Guys!

89transam

So, the $600 is with the glas included correct? And does it come with the spolier or not?

scauffiel

Yes, the glass is included, but it's "fixed" meaning it won't be removable. For a couple of bucks more he's going to offer a kit to make it a removable window. And no, the notchback is spoilerless, so you'll have to provide your own - or it'd be a good time to see how a five inch high rise would look on there...

S.

85SportCoupeto89RS

All we have to pay is the deposit? 100 and later when they are available we pay the rest. Right now I have 100 to spare and could save up the rest in 3 weeks. I'll get in contact with bruce soon

scauffiel

You don't even have to "pay" the $100. He just wants you to put it on a credit card - it won't be run until the deal is done and he's going to start the run. THEN he'll run the $100 from each of us. Once he's about to ship yours he'll contact you for the remainder.

So, to reiterate: In effect you are "pledging" $100, but using a credit card to "hold" the money. When he starts the actual fiberglassing of this run, he'll charge your card the $100. Once your individual notch is done and about to be shipped you will owe the rest of the final price. If the final price is $623, you'll owe $523, since he'll already have gotten the $100 from your card at the inception of the project.

I'm not sure I can be much clearer on that.

S.

redcamaro83

i'm in in a week

redraif

Bruce and I discussed the spoiler option and figured it would get too complicated to offer one with the notch. Most people do not want the base model style spoiler that the notches came with. And each spoiler has different mounting points. And to offer a spoiler with it would bump up the price. So we figured we would make it easier by leaving off the spoiler and having no spoiler holes in the notch. Then you can add whatever style you like!

Since the surface of the notch where the spoilers would mount is essentially the same as a stock decklid, any 3rd gen spoiler should fit. Now the only problems I could forsee is with the wrap around style spoilers. Because of the notches' raised sides and lack of the hatchback style window, I'm not sure how factory wrap arounds would fit and mount (they use clips on the edge of the glass). This is something that Bruce could probably check out if people are really interested in using this style or other wrap around styles with the notch. I suggest asking Bruce when you call to put down your deposit... He can always go try a few styles on for you guys if the interest is there.

83Firebird420

ok well i do want one and i can have the money in like 2 weeks but i guess i gotta call that guy

redraif

Yes, please call Bruce and get the deposits ironed out!

I would say that in order for him to get the mold made and get my notchback to me with enough time to get it blocked staight and ready for paint...then get the whole car painted before the August show....

Man I would think he would need to have all the orders in by the middle of June. This would be the deposits only. Then with 10 people saying yes they would make the mold off mine. I'm assuming roughly 2 wks to do that. That way and problems can be ironed out while they still have my notch... and then I could get it back to get prepped. But I'm gonna need a good month to get the notch and rest of the car painted before the show, esp if we are going to flame it....

So I'm making a guess here...but I would say mid June would be the cut off on this notch. Now if we get 10 people then the mold will be made and the notch will be available in the future. If we don't get 10 people this notch will not be produced at all!
Remember that!

Now remember your balance amount will not be due right away. It will not be due till your notch is done and ready for shipment. This timing will depend on how quick notches can be made. No way to really tell at this point. I would guess more mid July for most of the notches...A few will be ready before then. Mostly it depends on how quick we get 10 people together!

But I would say you have time to get the balance together!

Diabolical

this is gonna sound crazy, but can i put down a deposit and not purchase the notch for a year? i am 90% sure i won't be able to buy the notch until next year. however, when i can afford it, i would really like it if it was available. i want this to go into production so much, that i'm willing to put up $100 to help get it started.

scauffiel

You'd have to talk to Bruce, Diabolical. Maybe instead of putting the hundred beans down and then waiting a year, you can work out a payment plan type of deal where you pay him $100 a month or something.

Of course, it'll all be for naught if the damn things don't get made.

S.

Gumby

Are there any "performance" gains with the stock notch compared to the sleaker GTauto one???

I kinda like the the GTauto one better for looks. It is/was about the same price.Course I dont see the GTauto banner above anymore.

Matt

Diabolical

i don't know if i'd call the gt auto one sleeker, but it doesn't really matter. gt auto is now g&t fiberglass, but you can get both notches through hawks anyway. there shouldn't be any performance different between the two at all.

nolanr0413

do you have any pics of that notch on a trans am . I would like to see some on a trans am .

nolanr0413

hows the fit on this thing gonna be if i get one, it has to be perfect , i was pissed with the fit on my ram air 2 hood, it has to be a real quality fit .

redraif

As Steve said above...Hawks is going to make the first few and work out any fitment bugs before he starts filling orders. Now from what we could tell when we installed the original on the Camaro in the pics, it fits very well.

It uses the factory hinges and struts. It also takes the latch right of your stock hatch. You just swap it right over. Its a very straight forward swap.

The only black car we had available to put it on that day was the camaro. So I have no TA shots of this notch. But as I stated before it is so similar to the factory original that it will look just like the factory original GTAs in the above pics!

Diabolical

i emailed bruce and pledged my $100. including me, he only has 3 people. this is rediculous. the original thread that got this project started had 3 pages of people saying they wanted it, then there was another page full when raif posted the pictures. now we have the chance to get it, and only 3 people step up.

Diabolical

stock struts won't be too strong for it, since it's half the weight of a glass hatch?

redcamaro83

yeah thats a good queston cuase my struts acty like they will throw my hatch a few feet if it is ever loose

and that is with a spoiler

redraif

Well the 3rd gens came with different struts. Those birds with stock spoilers will probably be fine. The 88 RS spoiler guys will probably be fine. The 3 piece Camaros should be OK too. Those with the wrap around spoilers had stronger struts. They might have to be swapped. Honestly, the car we tried it on had dead struts. The mounting plate though work with the factory length struts.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

i know i'd really like to have one i've been talking about it with my friend cause with me totally rebuilding my 88 that would give it the touch but i just got laid off and dont have a credit card i'm only 19

robertg

iTrader: (2)

hey shannon, just some food for thought, if the deposits don't go through, what's the possibility of getting this done over the winter?

people might have the money then

scauffiel

I just posted this over at the camaroz28 forums in the hopes of attracting more people.

I just hope they're people with money. *sigh*

I also wrote to the moderator to ask him to make it a sticky.

S.

3rdGenBlackBird

Awesome! I'm glad I saw this thread tonight! I've always loved the factory notchback look.

$100 down isn't a problem for me, but depending on when he needs the rest and the shipping costs (for hawaii) I might not be able to come through.

I'll definately give that guy a call this week and see if I can work out some way that I can still support the project with $100 down, and pay the rest later after summer or something. (Not sure what kind of time frame this project is in. Anyone know the earliest and/or latest the notches will be ready?)

When I call bruce I'll ask him, but maybe someone here can answer this: If I want to use my factory (base 91 firebird) spoiler on this notch, will it be able to support the weight? Or should I look into getting a fiberglass spoiler to use with it? (Or... how much do the factory spoilers weigh?)

I'll try to call hawks before I go to work monday or tuesday morning. Any info you guys could give me would help also.

Thanks,
Scott

Diabolical

3rdGenBlackBird, the notch is about half the weight of a glass hatch, and your spoiler should be fine to use with it. i talked to him because i'm in the same boat as you. i can put down $100, but i probably won't afford it until the end of summer or something. he said we can work that out. once he has all the deposits he needs, it should take about 2 months to get the mold made, make a few to assure proper fit and all that, then start producing them. i don't know about shipping to hawaii though, that could get pricey.

redraif

Well the only problem is that when you make a mold there is a 99% chance that the paint will be messed up. Now we will have a custom paint job on the 82 and it will be running the notch. To have it done for the TA nats the car has to be done by August. As it is we may have lost a place to paint it...Still working on that! Blowtherm is moving its training center to TX and the booths here are being sold off one by one. So depending on how quick they come get the booths, we may not be able to paint the car at all there.

Ugh! So if I can't get the car done, maybe the notch will be off that long, but as it stands it should be painted and on the car before winter time!

A88GTANotchback

all i have to say to all u cliff hangers is go for it. i get soo many comments on how different it is, and they ask prduction numbers and i just smile. whats 600 bux. i spend that much on fast food in a couple months. do it up so we can get this notch back trend off the ground and in the sky. P.S thx redraif for using my car on ur site...i feel specila

89transam

Yeah, but its $600 bare. I assume its at least 200 to get it painted, the another 200 or more to get a spoiler. Close to $1,000 after its all said and done

Diabolical

that's what i'm saying. i don't have $600 right now, had no intentions of buying this notch any time in the next year, but i realize that if people like me don't step up, this thing won't be available for me to purchase in a year. i'll take another $600 of credit card debt over never being able to have what i want.

89transam

Id put $5 towrds it even though I probobly wont buy a thing

A88GTANotchback

1000 bux for somehting ull never see again is pretty fair id say. by the sounds of it this guy does good work. i did a tune up on my car and parts carme to 300 cdn. thats a tune up. cars are expensive this mod isnt bad.....if u dont have money u dont have money but if u do and ur wondering what to do...do the notch

3rdGenBlackBird

Talked to Bruce yesterday for a few minutes. He answered all my questions but he seems doubtful that we will get enough people before he has to return the notch. (Only 3 people made their deposits as of yesterday.)

I'm going to call him tomorrow morning before work (probably late thursday afternoon EST) to leave my credit card number so I'm probably number 4.

We probably won't have another chance like this so if you have the money, PLEASE put it down for a notch then sell it on ebay or something if you don't want it. All we need are 6 more buyers....

Also, he said he's going to be out of his shop for a few days starting friday, so if you have any questions for him call him up tomorrow!

GTAJIM

Notches are SEXY!!! Every time I take it out EVERYBODY asks about it !!!!! I would do it, that is if I didnt have one already
JMO