I really hate it when it's a tie. That means I cast the deciding vote. People are going to be unhappy either way . And in this case it was really hard for me to decide which is why this thread didn't go up yesterday.
I literally changed my mind, and then back again while writing this. In the end though, I just cannot deny the amount of work put in by Topspeed with his own hands, to create something unique, but not too outlandish, that all comes together beautifully. And from such humble beginnings.
And when I say that, I do not mean, in even the slightest way, to discount the work and efforts of 88IROCvertZ, who has a stunningly beautiful IROC convertible. I think that's the color I'd want too. His photos and presentation are outstanding. I'd be proud to own that car.
So...congratulations Topspeed. Your 1984 Firebird SE creation is December 2017's TGO Car of the Month. You've definitely earned it. I'm proud to see the community represented by such a beautifully done, unique Third Gen.
Quote: Body:
Taken down to a bare car - no electronics, no fuel or brake lines. Had it media blasted to get the old paint off and have a clean slate to work from. The only rust spot on the car was under the drivers seat which a new floor panel was welded in. The radiator support was also shot so I had to weld a new one in as well as put a new crossmember in. From my thread you can see that the car barely had a life. It had 334 original miles on it when I bought it and I know that to be true because the car was only registered for three months before it was stolen, trashed, and thrown in a junkyard where I bought her from.
Engine and Drivetrain:
Got rid of the original V6 the car came with and bought a 350 TPI motor for her. Here is a list of what I have in the motor:
Edelbrock aluminum heads
SLP original load mouth exhaust from headers all the way back to the tailpipe
Performance chip
24# injectors
competition cam
magnum roller rockers
52mm throttle body
ported and polished plenum
Aluminum drive shaft
K&N shift kit in 700r4
SLP cold air intake
TPIS runners
BW posi rear with 3.73 gears
Suspension:
Hotchkiss rear suspension
bilstein shocks
lowered 1 1/2"
PBR full brake setup
Subframe connectors
wonder bar
All new urethane bushings throughout
18" BOSS Motorsport 338 rims
Custom Features:
Suicide hood hinges - not store bought or off another type of car - they were made by me
Hood vents - off a 1976 Firebird and welded to a stock hood
Rear spoiler - this was aftermarket but I think it fits the car
Fully Dynamatted interior
Battery relocated to the rear spare tire spot
Thanks Linson! What an honor. Thank you for the great write-up also. It was a labor of love. I've been nominated three times before for car of the month but I always ended up being a bridesmaid never the bride. And as of tonight that has changed. Thanks to all who voted for my car. It was a tough month to be in the running for car of the month and as I said earlier I think every single one of them are winners
Linson, I stand by your decision 100%.. I’ve put a lot of work into thirdgens, but not this one.. Topspeed has blood, sweat and and awesome car..
Topspeed, I hear you man, been nominated 4 times and never seem to cross the line! Congrats on doing it man! If you didn’t win I would have nominated you down the line and promoted the work you did.. it was great to read about all the work you put in this month!
Linson, I stand by your decision 100%.. I’ve put a lot of work into thirdgens, but not this one.. Topspeed has blood, sweat and and awesome car..
Topspeed, I hear you man, been nominated 4 times and never seem to cross the line! Congrats on doing it man! If you didn’t win I would have nominated you down the line and promoted the work you did.. it was great to read about all the work you put in this month!
Thanks bud! I appreciate the accolades. I will be nominating you for the next car of the month whenever your class comes about. I see you are from New England. Whereabouts are you? I'm in New York. We should meet up some time to get these two cars together. I also had to tell my wife to "settle down" because she loves the paint on your car and she owns a convertible classic also.
I'm in Albany New York. My parents grew up in Springfield and that's where most of my family is from. We aren't too far away and maybe over the summer we can hook up
Absolutely, would be great to get the cars together (and not race because I’m bone stock).. I know Albany pretty well from when my cover band played The Bayou.. Small world!
These were all such beautiful cars, all winners. Truly. But congratulations to Topspeed, great accomplishment!!! Get that car to the Trans Am Nationals in August!!!
Going to be a very difficult voting decision for COTY. The "open season" contests all year have brought forward one of the strongest group of cars seen in a long time. I'll bet it is another round like this one with close voting between most cars.
Amazing looking car and those pictures are top notch too!
I loved the open season nominations this year. We always had a nice mix of Firebirds and Camaros. Would love to see to see that continue. Any deserving car should being able to get nominated each month.
. And in this case it was really hard for me to decide which is why this thread didn't go up yesterday. 
