I picked up a Red 1991 Firebird on 05/17


For $2,700.00 - 48K Miles, R134 A/C Conversion, New Battery (2017), New Wipers, New Tires (DATE), Car Cover & fresh oil.


The Bad:

SUNBURNED! Therefore, Convertible Top in desperate need of replacement.
15" Wheels, Cracked Dash Pad, Interior looks tired...

UPDATES TO FOLLOW

 

First Order of Business,

Wheels!


USED for $500.00 - C5 (Option Code: N73) Bronze Magnesium Wheels (SPEEDLINE WHEELS - MADE IN ITALY)

NEW $97.00 - 2" Hub Centric Wheel Spacers in Anodized Black

 

Passed SMOG

 

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

Here is a picture to prove that Global Warming is real! ($60 @ APEXSMOG in Bellflower)

 

I meant the car itself. You know we all like to drool over photos of the cars.

 

As soon as I put the wheels (still need to buy tires) on I'll post some pictures

 

I saw it on CL down in Orange County! Congrats on your purchase that was a steal! Post some pictures!

 

It's running really clean if that is a legit smog

 

Yep, I bought it!

Took a picture today after a wash...

 

LEGITIMATE! The DMV SMOG Computer had the technician verify the mileage twice prior to approving the Electronic Certificate

 

$2700??? Did you bring a mask and a gun?

 

Not quite, but it was an awesome deal!

 

I finally got around to buying a couple things...



New Center Console Lid $179.00
Coolant Tank $160.00
Lug Nuts $99.97
Personalized Plates $48.00
Serpentine Belt $38.49
Silicone Hose $30.64
Oil Stabilizer $17.54
Oil $14.91
Fuel Filter $12.80
Oil Filter $5.97

Hopefully I can buy Tires soon

 

BF Goodrich G Force Sport COMP2 $736.22
Mounting & Balancing $0.00 (Allen Tire)

 

Looks awesome.

 

Nice!

 

Those wheels look great! I've never seen them before.

 

turd_gen, 1992 Trans Am & rgauder

for the kind words

Next up is the LED Bulb Conversion for the Dash.

Stay Tuned!

 

Changed the oil & I may have inadvertently killed the fuel pump

Fuel Pump & Strainer $77.55

 

As summer comes to a close I took a moment to reflect on the past few months and realized that I've broken down a total of four times since taking ownership.

I. Spark Plug Cable
II. Fuel Pump (previous post)
III. Bad Injector

Spark Plug Wires $25.12
Best Towing $117.00
SCTPI - Labor $100.00

IV. Bad Injector

Rental $107.80
Transmission Mount $9.69
Injector $0.00 (Dyno Don @ So. Cal TPI)
Cap & Rotor $0.00 (Dyno Don @ So. Cal TPI)

With the bad news of the fuel pump, I forgot to mention that I paid my dues to the State, $132 for the privilege to operate in CA. Still waiting on my personalized plates...

Silicone Intake Tube $34.65

The brakes need to be replaced soon and I am considering options from the C5 to match the wheels

 

They look like 5th Gen Corvette opt. wheels.

 

Those are the C5 magnesium wheel option. Lightweight and rare! They look really good on your car man! I would just do some stainless steel lines, new slotted rotors, hawks pads and some Wilwood D154 dual piston direct replacement calipers if you want to upgrade the brakes.

 

Looks great. Killer deal!

 

Finally had the opportunity to give all my friends a ride in the drop-top over the Labor Day holiday. Owning a four seat convertible is a definite must!

Unfortunately, one of my friends is obese and careless (he had a couple beers)...

Broke my passanger side trim when the door lodged itself into the grass as he entered into the vehicle and he yanked it free to close it.

Damn! 1991 Bird

 

That stinks!

Yes, 4 seater 'verts are fun. Love taking mine to the beach in the summer. My kids love cruising with the top down too.

 

Finally convinced the Detailer at work to polish my car this last Sunday. Initially he declined due to the condition of the paint in certain areas (Front & Rear Bumpers) but I'm happy with the results. The compliments I've received signifies money well spent
The Daily Driver

 

Looks great!

 

Looks sharp man!

 

Man I like that red bird what a steal

 

​​​​​​​Thanks for the kind words @Ed1LE

Thanks Man!

It really was...

 

What a score!

One of my friends opened the door of my Tahoe that was a couple months old into a post in a parking garage.. still haven’t gotten over that and that was 2002!

Sweet bird!

 

Stopped by So Cal TPI on Friday and was quite pleased to find "Top Down Solutions" parts stocked

Thus, I took the opportunity to fix a ThirdGen Firebird specific ailment,
the headlights. Under the tutelage of Dyno Don, no broken bolts on the driver side headlight motor assembly

Headlight Motor Kit $13.50

 

55K Mile Service

Switching over to a Synthetic Oil due to the longer service interval and the Lucas Oil 10W-40 & HD Oil Stabilizer in-service has the oil pressure super high.

Air Filter $9.97
Oil Filter $5.97
Oil $41.50

 

My First Car Show

https://jalopnik.com/this-car-show-g...-dr-1796162218

Hoping to score a "Bra" from the Classifieds section to compliment my dashpad.

 

Dammit! I got hit! I think the “Bra” really helped to minimize the damage. You can’t really tell from the photos but the hood is bent.

 

That SUCKS. I am guessing that is the Bra I sent you? I hope you got it on time, you never responded to my messages.

 

Sorry scooter, I was very busy the days leading up to the Car Show. So much so, that I entered without a fresh wash. I actually put the Bra on at the Car Show. Thanks Man!

 

I've never seen a stock 80 psi oil pressure gauge. All three of the thirdgens I've owned have had 60 psi gauges. Hope that damage is all superficial.

 

Well at least I erred on the side of sending it without your feedback and you got it on time.

Let us know how the repairs go

 

Hoping so myself

Waiting on the market value of my vehicle to determine if the insurance will cover the damages or deem a Total-Loss!

 

If they total it out then that's a bunch of crap. On my first car, an '88 Formula, I hydroplaned into a guardrail. It took out the entire passenger headlight and bent part of the upper radiator support. I got a new front clip and fender and had it all replaced for under $1K. Yours doesn't look anything near as bad. New bumper cover, hood, and headlight assy and you should be back in business with a few adjustments.

 

Let them total it & keep the car, repair it and have a ****load more money to spend on it.

Car looks (looked) good, you did well!

 

Well, it was deemed a Total-Loss yesterday

I fought the "Market-Driven Valuation" provided by Autosource. This valuation was processed using their Two Dealer Quotations valuation methodology. You wouldn't believe who they obtained their quotes from . An absolute insult to say the least...

THIRDGEN.ORG to the rescue!

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...e-company.html

 

You said in a previous post that you were hit. Was it a hit and run or is it the other insurance company that wants to total your car. It's my understanding that if someone else is at fault and car is repairable, their insurance has to repair your car, even if it exceeds "replacement value" of your car. If it was a hit and run and you filed a claim from your insurance company, you'll have to fight with them. Damage doesn't look too bad, can you retract the claim and fix on your dime to avoid the salvage title?

 

Not a Hit N' Run. State Farm is who the claim is with... I'm not an insurance expert but I do believe you are correct. However, they mentioned not exceeding the 75% value threshold. I was reimbursed today for the initial estimate amount. No Salvage Title!

 

Well, if you're getting the funds to fix it and no salvage title, sounds like all worked out in the end!

 

ACDelco R43TSK Spark Plugs. The originals, perhaps?

Spark Plugs $35.70

Driver’s Side @ 56,357 Mi & Passenger’s @ 56,407 Mi