Does anybody know if a 1st generation front clip would fit a third gen? I think the 1st was a couple inches less on width than the third.......has anybody done it before?

 

I've seen photoshops... but that's very subjective.

 

I've looked for it, haven't even found photoshop of it. I'm curious to know how it would look.

 

Ive seen pics of it done to a 4th gen camaro.

Its on my broke PC sorry I would have posted pics, it was White with Orange stripes Ill see if I can find it

 

Are you talking about panels that look like the 1st gen that fit, or grafting the whole front end on?

 

What, like a bolt on? No way in hell.

Mathius

 

Not a bolt on, just something that has been fabricated.

 

A lot would have to be fabricated. First and second gen cars have a bolt on front subframe. Third gens are a complete unibody structure. It would be easier to buy an aftermarket front subframe and front half the car.

If you're talking about just the sheet metal and nose, a lot more would need to be fabricated to make them fit over the third gens unibody inner structure.

I've seen some photoshop third gen cars that have a first gen nose on them. It doesn't look that bad but would take a lot of custom work. I doubt factory components would work. They would have to be custom made parts that look like first gen parts.

 

"I've seen some photoshop third gen cars" Do you have some pictures of these? I found the 4th gen referenced earlier in this thread, but haven't seen a third gen yet.

 

Anything can be done with enough money.
Would look different for sure....

 

Anything can be fabricated. What do you want done? Just the front fascia or the whole front end? If you're doing the whole front end, are the body lines going to match up?

If I was going to do the front end, I'd take a long hard look at the 1st gen fenders and 3rd gen fenders and decide if I want to try to make the 1st gen panels work, or if I want to graft the two together. Grafting them together probably makes more sense.

Then I have to narrow my front end. I probably cut it down the center, take a section out and weld it back together. Then I have to fabricate a grille, or try to cut down the stock grille which is probably plastic.

For the hood, I'd probably build a frame first, possibly out of flat bar, then reskin the hood to fit.

You could try to mate the whole doghouse from the 1st gen to the third gen, but that would involve refabricating your strut towers, or coming up with a different type of front suspension. You could rework the radiator support to accomodate the front end from the 1st gen, but if it isn't a close match on width, why bother?

If you just want the front fascia, you're probably gonna have to make some custom changes to make it all flow, see how it fits up and make your modifications accordingly. We're probably talking a completely different body shape around the sides and top.

Mathius

 

you could do this.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...all/index.html

 

My friend put a 81 front end (bumper, fenders) on a 69 Firebird.
He formed everything from metal and did most of the work on the doors and hood.
It looks pretty cool.
I'll post up some pics when I find them.
He has long since sold the car.

 

First and second gens are a lot easier because the front subframes were similar where they actually had a front frame. Third gen is a completely different design.

With lots of Bondo, any body panel can line up perfectly.

 

He did it with metal, but since the 1st and 2nd gens are easy, I won't have to search for the pics.

 

How about a 4th gen with a 1st gen body?

 

I always wanted a unique car, while over here in the sand box a buddy and I tossed ideas back and forth and i came up with an idea for a hybrid front fascia inspired by both the '69 camaro as well as the '10, I created a quick, and rough photoshop of what i was thinking....

 

now thats what the 2010 should have been

 

i think thats kind of cool

 

Have any of you seen the latest Hot Rod Magazine? There is a section where they have drawings of spicing up older and plentyful cars. They show what it would look like if there was a body kit for third gens that made it look more like the '10. kind of like that drawn up picture. If nobody gets one up tomorrow, then I can take a picture of my copy and show you all.

 

ok. i couldnt wait any longer. heres what i was talking about:


the caption talks about how it would be too expensive, would be a bolt on, and how it adds to the strengths and eliminates the weaknesses.

 

That would be suhweeeet!

 

I could build that. Actually, I just acquired the perfect candidate for that conversion, a plane jane base bird 2.8. But, I'd do the bird version of it, or what I think the '10 T/A woulda shoulda looked like. I wouldn't be able to start on it for several months but you sire have the wheels turning in my head.

 

that things AWESOME!! where did you find it??

 

I think it was in the latest Hot Rod mag

 

good guess lol

it is in the September 2009 Hot Rod magazine, page 69

...69... hehe

 

eh, oh well somone should fiberglass it and sell it as a body kit

 

If no one else does it with in 2 years. ill do it. ill have my Bachelor of science in manufacturing engineering by then and hopefully have my own business.

some buddies and i want to open a shop thats kind of like http://www.hennesseyperformancestore.com/index.html and we also want to manufacture our own parts. (hoods, wheels. body kits, and eventually intakes and power adders) Im dreamin big haha!

 

Interesting link. I've never seen that done before.

 

this thing's sick!! I wish I could get one cause that would be bad ***. and to upgrade parts, you buy 4th gen parts which are cheaper, and easier to find

 

ive got some more work to do on it but 88 formula with 1st gen front clip/hood

 

haha dont u think that front wheel angle is alil excessive for the street lol

i love the 4th gen converson to the 69 style... thats just awsome. old school style new school performance.

not feeling the 5thgen drawing from hot rod. but i like convoy25s design... maybe delete the lower fog lights/markers and create center round fog lights in the lower grill closer to the center

 

oh there was so much wrong with that picture im tinkering with it in my free time which is coming few and far between on of these days it'll look good

 

guardedsoul... just to let u kno the 4th gen camaro was 7" shorter than the 1st gen.

 

Could end up looking something like this?????

 

=O

i want to see more of that

 

I have a couple more in my gallery. I plan on adding more when things progress a bit more on the project. Far from done, just another project car in the works for me.....

Dave

 

yes yes, more pics.

 

Looks like a 71 mustang to me kinda.

 

There is a multitude of influences on the sheetmetal work, mostly being done to resemble some of my favorite late 60's muscle cars with a liberal dose of self expression thrown in....

Garage is quite full and a bit cluttered right now, but I'll try to get some more pics and add them here on the site...

 

YES, this is exactly what I was talking about. Looks awesome. Sorry I haven't replied, been REALLY busy. Should post more pics when you get further along.

 

it would look sick raked or even a regular stance. def has to have the 4'' or 5'' spoiler

 

I was hoping you would show up and put some picts of your current creation on this thread. I am going to be real interested to see your finished project.

 

I'll put up some more pics as the project progresses... Right now I'm trying to get one of my pickups finished up and sold so that I can stand back and throw some $$$$$ at the '82.... As per usual, I have way too many projects going on at one time and too much money spread out on them..... If I could just win the lottery, life would sure be simplified!!!

I did try to start a gallery, there's a few more pics in there...Also considering going to the wide body look on the rear, started another thread on that.... Haven't decided yet....

 

Been doing a little more work on the '82... working on some of the bar angles and adjustability of the 4 link for the rear end... Also, spent a bit more time doing some posterboard mockups on the back of the hood. I trimmed the sides a bit, about 3/8" on either side of the front of the hood, then tapered back towards the rear of the hood. I removed the stock dash panel and put it in storage, decided there was just no way to make it work in with the rest of the mods.... Finished welding in the frame ties on the top side, I'll weld the bottom side later when the car is on the rotissierie (sp). Just one pic of the rear suspension area today, I'll get some more up of the hood mockups either tomorrow or first of the week..... Once the hood is shaped and smoothed, it will be used as a pattern to make a fiberglass mold, then eventually a 'glass or other composite hood for the car... Still a long way to go, but I'm having a blast with the project!!!!

 

ill make it... i already have the plan blueprints and measurements of where everything would go.. how many people would be interested in buying and how much would you be willing to pay for the whole kit?? front bumper, lights, side skirts, rear bumper, and hatch/spoiler with 1/4" lexan window...

 

If you do make it freddy, are you talking about making it look like the HotRod Magazine picture? I like that one the best.

 

i made another thread after this one with a couple options and im going to put some more on there...

 

I had some time to do a bit more sheetmetal work on the hood.... Pretty much have the shape I want, now I'll have to put in some supports on the inside to hold it's shape then start smoothing the surface out so I can make a mold, then build a 'glass hood..... It's narrowed a bit (about 3/8" per side) and recontoured on the front so it won't work with the stock 3rd gen sheet metal (and plastic) front....

BTW--if anyone might be interested in reproducing this whole front end in fiberglass let me know, maybe we can work something out.... I just don't have the time or space to do any sort of production work on it...

Looks like I have a new drag car to build for an old customer this winter, the '82 will probably go up for sale or go back into storage once I get going on it....

 

Did this ever materialize?