New guy joining the ranks

[bonn67]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. I have had three Pontiacs over the last 25 years.
My first was a 67 Bonnevlle, second was a 67 Catalina and my third was a 70 Grand Prix. I was always into Pontiac's. Well, I've been out of the hobby for many years but am looking to get back in soon (in the next year or so).

I have always loved the 69 Firebird. What would be the best places to learn all I can on this great car before I start looking for that perfect Firebird?

[88camaroproject]

welcome to the forum, you will notice theres lots of good information on this forum and the camaro forum about theese cars. (not to bash on the firebird forum) but i personally think the camaro forum is a little livelier and the camaros are practically the same.but yep, read up on some old threads here and you will learn alot of stuff (but remember not to post in a thread that is like way old when you do your search, you could get in trouble for that)but yeah welcome aboard and have fun, ask alot of questions

[volkerc]

Camaros are not the same, they gave up performance long time before Pontiac did. The Pontiac engine is a better engine than the chevy also.

http://ourworld.cs.com/gaotman428/pontiacengines.htm

There are two good magazines for the Pontiac fan, High Performance Pontiac and Pontiac enthusiast. They offer great stories, info and plenty of contacts.

[bonn67]

Thanks for the welcome.

I have always enjoyed cars, some of my recents have been 80 RX7 (great little car), 2002 Tbird (cool car but a bit pricey new, you can pick one up used at a decent price, like to one I gave away, that was a dumb move on my part, but thats another story) and my current fun/work car is a 99 Jaguar XK8. I dont really work on them (would love to but just dont have the skills or time) , just love driving them. But i've been itching for a change and my old love of the 69 Firebird has resurfaced (saw one in Popular Hot Rodding years ago and fell in love with it).

I have already sent for my free copy of High Performance Pontiac and I'll check out Pontiac enthusiast.

I have been surprised that you can get these old birds (68 - 70's) at a relativley reasonable price( I've been checking the web, ebay etc... they are less then I would of thought), even a few Trans AM's have been in reach (I would love to get a 69 Trans AM) . But when you look at the GTO's, man are they up there. Any insight on that?

Is there anyplace I can go to check the general market prices on these cars other then the ads?

I am also interested in finding a local club in North Jersey, any ideas?

(you guys did say I can ask questions?)

[volkerc]

As far as the prices are concerned, there is some real stupid money being paid for Firebirds and trans Ams, especially for the years 67- 79. I think you can still find a good deal by checking your local newspapers, auto trader or such. prices on ebay and other sites are just skyrocketing, slowly putting a damper on the hobby. But if you look hard enough you'll still find some good stuff at reasonable prices...

[bonn67]

The funny thing about Autotraders search is that it only lets you go back to 1981. How would you search for older cars?

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by bonn67

The funny thing about Autotraders search is that it only lets you go back to 1981. How would you search for older cars?

i meant the local ad (paper) not online....

[JOHNNY MAC]

Another FNG here just posting a hello to fellow Firebird owners..

First generation Firebird is a pretty good place for 69 FB info Bonn67... I've got some basic stuff posted at my website too.

Johnny Mac
http://my67.net

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by JOHNNY MAC

Another FNG here just posting a hello to fellow Firebird owners..

First generation Firebird is a pretty good place for 69 FB info Bonn67... I've got some basic stuff posted at my website too.

Johnny Mac
http://my67.net

nice car, cool website....

[bonn67]

Originally Posted by volkerc

nice car, cool website....

Yes, real cool. Great info on the cars. Looking forward to learning more. Love your pic's on the restore. Are there any DVD's on Firebird restores running around? Maybe on DIY channel or something. What would be some good books to look for?

Volkerc, I will keep my eyes open at the local papers, thanks. But I'm in no hurry right now. I just want to learn a bit before I go into this. I also need to save some cash up and after I sell the XK8, probably in the spring (no real market for it right now).

But I will enjoy learning about all this stuff, I love doing the research.

[88camaroproject]

Originally Posted by bonn67

The funny thing about Autotraders search is that it only lets you go back to 1981. How would you search for older cars?

go to www.oldcartrader.com instead. it goes wayyyyy back.

[bonn67]

Originally Posted by 88camaroproject

go to www.oldcartrader.com instead. it goes wayyyyy back.

Thanks 88camaproject,

Great site for old cars, even had 2 69 trans am's. To bad I'm not ready to buy yet. Had a 69 GTO Judge for $315K (what the heck is up with that?)

[FormulaLT1]

Hey , Bonn welcome to AF and the Firebird forum.

John

[MrPbody]

Bonn,

Welcome! Watch out for the guy that tells you a '69 Firebird and a '69 Camaro are the same.....NOT!

The '69 Firebirds are not cheap today. The price goes up every week. A 6-cylnder car with some rust may be fairly cheap, yet. A 400,4-speed car is BIG money (not unlike GTO). Forget a true '69 T/A. Unless you're a lottery winner, you can't afford one (upwards of $200K).
On that note, watch out for clones. The market is flooded with them. You can get the VIN and send it Pontiac Historic Services (phs.com). They'll send you a copy of the original build sheet, so there's no question what the car is, and what it came with. It's been noted by certain Pontiac-watchers, more '69 T/As showed up for sale in the last two years, than were ever made...

For accurate and current (key word) engine information, get Jim Hand's book "How to Build Max-performance Pontiac V8s" by SA Designs. Lots of good info in there, and very little "myth and superstition". The old HO Racing "Heay Duty Parts and Blueprint Specs" manual has a wealth of casting numbers and application information. The performance stuff is rather dated, and therefore obsolete.

Good luck! If I can be of assistance, e-mail or call.

Jim

Central Virginia Machine Service
606B 2nd St. NW
Burkeville, VA 23922
(434) 767-9915 Mon-Fri 9-6 ET
www.centralvirginiamachine.com

[88camaroproject]

Originally Posted by MrPbody

Bonn,

Welcome! Watch out for the guy that tells you a '69 Firebird and a '69 Camaro are the same.....NOT!

ummm i said pretty much the same. but i guess they arent the same. wasnt sure about 69 but the third gens are pretty close. i have owned a 88 camaro and now a 87 firebird formula. theres no major difference between the 2 except for some cosmetic stuff. but ok nevermind what i said.