fire-bird night rider? could it be true?

[masonyes]

Anyways, I'm probaly going to buy a 1980 firebird tommorrow. The guy who is selling it to me, says the guy who sold it to him said it was a rare model they only made 5600 of. like the es-6 or whatever. but I think its a nightrider prototype, because I read that such a vehice had a dial fuel injector switch. (it's a blue button underneath the radio)
Can anyone verify this? because my car does. lol
But anyways, it has 475 horse and 505 torque. it has a chevy 300 something engine is brand new. However, for such a great engine I get a piece of shit car. The paint is horrible, my dad says its primer, that whoever tried to paint it like that. hmm. And also the seats are slashed and the interior needs to be redone. So my question is, would it be worth it to rip seats off an old 1970s firebird(probaly just as bad) or to get a seat from a newer model(80s or possibly 90s) and how easy would it be to buy/reupholster the seats myself? Also any advice on general restortation
As well as websites to go to for buying parts. Would be very nice.

mason

one last thing, my dad says it would be worth it just to buy a car that is already restored, but I think because of the engine that this car is worth it. It's only 1000 dollars. PLus the transmission is new as well.

[philly rs]

damn u got me there....but i would like to see pics of this car..hell even with the need of a new painf job and seats and all..it still sounds sweet..hell u can redo all that hit on your own...with sum research

[stepho]

Originally Posted by masonyes

Anyways, I'm probaly going to buy a 1980 firebird tommorrow. The guy who is selling it to me, says the guy who sold it to him said it was a rare model they only made 5600 of. like the es-6 or whatever. but I think its a nightrider prototype, because I read that such a vehice had a dial fuel injector switch. (it's a blue button underneath the radio)
Can anyone verify this? because my car does. lol
But anyways, it has 475 horse and 505 torque. it has a chevy 300 something engine is brand new. However, for such a great engine I get a piece of shit car. The paint is horrible, my dad says its primer, that whoever tried to paint it like that. hmm. And also the seats are slashed and the interior needs to be redone. So my question is, would it be worth it to rip seats off an old 1970s firebird(probaly just as bad) or to get a seat from a newer model(80s or possibly 90s) and how easy would it be to buy/reupholster the seats myself? Also any advice on general restortation
As well as websites to go to for buying parts. Would be very nice.

mason

one last thing, my dad says it would be worth it just to buy a car that is already restored, but I think because of the engine that this car is worth it. It's only 1000 dollars. PLus the transmission is new as well.

You don't sound very car savvy... are you sure he didn't lie about the horsepower ratings? and the engine being new? If the engine really is brand new and has 475 horsepower he would have spent more than 1000 on it... why would he sell a whole car for less than the engine is worth?

[Firebirdlad03]

yea lets see some pics....

[masonyes]

yes...its true i'm not car savvy. which is exactly why i posted this.
And number two, my dad checked it out(hes mechanic). And the engine is legit, plus it makes sense because engines are relatively inexpensive and the guy never claimed it was a fire-bird prototype. He just claimed the guy who sold it to him said it was some rare model like i said and when I saw the blue fuel injector button like i said it made sense. So has anyone seen or heard of such a thing? Because someone online is also selling http://www.oldcartrader.com/ocdetail119068.htm
seee

But I do belive the guy about the engine, it cost him 4000 in all, engine and new transmission. The guy is mechanic as well and so it cost him nothing to put all in. And I believe him, I have a good feel for people. But I will post up pictures haha you'll see why it cost 1000, but its worth considering the engine. Also any advice on reupholstering seats would be appreciated.

[79Bandit]

buy it, sell the engine, pocket the easy made mulah and smile...end of story

[masonyes]

hahaha NO

[goldz28]

the interior would not be to bad to do. You can have an upholstery shop do the interior just how you want it. Might cost a lil but would be well worth it in the long run. Turn it into a show car. I'm not car savvy either but love to see and drive nice rides. Stepho, go shock yourself.

[ikeyballz]

if it was tured itd be sweet to drive.. take that thing out for a drive, punch it. if your eyes dont roll back and you dont get a giant smile... it dont got 500 hp..

but in case it does, just take it.. the engine itself is worth more than a grand.. if all else fails, and you have lots of rust all over..invest in a better body..get your dad to help you drop er into a diff car.

[masonyes]

yeahh thats what i've been saying.

[masonyes]

how good is the handling of a 1980 firebird?? one of the reasons i want to keep the actual car is cuz he took the rear axle from a 1969 firebird and put it in as the rear axel. I think cuz it could handle the power much better, considering most of the late 70s firebirds were low hp cars. also the engine and everything is already in there and new. It had an automatic and I was wondering how hard/much would it cost would it be to convert it to a manual?

[SG007]

23 grand? Are you nuts?

[goldz28]

Thats not the one he is getting. His needs work.

[Earlsfat]

If it's a 12-bolt rear off a 69, that alone is worth more than a grand to the right person.

I CAN say this... redoing the interior will run you about $4-5k if you do it right - I speak from experience of doing it the cheap way because I refuse to spend that much to have a maro that lookslike everyone else's. Converting auto to stick will be a bitch, but more of a pain in the ass than expensive if you're not including the cost of the new trans ($1000 for a basic used 4 speed in decent shape to $3800+ for a high performance 5/6 speed trans), the conversion kits / parts are there, you just have to buy them and do it yourself.

You're talking about a lot of work there, buddy - redo int, a bunch of bodywork, convert to stick... probably get into some electrical if not re-wiring the whole thing at some point..... If it were me and I was in for the hassle... I'd buy it, and look for a rolling chassis with a good body. Throw this engine in it, sell the auto for like $200-$500 (cause that's all you'll get for it if it's stock) if the new chassis needs a rear, put your 69 in it, if not sell it for $1000-$2000 (to the right person it might be worth more).

Your dad is right... Acquisition cost might be more up front, but it'd be cheaper in the long run if you buy what you want to start with... plus you get to drive it now without making excuses for why it's an eyesore or wishing you had this that or the other-thing done to it.

My 2¢.

Good luck.

[Earlsfat]

Oh yeah... heh, an 80 handles like something that is about 27 years old... ok, but I wouldn't road race it unless you made some mod's to the suspension, for normal driving it'd be just fine. If you're planning on abusing it though, I'd definitely upgrade it... if it's never been touched, you might want to freshen things up just for safety's sake... Mo' money, mo' money....