First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... I just received the PHS documentation on the 69 HO convertible I bought in December. Since there were such a low number of these cars made, we have decided to restore the car (when I win the lottery) to original stock. Since I am a modified guy, I'm going to have a slew of questions about stock related items.
#1 This car came originally with Rally II wheels and still has them installed. This is one of the few areas that I am going to make a change as the 14s just don't cut it (I'm used to 17s on the other 69). With that said, I have a set of (HW) 15x7 Rally IIs that I am working on restoring. The 14s that are on these now have chrome trim rings and center caps with a Pontiac arrowhead. I was under the impression that all 69 Firebirds were supposed to have black Lucite centers with red PMD letters. Is this correct? Additionally, should the trim rings be chrome or brushed? #2 Related to the previous question are the tires. The car originally came with F70x14 white side wall tires, and currently has 205/75R14s on there (which are .1" shorter). It is sagging a bit in the back but it doesn't rub. What's the largest size tire I can put on here? I want to keep the tire sizes the same in the front and the back. I have been playing with a tire calculator, and I see that a 235/60R15 is the same diameter as what I have now, but the tread is 1.18" wider. If I am going from a 14x6 to a 15x7 with the same offset, does the extra inch bring the edge of the tire out 1" toward the fender lip? If so, I will need to work on the springs first. Assuming the suspension is at the correct height, will I have any rubbing in the front or back with the 235s? #3 The car has a Custom Sport Steering Wheel per the dealer invoice. The wheel that is on the car is a tan Lucite wheel with three chrome spokes. Is this the correct wheel? This wheel has tons of cracks. Has anyone had luck sanding/filling/painting these, or must they be sent off and restored? #4 The dealer invoice shows Springs & Shocks - Ride & Handling. What was special about these parts? Are these parts available? I looked at the rear shocks and the bottom half of the shock looks like it has a twist to it. Is this the original shock (which wouldn't surprise me), or is it just a replacement? I need to replace all of the springs and shocks now, so I figure I might as well put the correct ones back on. #5 The car has a Heavy Duty Air Cleaner according to the invoice. What makes it heavy duty? The air cleaner on the car is all black with one snorkel. Is this correct? Which cars came with a chrome lid? #6 I see on the order form an option for stripes. Were there HO stripes available in 69? I have never seen any, but I thought I would ask. I'm sure this is just the beginning, but these are the main questions for now. In case anyone is interested, here is the dealer invoice and the window sticker. http://www.chrisandchristi.com/images/Dealer%20Invoice.jpg http://www.chrisandchristi.com/images/69%20350HO%20Window%20Sticker.jpg Chris R. 69 Firebird Convs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
