The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Actually the square block look is pretty popular, most Dodge cars look like that, so a little more height can add an opportunity for a certain unique flair.

(I love these type of projects)

That is very similar to what I plan to do. The lower side panels will be tilted outward from the mid-line ridge downward so that they cover the Prius V crash structure at the rocker panels. It will look somewhere between the original curve-under and the modern slab-side design made necessary by federal side crash regulations. Fortunately, the Firebird at its mid-line ridge is four inches (about 100mm) wider than the Prius V rocker panels below it.

Bill the Engineer

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by me and my metro

I really like the look of the asphalt cars from the late 70's that were raced at Vegas and Mesa Marin in Bakersfield. What they did was stretch the bottom of the body. From the door seam the panel went straight down. This looks very good on the older body style cars like your bird. We raced a 68 Firebird at Mesa Marin in the late 70's and a 79 Trans Am in the early 80's.

Hmmm. You have just introduced me to asphalt cars, which is something I had not known about before, at least by that name. I need to look into the topic before I say anything about it!

Do you have photos of the '69 Firebird that you raced?

Bill the Engneer

[Bill the Engineer]

Week long business trip to Canada is also trashing this weekend and next.
With any luck the weather will be good a week from now when I get back.

Bill

[me and my metro]

These are a couple of pictures of the cars I worked on a long time ago.

[Galane]

It will certainly be an interesting vehicle when it's finished.

I'd bet that for a second such project it would be considerably easier to use reproduction outer body panels then cut or add on to the Prius structure to fit to them. More Prius underneath.

[MisterMundane]

That poor firebird
Such a shame, to neuter such a beautiful car like this.

You couldn't have picked something more suited to this swap? :/

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by MisterMundane

That poor firebird
Such a shame, to neuter such a beautiful car like this.

You couldn't have picked something more suited to this swap? :/

go away.......
REALLY

how about, your read the ENTIRE thread. (it answers the question!!)

[MisterMundane]

Originally Posted by mcrews

go away.......
REALLY

how about, your read the ENTIRE thread. (it answers the question!!)

how bout you go away.

Sorry for having an opinion, yeesh!

Ruining a perfectly good muscle car with a.... freaking Prius drive train is just devastating to a car guy like me. I'm all for trying to get great mileage, which is why I'm here. But sorry, a classic Firebird like this is not the way to do it. Totally ruining a great car.

I guess you're just not a true car enthusiast. otherwise you would be in tears at the sight of this monstrosity.

[Saskwatchian]

If you read the thread you will see that this project was picked for the Firebird, not the Firebird picked for the project. And it was hardly a "perfectly good muscle car" that makes a difference.

Cry and scream all you want, even call this thing a monstrosity, but recognize that this project is giving a classic Firebird a new and interesting lease on life. If it weren't being mated with a Prius, it probably would have just languished in the garage and possibly been headed for the scrapper.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Saskwatchian

If you read the thread you will see that this project was picked for the Firebird, not the Firebird picked for the project. And it was hardly a "perfectly good muscle car" that makes a difference.

Cry and scream all you want, even call this thing a monstrosity, but recognize that this project is giving a classic Firebird a new and interesting lease on life. If it weren't being mated with a Prius, it probably would have just languished in the garage and possibly been headed for the scrapper.

wow......you said that ALOT nicer than I would have!!!!!:thum bup: