The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[mcrews]

I like the 55 tbird.
there is a fiberglass kit in 1to1 ratio on a frame with roller wheels. you can install rack and pinion steering and any engine and tranny.
Yet 'classic car guys' ***** and moan because 'it's not original'.....because it's 'glass'

It make a great daily driver that is fun to drive.
Original 1950s t-birds and vettes SUCKED when it came to drivability and handling.
Yet the 'classic car guys' ***** and moan.
been listening to this closed minded attitude for 20 years.

guys cant draw a line in the sand and stick their head in it.
hotrodding is 'ok' but a Prius power plant is not???
no difference.

just my two bits

[MisterMundane]

Originally Posted by mcrews

I like the 55 tbird.
there is a fiberglass kit in 1to1 ratio on a frame with roller wheels. you can install rack and pinion steering and any engine and tranny.
Yet 'classic car guys' ***** and moan because 'it's not original'.....because it's 'glass'

It make a great daily driver that is fun to drive.
Original 1950s t-birds and vettes SUCKED when it came to drivability and handling.
Yet the 'classic car guys' ***** and moan.
been listening to this closed minded attitude for 20 years.

guys cant draw a line in the sand and stick their head in it.
hotrodding is 'ok' but a Prius power plant is not???
no difference.

just my two bits

To be fair, there IS a big difference between hotrodding, and putting a hybrid into a classic muscle car. Im all for fiberglass body panels, power steering and what not. I don't need classic muscle to be "all original" to love it. I just need a loud engine with tons of power haha. seeing a firebird runnign around with the sound of a prius.... :/ sorry. Just wrong in my eyes.

But again, to each their own. We all have differing opinions. Just don't go posting this on a firebird forum, or expect praise at a car show...

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MisterMundane

I do apologize if i came across as an a$$. But i hate seeing things like this. It's just my personal opinion, as I am a huge classic car guy. I didn't mean to sound like a total douche. I am in fact restoring a classic car, so all the people saying "don't comment unless you're saving a car blah blah" Well, I am. so.... yeah. a 1972 gran torino. Definitely not going hybrid. It's going big block gas guzzling power.

again, sorry if i came across as a dick. Just don't like seeing things like this, just the way I am. I can totally respect the work being put into this, as it's a huge project. I just wish it was something other than a classic firebird.

I love classic cars too... (currently have a '68 Chevy C10 and a '67 Mustang in the garage) but I have no issues at all with cutting them up either. The boring cars at the car shows are the cars that are stock. I find the cars that show people's creativity and inventiveness to be most interesting even if it's not a direction I would ever personally head. Often the way you can tell that you have an awesome idea are the deafening screams of outrage from the purists.

I look forward to seeing Bill's car completed. Keep up the good work!

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by darcane

The boring cars at the car shows are the cars that are stock. I find the cars that show people's creativity and inventiveness to be most interesting even if it's not a direction I would ever personally head. Often the way you can tell that you have an awesome idea are the deafening screams of outrage from the purists.

I look forward to seeing Bill's car completed. Keep up the good work!

I'm the same way!!! I get tired of the blown & chromed V8s!!!
I love it when I see a straight 6 in a pony car at a show.

one of the neatest trick thinks I ever saw was a 66 mustang with Shelby stripes that were gray. And he had the stripe running thru the rear window a tint! He had tinted all the windows and the tinted strip looked like it went right thru the rear window.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by MisterMundane

To be fair, there IS a big difference between hotrodding, and putting a hybrid into a classic muscle car....

yes, in YOUR mind, but to a purist, there is not!
and that's my point.

there is a 60's mustang running around w/ an electric motor. it kicks ass w over 600hp on the dyno. and amazing 0-60 times

all car enthusiasts draw a line at their subset, and then stop their feet when it is crossed.
1. purists
2. some aftermarket
3. hotrodding
5. retro modding
4. anything goes.

the list could be broken down even further AND go on forever.

finally, let's not forget that the fastest car(in the world) from 0-100-0 in the mid 60's was a *******ized British sports car w/ and American engine. And it held that record for 20 yrs.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by MisterMundane

I do apologize if i came across as an a$$. But i hate seeing things like this. It's just my personal opinion, as I am a huge classic car guy. I didn't mean to sound like a total douche. I am in fact restoring a classic car, so all the people saying "don't comment unless you're saving a car blah blah" Well, I am. so.... yeah. a 1972 gran torino. Definitely not going hybrid. It's going big block gas guzzling power.

again, sorry if i came across as a dick. Just don't like seeing things like this, just the way I am. I can totally respect the work being put into this, as it's a huge project. I just wish it was something other than a classic firebird.

That was a little late, and you continue to defend your actions. They are indefensible.

The name of the site is ecoMODDER. If untouched classic cars is your thing, you're in the wrong place. The Firebird was built by mortals and is being modified by a mortal, nothing is sacred regardless of your sentiment. It's a car.

It's just a car.

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by elhigh

The name of the site is ecoMODDER. If untouched classic cars is your thing, you're in the wrong place. The Firebird was built by mortals and is being modified by a mortal, nothing is sacred regardless of your sentiment. It's a car.

It's just a car.

Thanks for noticing I am a mortal (not a muggle, but still mortal.)

Don't pick on the purists folks. I was a hard core purist most of my life and I will be again once the Firebrid is done. My late dad was a senior judge and technical advisor to the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America.) I grew up at his side, and can spot an incorrectly restored antique car without trying hard.

My project now is the Firebrid because it calls to me to be done.

My project after that will be the all-electric BMW Z3 that my wife wants.

After that, I will be looking for a '61 Tempest (convertible if I can find one) that I plan to make showroom stock down to the screw heads... because I think the 1st gen Tempest was cool with its slant 4-cyl engine, and I will be well practiced in the skills I will need to do it.

Bill the Engineer

[MisterMundane]

Originally Posted by elhigh

It's just a car.

Too far.... Way too far. "It's just a car" hell no.... A classic firebird isn't "just a car"

My goodness.

A clapped out civic with 200,000 miles, is "just a car"

This is not that...

[iveyjh]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

Thanks for noticing I am a mortal (not a muggle, but still mortal.)

Don't pick on the purists folks. I was a hard core purist most of my life and I will be again once the Firebrid is done. My late dad was a senior judge and technical advisor to the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America.) I grew up at his side, and can spot an incorrectly restored antique car without trying hard.

My project now is the Firebrid because it calls to me to be done.

My project after that will be the all-electric BMW Z3 that my wife wants.

After that, I will be looking for a '61 Tempest (convertible if I can find one) that I plan to make showroom stock down to the screw heads... because I think the 1st gen Tempest was cool with its slant 4-cyl engine, and I will be well practiced in the skills I will need to do it.

Bill the Engineer

I bought one on those slant fours in I think in 1971. I lived in Allentown, PA at the time, full of road salt rust. Loved the car and got a deal on it, $125.00, and all it needed was the starter motor bolts tightened up. I wouldn't mind having another one.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

Making major modifications just so the rear wheels would do a burn-out instead of the front ones just doesn't make sense to me.

Wasn't it impossible to do a burn-out with a Prius?