The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)
 

By request, I'm starting a separate thread to blog the conversion of my 1967 Firebird to a Hybrid by combining it with the running gear and suspension of a 2014 Prius V. More details will follow...

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...g?d=1499110444
https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...g?d=1499110444


Bill the Engineer

Awesome project! :)

Sounds very interesting!

Subscribed. This will be good.

Time for a quick review:

I first bought the Firebird in July 1979 just after having graduated from college with my engineering degree. My late Dad found it for me, and my grandfather floated me the $750.00 for it until I could get a loan to pay him back. From the start, the Firebird was my second car used mostly for fun on the weekends.

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911
https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911

Over the years I made many memories in it, including dating my future wife.

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911

It fell out of use after having moved from state to state twice. With 167,000 miles on it, it was pretty tired.

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911

Eventually things started to break down. One day when I tried to start it the front wiring harness fried. (You are not supposed to let the smoke out!)

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911

Then another move to another state caused me to put the car in storage for a while. As it sat waiting for me to work on it, mice took up residence and caused vast amounts of destruction before I could finally eliminate them (with the willing help of the family cats.)

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911

I tried twice to begin a regular restoration of the Firebird, but each time I hit major roadblocks. Rotted floor pans, broken suspension parts, rusted and seized engine and other mechanical parts. Basically it was a mess.

https://attachments.priuschat.com/at...ate=1523155911

I finally got discouraged over the amount of work that it would take to bring the Firebird back to life.

Then one night my wife mentioned off-the-cuff that it was a shame that I couldn't just make it a hybrid like our two daily driver Prii. (Plural of Prius.) Her comment sparked my imagination, and I began to compare the dimensions of the Firebird versus the available hybrids on the market...

(More later...)

Bill the Engineer

I caught one in the act and gave him a ferris wheel ride for the ages by turning it on high:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnmf0uxbl.jpg

I know the War On Everything is quite overused... but when it comes to mice in the vehicles IT IS WAR.

Frank, You should present that to your Cat. Returning the favor and also showing him you can hunt too.

DONT .....STOP!!!! :eek: MORE NOW!!!!!
:thumbup::D;):p

Though hybrids are not really my cup of tea, this project sounds impressive. How are you considering to conciliate all the gadgets in the Prius' instrument cluster with a classical look that would be expected in a good old American ride?

ps.....Welcome!! :o