Just bought a 89 Firebird Formula, starting the restoration process
05-04-2020, 06:43 PM
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Car: 1989 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305
Just bought a 89 Firebird Formula, starting the restoration process
Hi all,
I just bought my first (and probably only) project car. It’s an 89 Firebird Formula. It’s rough, but a lot of it is there, and it’s solid.
My plan is to restore it to factory condition, nothing too special or custom.
Any words of wisdom as to how to get started? Should I gut it and catalog everything? Get it running well? I’m a little overwhelmed!
Thanks in advance!
Chris from Indianapolis
I just bought my first (and probably only) project car. It’s an 89 Firebird Formula. It’s rough, but a lot of it is there, and it’s solid.
My plan is to restore it to factory condition, nothing too special or custom.
Any words of wisdom as to how to get started? Should I gut it and catalog everything? Get it running well? I’m a little overwhelmed!
Thanks in advance!
Chris from Indianapolis
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05-04-2020, 10:35 PM
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
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Re: Just bought a 89 Firebird Formula, starting the restoration process
Congrats on the purchase Chris!
No right or wrong...doing small jobs as you go, or tearing it all down at once. For me, unless the circumstances require it (due to massive rust repairs or the like), I would not suggest completely blowing the car apart. A LOT of projects start this way, then stall. It becomes overwhelming, and as months and years go by with no car to drive and enjoy, interest wanes.
No right or wrong...doing small jobs as you go, or tearing it all down at once. For me, unless the circumstances require it (due to massive rust repairs or the like), I would not suggest completely blowing the car apart. A LOT of projects start this way, then stall. It becomes overwhelming, and as months and years go by with no car to drive and enjoy, interest wanes.
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05-04-2020, 10:57 PM
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Re: Just bought a 89 Firebird Formula, starting the restoration process
I took the path of getting all systems functioning correctly and then started on cosmetics. I'm still constantly moving forward but I'm at a safe daily driver status. Got mine in 2017.
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05-05-2020, 10:37 AM
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Car: 86 Trans Am
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Re: Just bought a 89 Firebird Formula, starting the restoration process
Cool car!
What I'd do-
Clean out interior
Get it running well
Fix windshield
Then start thinking how far you want to take it. Good luck bud.
What I'd do-
Clean out interior
Get it running well
Fix windshield
Then start thinking how far you want to take it. Good luck bud.
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