Pontiac Firebird 71 Restoration build part 1

[@Tiffany.1970]

The 2nd generation Pontiac firebird formula model with the bullnose front end in my view the cool look on the firebird early 1970s Pontiac firebird 😁👍

[@bradclem6226]

Need the Pontiac rally’s to set it off. Beautiful Bird. 🦅 I had a 68 but I always liked this body style better.

[@jamesfarrell4929]

One of the best designer Pontiacs ever. Sexy and with a big engine brutal.

[@riverdog8796]

beautiful car nice job! I would definatley change those tires and rims to Pontiac rallys and BF Goodrich Radial TA's

[@Stevexnycautomotive]

@0:56 perfect start up.

[@shannonfrench6893]

Awesome! I have a '72 Esprit with a Formula hood that's all original except the hood and I put a rear spoiler on it. I did put a 400 in it but have the original numbers matching 350 which I ran the numbers on and it's a '71 block which tells me it was an early pre-strike car. I'm the 3rd owner and I've had it 24 years. It needs restoration but still runs. I'm having a rough time money wise and might consider selling it.

[@bigd27z]

Thank you. What an interesting Firebird do you have! Hopefully you’ll able to keep it, as you probably know, they are getting harder and harder to find. If you ever do decide to part with it, please send me an email at [e-mail]

[@shannonfrench6893]

@@bigd27z well thank you and I will keep your information and if/when I decide to sell it you will be the first one I contact. Love what you did with your Bird!

[@bigd27z]

If you get a chance to check out part 4 for the 2022 improvements and thank you for the opportunity to possibly have another beautiful early second GEN bird, although I really hope you’re able to keep it and enjoy it yourself

[@marcathens2951]

Wow looks great ! But wouldn't it have been easier to save all the masking and paint the car before doing the inside work ? Just a thought thanks.

[@bigd27z]

@@marcathens2951 Yes, you’re absolutely right. It would’ve been the best way to do it unfortunately, with Covid most of the good body and paint shops around here we’re having a hard time getting their employees to show up so they got way behind, I couldn’t even find one to give me an estimate . so we moved on with the build , I’m no paint guy, so that got put on the back burner until a better option came up. Great question thank you

[@michaelerickson1518]

Looking good

[@Stevexnycautomotive]

The old parts are worth more than todays new parts.

[@bigd27z]

@@Stevexnycautomotive I agree, they’re much better

[@fyah1]

Dream car

[@renegadet1238]

nice job man

[@josemontano7767]

On reason I bought my Nissan 370z because it remind me of the early 70s firebirds by the rear window. I wonder why GM changed it to the bubble window in the mid 70s

[@bigd27z]

Or some reason I’m thinking, it has to do with a Blindspot that was fixed by wrapping the window around the quarter panels, that’s merely a guess.

[@jhnwdwrd]

Those "Extractors" were for looks. They were not functional. 71 was the only year for them. They were on all 71models except the Trans Am. The fin on the rear was an option. The stock Formula came without it. The Esprit was also available with both the stock and Formula version as an option

[@wesleywright1941]

Do you happen to remember where you purchased the new power steering pump? I’m looking to replace mine on my 74 Firebird and not sure if I should go with a new pump at $384 versus a remanufactured at $79.

[@bigd27z]

I picked up the pump as a reman from our local O’Reilly auto parts, rented the proper V belt pulley puller from them as well, so far it’s working great

[@fieldinglover]

Those are One year only Formula front fenders on your car , I always wondered why they only made formula air extractors for one year 1971 , it looks to me like it is an Esprit with Formula parts put on it which would be easy to check by the VIn# , but it's an awesome car 350 , auto , A/C , PWR Disc , PWR Steering , no rally gauges, Formula steering wheel , deluxe interior and vinyl top

[@fieldinglover]

I checked and for 1971 if the Vin starts with 226 it is a true Formula , if it starts with 224 it is an Esprit , either way it's an awesome car

[@bigd27z]

It is a 71 esprit, it now has 455 and a few other up Grades, I just made an updated video on my channel, check it out, it’s 71 Pontiac Firebird

[@fieldinglover]

@@bigd27z I will Subscribe and check out your vids , I knew it was a Esprit because there was two little holes on the passenger side sail panel , which is where the Esprit emblem would have been

[@vegaspete100]

I had 2 '71 Esprits in the 70's and both had the air extractors in the fender. The hood is obviously a formula piece. I put the fiberglass formula hood on one of my Eprits as well. A pretty common thing to do at that time. Beautiful machine sir. My favorite look of the 2nd gen

[@fieldinglover]

@@vegaspete100 I did not know the 71' Esprit came with them , which is a surprise ! I will have to pay more attention and do some research because I have owned a 71' Esprit and it did not have fender air extractors but it was repainted so it could have had them and I do like doing research on these cars , But I was smart enough to hold on to a 70' Formula 400 , a 72' Esprit that I made into a formula clone that I don't have to worry about putting miles on and I also have a 75' Trans Am So you could say it's in my blood and I love the 1st and 2nd gen Firebirds and Trans Ams , also I would like to find out why they only put those style Fender Extractors on 71's , It usually comes down to the cost to build them

[@sonomawinetourdrivers3895]

How much was the paint job....I'm looking to repaint my 1970 Formula?