'71 Phoenix......... up from the ashes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
'71 Phoenix......... up from the ashes
So I recently bought a '71 LS5 auto (original engine....transmission, who knows???) out of the interior BC. The car had been owned by the guy I bought it from since 2008. In 2010 he was bringing it out of winter storage and upon connecting the battery, things turned very wrong. Mice had dined on wiring under the console, and it didn't end well. On the bright side the entire car wasn't lost. Fortunately they had a 100# fire extinguisher handy.
He had plans to resurrect the car as a restomod, but life got in the way and nothing really happened other than stripping and junking the interior (I really wish he hadn't done that as I'm sure some of the pieces could have been salvaged)...... and he bought a bunch of parts for the restomod conversion (an engine and transmission being among them that came home with the car in a separate deal).
The car was originally Brands Hatch Green with Saddle interior, but will be staying it's current Red with a to be procured black interior. Here's the car the day of the fire.
He had plans to resurrect the car as a restomod, but life got in the way and nothing really happened other than stripping and junking the interior (I really wish he hadn't done that as I'm sure some of the pieces could have been salvaged)...... and he bought a bunch of parts for the restomod conversion (an engine and transmission being among them that came home with the car in a separate deal).
The car was originally Brands Hatch Green with Saddle interior, but will be staying it's current Red with a to be procured black interior. Here's the car the day of the fire.
Last edited by Al T; Nov 24, 2017 at 09:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
The car was advertised on Kijiji as a restomod project, listing all the parts for the build, and then at the bottom an offer to sell the car separately. Here are some photos from the ad.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
A friend agreed to make the trek from Edmonton to Kelowna to pick up the car for me. The drive there was great, and the first day back was fine. Car loaded up and ready to go... Photo 1. Then he and his wife woke up to photo 2. Needless to say, the drive was an adventure.
Photo 3 is back in sunny Alberta.
Photo 3 is back in sunny Alberta.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
Plan is to clean up the damage to the paint from the fire, replace the interior and wiring and enjoy it. lol
I was able to pick up a decent set of black buckets (will need recovering), a console housing, some interior windshield trim. turn signal and neutral safety switch wiring, and a dash and rear harness from a '69 (hopefully it will work) while I was in Missouri this week. Thanks Eric!
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as I get the interior and wiring back in shape.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
I was able to pick up a decent set of black buckets (will need recovering), a console housing, some interior windshield trim. turn signal and neutral safety switch wiring, and a dash and rear harness from a '69 (hopefully it will work) while I was in Missouri this week. Thanks Eric!
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as I get the interior and wiring back in shape.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Last edited by Al T; Nov 1, 2017 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
I definitely owe him some additional $$. In the box of his truck he also had the second Big Block and B&M Turbo 400 I had bought from the previous owner, and a 302 he was bringing back for his son. He definitely had a load!
I had ordered the GM Historical documentation. Out of curiosity, where is the switch for the rear defrost located?
I had ordered the GM Historical documentation. Out of curiosity, where is the switch for the rear defrost located?
Last edited by Al T; Nov 1, 2017 at 08:42 PM.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Plan is to clean up the damage to the paint from the fire, replace the interior and wiring and enjoy it. lol
I was able to pick up a decent set of black buckets (will need recovering), a console housing, some interior windshield trim. turn signal and neutral safety switch wiring, and a dash and rear harness from a '69 (hopefully it will work) while I was in Missouri this week. Thanks Eric!
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as I get the interior and wiring back in shape.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
I was able to pick up a decent set of black buckets (will need recovering), a console housing, some interior windshield trim. turn signal and neutral safety switch wiring, and a dash and rear harness from a '69 (hopefully it will work) while I was in Missouri this week. Thanks Eric!
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as I get the interior and wiring back in shape.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
Great project and it looks like you are going to have a blast putting it back together.
Out of curiosity can you elaborate on the Z49 option? A case of Molson, a toque, and a hockey stick in the trunk? =)
In all seriousness I am curious how the Canadian version differs..conversion to metric?
Out of curiosity can you elaborate on the Z49 option? A case of Molson, a toque, and a hockey stick in the trunk? =)
In all seriousness I am curious how the Canadian version differs..conversion to metric?
Last edited by PainfullySlow; Nov 2, 2017 at 07:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
Actually I think it may have been a Tim Horton sized coffee cup holder........ lol
Maybe something to do with anti-freeze/cold weather prep? I have no clue, but I'm sure someone will know. I doubt it would have anything to do with metric as metric speedometers and road signs weren't introduced until late 1977, so 1978 model vehicles had metric speedometers as the primary measurement (although they still listed imperial also).
Definitely will be documenting the resurrection. The friend that went and picked up the car is a retired body guy that does amazing work. The car is at his shop and he's going to be cleaning up the paint issues from the fire. I'm in St. Louis but will be back north on the week-end (with the seats and other parts I picked up this week). Hopefully I'll be able to get the car back home sometime next week.
Allan
Maybe something to do with anti-freeze/cold weather prep? I have no clue, but I'm sure someone will know. I doubt it would have anything to do with metric as metric speedometers and road signs weren't introduced until late 1977, so 1978 model vehicles had metric speedometers as the primary measurement (although they still listed imperial also).
Definitely will be documenting the resurrection. The friend that went and picked up the car is a retired body guy that does amazing work. The car is at his shop and he's going to be cleaning up the paint issues from the fire. I'm in St. Louis but will be back north on the week-end (with the seats and other parts I picked up this week). Hopefully I'll be able to get the car back home sometime next week.
Allan
Last edited by Al T; Nov 2, 2017 at 10:47 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 24
From: Herndon VA
Should really turn out to be a nice car and looking forward to seeing more of it in the future. Hopefully you will be able to scrounge up a lot of interior parts on the forum and save a few bucks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
That would be awesome! Anyone have a 5600 redline tach, a Speedometer, gauge cluster, console plate, etc, etc. lol
Last edited by Al T; Nov 2, 2017 at 01:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 22
From: Milton Ontario
I had ordered the GM Historical documentation. Out of curiosity, where is the switch for the rear defrost located?[/QUOTE]
Mine is on the side of the console near your right knee, looks like a radio ****.
Mine is on the side of the console near your right knee, looks like a radio ****.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 22
From: Milton Ontario
Great project and it looks like you are going to have a blast putting it back together.
Out of curiosity can you elaborate on the Z49 option? A case of Molson, a toque, and a hockey stick in the trunk? =)
In all seriousness I am curious how the Canadian version differs..conversion to metric?
Out of curiosity can you elaborate on the Z49 option? A case of Molson, a toque, and a hockey stick in the trunk? =)
In all seriousness I am curious how the Canadian version differs..conversion to metric?
It means that there is a Canadian Warranty, Canadian stickers, Canadian Owners Manual in English or French and Canadian Certification by the CMVSS (Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) which fell (falls) under the MVSA (Motor Vehicle Safety Act).
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 22
From: Milton Ontario
If you are changing to black interior there is a set of used deluxe door panels for sale in a Facebook C3 group. They look to be in good shape for $500 located in Saginaw, MI. Not sure if rules allow link to be posted but PM me if interested.
