Project Firenza
28 January 2006, 10:38 PM
#92
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Originally Posted by NotoriousREV
You'd be suprised how often they come up on eBay!
Got any updated pics of the project Rev?
04 February 2006, 11:11 PM
#93
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Updated pics tomorrow. Brought the shell home from it's previous resting place today (scary experience - small pick up truck, big trailer!) and will be moving into the garage in the morning.
Currently at that panicky "omigod what have I done" stage. Currently convinced that it has more holes than a seive and isn't fixable. When the panic wears off, I'll start putting my action plan together
Currently at that panicky "omigod what have I done" stage. Currently convinced that it has more holes than a seive and isn't fixable. When the panic wears off, I'll start putting my action plan together
05 February 2006, 04:01 PM
#95
Originally Posted by NotoriousREV
Currently at that panicky "omigod what have I done" stage. Currently convinced that it has more holes than a seive and isn't fixable. When the panic wears off, I'll start putting my action plan together
17 March 2006, 10:53 PM
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Well, only 6 weeks later than promised, here are the pics!
As she arrived home on the trailer, loaded to the gunwhales with many of her own spare parts. My next door neighbour asked me where I got the "burnt out Mk2 Escort" from
The worst part for rot is definately where the chassis rail meets the bulkhead on the drivers side:
The arches and sills are as you'd expect from a 70's Vauxhall:
The inner wings are tidy except where the driver's side wing meets the bulkhead:
The back end needs some work, the bottom of the (new-ish) rear valance is starting go but looks saveable and there's a small hole above the light clusters that the previous owner started to repair:
The trickiest bit of repair work is going to be the A pillars. Both are well rotted in an awkward place. A mate suggested scouring the breakers for a Viva to cut out the appropriate metal from as there's no way to recreate the shape from sheet metal:
Finally, the roof is pretty shot. It used to have a vinyl roof and full length Webasto sun-roof (how 70's?). Unfortunately, there's a lot of pitting on the C-pillars and because the sunroof frame has been taken off, the roof has buckled:
So there's lot of work. Still not sure if the shell is saveable (opinions on a postcard, please).
I have 4 x rear arches and all the sill sections. The front wings are pretty good. The doors are also savable as is the boot lid (one corner is slightly bent) and the bonnet.
Who's up for the MIG party?
As she arrived home on the trailer, loaded to the gunwhales with many of her own spare parts. My next door neighbour asked me where I got the "burnt out Mk2 Escort" from
The worst part for rot is definately where the chassis rail meets the bulkhead on the drivers side:
The arches and sills are as you'd expect from a 70's Vauxhall:
The inner wings are tidy except where the driver's side wing meets the bulkhead:
The back end needs some work, the bottom of the (new-ish) rear valance is starting go but looks saveable and there's a small hole above the light clusters that the previous owner started to repair:
The trickiest bit of repair work is going to be the A pillars. Both are well rotted in an awkward place. A mate suggested scouring the breakers for a Viva to cut out the appropriate metal from as there's no way to recreate the shape from sheet metal:
Finally, the roof is pretty shot. It used to have a vinyl roof and full length Webasto sun-roof (how 70's?). Unfortunately, there's a lot of pitting on the C-pillars and because the sunroof frame has been taken off, the roof has buckled:
So there's lot of work. Still not sure if the shell is saveable (opinions on a postcard, please).
I have 4 x rear arches and all the sill sections. The front wings are pretty good. The doors are also savable as is the boot lid (one corner is slightly bent) and the bonnet.
Who's up for the MIG party?
18 March 2006, 08:49 AM
#98
I just don't know how you will rescue all that.
My 911 was in similar shape (!) and it took 8 months of gas welding to restore and a fortune way back in 1988 (diy)
I fitted a fabric sunroof from an MGB as my roof had distorted after the glass thing was removed.
I really wish you well, and we will see you again about September 2006?
Mind you, it turned out well:
Every panel and the floor on both sides you can see needed replacing/cut and shut etc..
http://tinypic.com/view/?pic=rm7mvs
Graham.
My 911 was in similar shape (!) and it took 8 months of gas welding to restore and a fortune way back in 1988 (diy)
I fitted a fabric sunroof from an MGB as my roof had distorted after the glass thing was removed.
I really wish you well, and we will see you again about September 2006?
Mind you, it turned out well:
Every panel and the floor on both sides you can see needed replacing/cut and shut etc..
http://tinypic.com/view/?pic=rm7mvs
Graham.
27 May 2006, 11:33 PM
#101
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rev i have built a firenza to a similar spec to your project it can be done my spec includes 350 cin chevy all fancy bits internals old nail kit roll cage etc if you get stuck on any mods please feel free to ask me any questions as i can help
Last edited by firenzablackbeast; 27 May 2006 at 11:45 PM.
28 May 2006, 05:59 PM
#102
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Location: Leeds - It was 562.4bhp@28psi on Optimax, How much closer to 600 with race fuel and a bigger turbo?
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i think your in for a lot of welding, and I would consider getting it bead blasted
28 May 2006, 09:59 PM
#103
In the USA, and now here I think, you can get a shell acid dipped. This removes the crud, the paint anf the rust.
This can be depressing too as you can see where ALL the rust holes are.
You really need to enjoy welding/panel work to do this level of work.
Good luck with it all (been there on my 1973 911)
This can be depressing too as you can see where ALL the rust holes are.
You really need to enjoy welding/panel work to do this level of work.
Good luck with it all (been there on my 1973 911)
29 May 2006, 03:11 PM
#104
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Location: Leeds - It was 562.4bhp@28psi on Optimax, How much closer to 600 with race fuel and a bigger turbo?
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acid dipping isnt the best idea on shells I have been informed as it can make them rust more due to no corrosion protection. Im not sure it removes the rust either.
29 May 2006, 04:19 PM
#105
The 'goop' I have read about is very effective at ridding everything off the shell but it does leave it very very vulnerable, but most places after dipping (overnight) wash and phosphour (?) spray everything exposed, but the chassis channels etc are still 'open'
Graham.
Graham.
01 June 2006, 09:26 PM
#106
MAy be worth looking out for a Viva E or magnum coupe shell, you will save a wad. The wings for these cars are fetching over £120 each alone! Rear arches just dont exist and valances are the same.
I'm working on a magnum now, http://www.magnum.fx4.com or http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~lynsand
The five speed stuff may interest you as might the injection system as it's also suitable for V8 lumps.
Jon S
I'm working on a magnum now, http://www.magnum.fx4.com or http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~lynsand
The five speed stuff may interest you as might the injection system as it's also suitable for V8 lumps.
Jon S
02 June 2006, 08:22 AM
#108
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Thanks for the replies, guys, but I think it's too far gone to save. The shell has sagged (due to big hole in the roof and non-existent sills) and I don't have the skills to save it. 
There's about to be a glut of Firenza parts on eBay...
There's about to be a glut of Firenza parts on eBay...
04 June 2006, 11:01 PM
#111
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Originally Posted by 16vmarc
As Graham said, new shell?
It ain't over yet...
05 June 2006, 08:59 PM
#114
I found an old panel catalogue in the cupboard (from my RWD Ford/mig welding days) and ebven back then, there were not a lot of panels for the Magnum/Viva/Firenza body.
So probably a good move.
Have you tried asking Ron Kiddell (RK Tuning) of Skyline fame for advice on parts/shells?. I think he used to race a modified firenza and might have some parts or know of some. Just a thought
So probably a good move.
Have you tried asking Ron Kiddell (RK Tuning) of Skyline fame for advice on parts/shells?. I think he used to race a modified firenza and might have some parts or know of some. Just a thought
30 May 2008, 11:54 AM
#117
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Firenza build
Hi.
I just bought a Chev Firenza Can Am replica, and thought I'd share my bit.
The Can Am was built in South Africa for homologation purposes, hence only 100 cars were made. It used a 302 Chev Camaro racing engine, coupled to a four speed muncie box. Don't have rear axle details, but I know the brakes up front was upgraded to Tyrrell disks. Drums at the back.
Body was a two door Firenza 2.5 coupe, very similar to the Viva pic posted earlier, but with single flat headlamps instead of the two round ones.
My own car is a Chevy 283 powered motor, coupled to a Toyota 21R five speed box and a Ford 9-inch rear. Rear brakes are Golf GTI and front is BMW.
Flywheel is a custom aluminium, and clutch plate is also custom, with a Ford Fairmont GT pressure plate, and a Opel Corsa brake booster and master cylinder.
Watch the exhaust manifold. You don't have a lot of space, and the pipes run right next to the clutch slave cylinder.
As I said, just bought mine, and have to fix a few things that was engineered wrong.
Till later
Pieter
I just bought a Chev Firenza Can Am replica, and thought I'd share my bit.
The Can Am was built in South Africa for homologation purposes, hence only 100 cars were made. It used a 302 Chev Camaro racing engine, coupled to a four speed muncie box. Don't have rear axle details, but I know the brakes up front was upgraded to Tyrrell disks. Drums at the back.
Body was a two door Firenza 2.5 coupe, very similar to the Viva pic posted earlier, but with single flat headlamps instead of the two round ones.
My own car is a Chevy 283 powered motor, coupled to a Toyota 21R five speed box and a Ford 9-inch rear. Rear brakes are Golf GTI and front is BMW.
Flywheel is a custom aluminium, and clutch plate is also custom, with a Ford Fairmont GT pressure plate, and a Opel Corsa brake booster and master cylinder.
Watch the exhaust manifold. You don't have a lot of space, and the pipes run right next to the clutch slave cylinder.
As I said, just bought mine, and have to fix a few things that was engineered wrong.
Till later
Pieter
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