1968 Pontiac Firebird 4x4. International 345 torque monster, bored .030, 727 Torqueflite, Dana 44s and a gear drive transfer case. This car is not on a 4x4 frame. It is on the original Pontiac subframe. Notice the clearance? Handles perfect, drives like a dream, blows the doors off Corvettes and out climbs every 4x4 I have climbed with.
Metamorphosis; 1. A transformation, as by magic or sorcery. 2. A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function. 3. Change in the structure and habits of an animal during normal growth as in a butterfly from a caterpillar".
I got this car in 1977, second owner. I buried the 160 mph speedometer in 85 (never again!). Now it has received it's due, total frame off restoration and new paint. It is a true muscle car now. This car has never had major rust or cancer.
The original interior and dash is as perfect as the day it rolled off the showroom floor. The underside is PERFECT and painted with bed liner paint. The drip edges are perfect. This is truly the perfect car. In 1988 I decided to make it a 4x4. Took fifteen days and I was driving it again. I installed an International 345 torque monster out of a wheat truck, Chrysler 727 trans, a gear drive transfer case and Dana 44 axles. I did not put the car onto a 4x4 frame like the other guys, (notice the clearance)? I turned the car into a 4x4 car. It's on the original rear leaf springs and the original sub frame. I was driving over cars before anyone ever heard of Big Foot.
My wife used it as her grocery getter for years as a 4x4. I pulled my IMCA stock car to the races with it for several years. I have blown the doors off Corvettes and out climbed every 4x4 I have ever been up against. 18 mpg fully loaded with a race car, 21 mph empty.
People have come up to me and said things like, "Is that an original 400 Firebird?" You should be shot for ruining such a rare car, or you need your a$$ kicked. I say "first off buddy, it's my car to do with what I please and second off I can just pull those six subframe bolts roll this subframe out and roll my other Firebird frame right under the car and it's a two wheel drive in two days."
Did I ruin my car? Hell no, I wouldn't do a thing like that, I love my car!!!! Would I ever convert it back to a two wheel drive? NEVER, it's the perfect car now and way out performs anything it was in the past. It is soon receiving a Paxon blower and 4.11 gears. It is really the rave at the shows especially because of the engineering that went into the conversion. The car rides so smooth and straight down the highway. It is my daily driver. It has never broke down. This is one you should take a close look at. Well, enjoy the eye candy.
We go rock crawling at Disney, Oklahoma every chance we get. We are going back to Disney May 6, 7, and 8th. 2005. They are having a rock crawling competition on that weekend.
Wish you could come and see her climb.
Brian M
United States
