70-73 nose on 79-81 Firebird
#1
70-73 nose on 79-81 Firebird
So I got a 1980 firebird and I love it but I really like the nose on the 70-73 birds. Has anyone tired matching them up? I know I'll need a new hood but I'm not sure if everything will line up right. I'm assuming the wiring harness up front is different but that's not a big concern. I don't think the front fenders are different but I really have no clue. Any advice is appreciated!!!
#2
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Sounds like an ambitious project, but I like your thinking. The '70-'73 nose is much better looking than the '79-'81s. However, the '70-'73s didn't need to meet the 5MPH bumper impact standards, so there is probably a lot underneath that mounts the bumper that will need to be changed too. I'm not sure, but if you are lucky the front sub-frames will be the same, but I wouldn't count on it since the bumpers mount to the "horns" of the sub-frame. The core-support will be different too, and all the hardware involved holding the front clip together (radiator top plate, shrouds, etc). Not sure about the fenders. It'd probably be a good idea to get as much of the entire front clip off the donor car as you can.
#3
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Sounds like an ambitious project, but I like your thinking. The '70-'73 nose is much better looking than the '79-'81s. However, the '70-'73s didn't need to meet the 5MPH bumper impact standards, so there is probably a lot underneath that mounts the bumper that will need to be changed too. I'm not sure, but if you are lucky the front sub-frames will be the same, but I wouldn't count on it since the bumpers mount to the "horns" of the sub-frame. The core-support will be different too, and all the hardware involved holding the front clip together (radiator top plate, shrouds, etc). Not sure about the fenders. It'd probably be a good idea to get as much of the entire front clip off the donor car as you can.
Actually, the 1973 did have to meet the 5mph bumper impact. The front bumper is underneath the urethane, and the urethane is a different part/ slightly more peaky in shape. It's different than the 70-72, as are the grilles. I think the grilles can interchange, though. The rear bumper was mounted out further to not damage the body in the 5 mph crash.
RE:OP. you can install a '73 front onto your '80, but as mentioned, get everything you can from the donor car. Wiring is different, too, but shouldn't be an issue as you're switching the sheet metal, not the drivetrain. one obvious difference is 4 headlights in '80 versus 2 in '73. Just keep your 1980 wiring and omit the high beams. If any other connectors are different, then you can splice as needed.
Post pics as you do this!, and don't forget to take lots of pics as you take your car apart and baggie/ label your bolts and clips.
#4
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Thanks for that clarification, I did not realize that the '73s had different bumper regulations in effect compared to earlier models, you wouldn't know it from the outside appearance, props to Pontiac's styling department! Apparently those regulations were tightened further for the '74 MY, resulting in more uniform height, which explains why the '74 Firebirds look so much different from the earlier models. Gotta give Pontiac Firebird stylist some credit for avoiding the ugly bumpers that plagues the mid-late '70s until the regulations were relaxed in '82; by '76 the Firebird looked nice in the front again (compared to the '74-'75s) and remained attractive thru the end of the 2nd gen (although, I never liked the '79-'81s).
#5
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happy to help wherever I can. I'm trying to do a bit more digging on the 1973 bumper. I have a friend with a 73 so I can positively confirm the rear bumper mounting, and attached is a pic pirated from the web showing grille differences- notice the distance from the front middle to the grille itself is different, but dang I don't see a difference in the bumper itself. Also, classic industries is listing their bumper as one part for 70-73 which is making me question what I wrote below. I think what I meant to say was the front bumper was revised inside the urethane and maybe no change to the external cover itself. I know the grilles were a different shape, as well as pattern, too. the pic below confirms this. Also, parts listing here shows unique internal parts for the 1973 model:
https://www.firebirdcentral.com/FIRE...CKETS_s/59.htm
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/f15240.html
for my confusion here's a good read on 2nd gens: http://www.2gta.com/featurei.html
https://www.firebirdcentral.com/FIRE...CKETS_s/59.htm
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/f15240.html
for my confusion here's a good read on 2nd gens: http://www.2gta.com/featurei.html
#6
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Good read on the 2nd gen aerodynamics, thanks!
I see the difference in that pic between the grilles, but aren't both of those cars '73s? I didn't think the hood bird or red paint was available prior to '73. In any case, the front bumper may have looked the same between the '70-'72 and the '73 from the outside, but the '73 may have been better reinforced underneath and mounted differently to meet the 5 MPH test. It may also be possible that some of the other modifications made for some the '73 nose parts were "backwards compatible" with the earlier cars to reduce the number of unique parts needed to be inventoried by collision repair shops (although, I'd think that those parts would be described as being '70-'73 parts).
I had a '76 455-4sp T/A in the mid '80s and wrecked the front end. I had pulled together many of the parts needed to restore it but never got around to it before I sold it and its parts in the early '00s. I got knowledgeable enough about the mid-late '70s T/As to know what parts from other years would work on my '76, but never really studied the '70-'73s in depth since they were so rare. I later found that one of my neighbors had a red '73 SD-455 hidden in his garage and got to take a look at it once (drool). I still think the 2nd gen T/As were the best looking cars of the '70s.
I see the difference in that pic between the grilles, but aren't both of those cars '73s? I didn't think the hood bird or red paint was available prior to '73. In any case, the front bumper may have looked the same between the '70-'72 and the '73 from the outside, but the '73 may have been better reinforced underneath and mounted differently to meet the 5 MPH test. It may also be possible that some of the other modifications made for some the '73 nose parts were "backwards compatible" with the earlier cars to reduce the number of unique parts needed to be inventoried by collision repair shops (although, I'd think that those parts would be described as being '70-'73 parts).
I had a '76 455-4sp T/A in the mid '80s and wrecked the front end. I had pulled together many of the parts needed to restore it but never got around to it before I sold it and its parts in the early '00s. I got knowledgeable enough about the mid-late '70s T/As to know what parts from other years would work on my '76, but never really studied the '70-'73s in depth since they were so rare. I later found that one of my neighbors had a red '73 SD-455 hidden in his garage and got to take a look at it once (drool). I still think the 2nd gen T/As were the best looking cars of the '70s.
#7
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Good read on the 2nd gen aerodynamics, thanks!
I see the difference in that pic between the grilles, but aren't both of those cars '73s? I didn't think the hood bird or red paint was available prior to '73. In any case, the front bumper may have looked the same between the '70-'72 and the '73 from the outside, but the '73 may have been better reinforced underneath and mounted differently to meet the 5 MPH test. It may also be possible that some of the other modifications made for some the '73 nose parts were "backwards compatible" with the earlier cars to reduce the number of unique parts needed to be inventoried by collision repair shops (although, I'd think that those parts would be described as being '70-'73 parts).
I had a '76 455-4sp T/A in the mid '80s and wrecked the front end. I had pulled together many of the parts needed to restore it but never got around to it before I sold it and its parts in the early '00s. I got knowledgeable enough about the mid-late '70s T/As to know what parts from other years would work on my '76, but never really studied the '70-'73s in depth since they were so rare. I later found that one of my neighbors had a red '73 SD-455 hidden in his garage and got to take a look at it once (drool). I still think the 2nd gen T/As were the best looking cars of the '70s.
I see the difference in that pic between the grilles, but aren't both of those cars '73s? I didn't think the hood bird or red paint was available prior to '73. In any case, the front bumper may have looked the same between the '70-'72 and the '73 from the outside, but the '73 may have been better reinforced underneath and mounted differently to meet the 5 MPH test. It may also be possible that some of the other modifications made for some the '73 nose parts were "backwards compatible" with the earlier cars to reduce the number of unique parts needed to be inventoried by collision repair shops (although, I'd think that those parts would be described as being '70-'73 parts).
I had a '76 455-4sp T/A in the mid '80s and wrecked the front end. I had pulled together many of the parts needed to restore it but never got around to it before I sold it and its parts in the early '00s. I got knowledgeable enough about the mid-late '70s T/As to know what parts from other years would work on my '76, but never really studied the '70-'73s in depth since they were so rare. I later found that one of my neighbors had a red '73 SD-455 hidden in his garage and got to take a look at it once (drool). I still think the 2nd gen T/As were the best looking cars of the '70s.
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#8
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That explains why that red car looked darker, I thought it was just the overcast lighting and less-than-optimum camera exposure.
In my old garage, I used to have a calendar photo of a Brewster green '73 SD455 Formula (shaker, but no fender air extractors or front spoiler / wheel spats IIRC), stunning and rare car.
Apologies to the OP for the thread-jack!
In my old garage, I used to have a calendar photo of a Brewster green '73 SD455 Formula (shaker, but no fender air extractors or front spoiler / wheel spats IIRC), stunning and rare car.
Apologies to the OP for the thread-jack!