Sep
03
1999
The Old Shop
A 1987 Formula Firebird has no frame. It is uni-body construction. The chassis as seen here is fabricated from 2″x3″ box tube to mate the Firebird components to the underside of the pickup.

IFS Coil Spring Front looks stretched out in the above photo since there’s not much weight on it at this time. The 3 Link rear suspension (yes, three) uses a main control arm on each side and a center trac-bar that extends parallel to the drive-shaft to the 5 speed manual transmission. Since we’re also running a small-block Pontiac, four wheel discs will help the truck stop better than it ever dreamed in it’s original configuration with the staight six.

5″ Chop & 4″ Section: Note the widening of the roof in the center. In this photo you can also see the transmission tunnel has also already been installed to accommodate how much lower the body will sit over the drive-train.
Inside

A better view of the 5 speed transmission tunnel. Consider that originally the truck’s flat floor cleared the trans. The dash has been smoothed and readied for the gauge panel.
Firewall extended 12″ forward for leg room w/ Heat & A/C cutouts.
Mock-Up


