FINALLY got another fbody!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gottork]

Nice looking project Jess, way to get right after it too. I can't remember exactly but I believe the 140 speedo started in 1985, and was standard on the up level TA. The 145mph speedo is more of a rarity. As for the rearend it sounds like you may have the WS6 package which was optional, based on the wheels that are on the car I'd say that to be true.

Now lets talk about that dash pad you have laying on the ground. It looks like it doesn't have any cracks is that true?? Would you be willing to part with it??.....That dash pad is from an '82-'84 car, of which I would't mind having a spare, crack-free dash pad. Just in case.

hey scott, awesome to hear back from you, yes it is a 82 firebird pad but has a small crack right in front, mine has a huge crack in it, so I guess I will need to buy a new one from brandon..or will it fit my 86?
yes I got right after it, no reason to lay idle,lol.. I am so excited to have another one, plus my bud getting a 92 anniversary one as well. we work together and can play together now,lol
boy that sounds weird huh,lmao..ah well..

I will holler soon cause I have some questions for ya..

also I am thinking I have a fuel regulator issue, sometimes the car will fire off and run excellent and then other times it wont start and run without ether.. any more ideas besides fuel pump and fuel regulator?

[Gottork]

worked on the 4th for about 2 hours, got all the interior out cept dash and front carpet, will post pics in a bit

oh yeah also I found the stock spare tire in it too, not the aluminum one but still never been on the ground

also anyone here of delongpre designs? I found a plaque for it on the ash tray cover in the center console

[Gregs_gsxr]

Clean car Jess, great find and really cant beat the price at all. Brandon has some of the nicest part selection around and his prices are very far

[Gottork]

yes he does, he let me take a pic of his upstairs, OMG I was in heaven... I will post it today when I can get it off my phone.. still have to dl those pics,lol

[TylerT/AZ28]

i need to get stuff from brandon just dont have the time to travel there.

[Gottork]

so find out if someone is going that is near you and toss them some gas money and they can help you out

[TylerT/AZ28]

i know that is the plan, just dont know all of what i need or havent talked to him about what he has yet so i have to do that first lol.

[Gottork]

I will post more pics today and you can get an idea of what he has,lol

[Gottork]

ok ok ok, been busy working... but heres the pics I said I would snap..

DSCF2427.JPGDSCF2428.JPGDSCF2429.JPGDSCF2430.JPGDSCF2431.JPGDSCF2432.JPGDSCF2433.JPGDSCF2434.JPG

as you can see they dyed the carpet black, thank god I got it out, it is trashed, the seats, we wont go there, but gonna need all new plastic cause it was all painted, but then again I knew this when I bought it, its a SOLID under carriage and floors, so the rest is no biggey
not
sure about this delongpre design badge on the ashtray though, can anyone shine some light on it? maybe its just someones idea of cool things..

[92conv]

Hmmm, this Delongpre Design thing is interesting. It seems there may have been a company or dealer in CA who did mods to the vehicles and then marketed them under that name?? Not sure yet, still doing some research. Looks like they did Fiero's too.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

OK, this is what I've discovered thus far about your car. It's been an interesting study to be sure. And Scott is definitely on the right track.

First off, DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY.

It appears to be one of those regional special editions (popular in California back in the day) that was done only in 1986 by Bob Longpre Pontiac in Orange County, CA (possibly West Hollywood...not sure on that point). Longpre closed in 1993, before the real interweb bloom, so that may be why info is so hard to come by.

But, if the rumors are to be believed, the dealership owners's real name was "DeLongpre" but shortened it for business purposes. Longpre started out doing their SE Fieros in '85 and ended in '86. DeLongpre Firebirds were a one year '86 model only. There are no build numbers to confirm, but I would wager it is a very small number.

Again, this is very sketchy, but all DeLongpre Firebird SE's should be:

- 1986 only
- white exterior
- WHITE WHEELS
- badging on the dash and fenders
- custom interior...could be cloth or leather...could have been dyed...could have been any color...

And here's the kicker...the interiors were alledgedly done by AJ's Upolstery in Garden Grove, CA...

They are still in business...

http://www.merchantcircle.com/busine...y.714-636-8823

Might be worth a phone call...

As for your 9-bolt rear, that came on '85-'90 F-bodies in a variety of configurations. Here's a good write up on it...

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/fa...now-about.html

If you still have the RPO codes in the console, that could be very informative...and I think I'd also put in a request to PHS on this one. They won't be able to tell you anything about the conversion, but they could confirm that it was a Van Nuys car delivered to Longpre Pontiac.

Good luck and good hunting!



EDIT: FWIW, the front mounted license plate bracket almost guarantees it's a Cali car...I love shit like this...

[92conv]

Yep, I second everything Jeff just stated. Jess it sounds like you just stumbled onto something very unique. "DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY!!!!" is right.

When Jeff says "regional special editions", think of it as a modern day California Special or Colorado Special Buick Gran Sport, or a Twister Mustang. All of those were regional dealer special editions done back in the muscle car era, and there's a pretty faithful following for those cars now.

It seems that Longpre Pontiac did these conversions, having color keyed wheels and body cladding was their signature cue. That explains your white wheels. It also appears that on their white cars they preferred the white on tan interior combo. Although, in of itself, that's not a real unique combo it does help substantiate that the car is a Longpre conversion.

That said, I'd really question whether or not they dyed the interior, it's possible but I notice one glaring item that makes me think maybe not. The red seat belts in the front. That's a clear sign of someone else with less discriminating abilities in there making that change.

Regardless, you've got something worth saving. Now it's just a matter of what way do you go with bringing it back?? If it were me I'd bring it back to it's stock, dealer prepared condition.

As Jeff mentioned too, it's now time to contact Jim Mattison at PHS, and it's also time to see what or how much title history you can get your hands on. Provenance is the new hip word, and the more provenance you can get your hands on the better you will be for it in the future.

[Dummybait]

wow.. Jeff and Scott, you guys are nerds lol

Good job guys! This is indeed very interesting.

oh and Congratz Jess on th find!

[Gottork]

ok, dont throw anything away as in anything, cause the seats were changed and the carpet was dyed, I know this cause he told me he did it, the seats were so soaked with water and what not they were destroyed, like needed complete restoration.. the console was broken, the shell was rotten, I mean I picked it up off the bolt and it did not take effort.. the floor I just found out yesterday is rusted through from the inside out..god I was so pissed... but I digress..

I have saved all the badging and parts I was unsure of, I havent changed alot yet..

so how do I contact this person you speak of?

I will also take pics of other things like the red underside of the hood and a few other small things, but the original hatch and spoiler are still here, with the awesome rubber wing that is intact..

[92conv]

Here's the link for PHS's website. PHS (Pontiac Historical Services) is run by Jim Mattison. http://www.phs-online.com/

As far as not throwing anything away. I guess we should've been clearer on that. Don't throw anything away that you sure wasn't modified by the previous owner. If he told you that he changed the seats, dyed the carpet, etc. Then yes by all means toss away. But anything you're questionable on, keep until you can confirm it's origin.

Also while you're pulling the carpet keep your eyes open for a build sheet. Many of the early 3rd gen owners have found one under the carpet in various locations.

BTW- Are you still living in Hudsonville?? If so I might pay you a visit sometime.