It would seem that the name I gave my 1962 Pontiac restomod is not appropriate. I have called it the “Bluebird” based on the Jaguar blue color of the paint. In light of the experience I am having getting it finished the way that I want it to function, it would appear that I have created a misnomer. The name Bluebird implies a graceful, joyful creature that sings merrily to the world as it goes through life.
The LS3 engine does not sing; it bellows out a challenge to the other traffic in the world and makes it sound more like a nasty crow than a sweet little bluebird. But that is probably OK for the namesake as it does look nice and pretty when parked. When it comes to functionality is when the name becomes a misnomer.
If it is to be a “park and admire hot rod,” then it would be OK as originally built. But that is not what I want. My desire is a car that I can get in and drive 100mph to Los Angeles with no problem (other than the time I would have to spend in jail going that speed). That means it has to be reliable, safe, comfortable, and smooth. It has to have outstanding performance with reasonable economy. No junk yard parts and nothing that cannot be serviced in a normal garage.
So let’s review the construction process and recount the problems.
(I need to pause before I launch into this part for a little more bourbon and ginger to ease the pain).
- The limited slip differential made by Auburn for drag racers had to be replaced twice due to the howling noise of the bigger gear teeth. I was informed by everyone that I should have used a Ford nine inch. They were correct.
- The custom steel drive shaft was too heavy for the application and caused vibration. It was replaced with an Aluminum unit.
- The differential was initially set at the wrong angle and needed to be rotated requiring the fabrication of new links.
- The custom 16 inch wheels and Michelin tires had to be replaced by custom 17 inch wheels as the power disk calipers could not fit in them even after measurements indicated that they would fit.
- The Y rated 17 inch Michelin tires rated for 165 mph were too stiff and rode like a lumber wagon and were replaced by the more appropriate Michelin Defender design.
- The tires had to be balanced three times due to vibration to get that corrected.
- The single piston brake calipers that were supposed to fit the 16 inch wheels are not adequate for higher speeds, and the emergency brake is not adequate. They will all be replaced with four piston units with integral drum emergency brakes and a correct master cylinder.
- The new front springs were too stiff for the lighter LS3 engine, and it sat nose high. I had to replace them with coil over spring shock units.
- The new gas pedal had to be replaced.
- The new fuel sensor leaked and had to be replaced.
- The ECU had to have a program change as it erroneously reported an idle problem.
- The A/C hoses were improperly crimped and leaked, and they had to be redone.
My friends would have me believe I am on a course of doom and gloom, and that the Bluebird will be nothing but a ragged sparrow. I will not call out Peter Freytag by name as I do value his friendship. His tongue-in-cheek lack of confidence in the successful completion of the car to meet its design goals is a little disheartening. I think he sees the string of do-over challenges as a predictor of failure to achieve the desired goal. He feels that the Bluebird has presented me with insurmountable odds.
I explained to him that Napoleon had his Waterloo, Hitler had Stalingrad, and Kamala Harris had an election. All were maximum effort challenges that failed to produce the desired goal. They did not have the benefit of a do-over opportunity. I, however, have past do-over experience on a much more important scale and am optimistic about this project.
I went into the USAF with a degree in biology, but when I came out of the military, I got a do-over degree in engineering by completing the undergraduate program at Cornell. My brother, who is a professor, proclaimed that repeating the third grade might be understandable, but repeating college is ridiculous. So true, except I got the highest paying job offer of my graduating class as I was an accidental pioneer in medical electronics at the start of the Apollo projects. The do-over paid off.
So it will be with the Bluebird. The do-overs will continue until the goals are achieved. I will be gracious to Peter and offer to let him be a co-driver on the Los Angeles sprint. He can drive it across Utah as I do not want to face their highway patrol. It’s better that Peter gets to do that.
FOR SALE: Tires, brakes, shock absorbers, and rear struts guaranteed to fit … something.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!