Steve Prouty's project '69...
Steve Prouty's project '69 Firebird, built by V8TV (www.v8tvshow.com) in conjunction with Classic Industries and OER, is dubbed Routy. Designed by Ben Hermance of Hermance Design (the designer of the RAMC Banshee), the original 350/two-barrel Bird was treated to a full Trans Am body package, Carousel Red exterior paint, and Fourth-Gen Trans Am seats. It's powered by a '73 Pontiac 400, '68 No. 16 heads, and an M20 four-speed transmission with a Hurst Competition Plus shifter and a factory console. Other features include Detroit Speed and Engineering 3-inch-drop leaf springs and QA1 shocks. It rides on Boyd Coddington Junkyard Dog wheels (18x8 front; 18x9 rear) wrapped in Nitto NT555 tires. Many of the parts used in its restoration, including the flush-mount front and rear window glass, are available in Classic Industries' Firebird restoration catalog.
Once a year, the automobile aftermarket industry convenes in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, where over 1,900 exhibiting companies show off their latest and greatest products to 100,000-plus attendees. This month, we've picked the best items from the 2011 SEMA show that are of interest to vintage Pontiac owners. Among them are Pure-Pontiac engine parts, ignition systems, restoration parts, A/C units and hose kits, gauge sets, and much, much more.
MSD Ignition
915-857-5200
www.msdignition.com
What is it?
MSD 6A and MSD 6AL Ignition-Control
Why you need it.
Sure you've likely already heard that MSD's 6A and 6AL boxes are a great choice for accurately controlling your ignition system, but now they've been redesigned from the ground up with the end user in mind. "Our engineers put all digital controls inside so the ignition delivers more power while drawing less current from the vehicle's electrical system. Then the box got a single-sealing locking connector that all of the wires are routed through to add to the clean look and make installations even easier. For the 6AL the rev limiter was turned into two rotary dials and moved to the face of the box so that rpm modules (pills) are no longer needed," the company says. (Note: the new 6A and 6AL have the same footprint as the old 6A and 6AL so they can install in a breeze.)
Applications
Any Pontiac that has a distributor-triggered ignition system.
MSRP
MSD 6A $175
MSD 6AL $215
Parts Unlimited
(800) 342-0610
www.pui.cc
What is it?
Pre-assembled bucket seats
Why you need it.
Have you ever thought about an easy way to make your Firebird or GTO's bucket seats brand new again? PUI has with its latest restoration offering-pre-assembled bucket seats. Each set of two includes new tracks, frames, springs, foam, upholstery, back panels, headrest post guides, and all hardware and emblems. All you have to do is bolt them in. According to the company, "These new pre-assembled bucket seats are the absolute best option for customers missing their original frames or wanting to convert to buckets from a bench seat."
Applications
'67-'69 Firebird, '69-'72 GTO
MSRP
$1,500-$2,500 per set
Eagle Specialty Products
(662) 796-7373
www.eaglerod.com
What is it?
Forged 4340-steel stroker crankshafts and rotating assemblies
Why you need it.
Stroker crankshafts and rotating assemblies allow you to increase engine displacement and power. Eagle's new forged-steel stroker crankshafts handle serious power-from stock to 1,500 hp, including blowers, nitrous, or turbocharger add-ons. Eagle's stroker kits add Eagle H-beam rods, forged Mahle pistons, rings, and bearings to take the guesswork out of building a solid bottom end. Crankshafts and kits are available in 4.25-, 4.35-, and 4.50-inch strokes, and with 3.00-inch and 3.25-inch mains.
Applications
Pontiac 400 or 455 blocks
MSRP
Crankshafts $799
Assemblies (including crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, rings, and bearings) $2,094
TCI Automotive
(662) 224-8972
www.tciauto.com
What is it?
RollStop Universal Burnout Kit with LEDs
Why you need it.
If you're looking for an sure-fire way to produce crowd-pleasing burnouts at the track, the Rollstop may be just right for you. It includes everything you need to heat the tires up at the track or put on a show on the street, along with two pulsating LEDs make the smoke more visible at night. The kit is primarily designed for rear-wheel drive vehicles, but also works on front-wheel drive cars, according to the company.
Applications
Any Pontiac
MSRP
$181
Vintage Air
(800) 862-6658
www.vintageair.com
What is it?
Vintage Air Gen IV Sure Fit System
Why you need it.
The classic Great One never featured a true climate-controlled cabin, but all that changes with the Gen IV Sure Fit System. It uses an exclusive, fully electronic microprocessor control system that requires no cables or vacuum connections and separate high-capacity copper parallel-flow heat coil and aluminum plate and fin-cooling coils to provide instant temperature adjustments that rival today's luxury cars. It includes the company's Cable Converter slide potentiometer adapters to convert the original factory controls to electronic operation.
Applications
'64-'67 Pontiac GTO (factory air and non-factory air Applications)
MSRP
$1,335