The Hybrid Convertible Project Prius v

Making some progress in the garage. I made a wooden block to simulate the bracket that will hold the steering column in place (although it is about an inch too thick.) That allowed me to mark the brake pedal support and firewall where some metal needs to be trimmed away. The final position will look much cleaner once I can rotate the power steering parts up under the dash. At least I am certain now that the steering and brake systems won't interfere.


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Looking forward to more progress tomorrow.

Bill the Engineer

 

Cut-outs in the Firebird firewall and brake pedal support completed. The Prius v steering column fits much better now.






Also cut off the bottom of the Prius v brake pedal lever in preparation for mounting it to the car. The lower part could have jammed the brakes had I left it on.



On the plus side, this now gives me a spare brake pedal cover in case one of my daily drivers needs one someday.

Bill the Engineer

 

Mid-week update. Moved on to a third shop to quote my custom parts. The second one was going to farm out the parts to the first shop to quote them. (Roll eyes here...) The latest shop does waterjet cutting and shows street rod parts in their on-line gallery, so chances are much better I'll get my parts done (I hope!)

Bill the Engineer

 

Hot and humid today, so I mostly did easy stuff in the garage.
I measured both front fenders for the front end stretch and drop. When finished, the front bumper will be 10" further forward and 1.5" lower than before using additional parts I plan to buy at local Pontiac shows. This is necessary for clearance around the Prius v cooling system.





I also started making the template for the filler panels between the firewalls.



We'll see what I have time for tomorrow...

Bill the Engineer

 

Friday night news dump. The quote from the third shop came back more in line with the project budget. The parts are now in fabrication and paid for. No e.t.a. yet, but I should know that soon. They also have the materials that I will need for later this summer to weld the body to the chassis.

Hoping for more progress this weekend, but the weather is supposed to be brutal. We'll have to see what I can get done.

Bill the Engineer

 

It will be titled as a street rod Firebird using the Firebird's serial number. The insurance would be the same as on a street rod. (That's what it basically is, just using the power train and suspension for a Prius V rather than something like a Hummer.)

Bill the Engineer

 

My little helper, Ty, was ready to go today, but it was just too brutal in the garage, just like yesterday. It's hard to breathe when the temperature and humidity are both over 90. The heat index just now is 104F, and another thunderstorm is heading our way.

Hoping for better luck next weekend.

Bill the Engineer

 

Look what I got today! First batch of parts with more coming!



Bill the Engineer

 

MAJOR clean-up in the garage today. I get a little crazy when I can't find the tool I want.



Afterward I started the pilot hole for the gas door I will be adding to the left rear fender.




Hey, at least it is a little progress...

Bill the Engineer

 

Not this time. They had their way with it in the past. Now I regularly let the cat out in the garage. Haven't seen one since.

Bill the Engineer

 

Big Pontiac show and flea market this weekend in Norwalk, OH, at the dragstrip. Hoping to come home with parts for the front end extension.



I'll let everyone know!

Bill the Engineer

 

Got the spare Firebird hood I was looking for from the Pontiac show in Norwalk. It was the only part that I couldn't buy as a reproduction. I can get started measuring for the stretched hood now that I know where each hood's good and bad areas are.



It was a GOOD day!

Bill the Engineer

 

Well I'll be...
The red paint on hood I bought was not the original color. It's a hood off of another gold Firebird just like mine!



Bill the Engineer