Project Car Update 3: ’96 Firebird Problem Child

• Ben Williams


• 27 Apr 2015

Only a couple of hours after I posted the last update, the Firebird was moving again!  For those who do not know, I own a slightly warn 1996 Pontiac Firebird that has turned out to be more trouble than it was worth at times, after two engine rebuilds and spending most of the last two years up on jack-stands.  I parked the Firebird last year for the winter, and have been anxious to get the car back on the road and get out of the Aztek ever since.  After changing out the front brake pads, fitting the new tires, an oil change, and a refill of the rear air shocks, the Firebird is road worthy once again.

I have not driven the Firebird much this weekend, but I can tell that Firebird still handles the same way that it always has.  I will be the first to admit that the Firebird is not exactly a Ferrari or a Mercedes.  The ride is not great, the power delivery is slow, the interior is that GM material that they used on almost everything during the 90’s, and, above all else, the car is basically 20 years old now.  However, that being said, being in love with a car makes the ride smooth and the car seem much faster than it actually is.  There is still a lot to do on the car, but the car is at least road worthy now.  Until the heater hoses get fixed this week, I will be limiting the amount of miles I put on the car until I go for a real test drive.