A Father’s Passion Is Shared
Bob Giles is an F-Body* fanatic. Enthusiast. Owner. He has owned 7 F-Bodies in his lifetime. His father was a big influence on his love of cars. Like many of us, who had someone in their family; father, older brother, uncle, that is at fault… err I mean was a big influence for us to follow our passion. Bob has owned this particular 2002 WS6 Firebird since 2017 and his now 3 year-old daughter is a total gearhead because of it. Watching and listening to her dad “HER WHOLE LIFE”! and we think that is awesome! Start em young. I’d say Bob started his at the youngest. Three or four generation stories are what we strive for. And heck, Bob’s grandfather was probably a mechanic, engineer or heck, even as a farmer. Back then you had to have some serious mechanical skills to fix and repair the machines you are working with.
So, let’s dig into the car a bit.
Bob created a timeline on this car. From when was in the factory, April of 2002 only 642km (just under 400 miles) away from where it resides today. He is the fifth owner of the car and in the next 5 years he did an in-depth and documented cosmetic and mechanical refresh. With 191,000 km (118,000 miles) on the dial, it could use his help. Bob found the car not far from his house and after a bit of negotiation, he brought it home.
The besides restoring all the surfaces on the car, and adding GM Specific and Appropriate refinements for this real-deal WS6. This is what get’s me with the manufacturers all the letter/number configurations. Maybe I would retain them better if I would have passed Algebra II.? For those (like me) who don’t know all things GM. WS6 refers to taking a standard Pontiac Firebird and modifying it to include the performance upgrades that came standard on the “WS6” package, typically found on the Trans Am model, which included a functional Ram Air hood, upgraded suspension, larger brakes, a unique body kit, and sometimes engine modifications to enhance power and handling.
For the past few years, Bob has been able to enjoy the car with his family as he adds new parts here and there. Up until the last 5 years, the car was kept in his in-law’s barn during the winter and they break it out for trips in the spring and summer months. Now it’s in his garage and able to take the family out whenever the weather is as bright as his daughters grin.
Thank you Bob for sending us your story. We hope everyone digs it too.
*F-Body is a General Motors’ rear-wheel drive pony car automobile platform from 1967 to 2002. The only two vehicles to have been built using the F-Body platform are the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird. They were built to compete against the Ford Mustang.
