This is my 1981 Trans Am. It is a childhood dream car of mine. On my way
home from work one day I saw this blue car sitting with a for sale sign.
I noticed it had a formula firebird hood and no fender flares and
mismatched non Firebird wheels. So i thought to myself, nah, its not a
T/A no sense even stopping to look at it. So I drive by this car for 2
weeks and finally think, I'M STOPPING. So i get up to the car and peek in
and sure enough, machined dash, firebird emblems on the door, steering
wheel, shifter, deluxe black interior and a w87 in the vin number...its
a T/A!! So I take a look at the for sale sign, $1,000.00 needs work extra
parts. So I call the guy and it has the following extra parts; 2 hoods
(shaker & original turbo), 2 doors, 2 fenders, complete front facia
including steel bumper headlights everything, rear bumper facia & bumper,
trunk lid, rear spoiler, original turbo wheels, misc interior parts, and
misc exterior parts. The guy tells me he is leaving for the service in a
week and just wants to unload it. So im thinking, O.....K..... thats a
steal!!! The motor had antifreeze in the oil and a broken motor mount.
Well, i couldnt pass it up, I convinced the wife that I could part off
the extras on ebay to pay for the car. And I did. June 7th 2004 I
purchased my dream car. After getting the car home I looked it all over,
checking things out, i started hunting for the build sheet. There it was
still behind the back seat. Although it had been chewed by a mouse there
was still a ton of info on there that was still good. Car was sold at
Bradley Lawless Pontiac in Scranton PA. Original Gold T-Top Automatic car
with black interior.
The car had been painted (98 dodge intense blue pearl with prismatique in
the clear (YUCK)) within a year or so and was missing various interior and
exterior parts. I picked up the missing fender flares and front lower
spoiler and had them painted to match. The body work wasnt the greatest
and there were a few small dents here and there, but, I figured, it looks
good enough for a little while for a driver car. Ill get it running, on
the road and go from there. SO, my buddy had a 403 with 455 heads that he
recently rebuilt that just came out of a 79 Hurst/Olds. Theres the motor.
We finally got the motor in and running. The rest of the missing bolts &
interior parts had been coming together nicely. Time for exhaust, let the
research begin. I wanted to keep it simple, buy a complete system from
headers back to the chrome factory style tips, hangers and all. I found
that Pontiac Performance Years had PYPES brand 2.5" X-pipe exhaust kits
to fit my car. BINGO! They had a sale on them so I jumped on it. I love
the way it sounds!!! It was an easy install as well. I have purchased many
parts from PY, weather strippings, mirror gaskets, etc. etc. and have
been very happy with their service & speedy shipping.
I picked up a set of 15x8 snowflakes in a package deal that included a 77
front & rear facia & some other parts. I restored the wheels as best as I
could, and mounted a set of brand new BFG white letter tires on them. Now
the car is looking like a T/A!!! I am a graphic designer & own a sign &
graphics buisness on the side. I decided to make my own decals. I went
with a 77 SE style gothic lettering & bird theme. I am going to eventually
put the 77 front facia on the car and a shaker hood and scoop. OH, and of
course, the bird.
So the car is pretty well finished. (sounds quick and easy but of course
after months and months of parts restoring, buying, searching, polishing,
painting, etc etc) The interior is complete and is in great shape! The
exterior, is ok for a driver. With a good wax job it looks sufficient. I
then registered as a classic, got it insured. My buddy that had the 403
is getting married April 22nd and wanted me to drive my car in his wedding.
SO, on Thursday April 13 I drove the car to work and it passed inspection
& I also got the front end aligned. But the maiden voyage was bitter sweet.
When driving the car where I could get it up to the speed limit it felt
like the tranny was slipping and weak. Not good. When it was time to leave
work, the car wouldnt stay running. So I left it there and put a new fuel
pump on it the next day. When it was time to leave work on friday I let
the car warm up a bit before I headed off, and it stalled. OK, fuel pump
didnt fix it. Ended up trailering it home. Its now at the garage, the
tranny was shot & the screen on the sending unit was plugged. SO it is now
crunch time. Its April 18th & the car is getting another tranny & sending
unit with a new screen. So Im hoping all goes well, the car gets done and
can be used in his wedding!! And I can spend a little more time in the car
with my family and less time working on the car away from my family!!
Thank you PY for making the pain of restoration a little less painful!!!!
UPDATE:
My buddy stuffed a new tranny in it & got it running again with just days
before the wedding. I was up until 1:30 am the day before the wedding
detailing the car. Wouldnt you know it...it rained...it rained all day
long on his wedding. BUT, the Trans Am made it to the church, to the
reception... & back home safely. So all the hard work paid off.
Ive been pretty obsessed with T/A ever since I bought it. I even drew a
concept T/A off of the Camaro Concept that came out and that has made it
into POCI, High Performance Pontiac, & Hotrod Magazines!! (july 2006
issues).
Im currently planning on putting a shaker hood & scoop on the car to make
it the way i want it. It never ends...
Thanks again PY!!!!!!!
Would you like
your car listed here?
Please e-mail us pictures
and a description of your pride and joy!
