79 Trans Am Resto Project

[72projectbird]

I wasn't really looking for another project, but a buddy of mine sent a link to this car that was just listed online, and it was too good to pass up.

It's a 79 Heritage Brown on Camel Trans Am, sold new at Wile Motors in Willimantic CT.

It's 99% rust free. It has one small spot on the passenger side lower quarter, and after some investigation it turns out someone left a bunch of building blueprints stuffed in there, and once they got wet that killed the metal. Easy fix.

It's 100% numbers matching, including the carb, distributer, trans, and even the original radiator that was re-cored. All original body panels, except for a new radiator support.

The original 403 has been completely rebuilt, with an Elgin E-976-P Cam, .448".474" 204°/214° 112LSA


Just got back the PHS, and it has the following options:

D53 Hood Decal
B84 Body Side Molding
QGR White Letter Tires
BS1 Additional Acoustic Insulation
B37 Front and Rear Mats
B34 RH Vanity Mirror
B80 Drip Rails
A31 Power Windows
VO2 Super Cooling Radiator
UN3 AM/FM Stereo W/Cassette
N90 Aluminum Wheels 7"
CD4 Control Cycle Wipers


It's pretty stripped down for a Trans Am. It's the first one I've seen in person with no rear defroster.

I'm struggling with what color to paint it. Originally it was gonna be black, but I might stick with the original Brown.

I have to wrap up a few things before I get to this car, but that shouldn't take too long.

[5th T/A]

This is really a nice find, just when you think all the decent cars are gone, something like this shows up. Looking forward to seeing more.

Many years ago, the company I worked for had a training center in Woodstock CT. It was converted from an all girls college. I would go there for weeks at a time and pass through Putnam and Willimantic.

[5th T/A]

This is really a nice find, just when you think all the decent cars are gone, something like this shows up. Looking forward to seeing more. Also, I like the brown color!

Many years ago, the company I worked for had a training center in Woodstock CT. It was converted from an all girls college. I would go there for weeks at a time and pass through Putnam and Willimantic.

[Wallington]

Is the 403 a 'stock' rebuild with oversize pistons? The cam is very generic and often had worse performance than stock except in cars with swapped rear end gears for higher-end power, which is not where the 403 wants it. Is the engine still out of the car?
You could stay with the original brown but pick a modern day variation of it with same decals. I think I saw a Jaguar, or similar recently in a deep metallic brown. Looked different, but it had that look of being classic and suited to something much older with similar body lines and a dash of chrome.

[72projectbird]

This is really a nice find, just when you think all the decent cars are gone, something like this shows up. Looking forward to seeing more.

Many years ago, the company I worked for had a training center in Woodstock CT. It was converted from an all girls college. I would go there for weeks at a time and pass through Putnam and Willimantic.

I've never heard of it until I saw it on the PHS. Turns out the car didn't go far in its life. Was sold in Willimantic, 2nd owner was in south west MA, and the guy I bought it from was in Thompson CT right near the racetrack.  I always found it interesting how these cars lived and died in around a 30mi radius.

[scarebird]

Heritage Brown is just that; a period correct color.  Another Pontiac acquittance had one - yuck.

Laredo Brown (3090), Martinique (3079), or Berkshire Green (2965)  if it was my choice.

Yes, these are 1978 colors - the 79 palette was lacking in my book.