Picture thread.

[FormTA]

I don't know if we started one of these after the crash, if we did we can delete this. Might be something to sticky as I always enjoyed looking at people's Firebirds in any condition from basket cases to show queens.

I don't have any really good ones but here is what I have of my car.

I bought my car in 1996 or 1997 (id have to check the title) from the original owner who ordered it from Cheery Street motors in Oregon Ohio. 1979 black on deluxe black, 301 auto power windows, locks, AC,  radio delete, T tops and charcoal graphics.


My cars back in like 1997.



In 1998 or so I decided to try and stop some of the rust and pulled the drivers door and sanded it down and sprayed some primer on it and then some random black paint. Why I only paint half the door I don't know. Probably because I had long hair and a bandana....



Probably one of the last times I drive it before I parked it in the yard as I had picked up other cars to work on and it wasn't running well for some reason.  I moved it around and tried to sell it once and it ended up in my father in laws barn which then started to fall down around and upon it. I then moved it to my new barn I built where it sat for 10 years +. Then I moved and it sat for another 3 or so until a friend of mine offered me a beautiful 1998 trans am to pull the LS from.









I parted thus car out and made $500 to $1000 on it and kept the drive line and a bunch of parts too. It was a great deal but I had to sacrifice this nice car.







Pulling my car out of my barn to start work on it. This was in like 2016 I think. Somewhere in its storage I pulled the 301 and the front clip,  interior and doors...





I have lots of pictures of the build but this was one of my favorites. My son and I going for a drive in it for the first time since 1998.




Putting the nose back on it.



Hours and hours of block and wet sanding.



Finally paint!



Now that is some paint shine! Not bad for a home build.



New wheels I bought like 10 years ago. Finally got tires too.




Mostly together in 2020.



Putting in the stock interior which I collected over the years some nice original pieces.



First time on the road for an actual trip to the in-laws amd icecream.





Got it out of its winter sleep yesterday and been driving it all week.




That's my cliff notes version of my car and some pictures to start this picture thread.  I hope others can contribute and I'm excited to
see others pictures and or stories.

[roadking77]

Great pics. Its fantastic that you have had your car for so long as well as the changes made along the way.

[kentucky yeti]

Jeff Brown (dreamn2) has a thread here:

http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=84401.0

Mine:

http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=84394.0

[FormTA]

Anyone can post any pictures of their bird here with or without a back story.

This is a 1979 301 4 barrel auto formula with T tops, spoiler, map lights, red deluxe interior, rear spoiler, power windows and locks and power antenna and intermittent wipers. It was pretty loaded for a formula.

I was looking for another fender and found this in Toledo Ohio for $1200 but she was really rusted with a huge hole in the roof about 8" in diameter. I'm covering it in the below picture. I test drove it and it drove really well so I bought it. That was 2009.

I just drove it for a few years and sometime about 2014 I cut the roof off and replaced it with a really nice one. New quarters, door skins and nice used fenders. I patched the frame rails as no parts were available at the time and replaced portions of the floor.

I also picked up a 7-10k miles 80 301 from a member here to drop in. The original still runs great but the one head is from my trans am  because the original had broken exhaust bolts in it and the replacement one has bad valve seals as it smokes on start up.



This picture is from 2009. My daughter, same one with the TA above.



Original owner picture from the early 80s.





Roof coming off. I didn't use the saw, I just staged that for fun. I melted the lead out and drilled the spot welds out of the sail panel and cut the skin away from the A posts amd then cut the inner structure. Once I welded the A post back together using sleeves inside the posts I put the skins back over the A posts. You can't even tell the roof was removed.  The replacement one fit right into place and I test fit the glass and it was better them before, gap wise.





There is a cage structure I welded inside to hold its shape while I cut the roof off.





Floor rust





Partial quarters, trunk extensions and wheel wells going on.



Bought new seat covers, door panels and NOS door pulls. Nice used center console and steering wheel.



As it sits today.  I may get to it someday but I have 3 projects in front of it. If anyone near Ohio is interested in a project let me know, I may part with it to make room.

[5th T/A]

To all who posted, I absolutely love all the old pictures, I wish more people would contribute.

Luke, what can I say, you have some serious body working skills.

[FormTA]

Thanks Larry! I actually graduated from college with a degree in Auto body repair and applied sciences. I was the last to graduate with that degree before it was changed to a certification  instead of a degree.  But, I only do it for a hobby. 

I to enjoy seeing old photos but I also want to see other TAC current cars. Post yours up here. I was like a kid in a candy shop looking over your car. It was so cool, it was like I was thrown into the eighties and was a dealership looking at a new TA.

[Jur5664]

Very nice photo's, time capsule moments. I should search some I have, back in late eighties when I got my '77 Formula 400, I am French, was in France and  considered as out of time with this "american car" in these years with gas milage, now it's more considered, as collector

hello from France 

[hakitup]

I just need to swap my clutch out and I’m back up running. I’ve been fighting a flywheel starter tooth contact problem which is now fixed but the kinda new clutch (6k miles) slips, new parts are in the trunk just need time.

Tom H

[FormTA]

Nice car! I love the reflection in the lower left of the windshield too!

[5th T/A]

Luke, I love vintage photo posts. I have posted some of these before, but not sure if they are still on TAC or where they are.

This is my 1973 TA, doing a burnout out in the FelPro Gasket parking lot.
Photo_2021-09-20_110808 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

I bought my 1975 TA new, but sold it to my sister in 1976 so I could go back to school. In 1980 I bought it back from her. Badly rusted out and not repaired properly.
75TA, 4, summer 1980 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Both rear fenders, one used door, one new front fender, a new hood, core support, a coat of paint and about a year's time later. At the time you could purchase everything from Pontiac. Even the bird decal and carpeting. Fortunately I was friends with the parts man and he gave be great deals on Parts. The mop head to the right is me.
75TA, 14, buffed by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Finished product, summer of 1982. I don't have near the body and paint skills of many TAC members, but the end result turned out well.
75TA, 17, finished by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Next to my wife's new 1982 TA. She was absolutely thrilled when I brought it home.
Two TA's, 18 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

I love this picture. This is at my Late friend Marc Tamraz's wedding. We loved our Firebirds & Trans Am's. He went on to start Tamraz a muscle car parts restoration business. Sadly Marc passed away in December 2018 and the business failed last year. One of his employees when out on his own and formed "The Parts Place". Parts Place is now owned by Classic Industries.
TA wedding0001 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[FormTA]

These are awesome! Thanks for posting! I really like the build pictures of the 75!

[tajoe]

Ok if I add? Luke, (?), I can't believe you cut up that perfect lookin 4th gen, for the motor. Couldn't find an LS anywhere else?
I can't say much. back in 1990, I cut up an 80 turbo car, for the 4wheel disk rear, and T/A parts, for a 79 project car. I probably should be kicking myself today, for chopping this car up, but I did get lot's a good stuff off of it.


(40 years ago, when my garage was still clean)

[FormTA]

No, this is great! I kind of want this thread to be like the what I did today thread but just for pictures and back stories.  Originally I was thinking only pretty, finished cars but then my own post went a bit wild. I encourage everyone to post a picture of your car and a story if you'd like. I also enjoy ones like above!

Ya, I bought that 4th gen for $5500 and parted it parted it out of around $6500 and I kept the drive train and a bunch of other parts. It was just how the cards fell.

[rkellerjr]

Here's my first car I ever bought with my own money back in 1985.  A 1975 Trans Am... imagine that.

[rkellerjr]

And the current car bought in 2006.  the interesting thing is that this car was actually a silver car originally.

[FormTA]

I like both of those! Nice to see you again Rich! I miss your build thread.

[scarebird]

The start.  Daughter and then BF cleaning it out:



and now - just a few changes:

[5th T/A]

Rich, I love your 75’s.
Tom I can’t tell if yours is a 74 or 75, but I love it too.
Scarebird, incredible job making your car look like an early Gen II! In a prefect world I would have a 70-73 Gen II.

[scarebird]

Thanks, it was a bit of work.

[76455sd]

Scarebird’s car is beautiful.  I had the pleasure of seeing it at a cars and coffee in ABQ

[scarebird]

Thank you for that - good to meet you then.

[FormTA]

I remember watching your build, I was really captivated buy it. Filling ine the window area by hand instead of using a donor roof I think is watching got me.

[roadking77]

Some bottom pics were in the 'today' thread, I figured I would post mine here instead.
2018-06-14_08-16-10 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

2018-06-14_08-16-26 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

[roadking77]

This is for you Larry. My 82 Firebird I bought new, right after HS. I wanted a T/A in the worse way but could not afford one. I had put money down on a 1981 Trans Am, White with a Blue bird, then found this at another dealer. By late 1982 it was a no brainer.  A brand new car with new design or a tired 10 year old design used trans am. Same price for either, it was right under $10k
2020-06-06_11-09-41 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

[5th T/A]

Kerry, beautiful undercarriage pictures, better than new.  I get excited when I see such great detail, a lot of people think I am nuts! Unfortunately, it reminds me the differential on my 80 TA is untouched and needs to be done. I would like to get it done this summer; time will tell.

I bet you would like to have your 82 Bird back! I remember the first time I saw an 82 in the dealership showroom; it just blew me away. It looked wider, lower and light years ahead in terms of modern styling. The pop-up headlights were icing on the cake.

[roadking77]

Yeah, the third gens dont get a lot of love but a 83 Daytona Pace car is on my bucket list. They had just come out, and the dealer had one in the showroom when I bought my 'bird. I recently saw a real nice one with somewhat low miles for a really good price. I had to think twice about that one, but alas, I am not in a position to buy another classic car right now. I was just looking last night for '82 trans ams and there is a nice one with around 1k miles or less I think, but they want close to 40k for it. Too rich for my check book  IF I were ever to get another early third gen I would prefer a white one. Still my favorite trans am colour. I also had a 85 Trans Am, silver with grey bottom.

My son has finally decided to buy a 'new' GTO, I was showing him some nice low mile third gen t/a's for less money but the GTO is a car he has always wanted and the T/A is my love. So I backed off, LOL.

[roadking77]

Larry, Sent you a pm.

[tajoe]

I bet you would like to have your 82 Bird back! I remember the first time I saw an 82 in the dealership showroom; it just blew me away. It looked wider, lower and light years ahead in terms of modern styling. The pop-up headlights were icing on the cake.

I thought the same thing, when I 1st saw them on the lots. Too bad GM went and forced that crap motor 305 under the hood.

[Raven]

I have a "This Day in History" feed running through my photos and today it brought my these pics of a '77 that I dug out of a barn for a friend. Somewhere I have photos of it's found state, these are after I pulled it out and cleaned it up. I'll post those and the story once I dig them up.

[Raven]

Speaking of 3rd gens getting no love, I just found this one under a rock yesterday.    It's an '83, 305 4bbl, manual. At the moment I don't know much else about it, like where the motor is or the hood. Body seems OK overall, found one hole in the right-rear quarter panel but the rest looked OK. One of my customers is storing it, said it was driven in under its own power several years ago; one day he came into the shed and found it in this condition. I plan to reach out to the owner as it sounds like he needs to get rid of it and the guy storing it wants to reclaim his garage space. I've not owned a 3rd gen yet, but with another engine rebuild started on my '78, I'm not sure I should be picking up a potential basket case just now. 

[5th T/A]

Speaking of 3rd gens getting no love, I just found this one under a rock yesterday. I plan to reach out to the owner as it sounds like he needs to get rid of it and the guy storing it wants to reclaim his garage space. I've not owned a 3rd gen yet, but with another engine rebuild started on my '78, I'm not sure I should be picking up a potential basket case just now. 

I hope you get this car, looks to be in pretty decent condition. It would be great to see more third generation activity here. I should mention I have a 1982 GM Firebird shop manual that might help out if you do end up getting this car.

[Raven]

I'm open to it, we'll see how things shake out. Thanks for the offer on the manual, I might take you up on that offer. I'm just not terribly familiar with them beyond the basics. Time for another book-buying spree!

[FormTA]

I would grab that car but I am a suckered for all cool things automotive! It looks cool too.

[roadking77]

I love it!  I get the impression that Larry and myself are the only guys in the world with a liking to the third gen, LOL.
A buddy of mine bought a new 82 recarro, black and gold trans am when we were seniors in HS. He won some kind of a law suit and bought the car (along with a slew of other toys!). They dont get the love because of their power ratings compared to the later cars. I had an 85 trans am with the hi-po version and it ran great for what it was. Never meant to be a race car, but I suppose when you look like one people expect it to be one. Personally styling wise, I think the third gens nailed it. The best looking firebird made. I suppose its because of my age, but I would take a nice 3rd over a 4th any day.

[Zach]

Never was much of a fan of 3rd gens but I do like the look of the late year fourth gens with the front scoops. But I do dig some of the 80s styling, honestly look comes before power when I see these things, can always add more power. My aunt has a 85 Camaro z28, absolute slug but it still is pretty rad. Can never turn down a clean bird.

[b_hill_86]

I do love the 4th gens but I’d absolutely take a 3rd gen. I grew up loving the Camaros of that era and as I’ve gotten older the firebirds have grown on me. I’d take a 305/5speed any day over any other engine/trans combo.

I’ll also play ball with some before and after photos of my car. I bought it in 2010. The day of the first picture below actually.

[b_hill_86]

Compared to now.

[tajoe]

Wow. Very unique lookin 2nd gen, Bri. You've done well. (I'm also a sucker for the 3rd pedal)

[b_hill_86]

Thanks! Yea, engine and auto trans weren’t original so I figured, why not swap it? Probably the best thing I’ve done with the car. So much more fun to drive. Almost added hurst tops myself but decided to forgo that.

[Zach]

Thanks! Yea, engine and auto trans weren’t original so I figured, why not swap it? Probably the best thing I’ve done with the car. So much more fun to drive. Almost added hurst tops myself but decided to forgo that.

4 speed is like half the fun of driving. Honestly t tops are my favorite variation of roof deletes but they suck maintenance wise, at least after market versions. Wouldn’t have a TA without them but sure wish the dealer didn’t throw on American T Tops back in the day. Looks clean nonetheless.