Bought a 78 Trans Am today! No, I'm not trying to be like Blurr.

[Jeffro]

Well I finally got my project TA today.

I found a 78 non-Bandit Black TA in my hometown. I went to visit my parents and spotted this car on the way home. I went back tthe other day to visit the guy that had the car and he tells me it's already sold. It had Hurst t-tops, basic vinyl interior, no pw/pl and some cutlass style wheels. Floor was rusted out since it had Hurt t's I guess.

Anyway, he tells me that he has another one just like it parked out back. Turns out it's a hard top that was sold new in my hometown. I actually work with the guy that owned the dealership back then.


Well I went back today to check the car over top to bottom. I was amazed at how this car has held up over the past 13 years of sitting outside. The only rust was a little surface rust on the driver side sail panel and on the l/f fender at the bottom near the driver's door is rusted through. It's very small and easily repaired. Paint is pretty oxidized on the hood, roof and trunk. Body is very straight. I counted 2 small door dings on the r/r quarter. Also needs new tires.

Interior is very clean. It will need a new headliner, driver side arm rest, steering wheel refinish, the pull handle above the glove box and some new trim on the inside of the rear window. The seats are near mint except for the drivers. It is a little faded but that is it!!

All we have to do it clean the gas tank and it's ready to roll. I can't wait to start restoring this car. I will probably make this a Bandit clone because I llike the looks of the bandit pinstriping so much. I will post pics tomorrow!



http://www.transamcountry.com/forum/images/smiles/se_smilie.gifhttp://www.transamcountry.com/forum/images/smiles/Bandit_rig_smilie.gif

[BLURR]

SWEEEET

Me wanta see, Congrats.

Let me have the drivers grill if its good :D

[Jeffro]

It is good and you can't have it! :p

I'm gonna call this car Blackberry since there were blackberries growing through the grill when I saw it the other day. :D I'm thinking personalized plates. BLKBRY

[BLURR]

:haha:

[Jeffro]

Here she is. :D

She needs a new paint job bad!! :(
http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry1.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry2.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry3.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry4.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry5.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry6.jpg

Interior is a little dirty but a good vacuuming will have it good as new. :D
http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry7.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry8.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry9.jpg

[Jeffro]

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry10.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry11.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry12.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry13.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry14.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry15.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blacberry16.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry17.jpg

This is the only rust other than surface rust. Nothing major.
http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/blackberry18.jpg

[BLURR]

DAMN GOOD FIND :eek:

I want it, how much did you have to give him for it, if you dont mind me asking?

I wish mine had the inflateble spare in it when i got it. :mad:

[Jeffro]

I gave $2750 for the car. It was $750 more than I wanted to spend on it. My Dad really liked the car so he said that he would go half on it with me. I didn't want to spend that much on one but, since the interior and body are in such good shape and since it was sold new in my hometown, I decided to go ahead. I'm really glad I did now. It's going to save so much time since it has a great interior.

That spare is original and has never been on the ground. Too bad the rest of the pain doesn't look like the inside of the trunk lid.;)

[BLURR]

Yep

i got mine for 3k

Looks like you will have to put carpet and seat covers in it. I would go with Black vinyl deluze covers. they look so pretty.

[Jeffro]

Nahh, carpet is good. It's just dirty in the pics. The only seat that needs recovering is the driver seat because it's a little faded. The others are perfect.

[BLURR]

Take me some pics or write down and post the VIN number and the Data plate tag and Ill decode them for you.

The Data plate tag is on the cowl right below the VIN number on the dash on the drivers side.

Also look for the build sheet. There will be 2 build sheets in the car. The first one will be in the interior most likely stuffed under one of the front seats in the springs or it will be under the rear seats or behind the back of the back seat. I have found them in those spots.

The second one will always be on top of the gas tank under the felt strap on top of it.

[Jeffro]

Decoded the VIN already. Doesn't tell me much other than it's a W72 400 and it was made in Van Nuys.

Data Tag.

ST 78 2FS87 L 246330 BDY

TR 19B A51 W 19L W 19U PNT

06B B - - 134206

So I know that the paint and trim were both correct from that. I haven't looked up the rest yet.

[Chief Pontiac]

Sweet :cool: :) Keep us posted on the restoration.

[Jeffro]

Turns out it's an L78 400 and not a W72. I was a little dissapointed when I got the PHS info but it's still numbers matching so I'm not too dissapointed.

[BLURR]

COOL:cool:

[Chief Pontiac]

Originally posted by Morpheus
Turns out it's an L78 400 and not a W72. I was a little dissapointed when I got the PHS info but it's still numbers matching so I'm not too dissapointed. You would be very lucky to find a W72 under the hood.But you still have a nice project car anyway.:)

[BLURR]

How much did it cost you to get that package from PHS?

[Jeffro]

$35 + $10 to have the invoice faxed back the same day. They mail the rest of the packet to you.

Got her home today. Here's a pic of where she'll rest til we get her fired up. Hopefully that will happen this week. :D

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/DSC00538.jpg

Went to pick her up and the damn driver door wouldn't open. I broke the freakin door handle trying to force it open. :sillyme: Shouldn't be to ohard to fix though.

[BLURR]

Congrats on getting her home. Now get her in a garage out of the weather. :D

Well if my handle wasnt warped and I didnt have to replace it I would sell you the spare one I have. But Im gonna have to use it.

[Chief Pontiac]

Ya thats great the PHS does that,I had the same thing sent to me for my 70 T/A.:)

[BLURR]

I guess I have to get on the ball and send for mine.:D

[Chief Pontiac]

Here is my dealer window sheet for my 70.

[BLURR]

Sweet they send you a window sheet also. :eek:

Send me a link if you have one to where I get this info. Im gonna go and send off for it now.

What all info and stuff do you get from them. Ive heard of this before but not in great detail.

[Chief Pontiac]

Here is the link BLURR,you can get the window sheet,dealer invoice ect from here.They will even put it in plastic to preserve it.

http://www.phs-online.com/


But I thought you had this info?

[BLURR]

Not for this car. :(

Thanks man

[Chief Pontiac]

Anytime:)

[Jeffro]

We're getting ready to pull the engine this weekend hopefully. We're gonna move her to the new shop we just got. 4 bays and plenty of room to work. :D Here's what she looks like now.

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/DSC00104.jpg

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/DSC00107.jpg

The interior cleaned up nicely. I'm going to go ahead and replace the carpet since there were a couple of worn spots.

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/DSC00105.jpg

I need to replace the rear package tray and get new trim panels back there. Looks like water was coming in from the back glass.:eek:

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v138/MorphWS6/Blackberry/DSC00106.jpg

After the engine is out, I can start on the front frame rails and getting that engine compartment looking like new.

[AndyD]

its commin' along nicely my friend :)

[judge smails]

Nice. Have fun with it.

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Very nice:)

[BLURR]

cool :cool:

[Chief Pontiac]

Glad things are progressing for you and the bird.:)

[BLURR]

Originally posted by Chief Pontiac
Glad things are progressing for you and the bird.:)

Yeah seeing how mine is just sitting collecting dust. I bought some oil and filter for it tonight. :D