The Firebird/Trans Am Picture Thread

[turd]

^^^ There was one of those on display at the then local Ford dealer (already sold of course). Never did find out where it went. South Dakota is a bit different, not so populated as where some of you live. Although we are 'out there', I've had several nearly one of a kind factory stock hot rods and one dedicated race car in close proximity in my life. No pics, so it could just be BS, but it isn't. There are other areas on the plains where there were (are) some serious performance cars. I remember a 440 Six Pack Challenger on campus, as well as a 427 Chevy Nova (I'm not a Chevy guy, but I don't think that one came from the factory that way). I nearly had my dad talked into investing (for me) in a 1967 Belvedere w/426 Hemi, but my BIL convinced him that wasn't a college kid's car. Probably saved my life. Good memories.

 

[Taterman]

I used to have a 79 Trans Am but no pics of it. I was in my 20's. The car was brown and had T-tops.

 

[Hughree]

I used to have a 79 Trans Am but no pics of it. I was in my 20's. The car was brown and had T-tops.

In 1971, I purchased a 1970 1/2 TA with the very rare Ram Air IV engine package from Monk King Pontiac in Denton, Texas. Monk campaigned a successful series of Pontiac cars at the drag strip, each called Black Gold. He ordered the white/blue TA without a/c, any sound insulation, etc - basically as lightweight as the factory could deliver it. I was living in New Orleans and searched everywhere for a TA as GM was on strike. The factory located one at Monk's dealership and I flew up to get it and drive it back. I will never forget that trip. The droning of the exhaust required aspirin with every fill-up. Monk also had an identical car with the 455 and a/c but advised me that the 400 Ram Air IV was the car to buy. As I recall, the sticker price was $3900 and the Ram Air IV package was a $900 option. Mine has a Turbo Hydramatic 400 and 3.23 gears. I think I still have that window sticker somewhere.

While I was at the dealership, Monk gave me a tour of the shop where he had a Black Gold racer being modified for the drag strip. In an unopened wooden crate was a factory Ram Air V engine destined for one of his drag cars.

 

[DGW1949]

Well, we've gone from production cars, to movie cars, to junk yard hulls, to other brands...Considering all that, I guess it's OK to post this photo of some old dirt track cars taken in the summer of '84, the blue and white Ford being mine....As I recall, the yellow Trans Am was running a 400 inch motor and I think(?) that it was about a '68 model. I raced against him often that year, as well as the red Nova in the foreground. Sometimes I could beat 'em, sometimes not.....The photo was taken as we were racing to the checkered flag, and we finished just in that order....Probably the closest finish I've been in......good times:

 

[daveag.]

I've had GTO's for 50 years. Pontiac engines are easy to work on. Parts interchange. You hear people say 400 big block. 455 big block. 326-455 same size. Up to 400. 3" mains. 421, 428, & 455 3.25" main journals. 421's have a transfer lug cast in back.

 

[buckeyeshooter]

I ordered a new 1974 SD-455 trans am, red with black interior and no screaming chicken. I went back and forth on the transmission. I really wanted a 4 speed, but I wanted air conditioning too. I ended up with a turbo 400 and AC. The backing plate on the shaker lasted until I got it home, then drilled the 3 rivets and had functional ram air. I left it alone until the warranty expired, then I cut off that silly sideways muffler. Put a set of hooker headers and hush thrush header mufflers on it. Had a B&M trans kit and a super holeshot converter installed and had the 308 ring and pinion replaced with 3.73's. I had the distributor recurved and it ran great. I kept it until 2000 and sadly let it go. I had 146,000 miles on it, but had the motor rebuilt by Jeg's Race Car division in 95. Bumped the compression from 8.4 to 10.5 and added a bigger cam. This is one I should have kept, but the Ohio winters and road salt were rough on the body. It would run 12.20's all night at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio on 'street nights'. I just had to walk it off the line to keep the tires from spinning too much.

 

[kentucky yeti]

I ordered a new 1974 SD-455 trans am, red with black interior and no screaming chicken.

Super duty car! I've never owned a 73/74 SD. Dream car!!!