[JUDGE3]

So I bought this firebird late 2015, started the restoration to Trans Am build November 2016. goal is completion in 2020 being the white/blue stripe version.just fixing to start replacing the torque box, front and rear frame rails, trunk drop offs, rear inner and outer tail panels, and lastly both quarters. I bought full frame rails so I can cut them where I choose and was cheaper anyway. I went with a couple 10 ton, tall jack stands to be at a comfortable height while on my back and wanted to be certain the load was in the right spot. the front is not sitting on the ramps, just there for extra safety. This is my first full restoration. from the doors forward is complete including the drivetrain. doing everything myself.

The car has to me, a neat history: 1973 Firebird, I am just the 3rd owner, the car sat since 1988 on the second story floor of a warehouse according to the guy I bought it from. the car was originally silver and was a gift to the daughter of a dealership owner in Nebraska. at some point the car was in a front end wreck at which time the front clip was replaced with one from a red 1972 firebird. the daughter had wanted a blue one so at that time it was painted lucern blue with a rear spoiler and side strips added, all done at the dealership. the funny twist is I wanted a 72 because the front grill is the honeycomb version so it worked out perfect to clone it as a 72. after selling the original drivetrain and a few other parts I began the restore with only $1,500 in it. bought it for $3,000 after watching it on craigslist for 6 months and originally priced at $6,000 running and driving.

I plan to post a picture video when complete so hopefully others may find it usefull, I know I've found a lot of good tips here as well as you tube. don't mean to bore, just sharin fun poncho info.

[weranc55]

Nice shop

[unruhjonny]

what is your final full vision for the project?
are you building it as a 72 Trans Am?
Are you hoing for a stock appearing 1972 455(?) complete with HO heads & intake?
What about transmission & rear end?

Looks like a great project from here!

[eaglesan13]

X2!

Originally Posted by weranc55

Nice shop

[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

what is your final full vision for the project?
are you building it as a 72 Trans Am?
Are you hoing for a stock appearing 1972 455(?) complete with HO heads & intake?
What about transmission & rear end?

Looks like a great project from here!

Built the shop just 2 years ago, I'm 57 and worked my tail off to finally have one. just installed the 40' radiant tube heater myself last weekend. the cars in my signature are Pontiacs I've owned over a 40 year span. always had to sell one to afford to do another. usually they just needed patch panels, body/paint/drivetrain rebuilds so this is my first full restoration.


it will be the cameo white/blue stripe built as a 1972. only a couple of those around here back in the late 70's and I always thought that was the ultimate Pontiac. the 455 engine and th400 from TCI transmission are complete and in it already. I wanted it to "appear" factory but I prefer upgrades from stock, it has round port e heads, performer rpm, 1,000cfm holley, and the oversized round port exhaust manifolds. I ground off the edelbrock logos on the heads and intake and removed the heat crossover. the rear is a moser 12 bolt 3.73.

I wanted to do the restoration in what most might see reversed. from front to back. that way I have a lot if the car complete before venturing into uncharted territory and thus not getting that overwhelmed feeling with the entire car torn down. this car was unmolested, no need to pull the entire dash off and have the car down to a shell. i'm firm on doing it right, solid, but don't touch whats still perfect.

[unruhjonny]

Looks to be a great car when done!!

[keith k]

Great Project!

[T/A addict]

Dang.... great project for sure! I'm jealous

[OCMDGTO]

Very cool and I like your style on that drivetrain!

[ta-kid]

Doing a clone 75 myself, with a 455HO and a Tremac TKO 600.Always had real T/A's in the past,But in Canada not many affordable ones anymore.You Americans took all the cheap ones LOL.I am 62 now and this tribute car will be my last.

[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by ta-kid

Doing a clone 75 myself, with a 455HO and a Tremac TKO 600.Always had real T/A's in the past,But in Canada not many affordable ones anymore.You Americans took all the cheap ones LOL.I am 62 now and this tribute car will be my last.

Dig it. for me I love the process of "building" my own -my way- the clone word doesn't fit what I like to do but lack a better word. I've no desire to copy an original because the originals were great -back then- but properly done modern upgrades put stock stuff to shame. tribute is not a good word either, not paying tribute, just building me a Trans Am of my favorite year. personally an all original one I would not feel right about altering or driving much. and that's evident to me at car shows and such. originals are dusted off and garage candy. and that's great but just not for me. not that it matters but if you look at properly done "clones" they bring big bucks if that's what matters to others. funny you say that, this is my last one. gonna drive route 66 and really enjoy it!

[unruhjonny]

I just met up with a really nice guy yesterday who has a '72 Esprit made to look like a T/A... from the pictures (and videos) it looked like a great car - and I think that if you're going at all the custom route, this is the way to go, and yields probably the best way to build a car and see a return on your money ... should you ever need to sell it.

[Formulabruce]

Great back story on this.
I call mine "factory Flavor" as it has many years of parts in it.

[JUDGE3]

factory flavor........pretty good! need a new one word label that pulls it all together. hmm.

[bird72]

Interesting thread and I dislike "Clone". Even more so "Tribute". And in the end, there is no tangible driving experience difference between real and created. The car doesn't know. A "fun" argument can be made for "not real". I'd freak out on a paint chip on a 50K resto cost car. Paranoia driving isn't fun. It's a different gig for the "real" boys. About pedigree, correctness, showing, history, and rare slices of Americana.

Originally Posted by ta-kid

Doing a clone 75 myself, with a 455HO and a Tremac TKO 600.Always had real T/A's in the past,But in Canada not many affordable ones anymore.You Americans took all the cheap ones LOL.I am 62 now and this tribute car will be my last.

Also 62. I got market priced out of the TA and Formula world. When looking 4-5 years or so ago, I just missed a 73 TA at 28K and before that a 4 speed Lucy Formula at 24K. After those, it was all garbage pieced together Formy's in that price range and no TA's. Instantly almost all TA and Formula's of quality were 35K and more. Today I think 40K is a minimum number that one looks at or above. And 40K TA's have issues. And real ones are a mine field at times. And 60-80K TA's don't get driven as I would. And I have other things to accomplish in life before 80K cars ever happens, haha.

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I just met up with a really nice guy yesterday who has a '72 Esprit made to look like a T/A... from the pictures (and videos) it looked like a great car - and I think that if you're going at all the custom route, this is the way to go, and yields probably the best way to build a car and see a return on your money ... should you ever need to sell it.

I am pondering the logic of ever doing that. I have essentially a TA underneath a "Bird" body. HO, T400, posi, sway bars, gauges w tach. Next is restoring a Formula steering wheel I have and also a factory ratchet shifter from 70 TA. But like you said, it occurred to me the TA body part add's would actually equity add to the car. If I did at the time I was going to paint car anyway, additional cost would be minimum, and I think add good equity money and way more marketable.

[JUDGE3]

check ebay etc now and then replicas/clone/tributes -done right- go big bucks.