[3tas4me]

Nice!

[3tas4me]

Originally Posted by keith k

It's been my observation that the small (Formula) rear bars were on a LOT of '70 T/As... perhaps more than half. The smaller front bar also shows up somewhat regularly, although not as common as the rear.

Would love to know why this was.... engineering issues, supply issues, assembly mistakes?

The old shocks look like originals. I'd hang on to them (in a box... not on the car ). What did you replace them with?

Does anybody know if the incorrect bars were installed during a particular time span and from only one plant? I would have guessed that the wrong bars would have been more likely installed on an early production car, especially when it is an all new model like the second gen birds were at this time. I believe mine came with the correct size bars and it is a February built car. This one is a later build date and I would have thought they would have the bugs out by then.

[70TA-RAIII]

And along the same lines.....did later year Firebirds also use the 7/8" bar? I'm trying to figure out what years I can search for one from.

Thanks. John

[johnta1]

Here is what I have in my notes:

SWAY BARS:

Front Bars:
ALL '70-'81 T/As & Y96/Y99 equipped Formulas came with 1-1/4" (1.25) front sway bars.
Std. Formulas had 1-1/8" (1.125) bars.
Std. Birds had 15/16" (.938) till 1975, then it increased to 1"

Rear Bar:
1970-72 T/A & Y96/Y99 Birds = 7/8" (.875)
1973-77 T/A & Y96/Y99 Birds = 13/16" (.813)
1978-81 T/A & Y96/Y99 Birds = 5/8" (.625)
1978-81 WS6/WS7 equipped = 3/4" (.750)



Not for sure on the lack of the bigger bar in 1970.
Don't remember a bulletin on it?

[70TA-RAIII]

Great info, thanks!

Looks like pretty limited usage of the 7/8" bar.

John

[70TA-RAIII]

I don't normally get too excited about a spare tire but when I got the car home and got the spare out of the trunk I was kind of blown away. A brand new (old) Goodyear Polyglas GT F60-15!








And just like the tire, the wheel looks brand new. I don't think it's ever had a lug nut touch it.





As I get things sorted out I'm really liking this car. After finishing the gas tank I took it out cruising for a couple hours. It's a real joy to drive.

John

[72projectbird]

Beautiful car! Gotta love a T/A that has never been screwed with!

I'm with you on wanting a console. They look good without them, but when you're driving them it's a different story.

[unruhjonny]

I understand the want for a console, but I'm guessing I'm not the only person here who thinks that it's unique enough, that I (personally) would not add it to such a correct car.

huh - I would have thought the spare wouldn't be a ralley wheel - cool find!

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I understand the want for a console, but I'm guessing I'm not the only person here who thinks that it's unique enough, that I (personally) would not add it to such a correct car.

huh - I would have thought the spare wouldn't be a ralley wheel - cool find!

Yup X2...... I wanted to put a right hand mirror on my 67 Gto....it's not on the PHS ...so it don't get it.

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by 70TA-RAIII

I don't normally get too excited about a spare tire but when I got the car home and got the spare out of the trunk I was kind of blown away. A brand new (old) Goodyear Polyglas GT F60-15!








And just like the tire, the wheel looks brand new. I don't think it's ever had a lug nut touch it.





As I get things sorted out I'm really liking this car. After finishing the gas tank I took it out cruising for a couple hours. It's a real joy to drive.

John

Now you went and put the spare on the ground.....What were you thinking !

[AdamIsAdam]

Nice! Engine bay pics please.

I've been thinking about buying a T/A and am open to various years (well, all years!). Mind if I ask the price range this car fetched?

[keith k]

Originally Posted by 3tas4me

Does anybody know if the incorrect bars were installed during a particular time span and from only one plant? I would have guessed that the wrong bars would have been more likely installed on an early production car, especially when it is an all new model like the second gen birds were at this time. I believe mine came with the correct size bars and it is a February built car. This one is a later build date and I would have thought they would have the bugs out by then.

I've seen (and owned....) small bar cars from both plants. Build date seems to be random throughout the model year, too.

[70TA-RAIII]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

Nice! Engine bay pics please.

I've been thinking about buying a T/A and am open to various years (well, all years!). Mind if I ask the price range this car fetched?

More pics to come.

The car was more than $40K, less than $50K.

John

[AdamIsAdam]

Thanks. If I can find one in half as good a condition for half the price, I'd be happy! LOL

[70TA-RAIII]

That makes sense!

[70TA-RAIII]

From following these cars for a little while, it looks like the early T/A's are finally getting a little more recognition and appreciation for what they are and what they represented.

The 70 T/A I owned back in the 80's recently went thru a full rotisserie restoration and sold for somewhere in the $80-$90K range. It was perfect, but at that level you almost can't drive it anymore. Great for a collection but not so good if you want to enjoy the car.
I had the history on that car back to 1972 because that's when my older brother bought it. Never used in winter from then on so it was always a nice car with clean floor pans, frame, sheet metal, etc. I tried to make contact with the new owner but the seller wouldn't give me that info but said they would pass it on and the owner could contact me if he wanted. I haven't heard anything yet.

This car that I bought I really like because it's in very good condition, but not so much that you can't drive the heck out of it!

John

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 70TA-RAIII

More pics to come.

The car was more than $40K, less than $50K.

John

IMHO, that was a downright reasonable price.

I am pretty sure this is below the recent price trend for an original (and beautiful, needing nothing) 4 speed '70 TA!

[Transamric]

Another (late) welcome to the forums and congrats on a nice original '70.
On the topic of Formula sized bars on a TA, I've seen primarily Van Nuys mid through late build dates. But this could be more due to the fact that I live in the Northwest where we were shipped mainly VN builds. I was all ready to chime in that your TA must be a VN until you posted the Trim Tag with Norwood info. At least it is a fairly late build date at 06B.

[70TA-RAIII]

Thanks! There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason on the wrong bars according to the various threads I've read about it.

[00fxd]

"Spiral" shocks ... haven't seen any for years .. Better hang onto 'em.