[ramair2]

I figured the last time we roll called a roundport first gen Bird the response was crazy (good).

So lets do the other cars you rarely hear about or see (i.e. 69 RA IV TA or Firebird). Feel free to post about one of these that you own, used to own, a barn find or mystery car, an example that torched a Hemi Cuda back in the day, etc.

This should be fun....

(Off to Thankgiving dinner but I will post my own entry here as well)

Happy Thanksgiving to all! :-)

[ramair2]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ??

[dxeven]

Wish I had one, does that count? Would definitely enjoy reading your entry.

[R 70 Judge]

I had one, but I'm pretty sure you know where it is now.

[muscle_collector]

i have a carousel red / black , a midnight green / black and a trans am. all four speed cars.

[bruno17]

Mine was born a iii but grew up to be a iv. Its my new "pure stock" ride for '08.

[roundportponchos]

Two are here in this area.... a silver convt. & a TA

[J GLASGO]

Originally Posted by bruno17

Mine was born a iii but grew up to be a iv. Its my new "pure stock" ride for '08.

Looking good Bruno! Cant wait to see it!!

[The Boss]

RA IV/Auto vert in DC.

[ramair2]

Sorry about the delay. Here are two picks of my 69 RA IV TA (plus the car's invoice). I am the second owner (although PY member James, aka R 70 Judge, had the car/was TA caretaker for couple of weeks before I took delivery). He turned me on to the car about 4 years ago and knew it would someday be up for sale. That day came in early October 2005. Thanks again James for giving me the opportunity to buy it from the original owner (through you). BTW, please feel free to add in details of the car since you were "next door" to it for over a decade in S.CAL

Very brief history on the car. Prior to me, it was a 51K mile original owner, original paint RA IV M21 69 TA that had spent over 90% of its life in southern Califonia. ALL matching driveline, Protect-o-plate, past registrations, etc. I had to find a 9273 carb and original alt but as far as the tough stuff that was about it. When I got it it had its original paint and had factory markings under the hood that still remain (or were carefully reproduced). Car was fully documented then underwent a subframe-off complete restoration that took about 18 months.

Dan Jensen re-built the motor to AMA specs (10.75 CR all around- not puerstock drags 11.3 NHRA etc). Car max dyno was 438hp. About what I was expecting/hoping. The interior is immaculate and besides the carpet and headliner 100% original. Many HOURS and HOURS of cleaning detailing were logged (I think he was a smoker). In the end it was worth the effort. Car was brought down to metal. Only very minor body work was required (no panel replacement anywhere- thank you Southern California!). Biggest repair was some minor damage on driver rear lower 1/4 and the air foil. Guess he was storing a salted pork roast on the spoiler at some point during the late 1970s as it sat in his garage! (James, can you post that pic of the car CRAMMED in his 0.9 car garage? It's both funny and sad at same time!)

Anyhow, the car was and still is an insane time warp mobile. It's one of only 55 '69 RA IV TAs ever built (46 4-speed; 9 Th400). How many are restored with their matching drivetrain intact today? Can't be too many. I feel very, very, very lucky to have the two cars that I've always wanted (other being my RA II Bird). To me they are the ultimate Pontiacs. Great looking, lightweight, high compression, 4-speed, round-port First generation F-bodies. Am I biased? Of course. Do I care that I'm biased? H3ll no! :-)

PS One of the factory markings we found (and left untouched) was a grease pencil 8458 on the radiator shroud. Does anyone know what this number/code means or represents? The TBP on both sides of the firewall were also there when I bought the car. The letters were reproduced in the same font/size, color and locations.

[tom s]

was that engine the Muscle Car Review engine?The RA III engine from my 69 T/A was built for the MCR RA III build up.Still have the mag article that will go with the car when it sells.Tom

[ramair2]

No dan did another ra 4 at/around same time he did mine....think max hp was somewhere around 450hp if memory serves? i believe that motor was in MCR.

[BLKBRD]

Any chance of getting in your will?

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by ramair2

Sorry about the delay. Here are two picks of my 69 RA IV TA (plus the car's invoice). I am the second owner (although PY member James, aka R 70 Judge, had the car/was TA caretaker for couple of weeks before I took delivery). He turned me on to the car about 4 years ago and knew it would someday be up for sale. That day came in early October 2005. Thanks again James for giving me the opportunity to buy it from the original owner (through you). BTW, please feel free to add in details of the car since you were "next door" to it for over a decade in S.CAL

Very brief history on the car. Prior to me, it was a 51K mile original owner, original paint RA IV M21 69 TA that had spent over 90% of its life in southern Califonia. ALL matching driveline, Protect-o-plate, past registrations, etc. I had to find a 9273 carb and original alt but as far as the tough stuff that was about it. When I got it it had its original paint and had factory markings under the hood that still remain (or were carefully reproduced). Car was fully documented then underwent a subframe-off complete restoration that took about 18 months.

Dan Jensen re-built the motor to AMA specs (10.75 CR all around- not puerstock drags 11.3 NHRA etc). Car max dyno was 438hp. About what I was expecting/hoping. The interior is immaculate and besides the carpet and headliner 100% original. Many HOURS and HOURS of cleaning detailing were logged (I think he was a smoker). In the end it was worth the effort. Car was brought down to metal. Only very minor body work was required (no panel replacement anywhere- thank you Southern California!). Biggest repair was some minor damage on driver rear lower 1/4 and the air foil. Guess he was storing a salted pork roast on the spoiler at some point during the late 1970s as it sat in his garage! (James, can you post that pic of the car CRAMMED in his 0.9 car garage? It's both funny and sad at same time!)

Anyhow, the car was and still is an insane time warp mobile. It's one of only 55 '69 RA IV TAs ever built (46 4-speed; 9 Th400). How many are restored with their matching drivetrain intact today? Can't be too many. I feel very, very, very lucky to have the two cars that I've always wanted (other being my RA II Bird). To me they are the ultimate Pontiacs. Great looking, lightweight, high compression, 4-speed, round-port First generation F-bodies. Am I biased? Of course. Do I care that I'm biased? H3ll no! :-)

PS One of the factory markings we found (and left untouched) was a grease pencil 8458 on the radiator shroud. Does anyone know what this number/code means or represents? The TBP on both sides of the firewall were also there when I bought the car. The letters were reproduced in the same font/size, color and locations.

My Ra IV matador red 4 speed bird is also from Bud Meadows Pontiac as confirming what roundport had previously posted . It is also all original drivetrain and original paint . Bud Meadows knew how to order pontiacs as I have seen other rare pontiacs come out of that dealership

[ramair2]

I'll try one more time :-)

Do you know what the grease pencil "8458" on my fan shroud stands for ?

[BLKBRD]

I've seen cars that were repossessed with grease pencil numbers on the cowl or core support. Any chance a previous owner had problems making payments?

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by ramair2

I'll try one more time :-)

Do you know what the grease pencil "8458" on my fan shroud stands for ?

No idea

[68bird400HO]

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

My Ra IV matador red 4 speed bird is also from Bud Meadows Pontiac as confirming what roundport had previously posted . It is also all original drivetrain and original paint . Bud Meadows knew how to order pontiacs as I have seen other rare pontiacs come out of that dealership

Matt,

I was talking to a guy earlier this evening who owned your red '69 RAIV from 1974 to 1985 when he sold it to GM. I believe he knows the complete history of the car from day 1. I don't know how much history you have on it but if your are interested in talking to him let me know and I will send you his contact info.

[Firebob]

Hey guys, I was reading a reprinted article in HPP that was originally written March '69 on the new RamIII T/A with auto and 3.90 rear. They said the best they could make rolling on F70-14 biased was a 14.1@ 1/4mi. Said they needed to feather the throttle a bit on launch but after that it hooked up fine. I would have thought it would have done a little better than that. You guys have real experience with these engines in fbodys. I figure they had alot better gas back then too.

Does this sound like the type of numbers that this car puts down?

Robert

[70ram4]

wow, if it's for sale let me know, please, been looking for one for a while