[165th]

Since I started producing the '70~'72 Stripes, I have gotten many inquiries if I sell the decal sets for '73~'75 Trans Am's. Well, I'd like to give this product line a shot. I figure since I'm GM Restoration Parts Certified, business and Insurance in place, artists and screen printers waiting in the wing.... why not

For this phase of the project I'm going to limit the design to the years the large hood bird remained the same design.

There are a few things I need to get started on this project: technical information on the various styles/colors, NOS decals to use for patterns and deficiencies in the current available product:

A. Technical information on the styles and colors:

1. The small nose bird:
'73 to when?
Colors small nose bird was made in?

2. Large hood bird:
'73 to when?
Colors large hood bird was made in?

3. Large Trans Am decal on spoiler:
What years was this decal a single panel clear decal with letters screened onto the rectangular clear decal?

What years was the decal individually cut letters?

Did the text type remain the same for all the years the hood bird remained the same?

Colors for the TA letters for each year?

4. Small Trans Am decal on fender:
Years the decal was a single panel with screened letters?

Years for the individual cut letters?

Colors?

5. SD-455 and 455 shaker decal:
years the font on the numbers stayed the same.
Available colors for each year.

Did I miss anything?


B. NOS decals:
One of the key successes of the '70~'72 stripes was to have several sets of NOS stripe sets available to confirm dimensions, arc lengths etc. And part of that success came from these boards and board members who graciously put their valuable NOS parts on loan to me so I could measure and pattern the specification of original GM parts to make the stripes... perfect.

I will use the same approach for these decals.

If you have a NOS small nose bird, large hood bird or decal that can be put on loan, I would really appreciate it. If available, I may be able to purchase it if required.

One of the aspects of the use of the decal however, is that I have to remove the premask or transfer paper that is on top of the decal. This does affect the 'originality' of the as produced look and feel, but does not affect the decal itself. In certain instances when the 40 year old premask has shrunk or gotten gummy, it can actually be a positive to the decal to have the old premask removed, but it does change the look as it presented as NOS.

I will return the decal when the project is finished, and can provide references if needed from those who have loaned other parts to me before.

C: Deficiencies with the current on the market products:
I certainly don't need brand names or anything likethat, but as I found out on the '70~'72 stripes there were very obvious deficiencies in details, color etc. that was the purpose for taking on the project to begin with. I've heard there are similar tweaks in detail and color on these years of decals that could be improved. I want to be sure I make those improvements with this project.

A lot of info here, and thanks in advance with any information that may help this along.
Greg

For anyone interested in the history and development that occurred on the '70~'72 stripes, here is a link to that thread:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=666571

[weranc55]

This is great news. I really need a set of decals for my 73. I have a Nos one on my rear spoiler. I could take it off if that would help since it does not fit perfect.

[Lloyd-TX]

Wow - what a fantastic idea, Greg.

Best of luck with your latest project and I'll try to help if / when I can. Unfortunately I have no '73-'75 decals to lend.

[mscicluna007]

I have a 73 TA Eagle for a buccaneer Red car that was given to me when I bought the car off the previous owner.

He bought it from California in the USA in 2005.

It looks like it hadn't been removed out of the tube much if at all before I received it and I took some photos and put it back away in storage. I don't think its something I will let go of in a hurry but if your up against dead ends than their might be a way to help.
It still has the backing on it that you talk about over the top of the decal.

I do have a good family friend who does vinyls and graphics etc and when he placed the eagle on dads 79 he mentioned that he could make it up except his colours would be layered. He may even have the equipment and software to scan it for you point by point and send you what you need and get a match on the colours.

Also my eagle on my bonnet has had what is believed to be a light coat of black paint. Not sure why and not sure if it could be saved but it was a dec 72 build so it was an early 73. Maybe could be used just for measurements.

[165th]

Originally Posted by weranc55

This is great news. I really need a set of decals for my 73. I have a Nos one on my rear spoiler. I could take it off if that would help since it does not fit perfect.

Hi Weranc55, thanks for the offer to remove your decal but I'm hoping we won't have to go to that kind of extreme destructive work to get these dimensions and specs. Hopefully someone has NOS with the backing paper still on it.

Is your decal a single panel with letters screened or individual letters? Do you know what year (if any) GM went to individual letters?

Finally, why doesn't it fit perfect? Was it an install issue or is there something about the decal itself? Picture?

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

I have a 73 TA Eagle for a buccaneer Red car that was given to me when I bought the car off the previous owner.

He bought it from California in the USA in 2005.

It looks like it hadn't been removed out of the tube much if at all before I received it and I took some photos and put it back away in storage. I don't think its something I will let go of in a hurry but if your up against dead ends than their might be a way to help.
It still has the backing on it that you talk about over the top of the decal.

I do have a good family friend who does vinyls and graphics etc and when he placed the eagle on dads 79 he mentioned that he could make it up except his colours would be layered. He may even have the equipment and software to scan it for you point by point and send you what you need and get a match on the colours.

Also my eagle on my bonnet has had what is believed to be a light coat of black paint. Not sure why and not sure if it could be saved but it was a dec 72 build so it was an early 73. Maybe could be used just for measurements.

mscicluna007 that's a great looking example of a NOS hood bird. It looks like it's in great condition too. Just what I'm looking for to use as a pattern. Let's see if someone a little closer has one to offer up Btw, just curious, does it have a GM part number stamped on the front premask anywhere?

Regarding the point to point scan, I do have an artist here ready to complete that work as soon as I get the parts to scan. A match on the colors will be done by the screen printers with the UV resisting inks. Thank you for offering those services up.

[mscicluna007]

I hope this helps.

Here is the numbers on the Bird

[LeighP]

Nice to see you starting on these years.
The 73+ bird ran till the 78 model year (unless you had a Solar Gold car in 78, then it had the later style bird).
The one piece TRANS AM decals - I know 76 models still had them, not sure about 77 models....then the font style changed again for 78 to the later style.
The small nose bird - I believe this was only used on the nose for 73 (only) when no hood bird was ordered. Question here is - is this the same decal as used on the rear spoilers of Formulas through the years?

[2manyT/A'S]

The 73 bumper bird did actually morph into the Formula rear spoiler bird....

I have an NOS BG one that actually carries BOTH p/n's as I recall....

[2manyT/A'S]

73-77 fender & spoiler script size & style remained the same,except for the 76 LE & 77 SE cars.......

73-78 hood birds were all the same size/style except for the Y88 GOLD SE's which were the first ones to use the 79 style bird....

In 78,they changed the fender/spoiler decals to the newer BLOCK style,but the competition doesn't know that & supplies the 77 spoiler decals with the 78 kit....
(TONS of repainted 78 's out there with the WRONG fender & spoiler decals......)

[FunctionalShaker]

I've got an NOS set of orange 73 - 74 fender and rear spoiler Trans am letters.

[165th]

Originally Posted by FunctionalShaker

I've got an NOS set of orange 73 - 74 fender and rear spoiler Trans am letters.

Hi FunctionalShaker, that is great news. Would you mind putting them on loan or selling them to me to use as a pattern and color match for this project? I will mention again that I will be taking the premask off the front of the decal.

If so, then THANK YOU! Please mail them to:

TransAmStripes.net
1425 Brookstone
San Antonio, TX 78248

Btw, It was Formulabruce from these boards who's NOS blue '72 nosebird was used as a pattern on the stripe kit. He doesn't let me forget it . And I'm sure he looks at cars with my kits on them and thinks he's a mad cloning scientist or something.

I can provide a reference for the hood and roof stripe that was on loan as well if needed.

Thank you again,
Greg

[Norwood]

Here is my reference, Greg is better than GOLD


I peeled the corner back on my pg roof stripe, soon i will peel the whole thing off and put it where it belongs.

[165th]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

The 73 bumper bird did actually morph into the Formula rear spoiler bird....

I have an NOS BG one that actually carries BOTH p/n's as I recall....

Hi 2many, thanks for the technical info posted. Would your nose bird be willing to fly down here to be used as a brewster color match and nose bird pattern?

[75Fire]

Here are a couple pages from the assembly manual....

[165th]

Originally Posted by 165th

...There are a few things I need to get started on this project: technical information on the various styles/colors, NOS decals to use for patterns and deficiencies in the current available product:

A. Technical information on the styles and colors:

Updated technical information from recent posts and PM's:

1. Small nose bird:
'73 only. Was installed unless a hood bird was ordered.
Was also used on Formula spoiler. Need years?
Colors:
Green/dark green
orange/dark orange
blue/dark blue

2. Large hood bird: '73 - '78
Colors:
Green/dark green '73
orange/dark orange '73 - '75?
blue/dark blue '73 - '75?
red/charcoal '76 - '78
orange/gold/black '77 - 78?
orange/gold/clear '77 - '78?

3. Large Trans Am decal on spoiler:
Single panel clear decal with screened letters '73 - '75
Individual die cut letters '76 - ? What year did this letter style continue to?

Colors:
Green/dark green '73
orange/dark orange '73 - '75?
blue/dark blue '73 - '75?
red/charcoal '76 - '78
orange/gold/black '77 - 78?
orange/gold/clear '77 - '78?

4. Small Trans Am decal on fender:
Will track the same as the large spoiler letters decal (Item 3 above).


5. SD-455 and 455 and 400 shaker decal:

Solid Colors:
green: '73 455 SD-455
Black: '73 - '74 455 SD-455
Blue: '73 - '74 455 SD-455

Colors match letters: '75 - '76 400 455

Did I miss anything?

[75Fire]

Red/Black/Charcoal was used in '75.

[LeighP]

Starlight Black cars (non-LE) starting in 1976 had the gold/yellow/black decal colours.....and I'm pretty sure I've seen original 76 models with the one piece TRANS AM decals fitted...not individual letters.

[Held for Ransom]

I probably have the back and other striping list for 73-6 somewhere too.

[FunctionalShaker]

I'd be willing to sell them. Maybe you guys can give me an idea of a fair price. Here's a pic.

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by 165th

Hi 2many, thanks for the technical info posted. Would your nose bird be willing to fly down here to be used as a brewster color match and nose bird pattern?

Well,the first thing I need to do is LOCATE it..........hopefully it's still upstairs in the library,,,,think that's where I saw it LAST.