I have been looking for a 2nd gen Firebird/Trans Am for a while. Actually put a deposit down on a supposedly "finished" 71 T/A tribute (base Firebird made up to resemble a T/A), but the mechanic I paid to check it out found too much sketchy stuff.

My regular mechanic helped me track this one down. The one previous owner is a long-time customer of his.

I really wanted a 70-73 model, but this one was too good to pass on for the price.

https://ibb.co/B2cJnLdR
https://ibb.co/ZpxHZRFw
https://ibb.co/Tqxdspgh
https://ibb.co/ks6WcjZg
https://ibb.co/fdYPfZNF
https://ibb.co/3ykpVMkC
https://ibb.co/mr5SvXXk

It was running when it was parked/covered about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, a bad cover job and oak leaves/blossoms conspired to dam up the shaker top opening and water got in the engine thru the intake. But the engine turns by hand.

It's ALL original, down to the factory 8-track in the lower console tray. That's my dilemma. I really would prefer to replace the nose with one from a 70-73 and paint it in the appropriate colors for those years (white with blue stripe). But it's SO original, I almost feel it's a shame to alter it. I'm torn as to what strategy to pursue.

sorry, couldn't get the pics to imbed, they just showed up as broken links when I put the img tags...

My $0.02 - unless being original retains some monetary value that you care about, there's no real reason to keep it original. It's a thing that's meant to be enjoyed and you shouldn't feel bad for enjoying it on your terms. Just the fact that you're putting the time and energy into it is worth something - and you should definitely keep sharing pics here if you do it.

Sharing a couple of the pics to help out:

If it weren't for its "survivor" status, I would rebuild the engine, shooting for the 400HP/500ft-lb range. Keeping the original 400 block is mandatory, in my mind.

However, I would modify it with front end, paint scheme, modern trans and do some "retromod" updating to the interior. (delete 8-track, add bluetooth head unit, speakers, ratchet shifter, etc.)

I'm hesitant to go with my initial desires, because it seems a shame (and potentially devaluing the car significantly?) to remove original equipment such as the trans and interior pieces.

Thanks Ben. Was typing my previous when you replied. That's kind of how I'm settling on my plan.

The original owner sort of gave it to my/our mechanic for next to nothing, because he (mechanic) said he wanted to restore it. After getting his hands on it, he decided it was just too much time needed for him. So, he is selling it to me for what he has in it (ridiculously small amount) because he thinks I'll "do the car justice" which is what he and the original owner agreed on.

I plan to keep them abreast of the choices/progress I make. It's really a great opportunity and the price leaves a lot in my project budget to work with.

My $0.02:

I agree with Ben. I have a 1970 Olds Cutlass 442 convertible that has been in my family since purchased new. It has been in my possession for the last 15 years.

I have tried my really hard t keep it all original, but, I finally made the decision to retro-mod simply because I want to drive the damn thing and enjoy it.

Although it's a collectible, it's missing a few things that makes it "extremely" valuable. My uncle talked her out of some key options: W30 cam, dual sport mirrors, sport steering wheel, etc. It's still a great looking car, but I'm never going to cash in on it.

What about pulling the original 400 and turbo350 transmission, cleaning them up (exterior), putting them on a display stand, and then building an SD455 and turbo400 to cruise in your White / Blue Trans-Am. Or better yet mate the SD455 to a modern 6-sp manual.

Heck if you have room, you could use the original front nose and build a display with the nose, front fenders, and a hood, painted in the original colors, including the thunder chicken, and under the hood hides the original power train.

Before anyone cries this will cost $100k easy, isn't that how we TexAgs - guy asks for auto or firearm purchase assistance, without specifying a budget, and we spec out a Ferrari or a Holland & Holland matched set....

Don't worry so much about originality. Except for the 8 track. You definitely need to keep the 8 track.



Swap the nose, but keep the OG in storage. If you ever sell the car you can include it. I'd also rebuild the motor, but I'd be inclined to putting a 4l80E on it to get that OD gear. Makes it a lot nicer to drive on the highway. That's an involved swap, but it's been done and is very possible.

An original owner original car will maximize value if preserved. If you don't care about value, choose away - it's just a car and plenty were built. But there are plenty of pre chopped cars out there that would be cheaper and you won't always see it as something you changed and wonder if that was the right call.

I think we discussed on another thread when you thought you were getting the other car?
You are a Pontiac guy. That shows you have some class right there! You now own some Pontiac history that cannot be duplicated nor will we ever see the likes of a car like that again.
Think I posted before that I have a 1970 Judge that has a full frame off rotisserie restoration. It's all numbers matching….down to the original carb, distributor, even alternator. It's a rare Canadian built Judge with Ram Air IV 400 and Muncie/Hurst four speed.
I have painstakingly kept it all original as the day it left the Pontiac factory. There are no aftermarket Year One type parts on it. I've gone through great effort to keep it with all OEM parts.
I have shown the car a lot. I have driven it some. I enjoy having it for what it is and enjoy taking it to shows and meeting all the folks at the shows. I have developed many friendships due to that.
It has won some best of show trophies and many best in class trophies…..but I don't care about the trophies. I pride myself in what the car is and the era it represented in the 1960's-1970's muscle car era. Truly a time we will never experience again…..and I want it to be an accurate example of those Pontiac Judges of that time.
Personally I despise having to take my original restored car and have it compete at a local car show against a resto mod, chrome blinged up fake car with a modern crate engine stuck in it and an interior that looks nothing like Pontiac ever made……But that's just me.
Anyone can buy modern day parts and aftermarket bling and put a car together where nothing is really original except the body styling…..that is much easier than restoring one back to original.
With that being said……that is just my personal thoughts…and really means nothing.
It's your car, you worked hard for the money to buy it, and deserve to do with it exactly as you want to. Do what your heart desires and what you want to do to have enjoyment and fun with it. What other people think does not matter.
Congrats on getting a really cool car sir! Have fun doing exactly what you want to do to her!!

A few cars belong in a museum, or maybe as garage queens, but most should be driven. Just my $.02. At the end of the day, it's your $ and your car - do what makes you happy and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

You guys alternately sound like the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other... and both perspectives are fighting hard for control in my mind and heart.

I am getting this car for just $3500 (with a new set of tires on it, to boot!) It's essentially being gifted to me, partly due to my 35+ years of loyal patronage, but mainly in the hopes/belief that I will revive and appreciate the car after it sitting and deteriorating for a decade.

One of the "Cons" in the pro/con internal wrestling that's going on is that the "otherwise pristine" all-original interior is that while it was covered, in addition to the water intrusion, there was RODENT intrusion. No panel or seat was completely chewed to crap. That probably would have been better (if they would have just focused in one place). Instead, it seems that every single panel has been chewed SOMEWHERE. That makes a faithful OEM restoration more difficult, due to the number of pieces I'd need to locate.

My thinking is, for the moment, tracking along the following line:

The 70-72 Trans Ams were the epitome of the breed. The most beautiful of them all.
The 77-78 Trans Ams were the most iconic mostly due to the Smokey & The Bandit connection.
73s were hardly distinguishable from the 70-72, except for them dropping the blue/white color scheme.
74 and 75 were just kind of ugly.
76 was the "no longer ugly, but not nearly as good looking as the 70-73s and not the iconic Bandit" model. A 1976 is not (relatively) that collectible, nor (relatively) that stimulating (to me).

I will be in touch with my mechanic, and by extension, the original owner. I do want to retain my mechanic's good will, and also his interest in participating when/if I need to farm out some of the work. I trust (but will verify) that both interested parties will be happy to see it with a new life, even if it is in somewhat-to-significantly modified form. I will keep what I like most of the original equipment, and will upgrade/modernize what I need to in order to fall completely in love with the car.