My sickness is back, another Trans AM..

[Streetking]

I know, I know I'm crazy but I could not pass this one up. I had a '76 455 4spd in high school.This one is a original 45k mile car that has one repaint 17 years ago! It originally lived in Seguin TX. which is about 50 miles from me, then went to Hawaii for several years, back to Seguin TX. then to NJ and then to upstate NY. It has been only driven 1500 miles in the last 8 years. So I received it on Monday been working on it for the past few days.. Removed the bird, QA1 coilovers up front, 3" drop DSE springs rear, Year One 17" replicas w/ BFGs and lower lip. Not sure exactly what else I may do to it, probably a set of Baer brakes, maybe a Butler engine..

Day I got it..(Monday)
http://www.fototime.com/6310A4FDE8C7E9E/xlarge.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/4136E83F5DA406C/xlarge.jpg
Today..drove her home..
http://www.fototime.com/F90CABFBEF965A4/xlarge.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/1138DA683D55C2B/xlarge.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/88506FC3A483535/xlarge.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/3128D63F0F769DE/xlarge.jpg

[badmatt]

Looks perfect!

[Ns RS]

this would not be complete without a burnout vid. nice bird

[Tuske427]

I wish I could afford another Trans Am. Enjoy it!

[Sieg]

Good call on the wheels. :thumbsup:

[DOOM]

SW thats friggin awesome 76 is my favorite year! SW you have to give me first dibs if you ever get rid of this one OMG!

[WSSix]

x2 the rims look great on the car. Fantastic choice being a 76 and 455. Silver looks so good on these cars.

[Rick D]

Your nuts! Lol but very nice love the wheels and color. SW how's that new house coming along??

[Streetking]

SW thats friggin awesome 76 is my favorite year! SW you have to give me first dibs if you ever get rid of this one OMG!

Will do, there is something about the '76s that I love..

Your nuts! Lol but very nice love the wheels and color. SW how's that new house coming along??

It's coming, we have about 9-10 months left..

you trip me out, you get so fired up about a t/a, when your others rides are so off the chain cool and exotic... go for it man, what ever floats your boat. lol

Hahaha, those are kool but there is something about driving a car older than most people you see everyday!

Thanks guys for sharing in my craziness!

[srh3trinity]

I am doing a 74. Nice to see a man of your taste pick up one of the less popular years. I have been thinking about a set of these for around town wheels: http://www.amazon.com/US-Mags-Machined-Partnumber-U10918806145/dp/B00B42T18A. I would probably get the rears widened. I am going to have to mock the car up and see if they will work with the C6 subframe though. I need 18's for my brakes.

[Streetking]

I am doing a 74. Nice to see a man of your taste pick up one of the less popular years. I have been thinking about a set of these for around town wheels: http://www.amazon.com/US-Mags-Machined-Partnumber-U10918806145/dp/B00B42T18A. I would probably get the rears widened. I am going to have to mock the car up and see if they will work with the C6 subframe though. I need 18's for my brakes.

I love all early Trans Ams.. anything '70-'79. Those wheels would look great widened..

My '78 showed up a few weeks ago, but after getting the '76, I'm going to sell it and look for a nice '70-'72 white T/A..

Here is the '78 all original paint..
http://www.fototime.com/74D2D67DFBF9401/xlarge.jpg

[intocarss]

That is nice Congrats..I too think it's cool that you have these over the top exotic cars and still your heart leans toward American muscle. I really like the 70 SD 455 too

[ALLFAITH]

Call me I have a stroker motor waiting for you....


Brad

[ALLFAITH]

and BTW don't you know once you remove a hood bird it becomes a Formula. LOL:king:

[Streetking]

Call me I have a stroker motor waiting for you....


Brad

Damn!!:)

and BTW don't you know once you remove a hood bird it becomes a Formula. LOL:king:

Hahahaha

[Ketzer]

and BTW don't you know once you remove a hood bird it becomes a Formula. LOL:king:

Beautiful car! What's the deal with the screamin' chicken - ectomy? You not like the bird?

Side note, I had an uncle who through the late 70's bought a new big block chevy truck every year and the first thing he would do is have the dealership put a TA bird on the hood.


Jeff-

[camcojb]

I love all early Trans Ams.. anything '70-'79. Those wheels would look great widened..

My '78 showed up a few weeks ago, but after getting the '76, I'm going to sell it and look for a nice '70-'72 white T/A..

Here is the '78 all original paint..
http://www.fototime.com/74D2D67DFBF9401/xlarge.jpg
what will that one be going for? Looks like a great car.

[Stuart Adams]

Awesome ride.

[waynieZ]

Wow very nice.

[tazzz2_ca]

76 looks great SW... enjoy bud.

[tones2SS]

Wow, that is a super clean car. Without that hood emblem, it looks so clean!
The drop looks great as well. What size Butler engine are you going with SW?

[Flash68]

Just saw this car tonight (and many others) and man are they all so clean and well kept.

I think I like the silver 2nd gen Eric did for ya best.

Greg is still not sure what to say after that ride with you.... :lol:

[Sieg]

Just saw this car tonight (and many others) and man are they all so clean and well kept.

I think I like the silver 2nd gen Eric did for ya best.

Greg is still not sure what to say after that ride with you.... :lol:

Does that mean you were at COTA today?

[GregWeld]

Does that mean you were at COTA today?





...... and yesterday.... and tomorrow.....

[Flash68]

Does that mean you were at COTA today?

:rockin:

...... and yesterday.... and tomorrow.....

SW gives Greggers a ride in his TT Scud... then asks him..... "Greg... do you like fast cars?" :rofl:

[Sieg]

...... and yesterday.... and tomorrow.....

No threadjack.........I (we) expect a full report with photo's :rules:

[Sieg]

:rockin:

SW gives Greggers a ride in his TT Scud... then asks him..... "Greg... do you like fast cars?" :rofl:
Awesome!

Obviously SW doesn't respect his elder Lat-g'rs! :rolf:

[ironworks]

...... and yesterday.... and tomorrow.....

And we have the sunburn to prove it.

[Smack_talker]

Car looks great, love clean birds. kinda surprised your not going to paint it black?:ohsnap: I'm sure it will look at home with your other rides.

[FETorino]

And we have the sunburn to prove it.

I feel like a piece of Brisket. :relax:

SW thanks for the shop tour. It was good to meet you.

I like your red TA best but I know that one isn't going anywhere so when you want to let loose of that 76 let me know. :thumbsup:

[Streetking]

Awesome!

Obviously SW doesn't respect his elder Lat-g'rs! :rolf:

Just saw this car tonight (and many others) and man are they all so clean and well kept.

I think I like the silver 2nd gen Eric did for ya best.

Greg is still not sure what to say after that ride with you.... :lol:

Eric did a incredible job on the Camaro, please keep that quiet, I don't need him getting too much work, I have a few projects for him!

Weld was just fine, I'm just glad those Depends really work otherwise I would have had a big mess to clean up..:lol:

I feel like a piece of Brisket. :relax:

SW thanks for the shop tour. It was good to meet you.

I like your red TA best but I know that one isn't going anywhere so when you want to let loose of that 76 let me know. :thumbsup:

It was a pleasure meeting all you guys, it's funny how no one looks like you think they would. I will let you know if the '76 get's replaced with something else.

Also, I want to thank Greg for paying for dinner!
http://fototime.com/E83D31EFD55B566/xlarge.jpg

[GregWeld]

Good times!!


Thanks SW for wasting your time with us! I am still thinking about the poor bike guy.... and he's still thinking WTF!!!

[okyankee]

I need to drive down from ok the next time to see the greatness of you guys cars.

[fleetus macmullitz]

http://fototime.com/E83D31EFD55B566/xlarge.jpg



There's a nice symmetry to that pic. :unibrow:

[GregWeld]

You have no idea how much "crap" (given and taken) it took to get that shot together. :catfight:

[fleetus macmullitz]

You have no idea how much "crap" (given and taken) it took to get that shot together. :catfight:

:lol:

Now that would've have made a great vid.

[srh3trinity]

http://fototime.com/E83D31EFD55B566/xlarge.jpg
SW, I didn't realize you still had the red TA. I blame that car for making me want to build a PT second gen Firebird.

[Streetking]

SW, I didn't realize you still had the red TA. I blame that car for making me want to build a PT second gen Firebird.

Yes, It's my favorite of the bunch..:)

[fleetus macmullitz]

Yes, It's my favorite of the bunch..:)

http://www.detroitspeed.com/projects/swred-73/swred-73-pg-1.html

[tazzz2_ca]

Yes, It's my favorite of the bunch..:)

Understandably SW,,, it's my favorite of the bunch too.... Just a killer looking car all in all.....

[tellyv]

Nice. I have a gold one that would look good next to the rest of your birds.

[Streetking]

Nice. I have a gold one that would look good next to the rest of your birds.

I know, it's really nice but I'm not a T-Top guy..:)

[tellyv]

I know, it's really nice but I'm not a T-Top guy..:)

I'll build you a pair out of aluminum! I love your red one.

[89 RS]

SW does it again...sweet TA, very clean looking with the mods.

[fleetus macmullitz]

SW,

I had a red '74 455 T/A.

I liked it alot, but later I certainly wished it had been a red '73. :cool:

What makes this particular '73 your fav?

[Streetking]

SW,

I had a red '74 455 T/A.

I liked it alot, but later I certainly wished it had been a red '73. :cool:

What makes this particular '73 your fav?

When I was 13, my neighbor's buddy had a red '73 Trans Am. He used to take me around the block everytime I saw him in it.. Ever since then, I always wanted one. In High School, I had a 2 '76's and a '79 TA 6.6, but they were not a red '73. In 2003 I found this one and spent 5-6 hours everyday after work and all weekends restoring this car, so it means alot to me. I am more careful driving the '73 than my Ferraris or Lambo, it just means much more to me than those cars..

[Sieg]

When I was 13, my neighbor's buddy had a red '73 Trans Am. He used to take me around the block everytime I saw him in it.. Ever since then, I always wanted one. In High School, I had a 2 '76's and a '79 TA 6.6, but they were not a red '73. In 2003 I found this one and spent 5-6 hours everyday after work and all weekends restoring this car, so it means alot to me. I am more careful driving the '73 than my Ferraris of Lambo, it just means much more to me than those cars..

When I was a kid (12) in the early 70's my dentist (and dads good friend) bought a '71 white w/blue 455 HO 4-speed TA. He had a cabin up the McKenzie River Valley 40 miles out of town........I'll never will forget the first ride up there with him. In high school one of my good buddies picked up a red and black '69 Z/28, he was a great driver and memories from those rides made it easy when my best friend in '89 found a Camaro for me, he died 7 years later and I won't sell it for his memory.

I understand your bond with the '73 SW. :thumbsup:

[illmatic96ss]

SW could ou please post pics of the whole collection ?

[WSSix]

Great story, SW. I didn't realize you had done so much work to the 73 yourself. I've had my 79 for 13 years now. It's my 2nd TA and 3rd 79 firebird. Who knows what life has in store for me but I doubt I'll get rid of it. I figure I'll also have something I can do with it or something I can upgrade or change along the way.

Do you have any changes in store for the car or do you consider it done?

[okyankee]

SW could ou please post pics of the whole collection ?

I hope not. I don't want to cry or drool at the computer for 3 hrs again. ;)

[Streetking]

Trying out some different rims..
Old rims, 17x9 f&r 255/45/17 275/40/17
http://fototime.com/1138DA683D55C2B/xlarge.jpg

New rims 18x9.5f 18x11r. 275/35/18f 295/35/18r
http://fototime.com/499A428DD79DE13/xlarge.jpg
http://fototime.com/29A7A0F42315AFE/xlarge.jpg
http://fototime.com/4CB3E2CE17C868B/xlarge.jpg
http://fototime.com/FDC35A111C22BF1/xlarge.jpg

[Sieg]

Those look good but I still like the OEM twist of the "originals."

[tones2SS]

Those look good but I still like the OEM twist of the "originals."

I'm with Sieg on this one. I do like both sets of wheels, but like the old school wheels a bit more.

[Flash68]

Yeah I gotta go with the 17's on that thing. :thumbsup:

[fleetus macmullitz]

http://fototime.com/1138DA683D55C2B/xlarge.jpg

FTW in a TKO (Texas Knock Out). :D

[Rick D]

I think this looks awesome!!

[Ron in SoCal]

^ +1. I like the 18s :welcome3:

[tazzz2_ca]

Now if we could only get our good friends at the tire companies to consider the whitewall lettering packages again ;-)
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/projectwarpath/swmodified_zpse71527b2.jpg (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/projectwarpath/media/swmodified_zpse71527b2.jpg.html)

[GregWeld]

Are those Intros??? :lol:




Personally I like the original look 17's.... Somehow you know they don't look "stock" and that kinda makes me wanna look at them even more... It's like "this dude is pretty cool -- he had some wheels made...."


Not sure if these are readily available or not -- 'cause I'm not a Firebird guy.

[tazzz2_ca]

Are those Intros??? :lol:




Personally I like the original look 17's.... Somehow you know they don't look "stock" and that kinda makes me wanna look at them even more... It's like "this dude is pretty cool -- he had some wheels made...."


Not sure if these are readily available or not -- 'cause I'm not a Firebird guy.

Greg the original looking 17" wheel is sold by "Year One" as a cast one piece... Very affordable all in all and a job well done in the appearance arena...

I know some guys have played with modifying the wheel width and even in a couple of cases there are wheels out there in 18" version/s as three piece wheels.. Not nearly as affordable generally speaking,,, but definitively cool in my mind....
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/projectwarpath/White%2073%20TA/WarHorse/WarHorsehome3_zps22c3a1a4.jpg (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/projectwarpath/media/White%2073%20TA/WarHorse/WarHorsehome3_zps22c3a1a4.jpg.html)

[GregWeld]

They just look "right" on these cars.



Good info Albert!

[FETorino]

Trying out some different rims..
Old rims, 17x9 f&r 255/45/17 275/40/17
http://fototime.com/1138DA683D55C2B/xlarge.jpg

[/img]

17s all the way SW. When can I come pick her up? :D

[Streetking]

Now if we could only get our good friends at the tire companies to consider the whitewall lettering packages again ;-)
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/projectwarpath/swmodified_zpse71527b2.jpg (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/projectwarpath/media/swmodified_zpse71527b2.jpg.html)

Now that would be really kool!

Thanks for the input guys, just screwing around with ideas...

[Ketzer]

Definitely 17s. That sidewall is getting too short on those 18s...



Jeff-

[jy211]

I think this looks awesome!!

18's :trophy-1302:

[Ummgawa]

SW, you really have a flair for making a car look wicked. Awesome T/A. I have to agree with you on one thing, the 73 is my favorite too.

[WSSix]

I like the 17s but I think the 18s fit the well better. They come out further too and are more flush with the body. I would change to a taller side wall tire though. This was a problem I was concerned about with my TA when sizing tires. I wanted the bigger rim but wanted a meatier more muscular tire. So I went with 40 series tires. I have 245s front and 275s rear. Here's a picture of my car. It's not the best but hopefully it shows another option.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/PICT0306.jpg


http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/PICT0312.jpg

[WSSix]

and my car looks like a 4x4 compared to SW's. Doh! The suspension has settled some since that picture was taken 3 years ago. I'll try to get a better one soon if anyone would care to see.

[Ron in SoCal]

I would Trey! Wash it first and put a cheerio on top, lol!

[WSSix]

lol, ok. I'll see what I can do. Give me a couple days.

[John510]

We need a thread on that Underground Racing Ferrari.

[Streetking]

I like the 17s but I think the 18s fit the well better. They come out further too and are more flush with the body. I would change to a taller side wall tire though. This was a problem I was concerned about with my TA when sizing tires. I wanted the bigger rim but wanted a meatier more muscular tire. So I went with 40 series tires. I have 245s front and 275s rear. Here's a picture of my car. It's not the best but hopefully it shows another option.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/PICT0306.jpg


http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/PICT0312.jpg

I like those wheels, just needs to be a little lower:)

[WSSix]

Thanks SW. The wheels look better on the car than I had hoped. One day I'm sure I'll change them but I'll minitub it first. How does your 76 ride lowered like it is? Have any ground clearance, bottoming out, or rubbing issues? I'm thinking I may go ahead and upgrade the stock suspension as best I can now to hold me over until I can afford to replace the rear with a different style.

Ok, without further ado, here are some better pictures. At least I hope they are better and can give a good example of a tire and rim size combination for these cars. As you can see, the suspension has settled some. The rims are 18x8 and 18x9.5. Tires are 245/40 front and 275/40 rear.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/001-1_zpsa200e126.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/007_zps536cfd9d.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/004-2_zpsc4dc9af4.jpg

And here you go, Ron. It's too windy for just a cheerio so how about a box of them instead?

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr90/Speed_Hound/008-2_zps63fbe9f4.jpg

[Ron in SoCal]

Man Trey...I was getting ready to type until I saw that last pic.

Keep it real Bro :thumbsup: