Hello guys,
I am very glad that I came upon your forum.
My name is Peter Panov and I am from Bulgaria (Eastern Europe).
I am the proud owner of a 1979 Y84 Trans Am with a 301 non turbo V8 and T tops. I bought the car two years ago (12.19.2009) to be exact from a small town in my small country. This is one of the two 1979 Trans Ams here or actually the only one since the other car is a bare rusty body with no interior engine title etc. There is only one more 1978 Trans Am which is in good overall condition. I have heard of one more 1978 here that disappeared a long time ago. If I count two more early 70s birds that are restorable these are all 2nd generation Firebirds in my country.
The car entered my country in 1989 before falling of the "Iron curtain" and was confiscated by the customs here because of a drugs package in the trunk. This is how it came in Bulgaria. It was bought by a rich man in 12.19.1989 at a very high price. He drove it couple years and decided to have it repainted. Before this to be done, his business went wrong, he started to drink and few years later he died. So the car was stored in a garage for about 15 years. Later it was moved somewhere else and some parts started to get loose. Some others were stolen (I have no idea who needed them). Finally the wife needed money and decided to try to sell the car. She asked a lot of money for it, but I managed to explain her that a car like this in excellent condition is much cheaper. After several months of negotiations she finally sold me the car.
So in a very cold day - 12.19.2009 I went to take it.
Here it was quitely sitting and waiting for me:
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720We uncovered it:
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658736http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658737http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658735http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658738Loaded it:
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658739http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658740http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658741And the car went for its second life:
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658742It arrived in the place where I used to work - the official INFINITI dealership in Bulgaria
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25658734http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663027And I started working on it. I am not a mechanic and I am not very technically mature. I have some basic knowledge and counted on friends. So I bet some of you will laugh when you understand what and when I did.
I started up the engine - I was lucky it haven't been running for years but started up very quickly and run well (probably the 57 000 miles reading is actual) and noisy (there were no exhaust)
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25662993 I cleaned the interior, redid the brakes (I ordered many missing parts from the US and was lucky to have them transported almost for free from a friend of mine) and then I left the car in the body shop where the most experienced painter started working on it - a long time - 11 months to finish the body because he was working from time to time on it.
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25662994I disassembled the car and he worked on the car
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25662996http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25662997http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663033At one time the car was so disassembled I didn't believe I will ever finish it
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663032http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663034Many colleagues of mine were sure I am an idiot and crazy to work that hard on this car. These poor people just didn't had the idea what a car it is actually. Finally the body was repainted - I was lucky - almost no rust anywhere - only one spot under the windshield on the passengers side. Before the other parts (spoilers etc) to be repainted a friend of mine refreshed the electrical system (still need a horn and back up lights), another company did the exhaust system and another man did some interior work. A friend of mine rebuild the carburator (still needs a tune up). Also the tranny is working fine but is leaking
I also replaced the windshield - I bought one from the city where I live - I have no idea why they had even two!!! May be because there are 3-4 Camaros in my country from the second generation.
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663036Finally the car was repainted and I continued to put it together. It was starting to look awesome
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663039The car was put together one day before I to leave INFINITI. When I took it out my colleagues started to realize that this is a cool car.
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663017http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663021 http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663024So the Trans Am left INFINITI
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663014It still needed its interior. It was ready. I put it in the new garage where the car is now.
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663040http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663041http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663043I can't imagine how the people will look at it when I start driving it around. Bulgaria is full of premium Mercedes, BMW, Audi. But cars like this people here have seen only on a picture or in a movie.
I am 33 years old. I dream for such a Trans Am since 1982 or 1983. So here is my dream - it came true.
http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663044http://retep.snimka.bg/automobiles/my-t-a-1979.635720.25663013Now it is almost done. I do not want to remember how much work I did, how many nerves and money I spent. Still needs some things but it already looks well - I am happy I rescued this car. I remember the first time I drove it sitting on the box of the brake shoes. After all I have had with this car I might part with it - only if I can get 1977 or 1978 Trans Am from the US. Otherwise I would like to keep it for life.
Thank you for this forum. I already bought some parts from charlie "nexus" and I am looking forward to receiving them. Still need some parts coolant recovery bottle, front crest emblem, ignition key warning buzzer, two air ducts the one under the steering wheel and one under the glove compartment door but I am sure I will find them here.
Regards
