Topic: 1979 Trans Am in Bulgaria

[SC79TransAm]

never seen a Bulgarian Trans am but it would be right at home here in the US if you ever come to visit!

[Grand73Am]

Great story and you did a great job on your 79 TA. You must get a lot of attention!

[Frode_skj]

Very beautiful Trans Am you got there nice to see some european based Trans Am's as well I got 2 in Norway

[Peter Panov]

Thank you everybody!

[Tin Indians Rule]

What a wonderful restoration. Nicely documented too. Thanks for sharing.

[Peter Panov]

Hello guys,

Here is the picture with the gun shots on the right door of my Trans Am that I promised to post.
As I mentioned you this car was confiscated by the Bulgarian customs for drugs. While the owner of the car tried to escape from the police they shoot the right door.
Regards,
Peter

[eroc022]

Shot with a paintball gun? Bullets would leave a bit more damage

[rpguitarrepair]

Thanks for following up, Peter. I've been telling my friends about your car and the story of it over lunch...

I great car is awesome, but a great car with a great story is historical.

[Peter Panov]

Thank you rpguitarrepair,

Regarding the shots on the door - they are about half inch in diameter. I do not know whether they are from a gun, pistol or any other weapon. What I know is that while chasing the vehicle the border patrol have shot. They sure didn't want to kill the driver, but wanted to warn him that if he do not stop they may kill him. Probably that's why they shot the bottom of the right door.
Regarding the old american cars here in Bulgaria, many of these that somehow came upon in Bulgaria have interesting stories. They have belonged to big communist politicians, famous singers in Bulgaria or to the US embassyq etc.

Regards

[Trans am Oz]

Cool story about your beautiful bird Pete
Keep us updated and have fun cruising in Bulgaria

[Peter Panov]

Hello friends,
Finally I have something to write about again.
After I finished the restoration of my Trans Am and had few rides with it, the car turned into project again.
It turned out that the engine block is badly cracked and beyond of repair. Since it is the only 301 engine in my small country I had to buy an engine block from the USA.
I started looking and soon I realized that a whole running 301 is not much more expensive. I was up to buy one in Florida when i came upon a listing at Ebay for a 1976 Trans Am 400 engine WT code L78 which I bought at a bargain price. I was told it is in good condition.
This engine finally arrived in my country and today it is supposed to arrive at the shop of my mechanic.
We will check the main bearings and will open the valve covers. If it looks ok we will replace water pump, oil pump, fuel pump, crankshaft seals, distributor cap, spark and freeze plugs, cables as well as some other smaller stuff and will install the engine in the car.
Hopefully by the end of the week I will have my Trans Am running again this time for longer period.
I will keep you informed and will post pictures.
Regards

[Grand73Am]

Good luck!

[rpguitarrepair]

X2!

[Peter Panov]

Hello friends,
Thank you for the nice words.
Unfortunately the things are not going well for me so far.
The engine arrived, but even before unloading it we saw the oil is mixed with coolant. And the carburator was a mess!!
So it was obvious I can not put the engine and use it as is. The description of the seller was that I can 'use the engine as is'.
We opened it and it turned out that both head gaskets are blown. You can see pictures of the gaskets and the carburator.
http://www.snimka.bg/?album;aid=718480
According to me an engine with clogged carburator and blown head gaskets can not be used as is.
I asked the seller for a compensation, but he refused. He said that this is a normal wear for a 35 year old engine. He said he can give me the money back if I return him the engine at my expense. The shipping back to the US is more than I paid for the engine. I bought the engine from Ebay, but the deadline to open a case expired one month before the engine to arrive in my country.
What do you guys think? What should I do? Do you think I have enough ground to seek my rights and to ask a compensation, or I should not have to expect anything better than I've got?

[rpguitarrepair]

Did you contact eBay? I would still contact them as a matter of record.