Topic: FS: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Y84 SE Bandit 400 / WS6

[osso12]

Why is there a 1981 fuel door on a '79?

If you will notice, most SE's will be missing this important detail. The door should have a gold bird.
The door is correct for the car.

Actually no it is not, the only year TA to get the fuel door bird was 1981. It is NOT an SE only detail.
 Do you have any pictures under the hood?

Not to argue, I would like to see some proof.
Thanks!

[osso12]

[kentuckyyeti]

I have owned a  77SE, 78SE, 79SE, and a 80 SE.  None had a bird on the gas door.  I have also owned two 1981 non-SE's and both had the silver bird.  These guys are correct.  1981 is the only year to have the bird on the gas door.  Nice car, btw

[brian c]

The 1980 firebird I have did not have the emblem either. The gas door on mine did disintegrate to the point where the outer casing fell off from the metal backing plate. I was able to repair it using some T-nuts and a plastic backing plate.

My guess, and the owner can correct me if I'm wrong, is that the same thing happened to this car and a replacement was had from GM (or ebay or craigslist) from the 1981 model year and installed.

osso12 - am I right on my guess??

[LOMILETA]

This is a 1981 TA, as stated they all came with the bird in 81. If you are unsure of this vehicle, contact the gentleman who has it pictured. His name is Rick ( lives in Miami) and he runs TA specialties of Fla.

[osso12]

The 1980 firebird I have did not have the emblem either. The gas door on mine did disintegrate to the point where the outer casing fell off from the metal backing plate. I was able to repair it using some T-nuts and a plastic backing plate.

My guess, and the owner can correct me if I'm wrong, is that the same thing happened to this car and a replacement was had from GM (or ebay or craigslist) from the 1981 model year and installed.

osso12 - am I right on my guess??

Have no idea. I have seen other 79 SE's with the bird as well. Whether or not they added it, who knows?  Remove the door to make it correct if need be.  To me its realy irrelevant as one can do some research and decide if its correct or not.

[osso12]

This is a 1981 TA, as stated they all came with the bird in 81. If you are unsure of this vehicle, contact the gentleman who has it pictured. His name is Rick ( lives in Miami) and he runs TA specialties of Fla.

Your saying this is an 81?
I thought most 81 bandits had a turbo and non shaker hood?
I stand to be corrected.

[osso12]

I guess this 81 is a clone of a 79?

[LOMILETA]

No, the shaker hood was available with either the non turbo 4.9 liter and the 5.0 liter in 1980 and 1981

[osso12]

Someone wanted to see under the hood. The valve covers are of course aftermarket. It also has a aftermarket flex fan,
and I believe an MSD aftermarket ignition.
This car could have been born with a 301. Which if it were, it would be even rarer numbers car with the manual transmission.
I do not believe this is the original 220 HP 400 W/72 as well, but I am still doing some research on this and I have not disproven it.
We would need to send for the PHS to get all the straight facts on the car of course.
I have only had the car a couple of weeks and have not done all the reasearch as well.
But I do know this
The car runs very stong and starts up every time and this car will only go up in value, never down. Money in the bank.

[kentuckyyeti]

The vin will tell you if it came with a 400 or a 301.  Hope that helps you.

[RENOVATIONS]

The vin will tell you if it came with a 400 or a 301.  Hope that helps you.

And have a look here for more help on finding out if it is the original engine
http://www.78ta.com/smf/index.php?topic=14821.30

More info:

http://www.78ta.com/vin1979.php

http://www.78ta.com/cowl1979.php
                            

[THECARREAPER]

geeze, tough crowd. i think its nice. i just sold my marty blue 78 400 4 speed. still playing with my black 78 400 /4 speed and my 84 308 GTB QV  Ferrari.  i think its a great car to save, and just drive for fun when you can.

 i just took my T/A out for a quick run, just for the hell of it. 4 speed cars are very rare, relative to the gazillion cars they made. i hope it finds a great home.

 i think you are being very fair and honest in your description. i am a car collector, and have owned may different types of  cars.

Michael

[jphillips3333]

Tough crowd ... maybe an interested buyer.  I think you just want to know what you're getting.  Perhaps there's a good reason to purchase the PHS docs, add a pic of the VIN on the dash + one  of the engine block.  I think it'd meet less resistance to being a rare four speed SE if those wickets are cleared.

It is a 30 year old car ... gas doors break off, guages are added, things are changed and simply put, stuff happens.

[JacksTA]

Good points John. Looks like a decent car. I would think the current value is directly proportional to whether it's a 400 or 301, matching numbers or not, and whether it's a real SE or not. It costs just as much to restore either way but the end value and desirability depends on these details. The interior looks original, so may I suggest looking under the seats or carpet for a build sheet, then you won't need PHS docs to prove what it is. Good luck with it.