Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
Trans Am Information => Trans Am Information => Topic started by: chuffchuff on October 06, 2007, 05:55:25 AM
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A chap over here in the UK has just got a 1979 t/am in red it has no t tops but has a large chrome panel
that goes over roof behind windows towards rear screen??? Looks factory fitted but never seen one before,
Any ideas what it could be??
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c138/chuffchuff/SUV%20bits/Chromebit.jpg)
Sorry if it's a bit big, I thought I'd ask the experts
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That's interesting. I've seen people put various stuff in that area before. I saw one car last year wth a port hole, believe it or not. It's probably something someone added to the car. I don't think it's factory. Might have been added at the dealership.
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Yeah, they sent me an email with those photos and I explained it to them. It is definately NOT factory.
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IIRC, Chevy made a version of the Berlinetta that had some kind of metallic band on it, but it was different from that and Pontiac never did it to a Firebird from the factory. :-\
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looks like an early knight rider thing....it deflects any incoming radio transmissions from airplanes or evil helicopters....RARE factory option...hahahaha
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On Porsche's thats called a targa band. Not a pontiac option.
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In reply to Rich's mention of the "port hole", I recall Warbird saying that was an mod for cars shipped overseas (maybe Japan?)...George?
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Yeah, the porthole was a popular customization back in the late 70s. You'll note that "popular" does not equal "tasteful". ::) :P
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Yeah, I think George's car has them. He once said they were needed on the early 2nd gens with the smaller rear window to comply with laws regarding blind spots and such. I kinda like them. To be honest, I kinda like this band too. On the right car anyway. That rear window trim looks different too. I'd like to see pics of the whole car. Got any?
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We'll have to see pics from a different angle to know for sure, but Larry offhand that looks like they painted the trim flat black and then put a stripe around the outside to highlight the window -- is that right, chuffchuff? :-\ :-\
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I've never saw one like this. I actually like it to a point. I personally wouldn't do it. But there's something about it that appeals to my taste.
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See pays to ask the experts, have a beer on me ;D
Cheers.
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We'll have to see pics from a different angle to know for sure, but Larry offhand that looks like they painted the trim flat black and then put a stripe around the outside to highlight the window -- is that right, chuffchuff? :-\ :-\
Ok, looking at it again it looks like you're right.
Dang rotten old tiny dark pos monitor.
Ok, I'm done ranting now.
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Late 70's Town Landau T-birds and LTD II's had a brushed chrome band like that. I had a 78 Landau pkg. t-bird with a very similar (if not the same) type of band from the factory.
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Right, a friend of mine had a 78 T-bird " Diamond Jubilee" edition with that band and t-tops.
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8)
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That's hideous! Has the visual appeal of a shower screen with all the plastic screw caps, eeek!
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Well, I think the porthole came into being on the 1956 Thunderbird. The '55 didn't have them. I prefer the '55 myself because I never did like port holes....as far as the 70's, weren't those considered "opera" windows? A little different shape than a port hole.
Now on the '74 T/A above, I'd rather not have the port hole....but I really like the car. With a few changes it could be back to its old self. Hey, it looks like the hood was changed too.
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I never noticed the hood in George's pic before...it looks like an L88 style hood, doesn't it?
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Don't care too much for the porthole. I like the vinyl top on the car though, if that's what I'm seeing.
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No offence,
But I really don't care what anyone thinks of the car.
It's mine, and I bought it that way.
Because I wanted it.
You guys crack me up.
All you like to do is voice how you don't like things.
I just showed the picture to show you all different things on Trans Ams that were done years ago.
Not to have anyone tell me that they don't like it.
I have a sunroof car, and a convertible to boot. Even a heavy body modded Turbo Trans Am.
Gee, maybe I should just junk all my cars cause a few of you don't like them.
I keep forgetting how everyone's car is so much better than someone else's, like ever better than one of my cars. Or any of mine.
People can have views on stuff, but I didn't ask.
That's why I can't stand the ebay section on sites.
All you guys do is slam paint, body mods, engines and what not.
Gee, I guess slamming cars helps the hobby, right?
History: As for the portholes, they were even done with oval windows.
I guess now we'll see if I get banned from this site.
George 8)
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Oh,
And before I get banned, I will answer the question on the hood.
Yes, it has been changed to a fiberglass L-88/ZL-1 Corvette style hood scoop/hood.
The stock hood is just sitting off to the side.
This car is my girlfriend's Hot Wheels car.
She wanted a car to piss off people.
Guess it worked.
BTW, it has a 455 engine that came with the car, from the factory.
George 8)
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No offence,
But I really don't care what anyone thinks of the car.
It's mine, and I bought it that way.
Because I wanted it. ...
George 8)
George,
I agree with you. I remember when you posted photos of this car a few years ago (on TAC, I believe) I found it very informative and interesting because I never knew they even existed. I appreciate all the info and photos you provide. It's interesting to see all the variations of your vehicles and those of others and, even if I don't personally like some of them, I'm not going to intentionally bad mouth them because my opinion of the way your cars look doesn't matter to anyone but me. 8)
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Thank you dblhh!
I am this way with all cars, even those other people own.
I may ask questions, but never cut the cars or owners down.
George 8)
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Hey Warbird...I didn't mean to offend you. In fact, I really like your car. And, a 455 makes it very special.
As far as conversion to convertibles....that's pretty rare. If done right, they look really good. I remember a 77 or 78 convertible T/A around here back in 1978 or 1979. The guy must have had quite a bit into the conversion because it looked spectacular. Someone on this site is doing a convertible conversion.
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Are you thinking of stwrangler?
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How long have you had that car George? Since your girl is driving it, did you tune it down. ( just kiddin ) What are the wheels from as they are hard to see?
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I bought my ragtop used, and became the second owner of it.
The car was converted by NCE, way back in 1979.
It (the car) cost almost $24,000 back then.
It took awhile to get use to the car with the top up, and for years, always parked the car in the garage, with the top down.
Besides, it was heavy to put the top back up by myself. ;)
Now, out here, the top stay up all the time.
No garage space. ;)
George 8)
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I bought this '74 Trans Am back in 1989, but saw the car all the time since 1974.
Since I already had another '74 Trans Am (the sunroof car), I would see this car always going the other way all the time.
I guess the other owner saw my car as well.
When I answered the ad, he told me he always wanted my car, and I told him I always wanted his.
He was asking $6500.00 for the car, and when we met, he lowed the price down to $3,900.00 without me dealing at all.
So, I had to buy it.
I was running a set of 16 inch Diamond Spoke wheels (third gen GTA style wheels) on it, but since giving it to my girlfriend, I put on 15 inch 15x8 Enkie 92s.
Headman Headers used my car as a guiena pig for doing a set of "D" port headers for a "F" Body, through H. O. Racing. So, it's got a complete set of headers and exhaust from them.
After 160,000 miles, the engine started running really rough.
I have put the car in limbo for now, and need to rebuild the engine.
But I'm waiting for the girfriend to come up with the money, since I gave the car to her.
I gotta admit, she always came home with a big smile, and the guys always left her alone, she had the faster car. ;)
Since my move, I have been spending more money on the house and garage.
I hope to start the engine this next summer.
Then, a repaint, and decals.
George 8)
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George..... no, I am not going to ban you...... you are too cool and funny of a guy to ban. But I will tell you this.....
Yes, everyone has an opinion and they speak their mind freely. Yes, I do see alot of people cut down other's cars because they do not like what was done to it. It isn't "Their style" so to speak..... which is fine. Everyone is entitled to speak openly about what they like and don't like. I do also see people praise other's cars as well so it does go both ways. However, you do see more of the basing than you do of the praising of the cars. And like you said... it is mainly in the "Ebay Section". Which is why I think people post that stuff in there. They do it because they didn't like what they saw and wanted to show it to everyone else. Is that wrong?... probably... just like making fun of the handi-capped. Well, you know what I mean. It happens all of the time and you always see more of that then you do the congrats or praise over a persons car. It is like the old saying like at a restaraunt or store or anything like that..... you never hear when someone has a good time or meal, but as soon as they have a bad one, you never stop hearing about it. Anyway, the point being, it is Human nature and it happens.
So, I am not going to ban you or anything.. again, you were just speaking your mind. You weren't bashing anyone in specific but all of us as a whole. So, I am fine with it and with you.
Just don't say anthing about my mother....... ;)
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Just don't say anthing about my mother....... ;)
:D :D
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Well, I've seen Georges 74 in person and I like it.....those L88 hoods were the same as Motion Performance used to use...looks tough....real 70's streetmachine. :)
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I noticed the hood too. At least from the side, it gives the car a great look. Was that a bolt on? or did the hood require some modification to fit? These cars were really designed beautifully. That side view demonstrates the beautiful lines. The car looks fast. Cars don't have the great lines anymore....although the Tesla is interesting. There are some things I like about it and some things I don't.
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Don't worry Hitman,
I would never say anything about your mother.
Well, except that she dresses you funny at times. ;) ;D
I understand your point, but to me, if I post a picture to show someone something, I sure don't want to see people posting how much they hate it. And cutting down one of my cars.
I am trying to help someone.
You can check my posts, I don't slam anyone's cars.
And I sure wasn't attacking everyone.
I just got mad at the people slamming my car.
That is personal.
And I can't help but take it that way.
I look at it this way.
If you don't like it, don't buy it.
If someone you know is thinking about buying something, then I don't have a problem with someone pointing things out.
ta78w72,
The hood is what is called a bolt on, however, Chevy Camaro hoods have a bolt in hood latch.
Firebirds don't.
So, this one doesn't.
I bought a set of hood pins, and placed them directly into holes already stamped into the radator support.
They are bolted both top and bottom of the thin support.
When placing the stock hood back on, you just unbolt the pins, and everything is back to stock with no damage.
Then, I cut holes into the hood for them to "pop" up through.
I have the clips wired to the bottom of the top of the radator support the same way, going out throught the front grilles.
They then "clip" throught the pins.
No more hood "flying" off into the air (as happened before with "flush" mount pins).
When I park somewhere I don't trust, I put on small luggage brass locks, to make it hard for someone to get into the engine bay.
Leaving the "clips" stuffed into the grilles.
My girlfriend wanted a mean looking car, her "Hot Wheels" car, as she calls it.
For awhile, she was driving the car with 1984 15th Anniversary Trans Am Recaro seats mounted, but when we moved out here, I pulled them, and put them into her '91 Firebird.
She got a really bad habit driving that car.
She got a lead right foot.
Besides going through right shoe faster than the left, she also for some reason seemed to go through rear tires pretty fast.
One good thing though, she got home faster from work! :o ;) ;D
Man, I thought I had "kills". ::)
George 8)
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Goerge for what it is worth I enjoy all your stuff ,and the stories behind them that is what makes it all very interesting. The things you learn from somthing different.