Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: SIRJOEL1 on December 16, 2007, 02:42:11 PM

Title: '79 T/A
Post by: SIRJOEL1 on December 16, 2007, 02:42:11 PM

I purchased a '79 10th anniversary 4-spd T/A.  I would like to retore it to it's original looking state.  I say original looking because I plan for the engine internals to be beefy as hell.  If anyone has any suggestions, recommendations, tips or tricks I am all ears.  The car is an original numbers matching car.  Rust is minimal.  Where should I start.



Thanks in advance,


Joel Morris

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on December 16, 2007, 05:09:29 PM

Are you planning a complete restoration?? Pix of the bird as it sits now would help alot... ;)

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: SIRJOEL1 on December 16, 2007, 05:17:24 PM

I do plan a complete resto.  I will post pics in a of him in his current state in just a while.

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: LOMILETA on December 16, 2007, 05:35:21 PM

I would say DONT change the car. They only made 1817 of that specific vehicle. I would buy another to make a toy. If you cant aford to, sell that 1 to someone who will put t back together original.

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: Rick on December 16, 2007, 07:15:46 PM

Yeah, I'd have to concur with Russ.  As few of them as there was originally, you'd be better off using another one for a modfication.  Of course it's your car but there are plenty of less-distinct and more plentiful models to use to get wild with mods. ;)

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: WarbirdTA on December 16, 2007, 09:28:04 PM

Before you decide what to do engine wise, start checking prices of these cars with stock engines.
10th Anniversary Trans Ams pull some fantastic money stock.
You could always do this.
Get another engine, and build that, and set your original engine aside.
Need some NOS decals for your car (not aftermarket)?

George  8)

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: SIRJOEL1 on December 18, 2007, 02:35:42 AM

Thanks guys for all of the input.  I had not considered the negatives in slightly modifying the internals of the engine.  I was not thinking of anything radical just a slight overbore, knife edging the crank and maybe some porting / polishing of the intake.  If it's not a good idea then I will probably take the advice of this group and look at a non original engine.  I am never going to part with this car but to keep it original does make sense because my nephew may want to make it an original when I'm dead and gone.

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: 79transam92 on February 03, 2008, 07:21:36 PM

10ths are awesome, guy who we got mine from's parents had about two tenths when they came out, they -regret- selling them for that darn every 3 year upgrade

Title: Re: '79 T/A
Post by: w72transamowner on February 04, 2008, 08:51:19 PM

What's the interior like?  That may be your biggest problem as far as the restoration goes.