Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Photos => Trans Am Photos => Topic started by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 05:49:54 PM

Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 05:49:54 PM
Well dudes....as promised I'm gonna post up some pictures of the 79 Bandit I just picked up on Saturday.

Try not to laugh too hard. I rescued this car from behind a mobile home out in the woods......and I got it dirt cheap!  :lol:

This is the car I have been looking for for a long time. This is a 1979 Special Edition Trans Am with the WS6 Handling Package......but NO other options. No AC, no cruise, no power anything.....it doesn't even have rear defrost or a trunk light.  :shock: The original 403/auto runs great and the drivetrain is really tight.......but since this is gonna be MY car I want it to be able to light up the tires at 45 MPH.

This car is going to get a full rotisserie restoration and will be powered by a built 455 Pontiac with a built 200-4R tranny behind it. It's gonna look totally stock but it's gonna be a beast.  :twisted:

Here's some pictures that would give Chip Foose a heart attack......

 (http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1195.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 05:52:26 PM
What do you do when your original deluxe Camel Tan interior starts looking a little worn out?

Why....you throw in ripped black standard seats and console out of another T/A and lose the original build sheet!

Who cares if the car has manual windows? That power window switch just plain looks cool.  :roll:


(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1196.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: WarbirdTA on January 08, 2007, 05:53:33 PM
 8)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 05:55:24 PM
Believe it or not.....this 403/TH350 combo runs like a top! It will be put on a stand and stored while the car gets a serious engine.

Look at that pristine original molded shaker drain hose. MmmmMmmm!

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1197.jpg)
(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1198.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: WarbirdTA on January 08, 2007, 05:55:33 PM
8)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: LeighP on January 08, 2007, 05:58:38 PM
Aw, don't worry about the paint....that'll just buff out.......  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 05:59:32 PM
The guy I bought the car from said he liked the looks of the 77-78 front end......so he bought one and bolted it on.  Apparantly he didn't care if the tail lights were different.  :?

Thank God he kept the original 1979 front bumper.....complete with Velcro headlight covers!  :lol:

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1199.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 06:02:21 PM
And THIS, my friends, is the "la piece de resistance".......

Look up in the trunk. There are a pair of house speakers that are strapped underneath the package tray with bungee cords. Yes......bungee cords!

That's gotta sound great when you crank up the non-functioning stereo.  :lol:


(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1200.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 06:03:43 PM
....and the only thing that makes it all worthwhile is that little "Y84" on the cowl tag.  :wink:

Notice the lack of a bolt holding the top of the fender to the cowl.  :lol:

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/000_1204.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 06:05:44 PM
Quote from: "WarbirdTA"
When are you going to find the time to work on it?
Holidays? :wink:
I figured that with the magazine plug, you would be booked up till 2010! :shock:
Looks like a fun project!

George 8)


Holidays, nights, weekends.......

At least the ones that the wifey doesn't get.  :wink:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 06:07:51 PM
Quote from: "WarbirdTA"
Is that a silver headlight switch?
Since the inner door pull is missing, tell everyone the power window switches are for power door shutting and opening. See what they say to that. :wink:

George 8)


Yep the headlight switch is silver. Somebody replaced the whole entire dash bezel with one from a 1980-81 T/A because it has the round turn signal indicators with the little arrows printed in them.

One surprising thing is the clock actually works perfectly.  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Rick on January 08, 2007, 07:09:49 PM
Not bad for a behind-the-trailer rescue, Jason.  And I like the redneck speaker install -- milly will too, I'm sure.  Now about that engine...Tom (Maryland Bandit) has this detailing spray that'll fix that RIGHT up... :lol:  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: AB21 on January 08, 2007, 07:13:33 PM
I can't wait to see this one in August!  :)  :?:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Joker (§ir£Ğragon) on January 08, 2007, 08:29:14 PM
:lol:  :lol: That's classic. I love the "mods" :lol: :lol:

But all in all a great find!



Need a place to "store" that 403?  :P
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 08:44:56 PM
Quote from: "SirLDragon"
:lol:  :lol: That's classic. I love the "mods" :lol: :lol:

But all in all a great find!

Need a place to "store" that 403?  :P


It's the numbers matching motor, so I'll probably restore it and keep it just to have it with the car. You never know when 79 Bandits might go the way of the Super Dutys.  :wink:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 08:48:33 PM
Check it out......here is a picture of the car that the owners sent me when I first contacted them about it last week. When I told you guys I rescued this thing from behind a trailer in the woods......I wasn't kiddin!

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/TransformationRestorations/Jason79Y84/Bandit79.jpg)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: CoolBird on January 08, 2007, 09:13:43 PM
Amazingly, there isn't more rust for just sitting out there. Nice to see the tan interior...my favorite :wink:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: milly on January 08, 2007, 09:19:17 PM
Well, that is an interesting car. At least you know what you're doing, that is gonna be one heck of a project. So, will it be ready for the Nats?? :D
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: jiveturkey692000 on January 08, 2007, 09:57:01 PM
Is that a flourescent green gas tank I spy in picture #1 :lol: .  Nice project Jason.
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 09:59:07 PM
Quote from: "milly"
Well, that is an interesting car. At least you know what you're doing, that is gonna be one heck of a project. So, will it be ready for the Nats?? :D


I'd like to think I can get it done before the Nats....but it's a "spare time" deal so I don't know for sure.

I DO know that I have to get my own T/A done soon. I had WAY too much fun running that clunker up and down the road in front of the shop on Sunday.  :lol:
Title: jason d
Post by: 79 T-Top Delete SE on January 08, 2007, 09:59:45 PM
yea - I kinda like that tan interior toooo..
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 10:02:54 PM
Quote from: "jiveturkey692000"
Is that a flourescent green gas tank I spy in picture #1 :lol: .  Nice project Jason.


hhahahahaha YES!

I asked the guy about that when I was chaining it down on the trailer.

His response:
"Well I had the gas tank out to fix the hose on it and I figgerd since it was out I might as well paint it to keep it from rustin."

Of course, he didn't bother to remove any of the rust on it BEFORE he painted it bright flourescent green.  I still don't know why he used bright flourescent green.  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: milly on January 08, 2007, 10:05:36 PM
When you get the T/A done you have got to drive over to that guys house and show it to him.  I bet he won't beleive it is the same car. hehe green gas tank, what ever color you have man.  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 10:09:12 PM
Quote from: "milly"
When you get the T/A done you have got to drive over to that guys house and show it to him.  :lol:


No way man. He'd probably shoot me.  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: BAN ONE on January 08, 2007, 10:53:18 PM
That is hardly going to be a challenge for you Jason. I was expecting a lot less...metalwise :lol: .
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Rick on January 08, 2007, 10:56:13 PM
Or -- conversely, more "rust" wise... :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 08, 2007, 11:04:01 PM
As soon as I got there the first thing I did was get down on the muddy ground and roll around on my back checking out the underneath.  :lol:

The tail panel has some rust, but other than that it's solid as a rock underneath. There are a couple small rust holes in the bottom of the front fenders.....but the car is surprisingly solid. The trunk is pristine.

I have been looking for a 79 Bandit optioned this way for quite awhile.....just to build into a 455-powered beast for myself. I'm really stoked about it.  8)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Grand73Am on January 08, 2007, 11:41:15 PM
Glad to see another 79 saved and to be restified! Look forward to seeing the progress as always.
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Rick on January 08, 2007, 11:46:38 PM
And Grand73Am shows up!  It's been a tough few days without your TA fix, eh? 8)  :wink:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Grand73Am on January 09, 2007, 12:16:20 AM
Yes Rick, sufferin' from withdrawals :D . Glad to see y'all over here. I didn't know there was a forum here until Milly mentioned it over at PY.
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: milly on January 09, 2007, 12:19:09 AM
Glad to see I could be of some help.  :D
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: BLURR on January 09, 2007, 10:17:33 AM
Not bad at all Jason. Cant wait to see its resto.  :D
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: RENOVATIONS on January 09, 2007, 11:30:31 AM
Maybe think of that gas tank as a bicycle reflector...car headlights behind you at night hit that green tank :shock: ...NOBODY is gonna' miss that car from behind. So see, he was actually thinking SAFETY when he chose that color :lol:  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: 78TransAm on January 09, 2007, 06:47:38 PM
I am sure it will be beautiful when you are done with it Jason....No doubt!!! :D
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: 76455sd on January 09, 2007, 09:27:50 PM
Jason:
that's great.  Can't wait to see the finished product.
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: jiveturkey692000 on January 09, 2007, 10:12:18 PM
Quote from: "JasonD"
Quote from: "jiveturkey692000"
Is that a flourescent green gas tank I spy in picture #1 :lol: .  Nice project Jason.


hhahahahaha YES!

I asked the guy about that when I was chaining it down on the trailer.

His response:
"Well I had the gas tank out to fix the hose on it and I figgerd since it was out I might as well paint it to keep it from rustin."

Of course, he didn't bother to remove any of the rust on it BEFORE he painted it bright flourescent green.  I still don't know why he used bright flourescent green.  :lol:


Don't these people know they make BLACK to!!!!!!, LOL.  I bought an S-10 to put a 350 in about 10 years ago,  half the frame was flourescent green,  only half, I feel your pain :lol:  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 09, 2007, 10:16:48 PM
Needless to say, the flourescent green gas tank caused quite a bit of laughter when I pulled into the shop to drop it off.  :lol:

Between the gas tank and the house speakers bungee-corded to the rear deck......I'd say I may have the most redneck Bandit Trans Am EVER!  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: jiveturkey692000 on January 09, 2007, 10:23:15 PM
Come to think of it, the core support for my Ramcharger was flourescent green to,  had to fix that right away! :lol:   The bungee-corded  speakers, well, at leasat they didn't use duct tape :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: O'Neall on January 09, 2007, 11:23:39 PM
Congrats Jason... that is a fine looking ride.  Talk about a stripper... that thing doesn't have hardly any options... except, of course, the ultra rare traffic light color-coded gas tank!!! :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: joeq28 on January 11, 2007, 02:24:11 PM
Congrats and good luck with the car!
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: LeighP on January 12, 2007, 06:03:15 PM
The green tank is to let the opposition know its time to leave the start line....since they'll only see the back end of the T/A....  :lol:  8)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Prettybird81 on January 14, 2007, 10:09:02 AM
It's about time we see you doing one of your own Jason... ;)  Can't wait to see the "process" pics... Have Fun with it!

Jeri
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Fire Am on January 14, 2007, 12:20:35 PM
Thats really a great find Jason! Now there's another reason for me to drive on over to Port. That little town will be Trans Am Central  before too long!!  :lol:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Toolman3903 on January 19, 2007, 03:28:17 PM
Jason,
  I've been checking out your site for quite a while now
 to watch the progress of the cars your restoring. Are you open to having visitors come to your shop. I'm only an hour away from you and I've thought about driving down sometime.  :?:
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: JasonD on January 19, 2007, 07:48:33 PM
Quote from: "Toolman3903"
Jason,
  I've been checking out your site for quite a while now
 to watch the progress of the cars your restoring. Are you open to having visitors come to your shop. I'm only an hour away from you and I've thought about driving down sometime.  :?:


Heck yeah man come down anytime you want! I'm always willing to talk T/A with anybody.  8)
Title: JasonD's future personal toy......
Post by: Toolman3903 on January 22, 2007, 08:36:49 AM
Quote from: "JasonD"
Quote from: "Toolman3903"
Jason,
  I've been checking out your site for quite a while now
 to watch the progress of the cars your restoring. Are you open to having visitors come to your shop. I'm only an hour away from you and I've thought about driving down sometime.  :?:


Heck yeah man come down anytime you want! I'm always willing to talk T/A with anybody.  8)


I'll make it a point to do that! Thanks..... :)