Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: Porter on September 26, 2008, 08:20:05 PM

Title: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 26, 2008, 08:20:05 PM
Hey guys, thought I'd post some pictures of my project.  I've been reading some of the other posts and find them great.  I bought the car when I was in University 3 years ago and haven't really had a chance to work on it until this summer.  It's coming slowly... but I'm trying to do it right.  I pretty much tore out the whole interior and welded in some patches in the floor pan.  I'm having trouble attaching pictures because they are so large.  Any good free programs to shrink the file size?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 26, 2008, 08:21:51 PM
Welcome  ;D

This should help you out...just set up an account at a photo hosting site, like www.photobucket.com , and load your pix there. You can then post the IMG code of the pic into your post here...any questions, just ask
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Rick on September 26, 2008, 08:33:54 PM
Welcome to 78TA.com!  We're looking forward to pics now! :) :) ;)
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 26, 2008, 08:34:52 PM
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/100_1022.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/100_1024.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/100_1968.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/100_1973.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/100_1974.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/100_1987.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/Dash_03.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/car_2.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/craigporter13/scan0004.jpg)
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 26, 2008, 08:35:25 PM
Thanks 79WS6Resto, that worked great!!
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 26, 2008, 09:05:29 PM
No problem...happy to help ;D
Looks like you're making some progress..how deep into the restoration process do you plan to go?

Is this a Y88 (gold special edition) by chance?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Rick on September 26, 2008, 11:46:43 PM
Is this a Y88 (gold special edition) by chance?

That was my question.  It looks like a solid project.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 26, 2008, 11:48:23 PM
Too bad...it's my question  :P  :D

You can have the answer though  ;D
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 27, 2008, 12:16:23 PM
I don't think so.  I should be able to tell by the V.I.N. though right.  I'll check again.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RRR76TA on September 27, 2008, 03:35:13 PM
Looks good ,nice work
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 27, 2008, 06:34:42 PM
I don't think so.  I should be able to tell by the V.I.N. though right.  I'll check again.

The VIN won't tell you...though "sometimes" the code (Y88) is stamped on the cowl tag (not always though).
The best way to know for sure is to look at your buildsheet if you have it or order the PHS documents for the car.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: eroc022 on September 27, 2008, 08:18:15 PM
how does the dash look like that but yet the floors are amazing?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 27, 2008, 11:44:12 PM
The Dash is like that because the guy I bought it off of had everything covered in a "velvet" material.  It looked ridiculous.  Unfortunatly when I took it of, it wasn't a pretty picture underneath.  Kind of pissed off about it, but I'll try to clean it up and put a dash cap on it or something.  I'm changing the interior to black anyway.  The floor wasn't to bad.  Had to replace a couple pieces, just finished putting etching primer on it today.  I took the one of the front fenders off today as well.  What a hassle!!  But I got it, have to cut out some rust there as well (Being in Canada, you get a lot of rust!!).
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 28, 2008, 01:38:00 AM
How do you order the phs sheets?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on September 28, 2008, 01:41:39 AM
Never mind, I got it.  $60.00 though!  Is it worth it?  Would be kind of cool I guess.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 28, 2008, 01:57:00 AM
It's pretty good info IMO...gives you a list of all the details on your car and the original options it came with.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Rick on September 28, 2008, 09:58:25 AM
Some people don't think it's worth it.  Of course, some people also don't check their oil unless the engine's making noise and if their tires will roll they don't check the air pressure in them either.  If I care anything about the car I'd want to know as much about it as I could, and PHS is the best way to learn what your car was when it was built.  It's got information that wasn't on the build sheet (assuming you find one) and it's correct because it comes from Pontiac's records.  I ran it on my car and don't begrudge them the money at all.  Of course, I also check my oil and tire pressures regularly too. ;)
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on October 03, 2008, 12:16:21 PM
79WS6Resto, it turns out it is not a Y88.  I looked at the cowl tag and didn't see the 'Y88' anywhere.  Which is weird because I read Hitman's write up on the Y88 Gold special edition and my car has most of those traits (Solar Gold exterior, Black tail lamp housing, and black windshield and backlite moldings, Gold glass in Fisher hatches (CC1) with black molding, Interior trim restricted to base or custom camel tan vinyl or cloth, Formula steering wheel in camel tan with gold spokes).  So I don't know.  If it was a Y88 I would have felt bad changing the interior and exterior to black because that's my plan.  Thanks for all of the help guys!!
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: pat on October 03, 2008, 01:11:19 PM
did you ger the phs papers?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Porter on October 03, 2008, 01:33:18 PM
No, I haven't ordered them yet.  On the to-do list.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on October 03, 2008, 03:14:15 PM
The fact that "Y88" isn't stamped on the cowl tag doesn't necessarily rule out the option...PHS will confirm what it is for sure ;)
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Swift on October 05, 2008, 08:54:29 PM
yea, dont dismiss it yet. Mine has the correct phs documentation but it is not stamped on the cowl tag either. The fact that you have the gold ttops, makes it sound likely that its a y88.
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: pat on October 06, 2008, 11:01:37 AM
you may also have a build sheet on the gas tank or behind the back seat if they havent ben removed yet
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: Justin on January 14, 2009, 11:14:00 AM
  Just wanted to say one thing about your floor pans... I've found from working at a custom bodyshop and you really need to make sure you Seam Seal all your edges inside the car on the new floor pan and under it. We seam seal every line on the car  where metal was welded together when we soda blast them...it helps the car last longer rust free.....they used some when the cars where built but not in all the right areas and these days the seam sealer even has a rust inhibiter in it...You may already know that..
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: T/A Tommy on January 14, 2009, 03:39:38 PM
Looks like you got some nice gold T Tops and a gold steering wheel. I think it might be a Y88. Did you chose to do the PHS?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: rad400 on January 14, 2009, 06:14:24 PM
I think it's a y88 did you get the PHS papers yet?
Title: Re: '78 T/A
Post by: y88rick on January 14, 2009, 06:46:23 PM
i think you'd be suprised there are tell tales of your car being a y88 unless someone put that stuff on there. if it is, i'd be carefull to what you do to it but then again its your car and who am i to tell you what to do with it. nice car.