Topic: 1979 Y84 S.E. Trans Am Restoration

[Nick623]

I have a thread over at TAC but I figured I would start one here as well, I picked this Y84 up locally mid-June. It was a COMPLETE, all original ONE owner car. I spent all my graduation gift-money on the purchase of this car which was only $900. I stole it. I had a friend tow it back home for me.This is turning into a real money pit, FAST. I'm going to get this completed no matter what though. Here's the pics of where it was sitting, slowly rotting away since early 90's until a few weeks ago when I picked this up.

Resting after it's last flight early 90's












It was in a sad shape, a car couldnt be any more dirty and greasy.

[Nick623]

When I got it home, I begun tearing the interior down the first, I got basically the entire interior out in a few hours  All 4 snowflakes were included with the car but two was off and was replaced with cheap wheels.











I found a build sheet tucked behind the rear seat! It was near mint.

[Nick623]

With a car that has been sitting for around 15 years, gutting the interior can only reveal rust. 









Rust in the engine and pics of partial tear down of engine compartment

[Nick623]

I am not one of the over-spray purists but I like correct. There was no correct door panel emblems for sale, all of the re-pro's I could find had chrome circling them, not correct. I'm going to find NOS ones but for now, I decided to try to restore it, and it looks pretty good!









Progress.

[UnderDog403]

dude dont worry bout the rust. for 900 dollars? YOU STOLE IT

[4SPEED]

dude if that's all the rust my car had, that would of been sweet. very nice job on the price. and props on finding the build sheet. 2 thumbs up.  I'm up to 8k spent on my 79. but in the end , well worth it. very nice find.    

[firebird79_00]

yea same here 3000 dollar car $5000 invested

[4speed76]

Nice project. Sweet price.  Keep us updated.

[Nick623]

I am not complaining about the rust but of course, it'd be nice if there was none. I'm mostly concerned about the rust on the cowl. I am seriously considering a frame off resto if I could find a rotisseire for cheap.





Progress

[4speed76]

looks like you have your hands full there.  Just take your time and try not to get overwhelmed.

[kentuckyyeti]

I am not complaining about the rust but of course, it'd be nice if there was none. I'm mostly concerned about the rust on the cowl. I am seriously considering a frame off resto if I could find a rotisseire for cheap.

If buying a $800 rotisserie holds you back, you really don't want to do a frame-off.  That is barely the proverbial drop in a bucket for a frame-off resto.

[Nick623]

You're right but $800 is a batch of a few good parts. I wouldn't aim for concours but I hate the idea of spending thousands of bucks into this only to finish up knowing that the underside isn't exactly presentable. New brake lines, shocks, and leaf springs along with a restored rear axle and a good cleaning should do the job though.

[kentuckyyeti]

Someone once posted pics where they had built theirs and it was pretty cheap.  I don't have the welding skills to do that though.

[Jolley_Man666]

Thats a BIG project but you got a good deal on it, I wouldn't do an off the frame resto, it's only gonna make you want to spend more money when you get the frame off and see the effect of the car being outside for so long.  And is there a rainbow on the rear window?

[Nick623]

Yes there's a rainbow   theres a little rainbow on the rear view mirror too and I found another unused rainbow sticker in the center console.

My uncle was like lol, remember in the 70's rainbow was peace but now it means something else.  

The orig owner was a lady too