Topic: 1967-1981 post your pontiac t/a firebird here we want to see them in and out

[RainMan]

 TinIndian , you did one heck of a  job on your restoration . I gotta say I like the looks of white T/A's.
Are you a painter by trade?

[1tinindian]

Thanks Rain Man.
I have been painting since 1984.

Trained in the USAF, painted jets for 4 years,
Worked as a painter for Caterpillar for 8 years
And several bodyshop in between.

After seeing so many, so called "Show car" paint jobs at shows that looked like crap
I decided I would never be happy with someone elses paint work on my own cars.

So now, if it turns out looking like crap, I have no one to blame but myself.

It's funny that you have the color of car that I was very close to using on mine,
but I reconcidered and keep the original Cameo white color.

[Nexus]

Yup...that's a sharp looking car

[transam dave]

RE: 1tinindian good you kept it the true color,resale value just went up.

[RainMan]

Thanks Rain Man.
I have been painting since 1984.

Trained in the USAF, painted jets for 4 years,
Worked as a painter for Caterpillar for 8 years
And several bodyshop in between.

After seeing so many, so called "Show car" paint jobs at shows that looked like crap
I decided I would never be happy with someone elses paint work on my own cars.

So now, if it turns out looking like crap, I have no one to blame but myself.

It's fun that you have the color of car that I was very close to using on mine,
but I reconcidered and keep the original Camoe white color.

I sure wish I had your skills . To me it kinda sucks to hand over  4 to 5G  to get a car painted ,when a person could do it himself if he had the skill .And theres no feeling of accomplishment handing it over to someone else  . I really don't trust anyone touching the Marty either.
 I dabbled a bit on my GMC shorty ,and it made me realize just how hard it really is . I really suck at sanding bondo to ,always remove to much.
The nice thing going for you is , you can take your time and do 10 times the job that any shop would end up doing ,and then you know what you have in the end also ,like no unneccesary bondo .
Thats quite an interesting career you had
So did they take you up for a ride once at least?

[1tinindian]

Nope, I never got the chance to fly.

And you're right, I know what I have, and how well it was done.

My goal was to repaint it to the point where there were no signs of it being a repaint (ie, tape lines, overspray).
The only thing I did over what the factory did, was to make sure I had coverage on all the parts. The insides of the fenders, under the rocker panels, bottom side of the hood were all painted the same amount as the outside of the car was, and I did this more for corrosion protection than for just the looks of it.

Thanks for the kind words guys!

I'd love to do another one, just a 4 speed next time!

[RainMan]

Nope, I never got the chance to fly.

And you're right, I know what I have, and how well it was done.

My goal was to repaint it to the point where there were no signs of it being a repaint (ie, tape lines, overspray).
The only thing I did over what the factory did, was to make sure I had coverage on all the parts. The insides of the fenders, under the rocker panels, bottom side of the hood were all painted the same amount as the outside of the car was, and I did this more for corrosion protection than for just the looks of it.

Thanks for the kind words guys!

I'd love to do another one, just a 4 speed next time!

I had a 4 speed 81 Z28 ,and what a differance it made . The car takes on a whole differant personality imo . Someday I hope to be able to find and afford a 4 speed T/A. I like  78  and 79 T/A's ,both awesome years

[transam dave]

RE: RainMan I bought a 1980 transam with a 327 chevy motor,it had a stick shift in it. I loved to drive that transam.

[transam dave]

WELCOME new people to 78 ta .com.

[transam dave]

When you post your pics it helps others as well.

[transam dave]

TinIndian , you did one heck of a  job on your restoration . I gotta say I like the looks of white T/A's.
Are you a painter by trade?

WOW this is a great rest project,thanks fo posting your pride and joy transam dave of the florida transams.

[4SPEED]

very nice work  , and a good color choice.   

[transam dave]

VERY nice work for sure.I wish all the transams/firebirds looked this great .keep em on the road keep the spirit alive.

[Trans Am Dude]

My 78 in progress, maybe it'll be done this year. I hope!!

[transam dave]

THIS is a great trans am to start your many happy trails.I had one the wife was being a pain in the rear and made me sell it pics here.http://www.78ta.com/smf/index.php?topic=18895.0 I really wanted this transam it was a complete trans am and very good price,sold sold sold,