Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: logikfive on March 21, 2007, 12:45:27 PM

Title: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on March 21, 2007, 12:45:27 PM: Well here she is as I picked it up on Monday. Originally Mayan Red with gold stripes, WS6, tan lombardy interior. Don't know much else about it yet, as I need to get all the paperwork rolling for it.

Anyway, on to the dirty pictures:

(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1600.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1593.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1597.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1618.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1617.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1553.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1601.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1566.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1574.jpg)

It has alot of surface rust on the undercarriage, but it's incredibly solid.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1567.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1554.jpg)

This is the only proof based on looking at the car that it is really a Macho T/A. I talked to a guy in Utah (who collects them) about it and he verified it, but as I said before I need to get the papers rolling to know for sure.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/1978%20Trans%20Am%20MTA/100_1611.jpg)
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on March 21, 2007, 01:11:01 PM: Looks like a nice solid build.
What indication of a Macho am I overlooking in this last pic?

As bare as it is, it's closer to complete than my '77 SE when I picked it up. ???

Good luck and keep us posted
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: rkellerjr on March 21, 2007, 01:15:55 PM: Did you get a motor and stuff or just the shell?

and I agree with Jeff, what is it in the pic that indicates it might be a macho car?
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: Rick on March 21, 2007, 03:59:44 PM: "Dirty" is right! It looks like it has some real potential, although the gas tank positioning is unique! :-\ :D
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on March 21, 2007, 05:45:01 PM: Ok, here is a picture of a silver with black striping Macho. I know it isn't much, but you can see the secondary color how it is painted up to the ridge in the doorjam. Unless it's some sort of special "custom" paint scheme (which I can't see it being as it only has 2 different layers of paint/primers on it) I take it as being a sign of it being a real car. I understand it isn't 100% a good reason to call it one, and that's why I'm ordering the papers to tell the full story.

(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/52_31.jpg)

That's just how I bought the car, too. I paid a little more than I wanted to, but I couldn't pass it up. The fuel tank is that way for convienient refueling!
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: ta78w72 on March 21, 2007, 06:14:04 PM: You know what really makes my blood boil in looking at your pictures? Other than you have a Macho T/A...I WANT ONE! The hole some idiot cut for the rear antenna. The same guy must have drilled the hole on my car too. That hole is way too big, it should be a quarter of the size. Are you going to fill it and use the windshield antenna?
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on March 21, 2007, 07:42:43 PM: Yes, the hole will be welded up. Honestly, it's the only car I own or have owned that was drilled for a rear antenna, which is odd because alot of them were. So I'm not complaining about one car :) I just hope there aren't holes drilled all over it for dent pullers. ::)

Also, I have 90% of the parts to put it back together just based on the inventory in my garage. The only things I need are one fender (unless I can buy a patch for one that I have that has a minor hole in it) and a radiator support. Everything else I have.
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: rkellerjr on March 21, 2007, 08:22:00 PM: Quote from: logikfive on March 21, 2007, 07:42:43 PM
Also, I have 90% of the parts to put it back together just based on the inventory in my garage. The only things I need are one fender (unless I can buy a patch for one that I have that has a minor hole in it) and a radiator support. Everything else I have.

That's amazing!
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: Gold78Spc on March 22, 2007, 06:27:06 AM: So what paperwork can you order that will verify it? I know PHS would be pretty much useless, so are there papers you can order from DKM?
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on March 22, 2007, 07:30:23 AM: Quote from: Gold78Spc on March 22, 2007, 06:27:06 AM
So what paperwork can you order that will verify it? I know PHS would be pretty much useless, so are there papers you can order from DKM?

Actually, PHS papers would be useful. Since all Macho T/A's were shipped to Mecham Pontiac in Glendale, AZ, it will show on the PHS papers.
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: eroc022 on March 22, 2007, 12:50:50 PM: that car looks like it ran into a gay parade of colors and came out with all open holes !!!!!!
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: milly on March 23, 2007, 01:06:56 AM: I don't know if this will help or not, but some Macho T/A's that got the sound system upgrade were also equiped with a power antenna located on one of the rear quarter panels. I've seen them on the left quarter panel. I assume that the center console is gone?? There was a DKM data plate located on the consoles too.

The Macho T/A's are some of my favorite custom/tuner T/A's. I wish you good luck with this project. Please keep us posted as you restore it. :)
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on March 23, 2007, 12:21:55 PM: Yeah, the only two easily identifyable interior peices are missing (data plate and the steering wheel emblem) But I guess someone makes them, so they shouldn't be too hard to get.
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on March 25, 2007, 08:22:21 PM: I'm surprised nobody noticed the front swaybar was installed upside down. ::) I just took a look at it today and noticed it was rubbing on the frame, so I double checked to compare with my '80 and I noticed that the '80 is mounted the other way. ::)

Oh well I guess, it's gonna be coming off anyway.
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: logikfive on April 08, 2007, 06:51:18 PM: Happened to pick up (well ok, neighbor dropped it off!) one of the last peices I need to complete the exterior of this car. :D a rust free passenger side fender, I have several already but none that are rust free. This one has 2 pretty nasty looking dents on the top, but I think with a little TLC they can be popped and smoothed.

Can't beat the price, free!

(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/100_1799.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w119/logikfive/100_1801.jpg)
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: folzinal on April 10, 2007, 08:46:27 PM: Not only free, but delivered too... what's your secret? BTW, nice project! I have always liked these too.
Title: Re: My next project (once my '76 is done) '78 Macho T/A
Post by: RENOVATIONS on April 10, 2007, 08:55:06 PM: Yeah, no kidding :o FREE usually gets "free" ~~level of quality~~ :D...that fender looks great