# PROJECT # Trans Am - R.I.P

[F Body]

Ok welcome to project Trans Am.
Here she is a 1977 ( 1st UK reg in 1980 ) Pontiac Trans Am , 400ci auto.





First the good news she comes with loads of history , she has done 90 something thousand miles and had a top end rebuild and recon gearbox just before she was taken off the road.
She has been well undersealed from new and the chassis rails and sills look fine.



So what's the bad news ?
She hasn't been run for over three years , with the last 8 months being stored outside. All the hoses are shot, the choke doesn't work and
the battery has long since died.



The bottom of the front wings have gone and there's plenty of filler around.







Loads of spare parts including the original wheels & headers etc :





So what other problems have I got ?

If and it's a big "if" the engine and gearbox are OK I'm going to put her back on the road , she would make a tidy daily driver

So that's 2nd & 4th Gen F Bodies off the list , now about that 1st Gen

[Incursus]

Sweet thats the style my brother wants

shame he went and had a kid

[55starchief]

I trust it still has its pontiac heart?

Space is available at the barn if needed mate

[F Body]

Quoting: 55starchief

I trust it still has its pontiac heart?

As far as i can tell it's all original , re space in the barn , the problem would still be getting there

[55starchief]

Quoting: F Body

the problem would still be getting there

Hmm from memory chris hired a trailer for about £50

[FUBAR]

Quoting: F Body

the problem would still be getting there

I think Martyn means HIM getting there to work on it, its not exactly convenient from Luton...

[FUBAR]

It does look like a nice car though, definately potential there for a fixer-upper

[Incursus]

Quoting: 55starchief

Quoting: F Body
the problem would still be getting there

Hmm from memory chris hired a trailer for about £50

Indeed i did

A place in leighton (also have a place in Northampton i believe)

[Jamieg285]

Doesn't look too bad.  Certainly looks like the original motor.

Lower wings always go (all have on both mine), but patch panels are cheap and easily available.

I'd also check the floor pans, specifically under the front feet area where it runs from floor to firewall, and under the rear seats.

Did you check the rear frame, specifically where it curves up in front of the axle, and the arms either side of the tank?

I notice there's no seal on the trunk.  What's the floor in there like? Thy're notorious for leaks too, even with the seals.

The other area to check for rust - if possible, is round the front and rear screens. Water can get trapped behind the trim.

[Roadkill]

Looks good, Martyn.

A bit of a surprise, really.  A good one though.

What exactly do you want from this car ?

ie. What do you want it to do ?

[Roadkill]

Also - looking at the engine bay - I reckon I could have fun "trimming off some weight" if you're thinking of dragging her.

[55starchief]

Quoting: Roadkill

Also - looking at the engine bay - I reckon I could have fun "trimming off some weight" if you're thinking of dragging her.

Also if it is a poncho motor its gonna make more TQ than a cheby lump and i can easily get hold of some tune up parts

[Roadkill]

Maybe take that crap out of the trunk . . . that'll make it go faster.

[F Body]

Quoting: Jamieg285

Did you check the rear frame, specifically where it curves up in front of the axle, and the arms either side of the tank?

Looked sound as did the front spring mounts

Quoting: FUBAR

It does look like a nice car though, definately potential there for a fixer-upper

Could be the best £200 I've spent

Anyone know how wide across the wheels she is ?
I've got a 4x4 & car transporter trailer sorted for £20
Which is  63" wide max on the ramps , the aftermarket wheels are mega wide but I can swop them for the originals to reduce the width if needed.

[FUBAR]

Quoting: F Body

Could be the best £200 I've spent  

You could almost use it for a Staples ==> Naples car!!!

[Roadkill]

Quoting: F Body

Could be the best £200 I've spent

You B@st@rd !!!

Worth it for the Lump alone !!

So, do tell . . how did you come across this little gem ?

[55starchief]

Quoting: F Body

Could be the best £200 I've spent

Damn thats a bargain

[FUBAR]

Quoting: 55starchief

Quoting: F Body
Could be the best £200 I've spent

Damn thats a bargain

Hell yeah, there's work to be done but not a massive amount! and you get left with a tidy 2nd gen.
I do like those shaker hoods too

[55starchief]

If it is a poncho 400 block there is easily 500hp accessable without a massive amount of work. All depends on the head numbers, pretty good chance it will have a 'N' crank aswell.

[Incursus]

Sweeeeeet

[Roadkill]

Quoting: F Body

Usual story

Not, it's not a usual story . . . . wish it happened to me more often  . . . .  

Or maybe not . . . .

[F Body]

Quoting: F Body

Anyone know how wide across the wheels she is ?

Exterior
Length 195.601 in | 4968.3 mm.  
Width 74.501 in | 1892.3 mm.  # Still can't find an across the wheel width ?
Height 52.101 in | 1323.4 mm.  
Wheelbase 101.101 in | 2568 mm.

[Jamieg285]

Well I can tell you from experience, the rear arches are the widest part of the car - wider than the mirrors!!

From the pics it looks like the wheels are flush, or possibly even protruding (hence the 'extensions')

If you decide to break rather than restore, I might be interested in a few bits and bobs

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Jamieg285

If you decide to break rather than restore

For £200 I think you'd be daft NOT to have a go at restoring her . . . You've not got much to lose.

[55starchief]

Quoting: Roadkill

For £200 I think you'd be daft NOT to have a go at restoring her . . . You've not got much to lose.

Indeed or sell it to me and i will drag that biatch