TAC Spotlight => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: d_hache on June 01, 2021, 11:14:14 AM
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Well things are moving slowly but surly on my 1980 Trans Am restoration project.
I am doing as much work as I can myself to save some $'s before going to the body shop.
Work like dismantling, sanding, scraping, bagging and tagging.
I bought this car 3 years ago and although it had a really nice paint job I had the suspicion there was allot of patching done.
My suspicions are now proven and I also found some unexpected surprises.
However I am still somewhat happy since there are allot of parts on the car that are solid.
Good: Doors, Rockers, floor 90%, frame rails, Rear quarters, front fenders, hood are all really nice.
Bad: T TOP channels, front window pillars (not sur that is the right word) , Top firewall, rear valance
Anyway thought you guys might enjoy seeing some pictures.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hr34jY6d/IMG-0388.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Hr34jY6d)
(https://i.postimg.cc/7C612FR7/IMG-0389.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7C612FR7)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KKHPr9XW/IMG-0390.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KKHPr9XW)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RNLwbC5K/IMG-0541.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RNLwbC5K)
(https://i.postimg.cc/s1SY79Tn/IMG-0542.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/s1SY79Tn)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rKkSJ0bq/IMG-0543.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKkSJ0bq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/kRrWLBgF/IMG-0544.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kRrWLBgF)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8fhLGNF8/IMG-0545.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8fhLGNF8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xk28rMvd/EHNG8313.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xk28rMvd)
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Enjoyed the pictures. You really have everything clean and organized! Did you blast those parts? Motor is looking spiffy; what size is it?
Look forward to your progress.
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I like to keep everything organized yes :) My brain is week so if I don't keep things in order I will loose everything lol.
But yes most of the parts were sandblasted and Zinc coated and then black paint.
The larger pieces were done by a friend that has a massive sandblasting setup and the smaller pieces were done at home with a hand held sandblasting gun.
The motor is a Pontiac 400 out of a 73 Grand Prix. I really lucked out with that one.
I got it for 400$ Canadian. The seller told me it was a really low miles car but I was skeptical.
When I brought it to the machine shop to have it re-build they said it was defiantly a low miles motor.
I kept it mostly stock minus a higher cam.
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That 400's going to be a blast!
My dad had one in his '77. I was fortunate to get to drive it a bit before something blew up and he ended up with a different engine...I don't recall what that second engine was.
Looking forward to seeing your progress. Good luck!
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Yes, it should be a fun motor but allot to do before I get there.
It's really unbelievable what you find when you bring a 40 year old car to bare metal.
Before I started to strip off the paint my friends were telling me that I was crazy, they told me the car looked bran new.
I knew I was going to find some patch work but I found more than I expected. :sad:
But i am determined to save this Trans Am and make it better than new.
I am doing allot of work myself to save some $'s and i am learning allot about these cars.
Before i knew them on paper, but now i really know them.
Now i know how things go together and where the weak points are.
I am really taking this on with a positive attitude and looking forward to the end result whenever that will me :)
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Nice nothing like seeing pics of a 400.