TAC Tech => Exterior => Topic started by: Oldsschool79 on February 10, 2024, 09:32:42 AM
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I have a '79 TA when I restored the car it was missing the front center spoiler but the wheel flares were good. I reused them after stripping and painting. I was going to order the center spoiler but noticed in the photos for replacements it almost looks like my car may have had '78 flares installed. Photos show the '79 - 81 flares with a bevel and the 78 is cut even under the radiator support. Has anyone ever run into this? I could use a good accurate photo of the 78 Vs. 79 flares. Thanks again for the help
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1978 first pic
1979 second pic
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Thank you! No doubt I have the 78' on my 79' . Guess I will be buying the complete kit.
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Good luck, I haven't found a good aftermarket flare that fits good. I ended up finding an original set that fit. But even my originals wouldn't fit right.
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Good pics
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Anyone ever put a 78' spoiler on the 79' ? I am figuring it will not go with the nose design.
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I don't recall seeing that. I've seen a few 79s on 78s when folks did front end swaps.
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I suppose the 78 front spoiler will fit on a 79 its the same structure underneath. I think the 78 is a large pan type spoiler that encloses the bottom of the bumper between the front and the core support. The 79 is a bit less in width not so much as much of a 'pan'.
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I don’t believe the center spoiler of a 78 will fit 79-81 actually. Luke would probably know better than be and I sold my spare 79 spoiler I had but I have a 79-81 nose and crash bar which are both different than the 77/78 nose/crash bar and I’m pretty sure the 79-81 center spoiler attaches to the crash bar whereas my 77 does not. It has tabs that stick out and go into spots in the bottom of the bumper cover. So, I could be wrong but I don’t think it will work.
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I think Brian is right. I don't see a way to used the 77/78 center section unless you chopped the heck out of it. You'd then have to figure out how to hang it in the middle.
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Just a few quick comparison pics since I saw a pic that may be of interest, TA's aren't my specialty! I'm simply posting pics you are already familiar with, but I had them saved.
Here's a low mileage 78 front skirt spoiler:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53540815756_04a9efed9e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pzdFc3)Low mileage original 78 TA nosecone front spoiler and radiator support baffle (https://flic.kr/p/2pzdFc3) by Aus78Formula (https://www.flickr.com/photos/53057445@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53540994308_cb58dab145_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pzeAgw)Low mileage original 78 TA nosecone front spoiler and radiator support baffle 3 (https://flic.kr/p/2pzeAgw) by Aus78Formula (https://www.flickr.com/photos/53057445@N08/), on Flickr
Here's a 79 TA front. Note that both models still use the AC radiator baffle strip.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53541140329_62c59ce94a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pzfkF8)79TA 301 with air deflector and spoiler (https://flic.kr/p/2pzfkF8) by Aus78Formula (https://www.flickr.com/photos/53057445@N08/), on Flickr
And here's what I have saved as a 78 TA with 78 TA flares but 79-81 front spoiler:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53540994298_97fb56ebfa_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pzeAgm)78 Trans Am and flares with wrong 79-81 front spoiler (https://flic.kr/p/2pzeAgm) by Aus78Formula (https://www.flickr.com/photos/53057445@N08/), on Flickr
Now to find a used 78 TA spoiler, trim the rasied lip off and fit to my Formula, or not.
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The photos helped. I don't think there is any way of using a '78 center. I plan on purchasing an OER three piece set and painting. Fortunately the '79 style will cover more area of the fender to hide any scuffs that may have started. I thank everyone for the help! Now lets hope for some good weather to get this ride back out.