10 years ago…

[737driver]

Ten years ago I bought my first TransAm. It was a 79 400/ 4 speed that was in pretty good shape for the most part. I bought it from the original owner , who purchased the car in late February 1979 in Hamtramck, Michigan. He moved to California 3 months later so the car spent most of its life in Southern California. Being a 4 speed/400 car it was not legal for sale in California due to the emission laws at that time, however because it was not originally purchased in California it could be re titled in California.

I bought the car in Palm Springs, California and drove it back to Las Vegas. It was about a 5 hour drive and the drove quite well. Mechanically the car was in pretty decent shape. Cosmetically it was fair but no rust or bad body issues.

It took me about 18 months to do the restoration work and it was a great experience. It was my first attempt on a full restoration. Shortly after buying it I joined TAC , and I can say TAC was the most valuable asset during the restoration.

I still own this car and I will most likely keep this car for as long as possible. It is by far one of my most favorite cars ever.

Jim

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/82F966A7-699C-4736-9B85-93648B86A6B4.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/3C82561F-13A8-45E7-862C-E10C6C54B371.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/7A4E1FB4-40C8-4F31-8686-730CA2EEC902.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/944FB610-3B98-4639-A5A8-83B89B983D06.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/AC4D3CC4-4029-4D3F-A840-C7B394279C90.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/1394C08B-3AE9-4DF2-B544-4F7220BB7E46.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/09E2AF67-625F-4114-AAA9-8CF0AEEEAF65.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

[FormTA]

Thanks for sharing! Brown looks so good when it's shiny.  Great looking car!

[roadking77]

Jim so good to hear from you. Time flies when youre having fun (pardon the pun). I saw a dark red Mazda last week in a parking lot and my first thought was your firebird that was painted that colour. How are your current projects coming along?

[ryeguy2006a]

Beautiful car! I've been seeing some of my own 10 year photos and I was LS swapping my 76 at that time. Sometimes I still wished I had that car.

[kentucky yeti]

A car to be proud of!  So beautiful!  And we are glad you found TAC when you got your sweet ride!

[hakitup]

One of my favorite cars on TAC

Tom H

[Jack]

I love that last pic, thanks for sharing. Would also love to see your other Firebirds.

[stros]

Very cool, I didn't realize your story was so similar to mine.  Bought mine almost 10 years ago as well (September 2013), and also found a 400 Trans Am in California.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), that 400 engine kicked the bucket and got replaced with the LS3.  First and likely last restoration I'll ever do 

[5th T/A]

Jim, I have to agree with others, the last picture really shows off the paint job. This project happened long before I was a TAC member, so this is my first time seeing this car, avatar doesn't count.  Also, I truly enjoyed watching the high quality build on your 1972. Great to see you posting again.

[tajoe]

400, 4 spd, The last of the good ones. Flying with the "Wings of Man". 

[737driver]

Thanks for all the replies-
I had a pretty good thread on the build but it was lost during the TAC crash.one of the best parts of that build was the TAC forums , it was not just the info and wealth of knowledge from the membership, but the positive support from everyone.

As for current projects I am working on a 68 Lemans convertible. I sold my 72 Lemans convertible about 18 months ago. I really missed that car, and found a 68 back in October. The body and interior was really in great shape, but I did quite a bit mechanically to it. I had to replace a rear main seal and that was the first time I did that. Also did a few upgrades I post in the project section.

Jim

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/C15AFB16-9E48-4BF1-A8FD-D08E62DA7F9A.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/r721/jc73driver/4DB69B0A-27E2-40F8-B30E-70801659A5A3.jpeg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

[Wallington]

10 years ago I pulled my car out of the paintshop, and it has sat since.

[roadking77]

I can believe you sold the 72, but a 68 is just as nice. What became of the 77 trans am you had?

[jonathonar89]

This was a great build.  I remember following it for a bit there.

[rkellerjr]

That car is stunning, like John, I remember watching that build as well.

[79GoldnTan]

Truly a fine example of a 79. I member following along as well and got a lot of motivation to get mine done