1979 Trans Am
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- Опубликовано: 7 ноя 2022
- Despite reduced horsepower and a second “gas crisis”, 1979 Trans Ams outsold every other model year by a fat margin. But was the iconic “Phoenix Rising” / “Thunder Chicken” hood graphic included on all of them? And what’s up with the microscopic 301 V8 engine code on this TA’s VIN? Watch and discover what “D53” and “WS4” mean!
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In 1979 someone bought this car, took it home and showed it off to their wife, parked it away from others cars in the parking lot… and this is how it ends for that beloved car.
You're right. I suppose if it's any consolation it still exists. Some Trans ams will have been recycled as food tins & washing machines 20 times over.
Plus likely had a loan on it, washed it, cleaned it, maintained and enjoyed it. Then as you said, it's come to this.....
I think the same with all the cars. It would be be neat to know those who bought the cars and their story.
ib was born in 79, it seems alot of people ran those cars into the ground
Yup. I think about that all time when I see these.
This guy is a walking encyclopedia on cars. Great job
This guy is unreal ! Really enjoyed his book on the mating habits of the slant 6.
In support for Steve,, get back in good health 👏🏽
Dude is equipped with a caliper in the junkyard! Legend!
I see the WAAF 107.3 VAN in the background. I used to listen to that station back in the late 80s to early 90s. Cool. Thanks for what you do Steve.
Origanal Owner of a 79 redbird. 95, 000 mi. Still looking good for a 43 year old car. Daily driver every summer. Love it.
Now you're talking my language Steve!
I was buying up rusted out and beat up TA's like crazy back in the late 80's to late 90's. They were all over the place in the Northeast.
Not alot of parts available to restore these cars back then, so I parted out many a TA. I still have 8 cars sitting in a storage yard. At one time I had 32! 😳
Love the video 👍
oh they still are everywhere, so many of these things around, I highly recommend you do something with them man, if any are in good enough shape you should go to car shows and see if there are any young guys who would want one
This by far is Steve and Shane's one of their Top 10 Videos! So much info, so much insight, a true Muscle Car summary for a great legendary model! Thanks again guys!!! GREAT WORK!
@ I’m glad you brought up Shane great Camerman. 👍📹📸
As a 40+ year owner of these cars, I like the 1979 to 1981 front end better. Plus the cars were slightly more refined. Nothing against the 1977 or 1978 models (and I like them), but I like these better. As many who know me know, I have an '80 Turbo in Carousel Red that my parents bought new in 1980 and I also have a '79 10th Anniversary 400/4 speed, one of 1,817 made. When I bought the 10th in 1999, it was "collectable" (not like today) and a 20-year-old used car. I am probably the sixth owner of it, but I know every owner it has had. It has only gone 7,000 miles from 1987 until now. The original owner of my car paid over $13,000 for it at the end of 1979/early 1980 and had to "influence" the salesman to find it for him with $500 cash. He bought a 403 car, drove with the dealer from PA to MD to get the 400 car (at Liberty Pontiac in Randallstown, MD) and then went back to Brake Pontiac in Waynesboro, PA to do the paperwork. Liberty Pontiac was at 3636 Brenbrook Drive and Caliber Collision is there now. Brake Pontiac became Lynn Buick-Pontiac (the original owner of my car traded it for a 1987 Grand National which I believe he still owns) and is now Buchanan Chevrolet at 1035 East Main Street in Waynesboro, PA. The original loan for my car (paid off in 1983) was from First National Bank in Waynesboro. As many know, I almost bought a 1981 Nascar Y85 Trans Am last year local to me, but I stuck to my guns on price and the seller sold it for more (I doubled his money. The person that bought that car is upside down already in it, I refuse to be upside down in it).
We'll start with the tag, because with that you can brag: 79 for 1979 model year, 07A for the first week of July 1979 production, 2FS87 for Pontiac Firebird, N for Norwood, OH assembly, 74R for Carmine vinyl standard interior trim, 11U and 11L for White upper and lower exterior paint, L for lacquer paint technology, A51 for bucket seats, CAR for Carmine secondary trim (carpet, package tray, etc.) and WS4 for Trans Am. The WS4 is on the tag because that is an item that concerned Fisher Body on their end of the process.
No, you are correct, the VIN gets you the win: 2 for Pontiac, W for Trans Am, 87 for two door coupe, W for 301 Pontiac V8 with four barrel, RPO code "L37", 9 for 1979 model year, N for Norwood, OH assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Norwood plant closed in August of 1987. Norwood cars used lacquer paint and those at Van Nuys, CA used water-based paint due to the CA air regulations at the time. Van Nuys, CA closed in 1992 and was one of the "Terrible Three" GM plants in California, along with Southgate (closed in 1982) and Fremont (closed in 1982, Tesla occupies part of this property now). Yes, both the automatic and four speed were a possibility on a 1979 Trans Am with a 301 V8. The Olds 403 cars only came with an automatic and the Pontiac 400 cars only with a 4 speed in 1979.
Correct, getting a 301 in 1979 was a credit to the buyer. The standard Trans Am engine was the 403 Oldsmobile V8, VIN code "K", RPO code "L80" and optional (for about $90) was the 400 Pontiac, VIN code "Z" RPO code "L78/W72" engine. All 1979 Pontiac 400 engines were 220 HP (on paper) W72 versions that were stockpiled prior to 1979 for installation in 1979 models. Many have 1977 and 1978 casting dates on parts, as mine does on my 10th Anniversary. Yes, correct, 7,500 10th Anniversary cars, with 1,817 having the 400/4 speed combination and the balance 403 Olds V8 equipped. When you ordered a 10th Anniversary with a 400, you came out "ahead" since you got a credit for cruise control as you could not get cruise with a 400 Pontiac engine in 1979.
That book is wrong---the 301 was available in the Trans Am and yes, you're looking at one in front of you. I have a friend who has one and has owned it since 1982. I kid him all the time about his "parts car". LOL. He's from Boston, so he has that funny accent. When he calls my house, I say, "What's up, Paul Revere. How's the tea party going?" He comes back with some colorful words in reply. LOL.
No, the D53 is ONLY for the hood bird. If you want a good video to watch on that, look up John Schinella at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals. He describes how the D53 came to be and how he fought GM management to get on the option list. In 1980-1981, Turbo cars (like mine) had a "bulge hood" and other engines (the 301 non-turbo and 305) had a shaker hood. No, all 1979 Trans Ams got the shaker hood. If you didn't order D53, you got a shaker with no decal. Mr. Schinella is a legend in the Trans Am world and had a handle in the design of the 10th Anniversary Trans Am. The "Turbo Flow" wheels were made by Appliance Wheel to his specifications and were first seen on the 1979 10th Anniversary and then an option on 1980-1981 cars.
Yes, the 455 VIN code "W" RPO code "L75" made 200 HP because it was straight out of the large car/station wagon parts bin as it were. No, I believe RPO G80 limited slip was optional in 1979, depending on the model, although many cars had it. That center section spoiler is the same GM part #480161 for all 1970 to 1981 Camaro and Firebirds with that type of spoiler. I have an NOS one from Roper Pontiac in Joplin, MO which Hal Roper the owner, supposedly tripped over in the parts department and told Jim Barry, the parts manager, "Get that thing out of there". Back then, I would scout NOS parts and I came across that one and Mr. Barry sold it to me very reasonably. I also have several used ones and side pieces too.
Yikes. (faints) NO. The 403 Olds is a small block V8. It is not an Olds big block. The Pontiac 400 is not a big block. Pontiac did not use small and big block designations. LOL. Au contraire on the Turbo 301. It gets a bad name, but it was right for the times because if you went over to the Blue Oval in 1980-1981, you got a 255 V8 that barely mustered 150 HP in Mustang. At least you got 210 HP in 1980 (200 in 1981) on a Trans Am when optioned correctly.
Hi , G P , heard a rumor a couple a years ago that some of Burt's cremains we're buried in one of the T A's he drove in the movie . They put the urn on the front driver's seat . It's supposed to be here somewhere in Florida . Don't know if it's true or not , but I wouldn't put it past Buddy to request something like that .
@@daynadiggle8169 I'm not sure about that, he did own a ranch in Jupiter, Florida, but he left it around 1999 when he went bankrupt. It's now going to be million dollar homes from what I read. Mr. Reynolds was promised a new Trans Am by the president of GM and then one year they stopped coming. He politely called and was told rather curtly, "That deal was with the old president and he's gone", and the guy hung up on him. Typical GM. I wonder today if that person would have been fired and Mr. Reynolds would have gotten a new one as promised. He did make the Trans Am sell.
Another good role he played was in the "Longest Yard". Look up the car chase scene. Another bunch of Florida natives is in that scene---Saturday Night Special by Lynyrd Skynyrd. One of my favorite bands.
Lots of debate on where small blocks stop and big blocks begin, when we're talking about Pontiacs. For me, I consider everything, from the 400 on down, to be a small block, as those engines all had the smaller crank journals. Big blocks would be the 421/428 and the 455 with their larger journals.
Other folks will note the displacements, and term the 389/400 and everything larger, as a big block.
Were 301 parts not interchangable with the rest of the Pontiac V8 line? If that is the case, the 301 could be a small block, making everything from the 455 down to the old 287, a big block...
I always loved the '77-'78s in black and gold, but now I believe that the '70.5-'73s are my absolute favorite TAs.
@@DanEBoyd Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, call a Pontiac V8 a small or big block. Never was, never will be. LOL. The term "large displacement" is better if you must use those terms. Chevrolet and Oldsmobile used those terms and they are recognized, Pontiac did not. Thou shall not call a Pontiac V8 a big or small block. LOL.
@@DanEBoyd Yes, some parts on the 301 will fit a 400. Depends on the part. Both my 301 and 400 use the same AC Delco 41382 fuel pump. They use the same spark plugs, R45TSX. Other parts were the same. So, they are not small and big block. Anyone in the Pontiac circle never, ever, ever, ever, ever uses those terms when talking about a Pontiac V8.
Hard to believe and sad...this was once a beauty.
I got a big kick out of seeing WAAF on the van in the background at 6:45.
Thanks for another entertaining and knowledgeable video.
Glad you enjoyed it
This car brings back memories... At the age of 15 I rode my homemade Ross chopper bicycle 6 miles down Rt 112 to Lietner Pontiac (Its now Baron Honda) located in Patchogue NY just to look a look at a 1979 10th anniversary TA in the flesh.. The salesman must have took pity on me, as while on the showroom floor he showed me the car like I was a potential customer and actually let me sit in it! I'm 59 years old and can still remember the sight, smell, and feel of sliding behind the wheel of that silver on silver TA. My left hand at 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel and my right hand wrapped around that 4 speed shift knob. Still makes me smile! Those cars today aren't all that special today compared to what is out there today but, in late 78-early 79 those cars were every kids dream! awesome segment on this one Steve!
I remember that dealer. Was the car an automatic (403) or a 4 speed (400)?
@@googleusergp It was a 4 speed for sure so it must have been a 400 car. If you remember the dealer I'm guessing you may have lived in the Patchogue/Medford area. I grew up in Medford and graduated from PMHS in 1981. I moved to NC in 1989 and have been here ever since. I was just back in the Patchogue/Medford area in July of this year... The area sure has changed a lot!
@@jamesviehmann4291 No, but I sometimes have to go out that way for work. I remember many of the dealers back then. Friends of mine lived out that way and we all spoke about that kind of stuff back then. That's one of 1,817 with the 400 and I have one. Funny you say that about NC. My sister lives outside of Charlotte and when I went to visit, we went to the Publix and the deli manager looks at me and says, "You're not from around here". I said, "Neither are you". He said, "I lived in Patchogue". LOL.
@@googleusergp LMAO! That too funny! I've been here 33 years and I still get the 'You aint from around here are ya?" I will say I still proudly have my Looong Guyland accent! I live about 25 miles east of Charlotte in a small town called Midland. Man! It really is a small world! Fantastic that you own one of those rare ponchos! I still have my 1968 AMX 390 4 speed red on red with the factory GO package and magnum 500 wheels that I bought it from a guy in Smithtown in August of 83. I was almost 19 at the time and paid the the ungodly sum of $3000 for it. My friends thought I was F-ing nuts but, almost 40 years later.. I still got it! its guys like us (and Steve) that keep these old dinosaurs from going totally extinct.. and hopefully spark a new generation who will love em when we are gone. 😎
@@jamesviehmann4291 Two guys I know that have a shop have a '68 AMX with a 390 V8. I've been going to them for 30+ years for my state inspections and when they got that car, it was rough. It's not anymore. They also have a 1971 Javelin that they were working on for a customer and now "inherited".
In around 1990, I scored a low mileage 403 from a wrecked '79 Olds station wagon and put it in a '79 Regal. Funnest car I ever owned.
The Regal said 3.8 on the fenders, and as it sat there going blat,blat,blat,blat people would ask"That's a 3.8 V6?", I'd go yup then get in and just murder the tires, I could smoke auto Mustangs and keep up with 5 speeds.
This was my dream car back in the 1980's..
I miss Pontiac!
I'm not a GM guy, but I always liked the way these cars looked. Whenever I see a late 70's Trans AM I think of the movie Sleepwalkers by Steven King.
In 1979 I bought a brand new Trans am. Black, with the gold trim. Looked exactly like the Smokey and the bandit car. T TOPS, etc..man I loved that car! Southern California car, drove it across country 3 times to visit relatives in Wilmington North Carolina, with no issues. By 1986 it had almost 150.000 miles on it. Only thing was it really was all show, no go . Had the 403 6.6 L engine. So much smog crap just did the performance in. It drove great, I didn't really have many problems with it. 1 transmission rebuild, water pump, heater core had to be replaced. 1 AC COMPRESSOR, But it was an awsome looking car, great fun, and would cruise all day at 85 90 no problem. Traded it in on a new 1986 Pontiac Fiero V6 MANUAL, Fully loaded, I totally loved it . pretty quick, Big whale tail rear and the porche looking front end. In red of course. I still have it! 286.000 miles on it, engine never been touched. Breaks my heart to see this poor old girl in this shape. I hope my old TA is still running around, if it stayed in Southern California, and probably did, it may still be on the road. My 58 cadillac that my parents bought in 1960, and 68 Mustang I bought in 1977 are! Almost forgot, in 1994, I bought a NEW Trans am, has the LT1 engine, when I test drove it, it was night and day difference in the Horsepower! This car is a rocket ship compared to the 79. I turned to the salesman riding with me and said I'LL TAKE IT!! Still have it. 338.000 miles on it, it looks nearly brand new, engine has never been touched, even the timing chain is original, still runs great, and will still push you back in the seat when floored! 😊
That's an awesome collection my friend! I had a '77 TA black & gold and i loved it. Had the 403 though. Cheers man!
@@aquateen77723 Thx! The 77s were super sweet!
That's cool man. My father is in possession of a family vehicle that's all original. It's a steam car that's very rare. We actually would bring the total number up 2 more because we have the complete that's a family heirloom and 3/4 of a parts one. I don't think there is about 13 or so known
Man I had a 76 Stingray in the same color, Orange Flame. Really liked that C3. The TA’s were cool. Bummed we could not see inside. Always thought the interior and dash/gauges made the TA’s of this era even cooler.
This one was originally code 11 White. Your 1976 Corvette was code 60 Orange Flame, which 4,073 cars were painted that color for the 1976 model year.
@@googleusergp
This TA was code 11 white? Is that what you are saying? My 76 Stingray had black interior with black vinyl seats. It was a sharp looking car that everyone noticed rather you liked the color or not.
@@elliottbutts153 Yes, this Trans Am was originally code 11 white exterior paint with Carmine red, code 74R standard vinyl interior trim.
@@googleusergp
👍🏻
When I was 20 in1980 my girlfriends dad bought a new triple black Trans Am with a 3 speed Hurst shifter. Man I admired that car !!!!
As a teenager lot boy in the late 70's I got to experience a lot of 2nd and 3rd owner muscle cars first hand. A side benefit was seeing which of these could do the biggest burnout and one of the best was a '76 TA with a 455 4sp...it went a whole block. A close contender was a '72 Eldorado...easily melt the tires. Still surprised that the dealer let us take cars out for lunch...
A lot boy that did burnouts with my cars would have disappeared from the earth.
A lot boy? Washing and detailing cars. Doing burnout's and melting tires... Myth busted Randy. Those cars could only spin the tires on Glare Ice.
@@dand3975 Apparently you never drove any. I had a 76 Oldsmobile Toronado. It was FWD with a 215HP 455 that could lay a patch of rubber almost a block long without doing a brake stand. Just mashing the gas pedal on a flat street and it would erupt the tires. Horsepower has little to do with burnouts or tire frying capability. It is torque. Horsepower is a number contrived of torque over time. Torque is an actual measurement where horsepower is a calculated factor of torque. Malaise era cars were detuned muscle car engines. They dropped the horsepower but the torque of the big cubic inch engines pretty much remained.😊
my dad was one around the same time as you, he took a 71 mach 1 mustang with a 351C 4v home from the lot, he did a huge burnout up his street car was sideways for 60 feet, when he went inside to eat dinner his mom gave him shit for driving like that and he said "its my license" she flipped the dinner plate onto his lap
I bought a 1977 W72 400, WS-6 4 speed Trans Am a few years ago, not fast compared to new performance cars today, but it always makes me smile!
It was about as good as it got in 1977. The 1979 400 was a bit more refined (as well as 1978). Better exhaust and other changes gave it a little more oomph.
I was born 1950 we had all the fun!!!
I ordered a new 1979 WS6 in Cameo White in the fall of 1978. The shaker was part of the Trans Am package and not optional. The WS6 have me the Pontiac 400, Borg Warner T -10 four speed transmission, 3.23 Safety-Track differential with four wheel disc brakes. I ordered the car with Saddle Tan vinyl interior, T-Tops, power windows and locks, power trunk release, rear defogger, map lights, front and rear floor mats, air conditioning, custom seat belts, tilt steering wheel and a console. The Rallye gauges and Formula steering wheel were standard as was the sport mirrors. No bird on the hood. The out the door price was around $8,400.00.
We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon
Steve you need a slim Jim to open up these car doors.
I graduated high school in 1979. One guy in my school had one of these. Gold with the brushed aluminum dashboard. He worked at the grocery store and was the man (in high school)
Chris, either his dad owned the grocery store or the kid was involved in criminal activity. A school student owning a nearly new Trans Am.....
“Peaked in High School” guy………😂
@@dand3975 Not true. Maybe he was a rich kid or his parents cosigned the loan.
My Dad ordered a 79 Trans Am with the 400 4 speed and did not have the bird on the hood. He never liked stickers. Beautiful car, hated when he sold it
loved and miss my 77. Those and 78s were the best years, loved that look.
Many of these guys doing "junkyard crawl" don't even know what they're looking at. You do. Great job, lots of information.
I actually have a red '79 Trans Am parked in my driveway. I bought it from the original owner. It's a early production model that spent the first year of its life in the showroom of a Pontiac dealer in Iowa, before being sold off when the 80's came out. It's nowhere near as fast as my '94 Impala SS, but it's a fun car anyway.
79 to 81 is my favorite body style, its like the body of a 77 with the front of an IROC camaro. Im an S series truck guy but i love these trans ams id love to have one, saving uo for my first truck or car so I'll see what happens lol
Air shocks, 10in wide Cragars, N50x15 Mickeys...late 70's jacked up slugs..gotta love'em..
The leaf springs by that time were probably giving up the ghost and they used air shocks to maintain the ride height.
@@googleusergp Yeah the springs sagged out fast, so did the door hinges.
Great video Steve!! I was born in 1965 so I remember just how bad the smog dog days were to all automakers in the late 70's!! Great styling but pitiful performance. Great work by "Super Shane" also. I truly believe he needs more attention and mention in these comments. After all, there would not be awesome videos like this without his dedication and nifty camera work!!!
Hope to see the Olds next to Trans Am. Good morning to all !
Steve’s classroom has many items in it, or would that be yard ! Thank you. Have a good day !
Got to love it when people born in 1964 and later talk about cars that qere made be before they were old enough to drive. I was born at a start of 1963 have a very deep automotive back ground. I was 16 years old when the 1979 TA came out just old enough to get a but never drove 1979 car new abd I doubt if anyone here born after me did.
Great story Steve. The purple WAAF van in the background was a great memory too.
Man I miss the days when you could pop open a hood and instantly recognize every last thing under it.
I was actually more interested in the cool purple van behind the T/A. That baby looks perfect for a restomod into a classic 70s "Shaggin' Wagon" 😉.
Keep up the good work Steve. I always love watching your very insightful and informative videos.
Thanks for keepin' it real for all us old dudes out there.
The van HAS POTENTIAL!
The numbers built; always a mind blower!
"Yeah, '79 will be the end of the road.
If you want horse power overload.
Ooh, if you like kicks, just take her to the floor
And you red-line shift them gears feel the engine roar on my
Trans Am" - Sammy Hagar "Trans Am"
Mr. Hagar owned a 1979 Trans Am with a 403 with the license plate "IEATZ28". His was a 403 V8 though. In 1979, KMEL in California gave one away at the former Jim Troncatty Pontiac in Corte Madera, CA.
I remember these things from the turbo 301 to the 403,great video thumbs up
I just saw my first 301 turbo car at a car show last week. I never knew it was a thing. It looked weird.
Love the new Clips in the beginning... Nice touch 👍🏼
Found this channel in early spring now the leaves are falling off .Enjoyed every segment hope there are back ups over winter.
'70-73 & 79-'81 were my favorite of all t/a and firebirds
Thank you Steve for doing a video on this my favorite car trans am with t-tops
In fall of 1978, when I was a Junior in high school, two of my teachers bought one of these, both black. One of the two was Mr. Sparks, with whom I competed to get dibs on the new issue of Road and Track every month when it arrived at the school library.
I'm a huge F-Body guy! So happy he did this. Most favor the 77-78 nose. But 1979-1981 is my favorite! I've owned four 1979 F-Bodies. Had two 10th anniversary, had a 301, and had a 350.
The "350" was GOOD, right?
These are my favorite cars, so thanks for this Steve! I had a 79 Formula and then an 80 Esprit. Wish I still had one, I enjoyed both that I had.
Love the magazine info as well! Great video Steve :-)
My uncle bought a 1979 trans am brand new when he got back from Vietnam and he was one of the few who opted for no decals but still have the shaker! Very rare car nowadays
What was he doing in Vietnam in 1979?
@@Bbbuddylol
The Vietnam car stories will live on forever. 🤐
Great video as usual! Great info, Ive had alot of fun with these Good work Steve another stellar effort
This video is close to my heart. Last Monday the wife and I rescued a 79 trans am Y84 car k code. Such a incredible car I have wanted one since I was a kid. Bucket list car for me. Cowl tag 79 06B 2FS87 N 237861 2nd row 62B 19L 19U L 3rd row A51 CC1 A31 Y84 4th row TA2 180608. Needs alot of work no engine or tranny. But will restore this car back to her glory, will take a few years but she will live.
I decoded that car on your channel. You had a few things wrong, but here goes again:
79 for 1979 model year, 06B for the second week of June 1979 production, 2FS87 for Pontiac Firebird, N for Norwood, OH assembly, 62B for Camel Tan cloth interior trim, 19L and 19U are Starlight Black exterior paint, L for lacquer paint, A51 for bucket seats, CC1 for T-tops, A31 for power windows, Y84 for Black SE, and TA2 for tan secondary interior trim. The other numbers are Fisher body time codes/internal codes and have no real meaning for most. Yours is one of 9,874 Black SE cars with a 403 for the 1979 model year.
Your VIN is 2 for Pontiac, W for Trans Am, 87 for two door coupe, K for 403 Olds V8 with four barrel, RPO code "L80", 9 for 1979 model year, N for Norwood, OH and the rest is the production sequence. The Norwood plant closed in August 1987 and the Van Nuys plant closed in 1992. The Norwood plant used lacquer paint and the Van Nuys plant used water-based paint due to CA air regulations at the time. The Norwood cars were better.
@@googleusergp this is incredible brother. I truly appreciate your time and help with this. I think this car deserves to live again. Is there a way to find out the rear gears in this car without pulling the difference cover 🤔
@@rescuedandrestoredgarage Look for the stamping code on the right side axle tube.
@@googleusergp that's going to have to wait alot of snow lol
@@rescuedandrestoredgarage In case you haven't figured out the rear gear ratio yet, there's a code on the front of the passenger side axle tube. There's probably surface rust on the tube, so light sanding should reveal the code. A flashlight and magnifying glass helps a lot. It's a 3 digit code, a number than 2 letters, like 2PU. 2PU happens to be a 2.73 posi, and is from my 79 TA with WS7. So yours could be the same, if your car came with the WS6 or WS7 handing option. WS6 has rear disc brakes. WS7 is the same as WS6, except for having rear drums. The standard ratio on a 79 TA with 403 engine is 2.41, code 2PS. So, if you can see the code, and it's not one of the ones I listed, then post the code here or on Trans Am forum or Facebook group, and somebody will decode it. But there's another way to quickly tell the ratio. Jack up the rear axle so both tires are off the ground. Mark the left tire with a marker or piece of tape at the top of the tire. Also put a mark on the pinion yoke on the rear end, or on the driveshaft. The transmission should be in neutral. Turn the tire forward one complete turn while counting the revolutions of the yoke or driveshaft. The number of turns the yoke or driveshaft makes is the ratio. For example if it turns about 2 3/4 turns, that would be a 2.73. If it turns a little over 3 turns, that's a 3.08. Those would be most likely on your car. Less than 2 1/2 turns is the 2.41. And a little less than 3 1/2 turns would be 3.42. 2 1/2 turns would be 2.56.
In the late 80' I bought a mint 79 10th anniversary TA with only 9K miles on it.I remember the tail lights were blacked out and the dash lit up all in red. I was a cool car Wish I still had it.
Sure did. It's worth good money now. I own one. Was it a 400 or a 403?
If you can get a Herb Adams VSE catalog you will learn a lot about the Firebird/Camaros of that era and which ones were the best. I've lost mine over the years but I do remember he recommended finding any WS Firebird parts and adding those as they were the best GM made with the tightest tolerances. He also sold things like taller heavy duty leaf spring shackles ( I added a pair to my 1981 Z28) for the rear to bring up the sagging rear ends these always developed without going to bouncy air shocks that looked decent but were a big step backwards for handling. ❤
Next should be the olds convertible with the truck cap on top
those were my high school years. I liked the 1970 - 1973 for styling, followed by the 77-78. I never ever saw a 2nd gen TA with a non shaker hood. The 73-74 super duty Formula used a shaker hood, very rare to see one of those
Even with the high volumes produced, these were hard cars to get. My dad tells the story that my parents tried to get one in late 78 and were greeted with a 6mo wait time. Needing a car as much as wanting one, they opted instead for Camaro Berlinetta off the lot that they still have today. Quite the different car, as it was equipped with a 305 2bbl, TH350, and 2.41 rear gear. Not flashy, but turned out to be a reliable car that will see a 3rd generation driving it here in a couple of years.
Steve you inadvertently found the WAAF rock bus! What a blast from the past! I remember seeing it out and about at the events. Small world in the junk yard apparently
Sad that that rock station is now Christian music station! Greg Hill now does sports talk radio mornings on 98.5FM
Steve is the Best,.......a lot of knowledge in that brain !!!,.....Steve is just as excited to review a junkyard car as he is a pristine example.
i always liked walking thru the salvage yard,....but most have discarded the cars we like..... thanx steve for sharing all this information.
A good friend of mine bought a 79 TA brand new he ordered it with the Olds 403, shaker hood, but decal delete. It was black with a tan interior. Great car! Automatic, but would chirp the tires shifting into second gear! Thanks for the great video!
Thanks Steve! I know my 82 base TA had the flat hood, I corrected that problem real quick.. still had the carb engine though over the cross-fire injection, that I had to live with. But I loved the car.
The 1982 TA has a offset hood bulge similar to the 1980 and 81 Trans Am the hood was not flat.
That was another awesome wake up story thank you Steve
I met Steve @Chrysler Carlisle few years back, he is just as you see a car treasure very knowledgeable and personable.
He's the "geeky" friend we all had in HS. In his case, a car geek.
Sure wish there were junk yards like that in Florida. Lots of old gold to go thru.
Love seeing the WAAF rock bus in the background!!! If that bus could talk!
Love the WAAF RV in the background
I was at that car show months back. I saw you there & asked you a question about a Lambo that was inside.
Steve’s the best information & entertainment!
Mr. B. Here ! 1970 I was GI , did see many models the D.I’s I met one guy had Trans Am and the had a Chevey these guys would battle it out !
Very informative I enjoyed the video thank you :)
Bought a brand new Firebird in 1989. Recall I paid around $15,000. Really nice car in black with the T tops, looked great but only had the V6 so struggled to get out of it's own way! Still loved it though.
I had a 1980 Firebird with a 3.8 Litre V6. Not a bad driver, but not a performer . Trans am' s were and always will be the big money Pontiacs!
Years ago (like back in the early 90's) a buddy of mine had a 10th Anniversary T/A. It had sat neglected in his yard for years (IIRC, it had 23k miles on the clock), and the shop I worked at was tasked with getting it running/driving again. Well, after a LOT of work, that 403 4V (Oldsmobile engine, right?) ran perfectly, trans and brakes (yes, it had the four wheel power disc option, as well as the snowflake wheels!) were freshened, then it was off to the body shop for paint (and proper graphics) followed by the upholstery shop for the proper silver interior. Man, that thing was nice! He probably had twice the value of the car into that restoration, but he was on a mission. Would have been so much better if he had just taken care of the damn thing in the first place! LOL! Thanks, Steve. Rock on, man!
Yes, the 403 V8 was an Oldsmobile V8. You could also get a Pontiac 400 in a 10th Anniversary (I have one). The 403 is a dog, but a good engine.
My 1975 Pontiac Grand AM had the pop out nose too. It was even a part of their advertisement when the Grand Am was first introduced.
Yes, but unfortunately for the 73-75 Grand Ams, Pontiac did not have the soft urethane formulation perfected yet. So, the noses hardened, cracked up and broke apart over time, with virtually none of those original noses surviving. Fortunately, a company named Motorealm repros it in fiberglass. I have a 73 GA, and have the fiberglass nose. On the other hand, by 1979, Pontiac got the formula right for the Trans Am, and the 79-81 noses have survived very well to this day.
Another great one in the books. Steve your absolutely right these 70s Trans Am held up on these back rd curves of NC all except 1. A friend of mine owed me some money for legal stuff and I took partial trade on early 70s model TA that had wrapped itself around a pole. I forget what yr but it wasn't the quard headlight body style. The 455 AT was still intact. I had my grandma's mint condition, oil burning Olds Cutlass Cruiser wagon, White with woodgrain and light blue interior. Well you can guess where the 455 TA running gear found a new home at. The smaller wagon left little resistance against the 455 and became a well none "sleeper" in town. Not before I pulled a few $ from the Mustang and Camaro guys. If I could keep it from spinning off the line I'd freight train by any stock muscle of the day. Also probably could of won a few burnout competitions with it. The wagon met its end one night I lined up with a V8 S10. Dude had me off the line as usual and as I began to nose passed he swerved into my lane So I lifted as he passed on by he continued into my lane only to pit himself causing him to flip on his side sliding across the medium into 2 lanes of on coming traffic. A mid 80s suburban T-boned him while sliding. This causing an explosion of empty beer bottles/cans etc. Dude was drunk and I didn't know. I ended in the grass on the left side where the control arm grabbed some sort or concrete iron thing and we came to a sudden stop. Now the tragedy unfolds. So in the back of the wagon were 2-5gl pales of asphalt rejuvenate sealer. They impacted the rear seat and blew open the sealer and it painted the back of everything. Inside the windshield, dashboard, and the back of my head and shoulders. The A-arm was fixable but that light blue leather/vinyl interior was totaled not to mentionthe smell would've been permanently embedded...LOL Namaste 🙏🏼
Interesting looking wheels on that Cutlass next to the T/A
Think those are Buick Grand National wheels!
Great Tip's Thank you
Reminds me of the rich kids in my 1970s high school.
Car makers would have loved the use contoured headlamps, but the NTSB wouldn’t let go of the sealed beam requirement, which fit the aiming tools of the time. Rectangular lights were a big victory over the government at that time.
Think we need to go back to the old sealed beams - and ban all of these modern headlights with their too bright bulbs, and bulbs which aren't too bright, but use an eye-irritating frequency. Halogens lit the road up just about as good as the modern lightz.
in my class 66-70 we had a couple of rich kids too..in 68 one got a new bright orange road runner and the other got a a bright green cuda ...we were not a family of means but i got my moms 4 door 1960 bare bones ford Fairlane with a 223 6 cylinder and 2 speed ford a matic ...the best i was able to was put in a 10 dollar glass pack muffler and a competition rake..
Man those where all over the place in the 70s! Specially after Smoky and the bandit movie came out! Now they’re becoming very collectible and high priced! My brother in law had a 1974 trans am sd-455 with the 4 speed manual transmission! That thing was a beast! Boy I bet he wishes he owns that car again!
🏆Great job Steve 🏆you dug deep 🍀get R done😎✌️
..my favorite car as a little kid had a plastic model
I had a 79 firebird silver exterior & red interior with a red pinstripes. I probably drove through Bernison Mass. I grew up in Stafford CT just below Massachusetts. I miss that old car.
🥝✔️ The TA was the top dog. Nothing else carried the same ring to it or visceral sex appeal.
Gotta bring your Slim Jim to the junkyard. So, you can unlock these treasures!
I made my '81 shaker scoop function, added some micro hole fan belt guard sheet metal with small black hex cap screws . Looked and sounded awesome, never got any water in.
Love the old WAAF van in the background
Good morning Steve. Good class room this morning.
I ordered a new 79 TA with 301 and 4 speed. No chicken on the hood. Never got it because there was a railroad strike. Took a 403 auto instead.
Yes, you skipped the D53 option and that would have left out the hood bird.
Love 70,s trans am👍
Great video! l Have a 77 Firebird. 35 years ago, My friend and I modified that 350 from 173hp to a respectable 390hp. My mono is I only race my own kind. Now days it is getting lonely on the road. Those snot noes kids with their Camaro and Mustangs that are more than 40 years newer technology, I wave them off and say thanks for the compliment :) (A Prius I can`t refuse to pick on since the Chevy Chevette are no where to be found anymore) :P
Great video
Junk Yard Call! Love that.
At 1:14 I Noticed over your shoulder the purple WAAF rock van in the background which was a Worcester Radio Station at 107.3 in the 70’s and 80’s which I have seen before back in the day. Interesting junkyard you are in, lots of amazing cars from the 60’s and 70’s.
Duster was a typical no steer no stop Mopar that was hard to drive at 12 mph and I dam sure wouldnt want to go 120 mph . Trans am should have never been made with such low hp #s what a waste . Depressing Steve but great info thanks . Surprised you didnt talk 10 minutes about the simulated wire wheel hubcaps associated with that rusty wheel . Proof there is a God ! Lol your awsome Steve Thankyou .
These things were very nice. A lady near me had a powder blue one with matching powder blue wheels! Very nice.
Great video Steve! 👍👍💯🇺🇸
Had a '74 Z back in the day when I was painting cars. Took the spoiler off at work to fix weakened/cracked stud mounts in the fiberglass and the day I drove that car home from work sans spoiler was the fastest that car ever went. It just felt *free* without that spoiler on it.
Hood decal:
"T/A 6.6" = Poncho 400
"6.6 Litre" = Olds 403
If I'm not mistaken, all California destined cars were the Olds motor as they had the lowest emissions of all GM V8s.
Although the Olds motor was available elsewhere.
"T/A 4.9" = Poncho 301
hey steve, will we be getting an update on your dodge dart soon?
Had a `78 TA in the early `90`s...6.6L + 4speed w/4.11 gears. Kinda low-geared for my liking but it was quick & cornered like a go-kart. Many folks removed the rear shaker block-off.
Actually had ` 73 Dart Sport a decade earlier too. 360 4sp, 4.10 limited slip, snorkel hood etc
301 was a step dad option Steve. You got a credit on the base price when you selected it. I think it took close to 400.00 off the list price
They NEEDED to DUMP these!
Imagine only 150 horsepower in that 3800 lb car.
I had "318 Lean Burn Mopars that could BURY this PIG! It LOOKED AWESOME, though!@@Shawn-1971
$195 credit for the 301 not $400
The 301 4 bbl was an option as quite a few of them came with the weird 301. It was no tire burner but it got up to speed pretty good on the highway
The W6 had even a bigger front swaybar .
Trans Am front sway bars were all the same, it was the rear bar that was bigger on the WS6 cars.
@@leonmarker7482 the swaybars made all the difference when comparing the Camaro to the Trans Am . It was day and night! Thanks for the details!