72 TA : New Project

**njsteve** · #1 11-20-2004, 09:46 PM

After hunting for a while I finally found a nice project car for the next year or so: and actually found it on eBay! It ended up being an hour from my house so I went to get a look at the car and we struck a deal right there. It's a 72 Trans AM 455 HO four speed with a/c. One of 458 stick cars. It still has its original engine and trans (havent found the rear dif code yet but it looks original) Originally came from Reliable Pontiac in Roseville, CA. I did a google search and they are still in business! I called them and spoke with a very nice lady in the parts department who is sending me a bunch of complimentary license frames and stickers. She doubted any old docs exist as the dealer moved around in the past 32 years but she took down my VIN just in case. The car has 114,000 but the sheetmetal is amazing. The only rust I've found is a small 3" section in the pass quarter, some soft areas in the trunk center section and a couple small spots in the rad support where batt acid did it's thing. Everything else is amazing. You wipe off the grime and there's bright red primer under everything. The original front fenders are perfect. There is a bunch of bondo in the doors and one rear quarter from parking lot damage and the paint is cracking all over, but nothing a good stripping won't handle. The seller had to get rid of his three Pontiacs on wifes orders. He still has a 71 GTO 455 HO 4 speed car and a 71 Formula 455 auto car he's looking to sell Both are original engine cars. This car recently had a carb fire that must have been a doozy: From what I can surmise the car backfired and caught fire in his garage, he was faced with the choice of trying to put it out and risk the house burning down, or pushing it outside and putting it out, out there. The time spent getting it out took its toll.

**njsteve** · #2 11-20-2004, 09:47 PM

Here's the rear 3/4 shot

**njsteve** · #3 11-20-2004, 09:48 PM

engine shot. The shaker was damaged in his haste in trying to get the fire out. I also think he ended up backing the car over the edge: look at the front snorkle.

**njsteve** · #4 11-20-2004, 09:51 PM

Check out the Shroud of Torchin. There must have been a two foot long flame coming out of that snorkle to melt the shroud in that spot.

**njsteve** · #5 11-20-2004, 09:55 PM

Oh and even though the engine was "totally rebuilt" by the previous owner before the seller had it, I think I will take it all apart anyway. Tell me what's wrong with these two plugs............ one peanut plug and one large plug and neither was tight!. I checked all the plugs and none were tight. There were four different brands and sizes. Thankfully all the threads are OK in the heads. The car actually ran when I took it for a short test drive.

**njsteve** · #6 11-20-2004, 09:58 PM

The carb fire melted all the wiring in the engine compartment. There is a lot of visible copper showing. But the car still starts and runs. I guess you cant kill a Pontiac with fire. You gotta drive a stake through its heart or a silver bullet or something

yellowjudge · #7 11-21-2004, 07:47 PM

Sds good.Luckily your car's bdy sound. I think the 455 HO is a great car! I have 2 71s. my 1 is a 1 owner 4spd. non a/c, console! 52 k miles, still has orig belts & hoses.It's a great street mtr. I think these cars should go up in value.

**njsteve** · #8 11-21-2004, 10:23 PM

I've been looking for one for a few months now and just in that time period the prices have gone from 10K to 20K for a nice restorable car. I picked this one up for a number in between those two and after really checking out the body on this car I think that was a major score. Not having to pay for the extensive amount of rust repair and panel replacement is a major bonus.

**drdave69** · #9 11-22-2004, 12:51 AM

Great car. Restore it and enjoy.
I had a '74 T/A with the 455/Auto and 3:42 posi many years ago. That car was SCARY fast. I have no idea how I survived driving that car.

**DaveC68** · #10 11-22-2004, 02:11 AM

Great looking car!
I just don't see how you could part with your pace car though?(my personal dream car)
...hoping you got the T/A for such a good deal that you can hold on to the pace car too.

Is the black interior common...of the few early T/A's I've seen most had either a bright blue or white interior.
just wondering?

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