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New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I’m just starting a frame off project on a 69 Trans Am Ram Air III and thought some may be interested in seeing a few pictures. Not much to see yet but it's a super solid all original survivor. The body panels and floors are all in excellent condition with only minor surface rust. All original drive train. PHS docs. Same owner for the past 30 years. It's been sitting in his garage for the 15 years. Should be a fun car to restore.
http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%2...0305121123.jpg http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%2...305121125b.jpg |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
That is awesome. Personally I love it & would show it just the way it is. I would also have it certified by Steve Shauger & the Vintage certification Association before tearing it down for a full resto. Great find !
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Whoa, there's not many left in original untouched condition like that. That TA would steal the show everywhere it went... Nice find!!
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: owners2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is awesome. Personally I love it & would show it just the way it is. I would also have it certified by Steve Shauger & the Vintage certification Association before tearing it down for a full resto. Great find ! </div></div>
Ditto! Dan |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78M22Rag</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Whoa, there's not many left in original untouched condition like that. That TA would steal the show everywhere it went... Nice find!! </div></div>
X2! Dan |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
good luck looks like a great project
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Very Nice~!
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Thanks for the comments. The TA belongs to a customer and he has wanted to restore it for a long time. I'm a big fan of survivor cars but It may be a little too far gone to pass as a survivor....maybe not but it's not my call. Survivor cars are kind of like green cars. Everybody loves them until it's time to put the $$ down on one and then the love seams to fade. Here are a few more pictures of it in his garage.
http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/1.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/2.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/3.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/4.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/5.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/6.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/7.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/8.JPG http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%20Trans%20Am/9.JPG |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I think you called it. Restore that poor neglected thing. You will do a great job! Document with photos and share if you are able. Can't wait to see the finished result.
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Very cool! 4-speed no console car. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]
Some excellent, original parts appear to be still on the car. The Formula steering wheel, with the rare down wings Bird emblem, appears to be the original radio in an uncut dash, rare stacked gauges and in-dash tach, and under the hood I see the original power steering cooler line, and an open-faced alternator. Looks like it had an alarm system, or an "ahhh-ooo-gah" horn, can't tell which. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] Would love to see the invoice on the car. It appears the only thing added by the owner were the Ram Air stickers on the hood. It appears the Ram Air system is gone. Were there any parts remaining? Everything is reproduced for these cars now, it's just a matter of deciding whether you want Taiwanese repro parts, or original GM stuff. Excellent find, congrats!! |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Wow, what a cool car....Can I have the Pioneer Supertuner???
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
This has all the makings of NJ Steve 2.0! I am going to enjoy this!
SWEET FIND! Tim |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Very nice!
Start the stopwatch....7 year countdown initiated. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Actually the base trans for a 69 TA was a heavy duty 3 speed, with a 2.85 1st and a 1.68 2nd gear. It still has it's original 3 speed trans. 4 speed was an option. Other than the master cyl, booster, and Carb it's mostly all there. All the Ram Air parts are in the trunk except for the foam. Owner did add an alarm. Also, the PHS docs show it originally came with steel wheels and hub caps.
Thanks for the comments. |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
The PHS docs show it originally came with steel wheels and hub caps........
Even better, JMO. Dan |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Even rarer! The 3-speed manual Trans Am's were rare when new, and those that survived into the 70's and 80's usually had a 4-speed transplant.
Things like the master cylinder, booster, exhaust, those items I consider wear-and-tear items. The important stuff is all there. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] Interesting that someone (perhaps a dealer) would order a 1969 Trans Am without a console, without Rally II's, and with the base 3-speed, yet they ordered the tach and gauge package. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] Excellent find. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Too cool! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I wish it was mine..........Fantastic car....
love those poverty caps,,, |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I'd get it running... clean it up a little...cruise it just like it is.... you can leave it in a parking lot and not have to worry about a door ding... How many crusty '69 T/A's do you see running around...
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StealthBird</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Interesting that someone (perhaps a dealer) would order a 1969 Trans Am without a console, without Rally II's, and with the base 3-speed, yet they ordered the tach and gauge package. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] </div></div> They saved up enough money for the gauges by not ordering wheels and the 4 speed. LOL! |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I LOVE these cars. Please post photos along the way, please!
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Will do.
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Great car, Looking foward to seeing this resto unfold !
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
That must be a very rare combo of options.
Jan |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Here are the PHS invoice and window sticker.
http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%2...%20invoice.jpg http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%2...0w-sticker.jpg |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Thank you for posting the invoice. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
Very late production car, and a late delivery, from the extended 1969 model year. By November 1969, the 1970 models had already been out for a several weeks. Also notice the small window sticker. Pontiac had two sizes. The Firebirds used the smaller version, so all the lettering looks larger than what you would see on a GTO window sticker, but it was the same machine (same sized font) that printed window stickers. Many Firebirds used two window stickers when they were loaded with options, but this Trans Am doesn't have to worry about that. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Great stuff Rick!
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Thanks Bruce.
Mike, that’s some good info. Please keep it coming. Should have the body on the rotisserie shortly. I'm interested in getting a closer look at that firewall. The original BPT stamps are there so who knows what’s behind the grim. |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StealthBird</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you for posting the invoice. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
Very late production car, and a late delivery, from the extended 1969 model year. By November 1969, the 1970 models had already been out for a several weeks. Also notice the small window sticker. Pontiac had two sizes. The Firebirds used the smaller version, so all the lettering looks larger than what you would see on a GTO window sticker, but it was the same machine (same sized font) that printed window stickers. Many Firebirds used two window stickers when they were loaded with options, but this Trans Am doesn't have to worry about that. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] </div></div> I know you know your birds but I dont think any 70 Firebirds started hitting the streets untill march of 70. A friend of mine has a 69 dated later than this one. |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Don, I was referring to 1970 Pontiacs (and other models and makes) being out for several weeks, not the Birds. I didn't clarify that. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]
Production stopped on all 1969 Firebirds in December 1969. The change over in the plant(s) for the 1970 models occurred in January, then the 1970-1/2 Firebirds debuted in late February 1970. So this being an October/November 1969 delivery was very late in the 1969 Firebird model run. Many of the 1969 Trans Am window stickers took 2 pages, mostly because of that long description of the Trans Am option that Pontiac used, which took up half the window sticker. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
There were obviously issues in the GM production pipeline that year. I just appraised a '70 LT-1 Vette with a really low VIN (70x) and an A14 build. 1970 Corvette production didn't start until January 1970, which I hadn't previously been aware of.
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
----You are correct about the 1970 Corvette production. I bought a 70 LT1 ordered for stock that had been delivered to the dealer the day before I found it in the middle of January 1970. Im pretty sure no other dealer in Eastern Massachusetts had any Corvettes prior to that. Cant remember the serial #. Wish I could!!!.....Bill S
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
This one was a Mulsanne Blue/Blue T top car. Original block but everything else changed. Nobody left these LT-1s alone....
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Rick, Did PMD make a mistake on the window sticker dealer address??? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
Thanks. Dicky |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I did not know they used a ford trans in a Firebird. Learned something new.
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Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
I was sure surprised when I removed it and saw FoMoCo cast into the housing. I was dreading telling the owner that his #'s TA had a ford trans in it. But after a little research and finding the vin stamped on the side it's correct and original. It appears that only around 15 of the 690+ were built with the Dearborn M13 HD 3 speed. Wonder how many are left.
Also, it looked like some kind of shade tree conversion. As you can see from the marks on the bell housing it’s mounted somewhat counter wonkie, slightly twisted to the left. However, the shifter lines up perfect in the hole. Both the bell housing and the trans have a double bolt pattern...weird but cool. http://texasbuiltmusclecars.com/69%2...%20Am/bell.JPG |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
Between the Ford Truck hood scoop being OE on the Pontiacs and now this trans, I am wondering who was the Ford fan at GM/Pontiac?
Thanks for sharing the info wiht pics! |
Re: New Project 69 Trans Am - Ram Air III
If I recall the top loader shift linkage and handle were mounted to the trannies so that they tilt toward the driver (60s ergonomics?)[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]. Or, I could be imagining the whole thing! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif[/img]
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