Thanks to all of the new members that joined recently.

Thanks to Keith Fuerst, John & Sheila Beard, John Ingersoll, Steve Reed, Chuck Lincoln, Jim Muldoon and all of the other contributors to this issue! Also many thanks to Todd Stahr, Justin Kwarta, Bethany Orr, Bill Simcox and Brett Campbell on their continuing technical help to our members on our message board at http://board.firebirdclub.net .

We as I am sure many of you are sorry to see the passing of the Pontiac brand but we know that the spirit will live on with our cars. There are many grassroots campaigns to save Pontiac. One of the more organized ones is located at www.SavingPontiac.org . Some of the details appear in this issue along with a sample petition to be sent to government officials. If you go to the website you can submit it through the internet.

We have updated our payment form on our website to directly take credit card and PayPal payments. Your credit card is now checked for accuracy and verified and your order is placed into a shopping cart of items awaiting checkout. This type of program should be very familiar to people who pay for items on other Internet websites and is available on the PayPal/Credit Card website button. The old form will also remain for members that are comfortable with it.

Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section on the Club Message Board where each local club has its own section where local club items can be discussed.

You can now find us on the popular networking sites myspace, facebook, friendster and twitter in the groups/clubs section.

I am happy to inform you that Technical Sections Volume II is now available which continues the great tradition of practical tech advice started with Volumes I. In keeping with the times this one is available only on CD for PC or Mac and is available in the Club Store section of each Eagle and on the website at www. firebirdtaclub.com. Another new item in the store is a complete copy of the past ten years of the Eagle available on CD only for PC or Mac.

We have a new and improved club message board. You can access through the club website at www.firebirdtaclub.com or directly at http://board.firebirdclub.net . We have a members only section of the message board. You can use the user id and password on page 3 of each Eagle or you can get a personal id and password. To do so, register and then logon to the message board and send a message to us with a reply in this section or via email. This allows you to access the Member Only Question & Answer and Upkeep and Performance Hints Area.  It also allows you to post items in the For Sale and Wanted sections as well as post photos in the Member Photos area. Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section.

The club also now has a blog located at http://blog.firebirdclub.net . Members can publish items or comments to the Blog.

We have a National Firebird & Trans Am Club photo gallery located at http://photos.firebirdclub.net . The same login is used for the gallery as the Message Board. Members can download photos directly here.

We now offer a 3 year membership or renewal rate which includes a free t-shirt or tech volume II CD. The rate is $95 or $125 for members outside the USA. And in response to many members we now have a 3 year eMembership for $65 which also includes a free t-shirt or tech volume III CD. So save some money and get a free t-shirt or tech CD in the process!

Classified ads are FREE to members but now you can add photographs of your items for sale. For $15 we will include a photograph of your car or item. Also the classified ads will now appear on our website and in the eEagle.

Remember we will send out the eEagle, our email newsletter in addition to the regular Eagle for members that have given us their email address. Our website address is www.firebirdtaclub.com and our email address is info@firebirdtaclub.com . The website has a “Members Only” section on the web site. This section contains technical staff contact information, recommended repair shops, spare parts lists that members have sent in as well as complete current and past issues of the member magazine which can be viewed on-line or downloaded for printing.

You need an ID and password to access this area. You will find the current ID and password on page 3 of each issue of the EAGLE. These will change with each issue so use only the current ones listed. Also now you can to create your own id and password for the members only section. Submit the form on the members only page to do this.

Thanks for all of your support and to this issue’s contributors and start making plans to get you car back on the road in the spring!!

The All Firebird Lawn Show at the Saratoga Auto Museum is rapidly approaching our “wildest dreams” that we have for this show. This year 157 Firebirds came from NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, NJ, MD, DE, VA, PA, OH, Florida, and even Arizona! Let’s not forget our friends from Canada. After expenses, the host club Firebird Nation of North America presented a check for $6,140 to Special Olympics.

On Friday evening the weather was absolutely gorgeous for the All Firebird Cruise. At the museum, forty three Firebirds gathered in the parking lot before cruising through the streets of Saratoga to Mr.Ed’s. Instantly an all Firebird show formed… much to the delight of the Firebird owners and Mr.Ed’s regular customers.

On Saturday, cars arrived early and often and by 11:00 am the field was filled with all four generations of Firebirds. A feast for the eyes, it’s obvious that the owner’s passion for these cars will keep the Pontiac name alive long after the Pontiac division dies an undeserved death. It was nice meet newcomers to the show and to see old friends who return to Saratoga year after year.

The date for next year’s show is: July 10, 2010. Rain date is July 11, 2010

A big thank you goes out to:

Event founder and organizer: Tom Smith

Trailer Queens: Sandy Smith, Margo Bagneschi, Arlene Delaney, Sandy Byron.

General Raffle Sales: Mary Schwartz and Judy Keehan.

50-50 Raffle Sales: Keith Tanny with his sons Jack and Sam.

Athlete Representatives: Brian Smith, Jennifer Delaney, Todd Byron, and DJ Nolan.

Parking Staff: Joel Auger, David Lord, Ron Delaney, Terry Bush, Ron Pratt, Ray Eggert, Jay Hill, Steve Reed, Gerry Garing.

Food Staff: Mike Bagneschi, Lisa Lord, Chris Radz, Terry Bush, Judy Keehan.

Judging Staff: Joe Carey, Ray DiCresenzo, Michael Tyler, Keith Fuerst, Eddie Barra, Dean Meneilley, Neil Silberkleit.

A special thanks to:

Alan Edstrom of the Saratoga Auto Museum and Ralph Mangino Jr. of Mangino Pontiac for their continued support. To NFTAC for suppling items and Eagle magazines for the show.

See 2010 show flyer and 2010 registation form and 2009 show pictures here:

http://clubs.hemmings.com/firebirdnationofnorthamerica

Here is the 2009 All Firebird Lawn Show winners list:

Name Home town Class Place Year / Model

Kathy DeCrescenzo Clifton Park, NY 1967-1969 Stock 1st 1969 R/A III T/A

Paul Menin Ashley Falls, MA 1967-1969 Stock 2nd 1969 Firebird 400

Beth Ann Agostini Athens, VT 1967-1969 Stock 3rd 1968 Convertible

John Bianco Poughkeepsie, NY 1967-1969 Modified 1st 1969 Firebird

Tom Martens West Nyack, NY 1967-1969 Modified 2nd 1969 Firebird

Keith Tourville Cambridge, VT 1967-1969 Modified 3rd 1968 Firebird

Ray DeCrescenzo Clifton Park, NY 1970-1976 Stock 1st 1974 SD455 T/A

George Berg White Plains, MD 1970-1976 Stock 2nd 1973 Formula 400

Neil Silberkleit Oxford, CT 1970-1976 Stock 3rd 1970 T/A

Fred & Linda Martin Morrisonville, NY 1970-1976 Modified 1st 1974 T/A

Jay Hill Cohoes, NY 1970-1976 Modified 2nd 1976 T/A

Stuart Bach Bennington, VT 1970-1976 Modified 3rd 1976 Esprit

Jim Napoletano Norwalk, CT 1977-1981 Stock 1st 1979 10th Anniv T/A

George Berg White Plains, MD 1977-1981 Stock 2nd 1978 T/A

Tom Benvengi Sykesville, MD 1977-1981 Stock 3rd 1979 Black SETA

Phil Ginsberg NYC, NY 1977-1981 Modified 1st 1979 T/A

Nick Rossi South Salem, NY 1977-1981 Modified 2nd 1979 Esprit Redbird

John Kunasek Agawam, MA 1977-1981 Modified 3rd 1978 T/A

Jeff Clune Sparrowbush, NY 1982-1992 Stock 1st 1989 Turbo Pace Car

Joyce & Dean Meneilley Lansdowne, Ont 1982-1992 Stock 2nd 1986 T/A

Adam Sweeney Burlington, VT 1982-1992 Stock 3rd 1988 Firebird

Brad Zeigler Harleysville, PA 1982-1992 Modified 1st 1982 T/A

Steve Reed Brick, NJ 1982-1992 Modified 2nd 1989 Formula 350

Dianna Seymour Plattsburgh, NY 1982-1992 Modified 3rd 1988 T/A

Ryan & Grace Corcoran Milford, PA 1993-2002 Stock 1st 1994 25th Anniv Firehawk

Michael Adamski Fleetwood, PA 1993-2002 Stock 2nd 2002 Firehawk

Stephen Dike Milton, VT 1993-2002 Stock 3rd 2002 Firehawk

Matthew Bohn Blairstown, NJ 1993-2002 Modified 1st 2001 Firehawk T/A

Chris Gennaro Carmel, NY 1993-2002 Modified 2nd 1999 T/A

Andrew DiSalvo Ravena, NY 1993-2002 Modified 3rd 2002 T/A

Andrew Colling Monson, MA Best of Show 1967 Firebird 400

Andrew DiSalvo Ravena, NY Athletes’ Choice 2002 T/A

A.J. Viruet Edison, NJ Coach’s Choice 2001 Formula

Dianna Seymour Plattsburgh, NY Dealer’s Choice 1988 T/A

Mark Rocheleau Swanton, VT Museum Choice 1977 SETA

Brent & Wendy Rowland Loretto, Ont Joe Nolan Award 2002 Firehawk

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

2009 All Firebird Lawn Show

There are many behind-the-scenes players in the automotive industry that few on the outside ever hear of, despite their huge contributions. One such company is Trans Am Depot, who together with designer Kevin Morgan plans to launch a new Pontiac Trans Am conversion for the latest.

Trans Am Conversion

Labeled the ‘Phoenix’ Trans Am, and inspired by the original Camaro-based Trans Ams from 1977 and 1978, the new design has been in development for the past three years and was previewed for the first time in concept form at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals.

The concept will be followed by the first production conversion later this year. It will vary from the concept car but will be an exact version of the conversion kits that are expected to go on sale this fall.

The kits will be available as an installed conversion only, with order details and pricing expected to be revealed closer to launch. Some of the basic specs will include a suspension lowering kit and new sway bar, 20-inch wheel and tires, a new ‘shaker’ hood, fender vents, custom bumpers and of course a Trans Am graphic package.

Believe it or not but this is not the first Trans Am conversion kit currently in development for the new Camaro. Earlier this year, ASC Creative Services has also unveiled its own modern interpretation of the legendary muscle car.

The Gaydo family of Horton Michigan is truly a Pontiac family. There are (currently) 5 Firebirds in the yard, plus 2 GMC pickups, a Pontiac Sunfire, a 1962 Pontiac Tempest, the current restoration project, plus an original (ordered and purchased new ) 1971 GTO Judge. The three Firebirds pictured include a 1995 Firehawk, a 1995 Trans Am convertible with white top and white leather interior, and a 1999 Firehawk. Bob purchased the 1999 Firehawk new. He originally tried to order a 1998 but due to production issues, there no 1998 Firehawks produced. So he ordered a 1999 (Hawk #437), which has won numerous 1st and 2nd place trophies at Ames Pontiac Performance Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, as well as the Firehawk Rally also at Norwalk, and the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio. Two years ago on the way to the Pontiac Nationals we noticed a red 1995 Firehawk sitting at a Ford dealer. Within a week of returning home we had purchased the car (Firehawk 251) for Jill to drive and show. Both are Formula cars with 6 speed manual transmissions. Bob’s has 13,000 miles and Jill’s 50,000. The Trans Am was spotted for sale on the side of the road almost four years ago and after some serious negotiations it was added to the family as a summer fun car. The other two Firebirds include a 1988 Formula 350 WS6 purchased new which currently is in storage with 70,000 miles as well as a 1990 Firebird which was given to our son Dane as a birthday gift for his 16th birthday (Dane was born in 1990).

Bob who is a licensed US Customs broker works in Detroit and specializes in Customs law, helping importers comply with the import and export regulations. He is also the current Director of the Firehawk Association of America, as well as Treasurer of the Little Indians (1961-1963 Tempest) Chapter of the POCI. Jill is a Credit Manager and Treasurer of the Firehawk Association of America. Dane is a freshman at Michigan State University, working towards a degree in Chemical Engineering. It is his desire to work on alternative motor fuels upon graduation. We also have a daughter, Carlie, who was born in 1995, and based upon her brother receiving a 16 year old Firebird on his 16th birthday, has her eye on our 1995 Trans Am convertible, although she let us know she would prefer it in pink. The final member of the family is Bismarck, our 2 year old German Shepherd who believes one of the GMC pickups is his, and will lay patiently in the bed if we forget to close it, until he gets a ride, preferably to the creemee stand in the summer for his vanilla creemee.

THE SECOND TIME AROUND

1977 Trans Am Special Edition of Dr. Anthony LaRusso

I became a NFTAC member in 1996 and got serious about my love for Firebirds and that Firebird spirit that is so evident in all NFTAC members. There is just something about the Firebird that no other car has. Not even the minute-est fraction of
A Firebird is like no other car; even the similar body styled Camaros with the same shell never looked like a Firebird.

My dream car was a 1977 Special Edition Trans Am. I had one and it was featured in the Spring 2000 issue of this magazine and it’s story. Then divorce hit. I was forced to sell it and everything else I owned. After a few years of being broke and starting my life over, I found another 77 Sp. Ed. Tran Am in Queens, New York. I went to see it in June 2004 and by that point they had become much more popular than in the 1990’s and more valuable (and expensive). This one was shot, but all there, numbers matching. It blew out smoke, but it still ran. T-Tops and all. It was a genuine Y82 Trans Am and loaded with every option including the more expensive Lombardy Cloth interior, new for 1977. The interior was clean but faded. Not even any rips! The dash was cracked and the armrest was as well, and there was more rust in it than in the Titanic. To me, it was a survivor. Originally from Brooklyn and now in Queens, this sucker made it! From 1977-2004 and still all there and running. In New York! It’s probably the only one in all 5 boroughs to survive. Even though it was tired, it had a look to it. Tough and mean. The face on it just looked so manly. The ride was smooth and handling was even better than the previous mint condition one I had before divorce. This was a well built T/A. I loved it. I bought it for $3,000 and after driving around and burning several quarts of oil each time I took it out for a day, I blew the motor on the NJ Turnpike trying to outrun a pain-in- the butt T-Bird that was chasing me. I had the engine taken apart. My uncle was concerned for me and urged me to sell it. He pointed out that I was not yet on my feet after divorce and this car just wasn’t worth all the time and energy it would need, and the money to invest in it. I agreed and sold it for $1,000.

1977 Trans Am Special Edition of Dr. Anthony LaRusso

Two years and three months later I was regretting selling it. I saw one go by one day and they had also gone even further up in popularity and value. Heck when I was first going in 1996, they were $9,000 clean and no one talked about them and they were not considered classics and no one cared. At the time I didn’t understand this and it quite frankly ticked me off. In 2006 they had risen to $30,000 clean and today clean survivors are selling in the low-mid 30 thousands. Restored cars are worth over $40,000. Wow! I mean all classic muscle cars and classic cars in general have skyrocketed in value in this decade… .and now the 1977 Special Edition is lumped in with all of the rest. It is now a highly sought after valuable classic car.

I was combing ads in 2006 and saw a 77 Sp. Ed. For sale with freshly rebuilt motor. It was in a town about 20 minutes from mine, so I went and it was my car! With the engine rebuilt bored 30 over and done right. My shorts were still in the trunk and it was still titled in my name. The dude bought it from the person I sold it to.
The first guy monkeyed with it and the second guy knew what to do. He did the engine himself and in the garage next to it was a gleaming restored 4-speed 1976 Trans Am 455 that he had restored himself He was working on a few cars and ran out of money. So, he was forced to sell this car. Now that I had my car back and it ran like hell, I wanted to do something special for it. I mean, heck, this thing survived New York for 30 years and had this crazy story in New Jersey and I end up buying it twice. It just deserved something special.

I went online and searched for restoration shops to restore it. I found Trans Am Specialties of Florida. I called and spoke to Rick Deiters, the owner. He was warm, charismatic and convincing. He is the only restoration shop in the world that focuses on the Special Edition Trans Am. I described the car and we talked numbers and I had a truck take it to Miami. It stayed 11 months there and Rick and his crew labored on it. They took it off it’s frame and even cut-off the back half of the car to fit a donor rear-section on it. That’s how bad the rust was. I wanted to keep as much of it as possible, so that is why I had them save the cabin section and not just replace the entire shell. What a great place. I flew in 3 times, met Rick and his men. He even let me drive a Special Edition he had there (one of many) and took me to his house to meet his wife and beautiful two kids. We went with the kids to Dunkin Donuts for goodies and had fun together. I also hung out at the shop which is Trans Am fever. All Firebirds, accessories, and they do things right. My car came out show-room new and it is my baby. Rick documented the entire restoration on his web site. This one is for keeps. I have learned from my mistakes and for me and for this car, and for our story together, it is truly THE SECOND TIME AROUND.

Dr. Anthony LaRusso

Thanks to all of the new members that joined recently.

Thanks to Marc Quere, Beverly Reedy, Bob Gaydo, John Sutherland, Dr. Anthony LaRusso and all of the other contributors to this issue! Also many thanks to Todd Stahr, Justin Kwarta, Bethany Orr, Bill Simcox and Brett Campbell on their continuing technical help to our members on our message board at http://board.firebirdclub.net.

We as I am sure many of you are sorry to see the passing of the Pontiac brand but we know that the spirit will live on with our cars

We have updated our payment form on our website to directly take credit card and PayPal payments. Your credit card is now checked for accuracy and verified and your order is placed into a shopping cart of items awaiting checkout. This type of program should be very familiar to people who pay for items on other Internet websites and is available on the PayPal/Credit Card website button. The old form will also remain for members that are comfortable with it.

Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section on the Club Message Board where each local club has its own section where local club items can be discussed.

You can now find us on the popular networking sites myspace, facebook, friendster and twitter in the groups/clubs section.

I am happy to inform you that Technical Sections Volume II is now available which continues the great tradition of practical tech advice started with Volumes I. In keeping with the times this one is available only on CD for PC or Mac and is available in the Club Store section of each Eagle and on the website at www.firebirdtaclub.com. Another new item in the store is a complete copy of the past ten years of the Eagle available on CD only for PC or Mac.

We have a new and improved club message board. You can access through the club website at www.firebirdtaclub.com or directly at http://board.firebirdclub.net . We have a members only section of the message board. You can use the user id and password on page 3 of each Eagle or you can get a personal id and password. To do so, register and then logon to the message board and send a message to us with a reply in this section or via email. This allows you to access the Member Only Question & Answer and Upkeep and Performance Hints Area.  It also allows you to post items in the For Sale and Wanted sections as well as post photos in the Member Photos area. Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section.

The club also now has a blog located at http://blog.firebirdclub.net . Members can publish items or comments to the Blog.

We have a National Firebird & Trans Am Club photo gallery located at http://photos.firebirdclub.net . The same login is used for the gallery as the Message Board. Members can download photos directly here.

We now offer a 3 year membership or renewal rate which includes a free t-shirt or tech volume II CD. The rate is $95 or $125 for members outside the USA. And in response to many members we now have a 3 year eMembership for $65 which also includes a free t-shirt or tech volume III CD. So save some money and get a free t-shirt or tech CD in the process!

Classified ads are FREE to members but now you can add photographs of your items for sale. For $15 we will include a photograph of your car or item. Also the classified ads will now appear on our website and in the eEagle.

Remember we will send out the eEagle, our email newsletter in addition to the regular Eagle for members that have given us their email address. Our website address is www.firebirdtaclub.com and our email address is info@ firebirdtaclub.com. The website has a “Members Only” section on the web site. This section contains technical staff contact information, recommended repair shops, spare parts lists that members have sent in as well as complete current and past issues of the member magazine which can be viewed on-line or downloaded for printing.

You need an ID and password to access this area. You will find the current ID and password on page 3 of each issue of the EAGLE. These will change with each issue so use only the current ones listed. Also now you can to create your own id and password for the members only section. Submit the form on the members only page to do this.

Thanks for all of your support and to this issue’s contributors and I hope to see you at the many shows this driving season!!

World Auto News

By kleo.

2011 ASC Trans Am

Pontiac’s days may be numbered as General Motors plans to phase out the historic brand by the end of 2010, but that hasn’t dampened ASC Creative Services’ attempts to make a Trans Am version out of the all-new Chevy Camaro coupe. ASC has worked many times with General Motors in the past helping out in the creation and design development of cars like the 1987 Buick GNX, various Chevy SS models such as the HHR SS and Malibu SS, as well as the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V sport cars just to mention a few.

The design and development firm’s proposal for a Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am is a fairly simply conversion that could easily lead to a custom-order production model. The changes include a new front fascia complete with unique head lights, twin-kidney grill inserts and restyled apron, a rear-facing hood shaker, new side skirts and alloy wheel designs plus rear-fender air vents. At the back the design proposes a new rear fascia with distinctive tail lights, boot spoiler and a specific apron housing new exhaust pipes.While we don’t have any photos of the interior, we gather that ASC would most likely limit the changes to the trim and seat options along with a revised instrument panel.

There’s no information ASC’s actual intentions on the car, but if you’re really interested, you can send a mail to dave.byron@ascglobal.com for more information.

GR70 X 15 White Letter Steel Belted Radial Tires, 8 Track Stereo Tape Player, Front Console, Window Sill and Hood Edge Moldings, Tilt Steering Wheel, Power Windows, Soft Ray Tinted Glass, Extra Quiet Insulation Package, Rear Defroster, Heavy Duty Alternator, Radio, Stereo AM/FM, Rear Console (a rare option), Roof Drip Moldings, Door Edge Guards, Hood Decal (yes, it was an option back then), Power Door Locks, Air Conditioning, Heavy Duty Battery, Lamp Package (which included a trunk light, interior courtesy lighting and a glove box lamp)

The total sticker price was $6,319.60, which was quite costly in 1975. The car was shipped on 3-12-75 to Lockwood Motors in Peekskill, NY for delivery.

The story of the car’s purchase and previous owners is as interesting as the car itself. The car was purchased as a high school graduation gift for the original owner. An uncle worked at GM in Tarrytown, NY, so the car was purchased in his name so that the car would be billed under the GM Employee Discount (which wasn’t available to the public back in those days). The young owner didn’t drive his Trans Am very often, and was careful about taking the car out in severe weather. He went away to college, met a girl who would become his wife and started building a family life away from home. The Trans Am sat in his mother’s garage under a cover and on jack stands for several years. One day, while on a golf outing with his best friend from high school, the young owner mentioned that he was selling his beloved Trans Am to help finance the purchase of a new home. The friend immediately expressed his interest in purchasing the Trans Am as he knew the car well and had

ridden in the car during their high school days. A deal was struck and the car had a new owner.

The new owner drove the car very little and put it into his aunt’s garage for safe-keeping. The car sat on jack stands while the owner started his family, worked, had children and later got divorced. Through these life changes, the car remained in his aunt’s garage, being driven on periodic occasion to keep it in running condition. The owner had a buddy who was a firefighter and happened to own a 2000 Trans Am. The two friends thought it would be neat to photograph the two cars together, but like many friends, were perpetually busy and had a difficult time carving out the time. Sadly, that time would never come as the firefighter was on duty on 9/11/2001 and perished in the World Trade Center disaster. The Trans Am’s owner never forgot his friend and regretted never getting together to photograph the cars. It also gave him some perspective on living life for the present and not putting things off.

As time went on, the owner decided to purchase a boat as he had wanted to own a boat for years and knew that selling the Trans Am would help him gather the down payment. An advertisement was placed on Craig’s List and the car was sold to a muscle car collector on Long Island. The 3rd owner was struck by the car’s original condition and documentation. After the car was purchased, it took its place in the garage next to a 1970 Ram Air III Trans Am he had owned for 17 years and a 1977 Camaro Z-28. It needed only a few items, requiring only new tires, a new exhaust system and a replacement clutch (the original clutch had simply dried out). This owner’s wife tired of parking her daily driver outside in the cold of winter while the two Trans Ams sat nice and warm in their two-car garage. An ad was placed in Hemmings Motor News. I saw the ad and called the owner the first week that he advertised it. As it turns out, we were both in Carlisle, PA attending the Fall Carlisle show, so we agreed to meet at the seller’s house after Carlisle ended.

Upon viewing the car, I was totally blown away by the untouched condition of the car. The original paint looked great, as did the original interior. The black carpet was simply perfect – it was hard to believe it wasn’t recently replaced. The car purred and ran and drove perfectly. The doors shut like a brand new car, as it is basically a new car. You can tell from the thunk of the doors shutting that it is a true original and not a restored car. The Trans Am handled beautifully and unlike many F bodies, went down the road with no squeaks or rattles. Additionally, the patina and presence of this car is unbelievable. It’s a really neat car with a unique history. After a brief negotiation, we struck a deal and I became the 4th owner of this original beauty. As the saying goes, “They are only original once.” The car stands today as a testament to how Pontiac “used to build them.” It’s also a great reference point for others restoring their T/A’s. I hope you all enjoy reading the story of my 1975 Trans Am as much as I enjoyed writing it.