Wrecked 1970 TA on ebay

[1969z280]

Steve:

Could you post a couple of pictures of the 1970 flat top radiator support and fender construction. Or point towards them. With all of this talk I've started to look at my 1970 T/A with a little more concern. Thanks, Ed

[njsteve]

Sorry, I forgot to include the link to that trashed white 70 T/A. Here it is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-T...A1%7C240%3A1318

Here is a photo of a 1970 to 1972 flat top radiator support. (The four white spots are pieces of masking tape to protect the paint during adjustment):



Here is a photo of the 73 and up support. Note how the 73 and up T/As and Formulas have the large steel fender to radiator support braces required for new 5mph crash worthiness standards that started in 1973. This required a new radiator support that had two large deep channels in the top of the rad support to hold the two steel bars. Also the tops of the inner fender flanges have a elevated flange with two bolt holes to mount the steel bars too, as noted by the red arrows. This was also the replacement style radiator support sold by GM after 1973.




And note how the drivers side fender on the trashy white 70 T/A that is listed as "95% all original" has the 73 and up elevated mounting points making it a later replacement fender and not the original as he says it is:



Compare the trashy white fender to this original 1970 to 1972 fender. It is flat area with no bolt holes and a flat top radiator support.

[1969z280]

Steve:

Thank you very much for posting the pictures. It's a great tutorial. Ed

[njsteve]

Here's some more quality photos of that "95% original" white T/A...

Just a little surface rust here. I guess the wind took the spoiler corner off:



Needs a little tail panel work...actually it needs a tail panel - there's nothing remaining:



Here's the "95% original" aftermarket Holley spreadbore carb:



And the pies de resistance, the cowl tag that has nothing to rivet to:



On the plus side it does appear to have the $1500 to $2000 set of JW coded 15" Rally wheels with the 14" centers - a unique wheel that was used from 1970 to 1972 on T/A's and Formulas.

[markjohnson]

Man, that quarter panel is something else. I agree that this thing is being bought for the title, tags, and a few select parts. It's a shame, but that thing is just too far gone. I've always had a thing for those early '70's 'Birds, especially the Trans Ams. Bitchin' cars!

[njsteve]

It doesn't even have a title! The ad says sold on bill of sale only.

I think the only useable parts are the shaker setup (it has the 1970-only, thin rear lip shaker top - with broken edges), the 1970-only, single snorkle air cleaner, and the JW wheels. That engine has to be toast. At a minimum it needs eight sleeves due to rust, if it hasn't been blown up (a common occurence with Pontiac 4 speed cars - they didn't like to rev!) which is usually the reason these things were parked and abandoned. The M21 trans and 12 bolt rear end are possibly salvageable. So I see about $5000 in parts there.

[69cmaroluver]

The description says the state it's licensed in (Alabama) doesn't have title on vehicles from 74 back. Also says title can be obtained with notarized bill of sale and tag reciept. I bought my 69 RS in Georgia and had the same situation with getting a title. My license commisioner stated there are 3 or 4 states that handle vehicle titles that way for vehicles after a certain age.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's some more quality photos of that "95% original" white T/A...

Just a little surface rust here. I guess the wind took the spoiler corner off:



Needs a little tail panel work...actually it needs a tail panel - there's nothing remaining:



Here's the "95% original" aftermarket Holley spreadbore carb:



And the pies de resistance, the cowl tag that has nothing to rivet to:



On the plus side it does appear to have the $1500 to $2000 set of JW coded 15" Rally wheels with the 14" centers - a unique wheel that was used from 1970 to 1972 on T/A's and Formulas.



[/ QUOTE ]

Nothing a little Safest Rust Remover won't fix.

[njsteve]

I think if you dunked it in that stuff the only thing that would be left would be the back window.

[njsteve]

Here's your rogues gallery of Firebird faces:

The 70/71 fine mesh grill (they do reproduce these nicely in black grate for the T/A and argent grate for all others):



The 72-only honeycomb grill (not reproduced):



The shallow-depth 73 egg crate grill (not reproduced):