Wrecked 1970 TA on ebay

[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.

[njsteve]

COZ is the 3.73 rear end ratio. 7040273 is the correct carb# for a 70 Ram Air four speed.

[Verne_Frantz]

Steve,
I still don't understand your insane devotion to this TA project when you have that Hemi Charger at home.
I'm sure you'll come up with a cleaver explanation......

(BTW, my last plating load turned out better than the others)

[StealthBird]

Well, I think I know why Steve has an insane devotion. One of the coolest cars ever made.



Great information on the fenders and radiator top. There are so many subtle details involved in one of these restorations, so many one-year only parts, you really need to find someone (or even hire someone) that knows a particular make or model inside and out before plunking down a lot of money. I too have seen lots of "95% low mileage originals" go up on E-Bay, and many items I see, within the posted photos, that there are several parts that are not original. Not always the seller's fault though. Sometimes someone aquires a car, and because everything appears "old", and the car has had a dozen previous owners, sometimes the current seller assumes everything is original. Remember, we're talking 30+ years of possible accidents, fender benders, repaints, and many other things that may have happened back in the 70's, back when these cars were daily drivers, back before these cars were worth so much money. Through the many owners, sometimes stories get skewed, misunderstood, or embellished.

Again, great info from Steve.

[akcamaro]

Steve thanks for the tutorial. I just went out and checked my 72 T/A front clip, and I have the flat radiator support, but the 73 and up fenders.

[StealthBird]

As a sidenote, I believe it was a devastating UAW strike in 1972 that resulted in a very short run (only 1,286 Trans Ams produced), and over 2100 Camaros and Firebirds were left in various stages of production on the assembly lines. When the strike ended, these 1972 cars would not meet the new 1973 Federal standards, so the 1972 models that were in process were all scrapped.

[njsteve]

In the words of the Late Great Ed McMahon: YOU ARE CORRECT, SIR!

UAW picked Norwood, the only plant that made the F-bodies in 1972 as their strike target knowing it would really affect GM. The line was struck in late March, 1972 and all the cars still on the line ended up being crushed because they would not meet the 1973 emissions (EGR valve) requirements and the 5 mph bumper requirements. There are some famous old assembly line photos of the cars hanging in and out of the primer dip tank, just sitting there like meat on a hook, for months. Because of the strike, which didn't end til September of the next model year, GM came very close to killing the Firebird and Camaro model altogether.

[njsteve]

Here's a couple of those famous photos:

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
Steve,
I still don't understand your insane devotion to this TA project when you have that Hemi Charger at home.
I'm sure you'll come up with a cleaver explanation......



[/ QUOTE ]


Cuz it's been raining since for six straight weeks and I can't drive the Charger? That's all I can think of at the moment, Verne.

There is a cruise night in Flemington this Saturday 6/27 and the weather is allegedly going to be nice...and it's Mopar night, too. So we'll see if the Punxatawny Charger sees its shadow and wants to leave the garage, finally

[Verne_Frantz]

Take pictures I'll be in Carlisle....