1969 Trans Am Convert Clone

[StealthBird]

The only way to tell for sure is to contact PHS and get a copy of the build sheet.

As a rule of thumb, the quickest way to identify a 69 Trans Am is that the paint code should be 50-50 (white/white), and the code D80 should appear on the data plate. The D80 code was the rear spoiler, and the spoiler was not available on regular Firebirds.

[sprchvy]

Thanks guys for the info. The car does have the steel RA hood and the stacked gauge assembly. The going price is right in the range that you specified. I have contact info for anybody that might be interested.

[supergonzo]

Well then they spent some money to make it a decent clone.

All 69' Trans Am's were RAIII or 1 of 55 RAIV's, so they all had ram air.
The standard gauge package is not the same as the vertical stacked gauge package, which was available on both birds & T/A's. 80% of T/A's have the vertical gauge set up. This was a transition gauge package between years 69-70. To buy one now complete is about $3500-$4000. I had 6 cyl 69' bird with a factory in dash tach! and it did not have vertical stacked gauges.
As far as GTO's there were 3 step up performance engines available the 400HO the 400RAIII and the 400RAIV. The 400HO is the same engine as the RAIII without ram air. Ratings were 360HP, 366HP, 370HP.
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I forgot about paint codes, Mike is right again as usual, paint codes on the trim tag is a good way as well. And of course PHS.

[tjs44]

I have a PHS documented 69 T/A,it has std. interior,and no stcked guages.ALL T/As did not have the stacked guages.They were a option on all birds I believe.A friend has a set in his Sprint.

[supergonzo]

I agree tjs44. Had same situation here. But 80% of the time T/A's had the vertical gauges at least thats the figure quoted in the "Firebird" book by witzenberg. But you never know.

[442w30]

[ QUOTE ]
As far as GTO's there were 3 step up performance engines available the 400HO the 400RAIII and the 400RAIV. The 400HO is the same engine as the RAIII without ram air. Ratings were 360HP, 366HP, 370HP.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gonzo, this is incorrect for the GTO. The only 400HO was the RAIII. It's correct for the Firebird but with different hp ratings.

The Trans Am should be thought of as being analogous to a Judge, for the most part.

[StealthBird]

Very true. The 1969 Trans Am was essenially a striped and winged 1969 Firebird 400, with the same options available on both cars. But where the 69 Judge was just a GTO with a wild paint color, stripes, emblems, and a wing, there was really no mechanical differences between the GTO and the Judge.

The 1969 Trans Am, like the Judge, had a unique paint job and a rear wing, but the Trans Am did actually have some additional special parts.

The 1969 Trans Am used a special hood with long, tapered scoops, and the front fenders had functional air extractors. There was also a special front spoiler (basically a piece of flat Lexan) that kept the nose down at high speeds. All three of these items had special part numbers.

And contrary to popular belief, the 1969 Trans Am did not have a rear sway bar.

[supergonzo]

Although this is getting a little silly now.Here's something for thought.

The terms RA 1, RA2, RA3...are not Pontiac terms or references to their prooducts in the 60's. According to Pontiac you had a HO motor or a HO motor with the ram air option. They weren't responsible for the names associated with them. It was Pontiac engine builders, and guys like you and me that call them RAIII's or RAII's. Only in 69' did Pontiac catch on and actually call a engine a RAIV. Until then there were no cars with RA1, 2, or 3 stickers or emblems. You either had a HO motor with the ram air option or you didn't.
Although NOW Pontiac people can endlessly debate subjects such as RAIII's, According to Pontiac in 69' it was a ram air optioned car... Thats it.

[Belair62]

Silly is in the mind of the beholder...it's actually good stuff....how else does everyone find this kind of stuff out ! I look forward to seeing this other brand info.

[Jeff H]

Let me see, in 68 you had the RA II and base 400(HO) and in 69 it became the RA IV and base 400(HO aka RA III). I've never really followed the Pontiac engines that closely. Oh, and there's a 69 TA conv clone that shows up at the local Hooters cruise night once in a while. They are still cool to look at even if it's a clone. That TA look is awesome.