History / RestorationGot a question about Third Gen (1982-1992) Camaro or Firebird history? Where can I find these original parts? What is this option or RPO code? Those questions, answers, and more!
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whats the fireAM about? I haven't heard about them before. Didn't know they got a 6 speed.
The FireAm is a creation from a guy named Herb Adams. It's a 1 of 1 car. Most people don't know who Herb is but they know much of his work. Herb was an engineer for Pontiac and a chief engineer at SLP. He is considered the father of the 1969 Trans Am and the Super Duty cars. In the 70's he started a company called VSE or Very Special Equipment and sold high performance parts over the counter for the second gen F-Bodies. If you go over to TransAmcountry.com or google and search for Herb Adams, FireAM or VSE you can find some good information. I'm not a FireAm expert but from what I understand there were only about 6 - 8 or so "FireAm's" actually built by Herb and most of those were from the 70's. The rest of the FireAm's (or Cheverra for Camaro's) were built after the fact by ordering over the counter parts. Some consider these cars on the same level as Nickey, Baldwin-Motion, etc.
This particular FireAm is the last FireAM that Herb built. It is based off a 1986 Trans Am and considered a Phase 3 package. From what I understand Herb built the car in conjunction with Tom Goad, a special projects pontiac engineer. It was built specifically for the 1986 one lap of america and a test bed for many prototype pieces.
Stats:
1986 Trans Am - FireAm conversion included.
- TPI 350 Installed with what I'm told are experimental pontiac aluminum heads (I have yet to pop the covers to verify officially.) Camaro intake with funky one off headers (among other things.)
- ZF 6 speed transmission - 4 years before making into production in the corvette.
- Special two tone paint with custom spoiler
- Aluminum hood
- Brembo Brakes
- Dana 44 rear end
- Lowered springs - koni shocks
- One off custom two piece wheels
- Fuel Cell
- Custom seats and seat frames
- Full cage
- Fabricated (and sort of cheesy) console
- Experimental GM tags
- This car was never supposed to make it into the public
This car is in essence what I consider the first Firehawk. It's one of the best handling F-Bodies I've ever driven. An interesting note - sometime in the 90's Herb borrowed the car to test for his SCCA license. There's more but I don't want to put you guys to sleep!
Here are a couple pics.
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Dude, you arent putting me to sleep...youre keeping me awake at my desk!!!
I want to know more about that car...you really could/should write a book haha. Lots of big pictures and tell all the stories/history behind the cars. I could literally read that stuff all day long.
Im sure the story of how you aquired all the cars would be just as entertaining. I think I speak for everyone when I say there is NO WAY you could talk too much or post too many detailed pictures of these cars!
How about some underhood shots of that FireAM?
J.
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
Maybe I'm off base or just stary eyed, but it seems like this should be a sticky in some form. There are rare and historical cars here that should be photographed and documented for the interest/education of the members on the board. As far as the OP selling (or getting rid of) these cars isn't a sin, though I feel bad for him as a person trying to move something he hasn't time to enjoy.
I enjoy my TA, though it's nothing special, and I know a little about the cars listed here thanks in some part to the board. I have been a gearhead since I was a kid, as were a lot of people on here too I guess. I like looking around the site to see the styles people come up with, the lesser known/rare cars, but every now and then a note worthy vehicle shows up. I like that Greg knows about his cars and can pass the info and facts on to us. To a small degree he is a curator at a museum maybe? Hence my thoughts about sticky-ing or somehow preserving these few cars in more than just a thread that will be buried somewhere down the line.
Thanks to the Mods for keeping this thread in History, and thanks to Greg for sharing his cars and info with us (sale ad or not pal )
ps: BTW, feel free to post all the pics and info you can Greg!!
Thank you for posting the pictures and information. I find it interesting as well. To me things like the aluminum hood, headers and console and your description of how it handles and its history make the car more interesting. Seeing cars that look like they came off the factory floor is one thing. But these examples have character.
Yeah, he's got an amazing collection. I'm honestly waiting for him to pull out the "angry poodle" Camaro soon ('89 454 prototype), as it honestly wouldn't surprise me if he had that car as well....
Guys, this is sincerely flattering. I truly didn't think many others would care and enjoy these cars as much as I do. Over the years I've had many people laugh at me and ask why in the world do I spend money and enjoy those type of cars? All I could ever do was laugh and say these were the cars I always dreamed about when I was a kid.
As I read through your comments I have to agree that the stories about how the cars came to be are in many cases more fascinating then the actual cars. I'm sort of a sentimental type guy so the only reason I could even think of letting go is because no one will ever be able to take away the memories and friendships I have acquired while rolling down this adventure.
The FireAm story is kind of interesting. I have to admit that I didn't know who Herb Adams was and I sure never heard of a FireAm before stumbling onto this little gem. I remember the afternoon I was on the phone with a friend, chatting about cars when there was a ton of work to do at the office. We were talking Firehawks and I said I was looking for a spare 6 speed just to have for the Hawks. He said...that reminds me.....I know of firebird that has a 6 speed and a special rear end. He began to tell me the story of a guy who purchased this particular vehicle as a track car. Something about the car was supposed to be crushed by GM but this guy had it and used it for local road racing. I thought "great".... this sounds like a perfect parts car to keep around should I need something for one of the Hawks.
I finally got in touch w/ the guy and sure enough, there was this old Trans Am setting up on a car lift among several Porsche GT3's and other track cars. This was a lame duck (so to speak) and didn't fit within his impressive collection. Pictures were sent. The center of the wheels were painted silver instead of gold and the decals were removed. I asked him why he removed all the stickers and he said as soon as he got the car home he paid someone to remove that awful 80's stuff. He knew the car was unique but didn't know how truly special it was (and neither did I at the time.)
Well, the car wasn't for sale but he appreciated the other cars I collected and agreed it would fit better down here. So we came to a price that was way more than I wanted to pay....but what the heck, it sure sounded like an interesting ride. I even set on it for a couple weeks wondering if I should purchase or just move on. As soon as it arrived I was quite excited. So now the car sets in the corner of the garage sans all the stickers and showing something like 7k original miles, most of which came from the one lap of America back in 86. I'm working on the stickers and am about done. It's not perfect but it's held up very well and won't take much to bring it back to original glory.
Every car here has a story like that. My dad said I was stupid crazy for paying that much money for a red firebird (aka Firehawk #6.) My wife and I took an 18 hour road trip back home in #26 while she was 6 months pregnant (talk about a story.) The fuel pump went out on the blue 1LE in the middle of the busiest intersection in Tulsa at the same time her cell battery was dead. She was by herself with no help (it's funny now but it sure wasn't at the time.) Adventures pulling two 88 Players cars out of Canada and getting pulled over in the IMSA Camaro with no registration or insurance (and he let me go.) Good times!
See.... THAT is an awesome story! Its amazing what people have and dont realize it. My story of how I got my car is terrible compared to that. Haha.
"Um...looked in the for sale threads..and uh...this guy was selling his car. So I paid him what he wanted. And...I drove to ohio to get it. I stopped for gas on the way home... Thats about it" haha.
Thats the biggest thing that Im afraid of if you sell it all off. The fear that we wont ever see lots of pics and hear all great stories from the new owners.
And to all the people that cant understand why you'd collect cars like this...thats ok. They arent everyones cup of tea. But just like anything, they still have a pretty large following. IM sure those people collect/do things that you think is silly. Its all the same.
I asked him why he removed all the stickers and he said as soon as he got the car home he paid someone to remove that awful 80's stuff....
So now the car sets in the corner of the garage sans all the stickers and showing something like 7k original miles, most of which came from the one lap of America back in 86. I'm working on the stickers and am about done. It's not perfect but it's held up very well and won't take much to bring it back to original glory....
Where are you obtaining the stickers for such a rarity? It took me the longest time just to find this original sticker for my '76 Hurst Trans Am restoration, Click Here, so I can imagine what you must be going through to find yours. I tell ya, here I thought Rich had the rarest 3rd gen collection, Click Here, (although he does have some unbelievably rare TTA's), but your collection really is incredible....
Where are you obtaining the stickers for such a rarity? It took me the longest time just to find this original sticker for my '76 Hurst Trans Am restoration, Click Here, so I can imagine what you must be going through to find yours. I tell ya, here I thought Rich had the rarest 3rd gen collection, Click Here, (although he does have some unbelievably rare TTA's), but your collection really is incredible....
Rich has some amazing cars! Esp Milt's old convertible!
As far as the FireAm stickers go....I fortunately ran into someone who's already gone through the pain and has been a big help along the way!
BTW, that 76 is going to be a killer car once you finish!
