Six rides this month - all really nice picks. The nominees for February 2015 TGO Car of the Month are:


IROCZman15 1987 IROC


wrh505 1991 Camaro


1bad91Z 1991 Z28


racerkilla 1985 IROC


brando278705 1987 IROC


DynoDave43 1988 TA

 

let me get this out of the way - guys, i would really appreciate it if when you nominate someone, that you research the model year and trim level of the car so that i dont have to research one or several nominations in order to ascertain that information when putting together the Voting Thread. its a pain in the ***.

now that thats out of the way, enjoy the voting thread - all very nice cars. and congrats to all the nominees.

Dave.

 

Hey Linson, The car is a 85 iroc with pretty much everything 92 swapped on it.

 

I want to say I feel honored to even be in the running this month. Good luck to everyone with there fine examples of 3rd gens.

Here is my thread to my car to engine/paint/parts details
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...-camaro-i.html

Long story short it was my brothers 85 iroc that passed away 2 years ago. I got the car and stripped it to a bare shell basically and started over. When I am working or around the car it feels like he is with me. Him and I always liked teal 92's so swapped everything 92 onto my 85 throughout the build.

pics

 

I’m pleasantly surprised to have been nominated for COTM. There are so many beautiful third gens. on this site. Thank you to Mantaguy, Restrorob, dmccain, and 86’sportcoupe for nominating and supporting my cars entry into the COTM competition.

I have to admit, in the time I have owned it, I have not taken many photos of the car. What follows are an assortment of photos I’ve taken along the way (complete with sometimes less than ideal lighting and background…I’m still learning), some photos from the selling dealer, a few taken today to try and fill some gaps, and some other odds and ends.

So here she is. My 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. A two owner, 54k mile “survivor”, if I may borrow that term.



I had a chance to speak with the 1st owner, a retired GM engineer, who worked at the GM Tech Center in Warren, MI. The T/A was an ordered car, delivered through Rinke Pontiac GMC (which was just down the road from the Tech Center). This car had a stable mate for some time…a yellow Formula belonging to his wife. Those cars would have been a neat pair to see in the garage next to each other.

When he ordered the Firebird, he checked the boxes for many options. Among them (some a part of packages I’m sure): Trans Am Package, WS6 Suspension, PW7 Wheels in Bright Red, 4-way Manual Driver Seat, Power Windows, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Antennae, Power Hatch Release, Tilt Column, Cruise Control, Air Conditioning, T-tops, T-Top Shades, Floor Mats, Cargo Cover, Rear Window Defogger, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shift ****, Wheel Locks, UM6 Radio with UQ7 Performance Sound System (Subwoofers), and perhaps a few I’m not thinking of. He also had the dealer add a Goodwrench alarm system, and had all the glass etched with the VIN number.

I guess everyone will have their own idea of what the car is, but to me, it seems like the original owner wanted a Grand Touring car, not necessarily the fastest muscle car. Heavily optioned for comfort, style and handling, yet with the base L03 V8, automatic transmission, and standard 2.73:1 rear gears. Give me an English tweed cap and a pipe and I’m ready to eat up the miles!

From Wikipedia, “A grand tourer (Italian: gran turismo) (GT) is a performance or luxury automobile capable of high speed or spirited long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement."

One of the cars key visual features, the Bright Red PW7 wheels. Available in several colors over the years, Bright Red seems to be among the rarest. The factory Goodyears have been replaced with Michelin Pilot Sport A//S Plus tires in the O.E. size.



The only non-OE pieces in the interior are the vintage aftermarket Trans Am floor mats.



We added just under 3k miles to the odometer this year, which now shows 54,747 miles as of this writing.



As mentioned above, the original owner had a GM Security System installed at the dealership. The speaker and keypad are still present, but the module was removed (it’s in a bag in the rear storage compartment). I recently picked up a Goodwrench remote for it, which needs a mini-restoration of its own. Also seen in this photo, controls for the UQ7 subwoofer, rear window defogger, electric hatch release, and air conditioning.



Between a low-mile, pampered life in a garage, and a cargo shade, the rear compartment trim and T-top bag are in excellent condition too.

CarFax indicates all the reported service work was done by a GM dealer, and the only parts under the hood that appear to have been changed (the battery and the alternator) are both AC Delco, keeping it all GM, and as original as possible. I’ve done some cleaning, but there’s always more work to do.



And “original” includes: the date coded radiator, and factory hose clamps...



...date coded radiator hoses...



...Harrison Thermal A/C compressor...



...Packard Electric spark plug wires...



...and heater core hoses.



I’ve really enjoyed the car so far. It’s fun to run errands in, tour the countryside with no particular place to go, make a pass down the ¼ mile, or enjoy a nice evening at my favorite cruise spot.



More photos can be seen at http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/CR...?sort=3&page=1

From a joy ride with the family, to the Woodward Dream Cruise, the car has been everything I had hoped it would be. Thanks for reading.

 

Really nice, 1bad91! Car looks great!

 

Voted for Brando! I love the color and the look of that IROC! Good luck to everyone!

 

wow, this is awesome. Much thanks for considering my Camaro for car of the month...and also congrats to the other nominees..


FULL Details and MANY photos available at http://iroczman15.webs.com/


here's a few photos and a write-up of some of the many many mods to the car:
(AND SORRY IN ADVANCE FOR THE CAPS-LOCK, I pulled this text from the dash-printout poster I made for the car...which is all in caps)


- I've owned the car since February 1999 when I bought it exactly stock (minus a basic trans rebuild).. however I did not start putting photos to the web until 2006 so most of the other work (engine, trans, first paint job) is all on photos I would have to scan in and upload


the 2 year game-plan is a SBC 427 engine with a 150 shot and upgraded cooling system, probably a 12 bolt rear too...details can be explained. I've been trying to build the car Up first, then go nuts with the power-train after.... hopefully sooner than later of course

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 15 YEARS (AS THE SECOND OWNER) AND I BOUGHT IT WHEN IT WAS BASICALLY STOCK. IT HAS UNDERGONE MANY MODIFICATIONS; MOST WERE DONE BY MYSELF.

- PAINT: “DEEP FLAME RED” SPRAYED IN 2007. GLASSTEK 2.5” FIBERGLASS HOOD, SHAVED DOOR MOLDINGS, REMOVED DRIP RAILS, AND FILLED ANTENNA HOLE IN FENDER. HAD THE DOOR-JAMBS AND TRUNK PAINTED ALSO. CUSTOM VINYL STRIPES ON HOOD AND LOWER DOORS; WHICH WERE DESIGNED AND APPLIED BY MY MYSELF AND MY FATHER. ABOUT 90% OF THE BODYWORK WAS DONE BY MYSELF, YET THE PRIMER/PAINT/CLEAR WAS APPLIED BY PEOTTER’S AUTO BODY SHOP – SUMMIT N.J.

- ENGINE: GM PERFORMANCE CRATE LONG-BLOCK. 350 C.I.D. PAIRED WITH ORIGINAL TUNED PORT INJECTION SETUP. ESTIMATED 330 HP (NOT TESTED. ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED IN A FEW YEARS WITH A 427 SBC AND A 125 SHOT OF THE FUN JUICE)

- TRANSMISSION: PRO-REBUILT 700-R4 TRANSMISSION WITH A B&M STAGE-2 SHIFT KIT, A B&M 2800 RPM CONVERTER, AND A B&M MEGASHIFTER.

- REAR: ORIGINAL 10 BOLT REAR WHICH I HAVE UPGRADED TO RUN A 3.73 RICHMOND FINAL GEAR. M.A.C. REINFORCED REAR END COVER AND REAR AXLE HOUSING PAINTED SATIN BLACK ALL NEW BEARINGS, SEALS, AND OIL.

- SUSPENSION: FRONT SUSPENSION IS LOWERED 2” VIA LOWERING-SPINDLES THAT I WAS LUCKY O HAVE FOUND ACK IN 2001. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS LOWERED 1-¼” WITH CUT SPRINGS. MOOG 5655 SPRINGS PAIRED WITH TOKICO STRUTS/SHOCKS WHICH ARE ADJUSTABLE TO 5 RIDE SETTINGS. T.D.S. WONDERBAR UP FRONT. ALSO A S&W ADJUSTABLE TORQUE-ARM HELPS TO DIAL IT ALL IN

- CHASSIS: FULL S&W RACECARS SUB-FRAME KIT UNDERNEATH. IT IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST SIMPLE SUB-FRAME CONNECTORS; AS IT INCLUDEDS TWO MAIN FRAME CONNECTORS, SEVERAL BAR-TO-UNIBODY ATTACHMENT POINTS, SANDWICH PLATES, THE DRIVESHAFT SAFETY LOOP, AND REMOUNTED TORQUE ARM CONNECTION AREA

- EXHAUST: AWESOME PAIR OF “DYNO DON’S” 1-5/8” MANDREL BENT CERAMIC-COATED HEADERS INTO DYON DON'S 3” Y-PIPE. ALSO, A MAGNA-FLOW SPUN-CAT, HOOKER 3” CAT-BACK EXHAUST WITH SUPER-COMP MUFFLER AND A D.M.H. ELECTRIC EXHAUST CUT-OUT WIRED TO A TOGGLE SWITCH UNDER THE DASHBOARD.

- AUDIO: THE 2,100 WATT SOUND SYSTEM USES A BOSS REV-635 AMPLIFIER POWERING TWO 12” VOLFENHAG DUAL VOICE COIL SUB-WOOFERS. ALSO A PANASONIC CD/MP3 HEADUNIT, PIONEER 6”X9” AND PIONEER 4X6” SPEAKERS INSIDE. USES 4-GAUGE WIRE FOR THE AMP.

-BRAKES: FRONT BRAKE SETUP IS A MODIFIED C4-HD CORVETTE SETUP USING 13” DRILLED AND SLOTTED RAYBESTOS ROTORS WITH 2-PISTON P.B.R.
POWDERCOATED CALIPERS. FOR THE REAR BRAKES, I REMOVED THE STOCK IRON DRUM BRAKES AND INSTALLED PROPER MOUNTING BRAKCETS TO ATTACH 12” RAYBESTOS ROTORS AND THE SAME 2-PISTON P.B.R. CALIPERS, NOW MAKING THE CAR A 4-WHEELS DISC BRAKE CAR! I ALSO INSTALLED THE PROPER PROPORTIONING VALVE, TIMKEN WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS, GRADE 8 HARDWARE, EARL’S STAINLESS STEEL FLEX LINES AND STAINLESS HARD LINES. THE SLP LINE-LOCK WAS ADDED FOR BURNOUT ACTION !

- WHEELS: BRAND NEW WHEELS JUNE 2014: WENT WITH EXPENSIVE WHEELS FROM BOZE FORGED. THE BOZE “INJECTED” WHEELS ARE 2-PIECE BILLET ALUMINUM FULLY POLISHED AND CLEAR COATED. FRONT ARE 18”X8” WITH 5” BACKSPACE AND NITTO 555 245/40/18 TIRES THE REARS ARE 18”X10” WITH A 5.85” BACKSPACE AND NITTO 555 285/40/18 TIRES. “HIDDEN” VALVE-STEMS

-INTERIOR: “SPORT SEATS” INSTALLED AND SELF-BUILT CUSTOM SLIDERS/BRACKETS INSTALLED. ALSO SOUND-DEADENER MATERIAL APPLIED TO FLOOR AND ALL SIDES OF INTERIOR BODY SHELL. A/C AND HEATING SYSTEMS REMOVED. NEW HEADLINER,
BLACK CARPETING,AND GRANT GT STEERING WHEEL. NEW
WEATHERSTRIPPING AT DOORS AND TRUNK.

OTHER ADDITIONAL MODIFICATIONS:
ALMOST THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY HAS BEEN SANDED DOWN TO BARE METAL AND UNDERCOATED WITH POR-15 UNDERCOATING. MINOR RUST SPOTS WERE REPAIRED PROPERLY ALSO. THE CAR IS SOLID AND ROT FREE AS OF THIS MOMENT. PRO-FORM CHROME VALVE COVERS, HAWKS BUILT RAM-AIR INTAKE SETUP WITH K&N AIR FILTERS AND A T.P.I.S. AIR-FOIL - HOLLEY ADJUSTABLE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR - SUMMIT MINI-STARTER WRAPPED IN HEAT BLOCKING FABRIC - 145 AMP CHROME ALTERNATOR - TAIL-LIGHTS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED TO CHANGE THE AMBER TURN SIGNLAS TO RED COLORED SIGNALS - NEW OEM REPLACEMENT RADIATOR PAIRED WITH 180* THERMOSTAT, DUAL FANS WIRED TO RUN WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. 1970 CAMARO NOSE EMBLEM

 

.....Well, I voted for the Camaro!

 

All very nice!
Something about T/As though.

Good luck Dave

 

Gotta support a fellow Pontiac owner.


Go DynoDave43!!!!!

 

Yea im kinda prejudice to those Pontiacs especially red ones. Good luck Dave. You are grouped up with some very nice 3rd gens!

 

Me Too!!

 

IROCZman15 FTW


I love everything about this car.
From the intake to the awesome stance and staggered wheels.


Very AGGRESSIVE looking

 

I came very close to purchasing a Camaro before I bought my Firebird. I'm glad it was sold before I made my decision. I just prefer Birds over Camaros.


However, I'd like to see more of what the other contestants have poured into their cars before I make my decision.

 

Some super shiny cars this month!!

One more vote for the bird. Love the red wheels, and I am a big fan of survivor cars. Good luck to all the entrants.

 

DynoDave gets my vote! Very nice cars this month. Clean!

 

It seems like there is only one Firebird so all of the Firebird owners are voting for that car. Might there be a way to combat this by alternating months or waiting till another bird is nominated? No reason we have to have these every month. And I agree about every contestant posting details about the vehicle with more pictures or a link to more information About it.

 

I'm a camaro guy and I voted for the bird

 

In 2013 and 2014 their were 92 Chevy's and 40 Pontiacs Nominated for COTM and in those 2 years 9 Chevy's and 9 Pontiacs won COTM.So I would have to say it's pretty even.

 

Another thing I think your not realizing is that the "Firebird" is the only stock original car in the bunch.Not to say theres anything wrong with making your car your own but the Firebird as you refer to it is as original as they come in my book...

 

 

hey thanks man, much appreciated. I spent some time working on the car today actually. redid some wiring; had to cut and splice and solder 9 wires in total. the original MAF burnoff and MAF power relays on the firewall developed some sketchy wiring issues over the years so I bought some new harness connectors and wired them in. felt good to fix that.

got some big time suspension upgrades and chassis mods coming up soon too. also once I pass NJ state inspection, I plan on a 125hp wet kit of NO2 for the car.

also, thanks to you for your military service. I have always appreciated the job the military has done. my brother is a 1st LT in the USMC and my cousin is a Lance Cpl in the USMC also. Me, I chose to stay stateside and work on the domestic side of it as a local police officer.


Congrats to the firebird and the win this month. Nice car dude. !

 

I am not and did not make this into a historical argument. I only spoke of this month and my point is still valid. Multiple camaro and one Firebird. It is extremely likely that most Firebird owners vote would vote for another Firebird because it is already, obviously there personal preference. Maybe do a runoff between the Firebird and top camaro as is done in Louisiana and California elections.

 

I agree and totally see your point. Good observation. Would be cool for a runoff indeed. However, I know this whole thing is for fun and still, we are all on the same team. thirdgens

 

indeed, your point still stands. personally, I don't like it when people state that their reason for voting for a particular car is because of "bias" for that particular model or year, or "bias" for the car's owner. that takes away from the integrity of the contest to some degree because those votes are not based on any merit of the nominated vehicles. but, there is very little that I can do to prevent that, and some degree of bias is to be expected.


as for situations such as this, I have seen this very scenario play out quite a few times since I have been COTM editor. ironically, just as has been pointed out, it is the popularity of Camaros vs. Firebirds that is their undoing. when you have six Democrats and one Republican running for the same office, well, a lot of self-identified Republicans are going to vote for that lone Republican, while the Democratic votes are split between all the Democrats...Camaros...whatever. similarly, when there is one "stock-restoration" vs. six modified restorations, well ya'll get my point.


as has also been pointed out, we are all on the same team [Team Third Gen]. so, if you own and prefer Camaro, don't be ashamed to admire and nominate a Firebird, and visa versa.

 

Well said !

 

 

Neither do I. While I did say I prefer the Birds over the Camaros, I have been waiting for other members to post some info about their cars. Voted(unbiased) for the car I thought was best this month.

 

And if it was reversed, I'll bet you wouldn't complain one bit about the lone Camaro nominee getting all the votes from Camaro owners.

 

If someone is that stuckup, then maybe they should find a Camaro or Chevy owner's only club to join. I'm not afraid to admire someone's Camaro though my heart is Chicken. The teal one this month could have gotten my vote (because it is a different color) if I had remember to vote on time.

 

I think Linson does a good job by trying to set a variety. But I don't think it would be wise to make this too complicated. We aren't voting people in for office that can direct or control how we live. We are simply trying to showcase some of the best ThirdGens. You also don't have to be a winner to be recognized because I think the nomination and voting process shows us some ThirdGens that some members may not have seen before.

 

Maybe if more than 81 people (way more than that on this site for sure) voted, but I agree, there's one firebird, firebird owners are most likely going to vote for the one firebird. There's not too much you can do about that. In the same reasoning, even if there were all Camaros, in all categories, stock, modified, etc, the modified cars will beat a stock car every time. I'd just like to see more people vote for COTM in the future.

 

I agree,more members should vote,but here's a Poll that says different about Stock v Modified.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...hird-gens.html

 

Well how about that!

 

Hey that's my thread!
thanks for the mention. I would love more people to vote in it too! i know there are more people who like modified than are reflected in my poll. Feel free to vote if you haven't already!

congrats on the win DynoDave43!!

 

That the poll is in the History/Originality section the results aren't very surprising, and far from scientific, as that section has members who favor originality, factory spec, ThirdGens as indicated in the section's name and that has been the case for years. That is the forum where you go if you want to know what is factory correct. Those who want to "modify" their ThirdGen beyond subtle modifications are generally steered toward another section. The results might be different in another section. But I don't think it really matters.

 

I guess you guys are right!]
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