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This car is a 1991 Trans Am convertible. The car was bought as a fun car for my parents (who are in their 70's) to be able to put the top down and enjoy some summer nights cruising around town, or out for some ice cream dates, etc. I happened to stumble across the car for sale on Craigslist, and I sent my Dad and one of his friends on a 2 hour drive to go pick the car up with a trailer, after negotiating a deal with the previous owner. We got the car for a whopping $1,800. I thought if it was too rough to restore, maybe I could part it out and possibly even make a few bucks. I hated to think of parting out the car though, after all it is 1 of 555 Trans Am convertibles built in 1991. Of those, only 49 are known to be the dark green with tan leather.
So, after getting the car home, I realized how much work this thing was actually going to be to make "nice". I am a painter at a body shop, so this was going to be a big job. The car itself though, was extremely original, and I didn't really find one single thing that had been hacked up, and everything was there. The original owner was a woman, who owned the car until 2018. The guy we got the car from bought it with a bad fuel pump. The car had been sitting for years and years with the bad fuel pump. He had changed the pump, plugs, wires, and distributor cap and at least got the car to run. Well....kinda. Oh, and he actually changed the fuel pump the right way.....no trap door.
So, on to work we went. A new set of injectors and fuel filter got the car running perfect. Then, it was on to EVERYTHING else. Once we had a car that ran great, we were on the road to a major overhaul.
Here's a list of new stuff that was replaced. Windshield, OEM hood, we had the rims polished and I painted the centers, tires, all 4 brakes, sway bar links and bushings, hood and trunk struts, polished the taillights, cat back exhaust, convertible top, carpet, seat upholstery, speakers, headlight motors, door hinges, shocks, struts, third brake light, weatherstripping, I could go on and on and on.
As the car was being fixed up in the body shop, my youngest daughter was thinking that it would make her a fun car to cruise around and enjoy, too. So she has actually put most of the miles on it since its completion. She has driven it to several car shows, following me in my IROC. And I think she loves having such a cool car in the school parking lot! She has had a TON of lessons about where to park, how to pull in and out of driveways, etc. The car only gets driven on sunny days, and is in storage for the winter right now. My daughter is really anxious for spring so we can get the car out again!
I don't even know how many hours I have invested in this thing. And, even lots of blood. I ended up in the emergency room one night getting stitches in a finger, and should have gotten stitches in a hand another time from a razor blade when I was trimming the new carpet, lol. And I even went through a surgery having skin cancer removed during this whole process. But, I stayed at it and got the car in and out of the shop in about 3 months. It was worth it! The car was truly saved from the grave. Anyone else would have probably scrapped it lol.
Oh, and the car was completely repainted with PPG ENVIROBASE basecoat/clearcoat. It was blocked by hand 3 times to make the car arrow straight. After paint, the entire car was sanded down with 1200 grit sandpaper, 2000 grit, 3000 grit, and 5000 grit. Then buffed to the glass like finish that you see.
Here's some pics! And good luck to the other participants!
And this is what I started with.... All of the progress pics are in the build thread above.
The car is currently in storage, and I don't have any under hood pics. It has the original TPI 305, and the car looks as good under the hood as it does on the outside. It is SUPER clean, and all original appearing.
Thank you for the nomination and the second. It is an honor to have my car chosen. My story starts on September 12 1988. I went to Rogers Pontiac in Dayton Ohio to reward myself for my hard work. I ordered a 1989 Formula with the 5.0L TPI, 5 speed manual transmission, T-tops in bright red with grey interior. I kept it under a cover in the garage and only drove it on sunny days. After 5 years, like many stories, life happened. I got married and bought a house. My wife said I had too many toys and something needed to go, so I sold the Formula. Yes, I cried as I watched it drive away. I knew i made a mistake, but it was too late, After a few years I started watching the used car papers and eventually used car web sites, but never saw another Red Formula with the 5.0L TPI 5 speed combo until April 9 2014. I saw one for sale in Canton Ohio. The only thing missing was the T-tops. I drove there the next day, wrote a check and drove it home. It was a very clean rust free car with a lot of paint chips, scratches and bad repaint of the top half of the drivers doors. There was enough bad paint to warrant a new paint job, so I went for it. Thanks to Fisher's Body Shop in Springfield, I get a lot of compliments on the new paint. The shifter had been replaced with a Hurst shifter, which I have kept in the car. I removed window tint, red interior bulbs (why would anyone do that?) and an aftermarket stereo system. I have replace the tires, shocks, fuel injectors, carpet, and headliner, but the rest of the car is original with 61,000 miles. I have registered it at the Trans Am Nationals the last 5 years and took second place in my class in 2016. A friend of mine from high school had a 1985 Trans Am when I bought my first Formula in 1989. We posed for a picture in front of his dads house in 1989. Notice the 80's sweaters and sunglasses. We have remained friends and actually live about 2 miles apart 30 years later. Last summer we met at a local cruise in for a re-shoot. He still has the same Trans Am and I now have a new Formula (without T-tops). I met a guy in Tipp City who also ordered a red 5 speed Formula with T-tops in 1989, but he was smart enough to keep it. I have tried to buy it, but he won't sell....yet. I almost bought a convertible version of this car two years ago, but I was a day late calling. It has been a blast reliving my past with this car. If you have ever driven one of these cars, you know what i'm talking about. I am still looking for a T-top version and a convertible version to add to my collection. Let me know if you see one out there.
This month is tough. I prefer Firebirds/Trans Ams all day everyday and twice on Sundays. But socalkidd's Z28 is such a gorgeous original, and back when dagwood had it everytime he posted pictures I would stop scrolling and just soak it all in. Superb.
This month is tough. I prefer Firebirds/Trans Ams all day everyday and twice on Sundays. But socalkidd's Z28 is such a gorgeous original, and back when dagwood had it everytime he posted pictures I would stop scrolling and just soak it all in. Superb.
I'll tell ya what.....socalkidd's Z28 is way beyond nice. I have seen 4k mile cars that his car puts to shame. For real....it's that nice. You can look that car up and down and it is hard to believe that it has 23k miles. It looks showroom brand new. It's incredible....it truly is. Spending it's life in a climate controlled garage, and never seeing any type of inclement weather sure paid off. The entire engine compartment looks like it was just built a week ago, and the same thing can be said for the interior. There's not a trace of wear on anything. The damn thing belongs in the Smithsonian lol
I'll tell ya what.....socalkidd's Z28 is way beyond nice. I have seen 4k mile cars that his car puts to shame. For real....it's that nice. You can look that car up and down and it is hard to believe that it has 23k miles. It looks showroom brand new. It's incredible....it truly is. Spending it's life in a climate controlled garage, and never seeing any type of inclement weather sure paid off. The entire engine compartment looks like it was just built a week ago, and the same thing can be said for the interior. There's not a trace of wear on anything. The damn thing belongs in the Smithsonian lol
I believe it. I would love to be able to see it in person. Whenever you posted a picture I was in awe of how pristine everything was. It kind of became my standard of how I judged the insanely low mileage examples for sale that got posted in the originality forum. Lots of times I was thinking "that car is X years newer, has a fraction of the miles and it STILL dosen't look as good as dagwood's car". LOL
Hat's off to the previous owner, yourself and socalkidd for preserving such an amazing time capsule of third gen history.
Thanks for the nomination ! Little story about my 82 trans am. Bought the car from a car collector in 2015. The car was purchased in Ohio , drove it to California and back and has sit in the previous owners car collection ever since. The car has 7,500 miles. The original wheels were taken off the day it was purchased in 1982 and was stored. EVERY part of the car is original except for the battery and oil filter. Its a true survivor. Right now it sits in a car bubble to preserve it. As you can see from the pics, it looks like it did the day it was purchased in 1982. The exhaust looks brand new! Love this car!
Sorry folks, been super busy and am a little late to the party. Just wanted to say a few words about the car and share a few more pictures. First a bit of a story.....I had the exact twin to this car back in high school. I got mine in around 1985 when it was 3 years old. I sold it several years later after I graduated and joined the Navy. Fast forward many years later and I had to have another third gen Camaro. But this time I wanted the ultimate third gen.....A 1987 (year I graduated) IROC Z-28, 5 speed manual, G92 with t-tops. I looked for about a year, nationwide, before I finally found the perfect example. I bought it and promptly joined third gen.org. Well, not long after buying my prized IROC what do I see? Another member posting pictures of the exact 1982 Camaro Z28 I had in high school. Same silver color, same stripes, same color interior.....I had to have it. I immediately asked him to sell it to me but was informed it was not for sale. After many phone conversations and late night talks...... And a few too many beers, I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He finally sold it to me after finding an IROC he wanted..........Dagwood......thank you so much for the opportunity to own this car.....It means a lot to me.
Sorry folks, been super busy and am a little late to the party. Just wanted to say a few words about the car and share a few more pictures. First a bit of a story.....I had the exact twin to this car back in high school. I got mine in around 1985 when it was 3 years old. I sold it several years later after I graduated and joined the Navy. Fast forward many years later and I had to have another third gen Camaro. But this time I wanted the ultimate third gen.....A 1987 (year I graduated) IROC Z-28, 5 speed manual, G92 with t-tops. I looked for about a year, nationwide, before I finally found the perfect example. I bought it and promptly joined third gen.org. Well, not long after buying my prized IROC what do I see? Another member posting pictures of the exact 1982 Camaro Z28 I had in high school. Same silver color, same stripes, same color interior.....I had to have it. I immediately asked him to sell it to me but was informed it was not for sale. After many phone conversations and late night talks...... And a few too many beers, I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He finally sold it to me after finding an IROC he wanted..........Dagwood......thank you so much for the opportunity to own this car.....It means a lot to me.
I know you've been super busy, so I'll help you out on the pics....
And Jim looking sharp, heading for prom in 1985 with his original "twin"....
Dagwood - The effort you put into the finish is really impressive. I am about to put my "91 convertible into paint and the detail you provided will help me achieve the results I am looking for. I, too, am the original owner like the person you got this from. Great job with the entire restoration.
Dagwood - The effort you put into the finish is really impressive. I am about to put my "91 convertible into paint and the detail you provided will help me achieve the results I am looking for. I, too, am the original owner like the person you got this from. Great job with the entire restoration.
I extended voting a few days so that it doesn't fall on the same date as Car of The Year.
Christmas day to be exact. Figured it would be a fun present for whoever wins.
Twas the night before Christmas and out in the garage, There wasn’t a trace of a Honda, Toyota, or Dodge. The presents were wrapped and the lights were all lit, So I figured I’d mess with the Firebird a bit. I popped the release and lifted the hood, When a deep voice behind me said “It looks pretty good.”
Well, as you can imagine, I turned mighty quick, And there, by the workbench, stood ol’ Saint Nick! I stood there a bit, not to sure what to say, Then he said. “Don’t suppose that you’d trade for my sleigh?” “No way, Santa” I said with a grin, “But if you’ve got the time we can go for a spin!”
His round little mouth, all tied like a bow’ Turned into a smile and he said ”Sure! Let’s go!!” So not to disturb all the neighbors” retreat, We quietly pushed the car to the street. Then, taking our places to coast down the hill, I turned on the key and let the clutch spill. The sound that erupted took him by surprise, But he liked it a lot, by the look in his eyes.
With tires a’screaming and headers aglow, We headed on out to where the Hot Rodders go. And Santa’s grin widened approaching his ears, With every shift as I banged through the gears. Then he yelled “I CAN’T RECALL WHEN I’VE FELT SO ALIVE!” So I backed off the gas and asked Santa if he would drive.
Ol Santa was stunned when I gave him the keys, When he walked past the headlights he shook at the knees! The Firebird exploded with a sweet exhaust sound! And when Santa popped the clutch the tires shook the ground! Power shifting in to second, again into third! I sat there just watching, at loss for a word, Then I heard him exclaim as we blasted from sight, “Merry Christmas to all, it’s one hell of a night”
Twas the night before Christmas and out in the garage, There wasn’t a trace of a Honda, Toyota, or Dodge. The presents were wrapped and the lights were all lit, So I figured I’d mess with the Firebird a bit. I popped the release and lifted the hood, When a deep voice behind me said “It looks pretty good.”
Well, as you can imagine, I turned mighty quick, And there, by the workbench, stood ol’ Saint Nick! I stood there a bit, not to sure what to say, Then he said. “Don’t suppose that you’d trade for my sleigh?” “No way, Santa” I said with a grin, “But if you’ve got the time we can go for a spin!”
His round little mouth, all tied like a bow’ Turned into a smile and he said ”Sure! Let’s go!!” So not to disturb all the neighbors” retreat, We quietly pushed the car to the street. Then, taking our places to coast down the hill, I turned on the key and let the clutch spill. The sound that erupted took him by surprise, But he liked it a lot, by the look in his eyes.
With tires a’screaming and headers aglow, We headed on out to where the Hot Rodders go. And Santa’s grin widened approaching his ears, With every shift as I banged through the gears. Then he yelled “I CAN’T RECALL WHEN I’VE FELT SO ALIVE!” So I backed off the gas and asked Santa if he would drive.
Ol Santa was stunned when I gave him the keys, When he walked past the headlights he shook at the knees! The Firebird exploded with a sweet exhaust sound! And when Santa popped the clutch the tires shook the ground! Power shifting in to second, again into third! I sat there just watching, at loss for a word, Then I heard him exclaim as we blasted from sight, “Merry Christmas to all, it’s one hell of a night”
Qwktrip, did you write this? Can I share this on the Trans Am Nationals page?
This plastered car forums and spammed e-mail accounts from years back. This is the old school stuff we used to send to each other when internet was new and before our cars got old and unreliable and LS swaps.
This car is a 1991 Trans Am convertible. The car was bought as a fun car for my parents (who are in their 70's) to be able to put the top down and enjoy some summer nights cruising around town, or out for some ice cream dates, etc. I happened to stumble across the car for sale on Craigslist, and I sent my Dad and one of his friends on a 2 hour drive to go pick the car up with a trailer, after negotiating a deal with the previous owner. We got the car for a whopping $1,800. I thought if it was too rough to restore, maybe I could part it out and possibly even make a few bucks. I hated to think of parting out the car though, after all it is 1 of 555 Trans Am convertibles built in 1991. Of those, only 49 are known to be the dark green with tan leather.
So, after getting the car home, I realized how much work this thing was actually going to be to make "nice". I am a painter at a body shop, so this was going to be a big job. The car itself though, was extremely original, and I didn't really find one single thing that had been hacked up, and everything was there. The original owner was a woman, who owned the car until 2018. The guy we got the car from bought it with a bad fuel pump. The car had been sitting for years and years with the bad fuel pump. He had changed the pump, plugs, wires, and distributor cap and at least got the car to run. Well....kinda. Oh, and he actually changed the fuel pump the right way.....no trap door.
So, on to work we went. A new set of injectors and fuel filter got the car running perfect. Then, it was on to EVERYTHING else. Once we had a car that ran great, we were on the road to a major overhaul.
Here's a list of new stuff that was replaced. Windshield, OEM hood, we had the rims polished and I painted the centers, tires, all 4 brakes, sway bar links and bushings, hood and trunk struts, polished the taillights, cat back exhaust, convertible top, carpet, seat upholstery, speakers, headlight motors, door hinges, shocks, struts, third brake light, weatherstripping, I could go on and on and on.
As the car was being fixed up in the body shop, my youngest daughter was thinking that it would make her a fun car to cruise around and enjoy, too. So she has actually put most of the miles on it since its completion. She has driven it to several car shows, following me in my IROC. And I think she loves having such a cool car in the school parking lot! She has had a TON of lessons about where to park, how to pull in and out of driveways, etc. The car only gets driven on sunny days, and is in storage for the winter right now. My daughter is really anxious for spring so we can get the car out again!
I don't even know how many hours I have invested in this thing. And, even lots of blood. I ended up in the emergency room one night getting stitches in a finger, and should have gotten stitches in a hand another time from a razor blade when I was trimming the new carpet, lol. And I even went through a surgery having skin cancer removed during this whole process. But, I stayed at it and got the car in and out of the shop in about 3 months. It was worth it! The car was truly saved from the grave. Anyone else would have probably scrapped it lol.
Oh, and the car was completely repainted with PPG ENVIROBASE basecoat/clearcoat. It was blocked by hand 3 times to make the car arrow straight. After paint, the entire car was sanded down with 1200 grit sandpaper, 2000 grit, 3000 grit, and 5000 grit. Then buffed to the glass like finish that you see.
Here's some pics! And good luck to the other participants!
And this is what I started with.... All of the progress pics are in the build thread above.
12-10-2019, 06:08 PM
