Thought I would share some pics I snapped yesterday. After not having much luck selling my 86 TA, I had an epiphany (ok, I had some help on that epiphany, and no I won't discuss it ) and chose to re-do the exterior instead, and keep the car.

Enjoy...car will be done in 2 weeks. I love the fact the shop is doing this car RIGHT...stripping everything off, grinding down the few small spots of rust found, spraying everything seperately, then putting it all back together. This thing is gonna look so awesome, I won't sell it now!

 

As for the inside of the car, all that needs fixing is a re-wrap of the steering wheel (thanks to chazman for the name of someone who does good work...just waiting on the leather sample before I ship it out) and some splits in the top of the seatback my trim guy is fixing. I also have a mint used console to swap in as well.

Naturally, final pics will be shared

As for what it looked like before, for those who haven't seen it...

 

Let's hope they don't get the engine compartment too full of body shop dust! That'll be a lot of work to clean up.

 

Dang It looked great b4! Only thing I wud do is put the 16x8 crosslace wheels on her.. buuuut thats me, shes guna be nice when done !

 

Is that a screw through the side of the console (near the shifter)? A previous owner for one of my Trans AMs did that in an otherwise "mint" interior.

The two-tone blue/silver and red/silver is one of my favorite combinations on the ThirdGen Trans Ams. Add PW7 rims and perhaps a DX1 large hood bird. Those cars made it appear to have more character with some of those options that later disappeared.

 

In reference to the above...

1) JT, I guess I'm pretty lucky because my '88 is red/silver! I love the two tone look, which is why both times I've bought TAs over GTAs. Originally, this car was going to get "86 correct" PW7s in charcoal, however since buying my 88 which has OEM black PW7s, I figured I'd keep the 15s for something different. I had my 4 15" turbos remanned...they'resitting in front of the tire machine at work, waiting for the Comp TAs to go back on. It will be getting a hood bird, though...the only non-stock thing besides the radio.

2) Yes, my uncle shot the screw through the console when I sent him the car to do some work last summer. I asked him to see if he had any epoxy to fix it....that's what he did instead

3) Scott, forget that....its already covered in dust I cleaned it up a little before it went in, and got water in something...it ran like garbage for about a half hour, then smoothed out. Gotta be more careful next time!

4) TTOP, the pics don't show how lousy it looked The sides were ok, but the roof, hood, and tops of fenders were shot, necessitating a full respray.

I'm soooo excited to see it when its back together...these guys are doing an awesome job....

 

It's good to see a thirdgen painted right...looking forward to more, and in particular a photo shoot of all three beaut's together when you get her back.

 

I'll be watching this one, Jason!

 

Charlie,

Thanks again for the info for the wheel! Got my leather sample yesterday before my ride down to MD...looks like it should be a good match.

puma,

I'm already trying to think of picture ideas for when it gets home The 86 and the 88 TAs will look great together. I really would love to tear into the 86 a little this winter, adding a stronger cam, a set of 3.27s or 3.45s, an 88+ style air intake...

At the same time, this car has survived 25 years unaltered, and I've felt fortunate to bring back a great driving car to hopefully look as good as it drives. Time will tell...I will likely just leave it alone...

 

I like the stock 15" wheels, but they look better with white letter tires (especially on a blue car).

And agree with your opinion on the paint, sometimes my GTA seems a bit boring compared to the TA's with two colors.

 

Should've kept the RS

 

Don't get me started on that As pretty as the car was, I prefer the TA by a good margin. I like the color scheme, seats, ride quality and TPI compared to the RS. This is my "driving" third gen, and its much more comfortable to me. Plus, there's no Lexan t-tops rattling away over my head, either...

Like I said, its probably staying stock...although a few power/drivetrain mods that don't wreck the original feel of it wouldn't hurt. At this point, I'm so sick of spending money on cars, after the cosmetic resto is done on this, I'm not spending money on anything for awhile.

I have to get off my lazy *** and get the other two tuned up...I've had a full array of tune up parts/injectors/fluids sitting in the garage for the pair of 88s for 2 months.

 

Got to go see it today, and take some more pics. Bottom line is, the car will have all the original panels, had no rust of any shape or form outside of a small amount of surface rust, and I cannot believe we were able to save that RF fender. I took a specific picture of it because the edge was all wrinkled and bent in. They are doing all the jambs, and there will not be a single tape line on the entire car. I didn't even ask them to go this far, but they are definitely going the extra mile. I couldn't be happier with the work being done.

I got a new spoiler from Hawks, the OEM graphics kit from Phoenix Graphix, and the car should be ready by next Friday! All 4 wheels have been redone, and are sitting in my garage waiting to be put back on...those look beautiful as well. Its gonna look like a brand new '86 TA within a week!

 

Looking great! I love the blue/silver scheme. Who are you using to have your steering wheel redone? I'm curious to see how yours turns out, my 86 TA needs the wheel and shift **** recovered as well. My 86 needs a lot of this work done as well so i'm anxious to see the graphics and hawks spoiler too.

 

Wow, looking good Jason! Surprised I missed this with how often I'm in history/restoration haha. I've always loved your bird's color combo...I came REAL close to buying a 2 tone blue and silver trans am at one point but figured one third gen was enough for me. Looks like the shop is doing an excellent job on it! If you don't mind me asking, what shop is doing the work?

Looking forward to seeing that thing freshly painted....always nice when another 86 is fixed up. It's personally my favorite year!

 

GerryCat,

I'm using Peltons out of Michigan...I finally got the wheel off the car and will be mailing it to them as a core tomorrow. They had a core in stock they are already re-wrapping. I have an NOS shift **** I got on eBay last winter that I'm using...the original e-brake handle is still in nice shape.

whitedevil,

1812 Paint and Body in Northampton MA is doing the work. The owner is a long-time friend of my uncle, and has painted 3-4 cars for my uncle over the years (2 of which were 1st-in-class Super Chevy Show winners). He has really gone above and beyond for this project, and hopefully I've shown him how much I appreciate it. There is a particular reason for all the fuss with the car, anyway...more on that at a later time.

I too love the blue and silver scheme, and think the only non-stock item the car will have (silver hood bird) will only add to it. Later this fall, I will also be tinting the windows with 35% graphite tint, and possibly add a TTA-style "PONTIAC" windshield banner from Phoenix, and a pinstripe with a Pontiac arrowhead at the end, like I did with my '88. However, I may skip both those ideas...I don't want the car looking overwrought with decals. The hood bird is probably sufficient

Over time, I've decided I will add a good-quality stainless high-flow exhaust, an '88-'89 style air intake, 3.27 gears and a flat tappet cam that will play nice with the OEM computer. Maybe an L69-spec cam? I'd simply like to get it to the 215hp level of a 5 speed TPI TA, minimally. My '88 is noticeably peppier than this car.

Thanks for all the compliments...LOTS of pics to come...

 

Jason, looks good and glad to see someone painting their car correctly. Please keep the pics coming...

 

Sadly, assuming that the spray job is as good as the prep, it will possibly look better than my 88 TA...that one has a couple minute errors in it that irritate me, plus over time the bumpers have darkened and the spoiler is cracked. I have a Hawks spoiler waiting to go on that one, too. I will likely have this same shop redo the bumpers, spoiler and paint the hood in the spring (couple blemishes in the hood from bird crap).

 

Havn't heard of them, but I don't go into MA much other than right over the border into springfield and that. They look like they know thier stuff though, and the car is progressing awesome! As far as decals and that, I've always LOVED the look of a clean, uncluttered body and the hood bird I would think should look great as the only addition. I never cared too much for windshield banners, and pinstripes seem too old fashioned lol. But it's your car and I'm sure it'll look great no matter what. Can't wait to see it out of the shop!

 

looks really good

 

Looks great. Cant wait to see it done> Its nice they're going the extra mile for you.

 

So far, so good.

 

Jason,
My son wants to know if the car is still available for $4k OBO. I can come get it sometime in September if that works!!

 

Yeah...uh, no I haven't totaled up the end result of all this work, but I can't say I particularly want to, either! My goal was simply to not lose money if I ever had to sell it, after taking a $6,000 or so bath on the RS I sold in April.

I think, given current market conditions, I'd probably break even if I sold it...but that's a little higher than $4k

Just can't wait to get behind the wheel of it, all cleaned up, and A week from today, it should be home!

 

Can't wait to see the pics of it finished. Looks like you picked a very good body shop to do the work. A good paint job is all in the prep!

 

UPDATE: Just talked to the body shop...I will be calling them Friday afternoon to find out what day to pick it up. The doors are painted, the body is primed, the jambs have been painted...now they just have to paint the shell, then throw it back together

Looks like we are maybe a couple days behind schedule, but not bad. She said if the car is in the booth in the morning, they can put it back together on Saturday!! My steering wheel is on its way from MI, too...final pics should be up within a week!

 

Thats great news! I always wonder how some of these body shops work so fast. My car took about 2 1/2 months and that was just the shell! But I also told the guy to take his time since I didn't want it rushed. Can't wait to see the pics.

 

Well, they've had it for 5 weeks, and have worked quickly on it for sure. They did my uncle's 86 Monte SS in about the same timeframe. They are working a little quicker on this project than normal because there is a timeline I need to meet.

Can't wait to see it done...

 

Thats going to be one beautiful bird when you are done. I have an 86 T/A myself that I am restoring... I am actually painting this weekend and doing a custom paintjob myself with the factory Black Saphire and Sterling silver. Instead of the regular two tone like your has i am turning them into flames. I can't wait to see the finished photos of your car.


DROOL!!!!!

 

Unfortunately, due to miscommunication between the shop foreman and myself and the office manager, the new plan is to pick the car up Wednesday night. They were painting the car Fri/Sat, will be putting it back together and wet sanding/buffing Monday, striping Tuesday, then I get to pick up Wednesday night after work

Once the redone wheels are on it and the interior is put back in, fresh pics should be up by Thursday!

 

Great. Can't wait to see the pics...

 

Went to see it this morning...wish I had brought my phone with me to snap some pictures. The shop was in the direct path of a flooding river due to Hurricane Irene, but thankfully the water stopped before it reached the shop, and has since receded.

Anyway, the shop has the doors, hood, rear glass and front bumper back on. I guess a guy is coming today to put on the stripe kit (I'm assuming they'll have to put the gfx and rear bumper back on before they do that!). I got my rewrapped steering wheel in the mail yesterday, and its gorgeous.

I can't wait to see the car finished...lots to do in the next 3-4 days, but it should be ready to go for Labor Day Weekend...I told them I absolutely had to have it back before then.

The only scary thing was seeing the front bumper all blue vs. blue/silver. I mentioned it to the office manager, and she is correct in that they can't simply stop one color then mate it to another. I imagine everything will be fine. I feel like a nervous parent right now

At this point, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly for the next 2 days. My new scheduled pick-up date is Thursday. On a great note, from what I could see of the paint job under compound dust, its looking beautiful. Nice and smooth. The office manager said they'd spent hours wet sanding and buffing to get it perfect. They have a little more to go on it (could see a few buff marks), but I'd say its damn impressive looking.

 

I believe that's how they were from the factory. I've seen many TA's with the silver either faded or chipping off, revealing the primary body color underneath.

 

Can't wait to see pics! I questioned a few things at the body shop mine was at too, but in the end, I was the amatuer and he was the pro and it turned out gorgeous. Best to let them do it thier way when it comes to paint and body, and you shouldn't be dissapointed.

And as far as Irene, We were pretty untouched here in Suffield, but I saw shots of Hartford by the river and apparently it was 17 feet above average level. There were parks and areas that were completely underwater! Pretty scary stuff.

 

Picking it up at 5 today!! Pics to come tonight!!!!

 

Excellent!
Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

Don't keep us waiting!!!

 

Jason, it's 5:30!!! Where are the pics? Now! Now! Now!

 

Gentlemen, without any further delay....

 

So, as you can see, it came out pretty damn nice

I wasn't able to take any "good" photos....I just snapped these quick because I had 4 people in 3 different places waiting to see the car, and I was running low on daylight. Better pics to come, for sure.

So, what are my thoughts, overall? Overall the quality of the spray job was EXCELLENT...no dirt stuck in it, a beautiful gleaming shine, etc. The only 2 concerns I have (one of which is easily addressed) are that the satin black, textured paint on the spoiler is not 100% uniform in sheen...some spots are a little glossier than others They said they'd just painted it this morning, and this particular paint needs a couple days to properly cure. They have not steered me wrong yet, so we will see how it goes.

The only other complaint is that the RR fender had 2 decent sized ding/dents in it. I had paintless dent take out as many dings as they could before sending it to the body shop, but they could not get these two out 100%. The body shop further straightened them, however you can see just the smallest wave to them when looking down the side. But, I have to stare at it. To see it. And I mean stare. Basically, I don't really care...I feel like the work they did exceeded what I paid for it, for sure.

Overall, I'd say its show quality on the outside...doing the wheels over was the icing on the cake. Off to tighten the air dam...its running a little warmer than usual, and I noticed its a little loose.

After that, off for a little drive Its amazing how a new paint job can totally transform a car

 

Looks nice man!!! Glad you got it in time for labor day weekend!

 

WOW! Looks great man! I'm sure as with any new paint job, pics just don't do it justice. Awesome that you kept the spoiler black....that was the 86 trademark lol, and I loved my spoiler black. I'd love to see it in person sometime!

 

1) Pics don't do it justice...its amazing in person. It honestly looks better than my repainted 91 RS, and can even hold its head high next to my IROC...

2) I had to leave the spoiler black...I just had to. I thought about body color, but with an 88 also sitting in the garage next to it, I thought, why make this car look more like that one, and less like a true 86?

3) We need to meet up on the Pike!

 

Now that is a quality paint job.

 

Man that looks awesome!

I'm about to have my car painted again, the waves are driving me crazy.

 

Looks great

 

Question for you...were the waves apparent immediately after the paint job, or did they develop over time? I ask because a friend of mine said that improper curing time for primer or base coat can lead to sort of a shrinking effect over time, which creates ripples and waves over time.

The only car I have with waves in it is the passenger door of my IROC. I'm planning to see how this paint job cures and ages...if it continues to look this stellar, I will likely have them repaint the door and RF fender of the IROC next Summer. I need a shop that can do absolutely flawless work without killing me on the price...these guys can do it, from what I can see.

I'm very, very glad now the car didn't sell earlier this summer

 

Well the only time the waves in mine stand out is when it's bright and sunny outside, if it's cloudy you don't notice it so much. It was raining the day I went to pick my car up after being painted, so it looked good to me and I paid the guy. A few days later I started noticing it.

I really think the problem with mine is poor prep work. I don't think he blocked the primer down good enough before painting it. I have wet sanded the heck out of it yet I still see the waves.

 

If you had body work done and there was bondo involved here is what happens. When you put bondo down is is soft and moist. As the bondo cures and dries it contracts. If you fill a half inch deep dent with bondo you will have a wave if you filled it all at once. The bondo will contract. If you do it layer by layer the contraction is minamalized and becomes virtually unoticable even with paint and you are supposed to go a little bit over. (NOT TONS) but enough where you have a small surface to block down to the body. The only other reason there would be a wave is if some body got too heavy with the spray gun and created an almost sag... where color and metallic flake built up. I tend to think it has more to do with the bondo. That is a very common mistake especially when people rush doing last minute bondo work. I am jealous! Your car looks absolutely beautiful. I am in the procces of painting mine... I am painting it myself though. That certainly is a beautiful bird.

 

Just to be clear, the waves I'm referring to are in my 88 IROC's passenger door, not this car. This car is wave-free, for sure. I don't know anything about the situation with the IROC at all...I bought it a year and a half ago, and the previous owner's widow swears up and down he never did any paintwork to it...so the paintwork done dates back to pre-1993...