FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Hi All:

New to the forum. 3rd gen lover. I was a teenager when these cars were hot. Now I am reliving my youth after purchasing one in my late 40's. Here is my 'new' 85 Trans Am in Dark Red monochrome (78L paint code).

I believe it to be a WS6 although the SPID is missing. It has the OEM high tech turbo 16 X 8 wheels with 245/50R16 unidirectional tires, the performance suspension badge on the dash and 4-wheel discs. I haven't measured the sway bars as yet but will soon to verify.

It's my new 'project' car and I will put low miles on it while trying to restore it to true stock form. First on the agenda is new carpeting, headliner and sun visors and some seat restoration.

It had most every option offered at the time: Cruise control (works!) leather seats, power antenna, power mirrors, upgraded factory Delco radio with cassette player/sub and equalizer, power locks and windows, T-Tops and storage bag, power driver seat and rear defrost and rear shade. Best of all everything power works.

Its pretty unmolested too. Its the TPI 305 and its basically stock with only a K & N filter and a Flowmaster exhaust and a grant steering wheel (which will be going back to stock soon).

Paint is oxidizing in spots but it will do until I can repaint it. No dents or dings apparent either. Seems the previous owner added a decal package and decided not to repaint before putting it on. What a waste of a great hood bird. It will have to go when I get her repainted I guess then replaced with another one unless anyone knows how to paint around it. Maybe I will just mask it off closely.

Engine runs well and shifts well but probably in need of a rebuild soon. 78K on the odo. Don't know if that is original or a rollover. Both headlights raise and lower properly and without delay although the left headlight is holding water. Fogs and parking lights work great also.

The last owner switched out the black rubber wing spoiler offered in 85 to a fiberglass one and had it painted to match the car. It has the original 'Fuel Injection' inserts on the door handles. There's also an incorrect 2nd gen little bird decal on the nose that is not OEM and will be coming off. Some weird chevrons on the fenders (must have had extra decal tape left over) will be history soon also. There is also a 'Fuel Injected' sign that is stuck on the passenger dash that will be going away also. Also note the dual Pontiac logos on both headlights (passenger side one will be removed) and a sticker for 'Revolution Battle Advantage' which I have learned is some kind of muffler on the front nose (will be removed). Someone got ambitious with the stick ons with this car.

I believe the taillights are relatively new too.

Slight sag in doors (pin kits will be needed) and passenger side power window is stubborn (doesn't like to go up all the way without help). There's also minor rust on the center T-Top crossbar that needs to be fixed. Gonna have to get a replacement bar.

I paid $5K for it and I think I made out pretty well for a WS6. I don't think the guy I bought it from even had a clue it had that package.

I ran the VIN and its clean.

I'm waiting to tag it next year as in Florida an antique tag is 30 years and older. Bastards.

Give me your thoughts. Looking forward to posting lots more and showing the work that I will be doing on her.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

I had my heart set on a 1983 black and gold TA (I still think 82-83 TA's were the most clean and beautiful of the 3rd gens) as that was my high school graduation year but this 85 popped up out of nowhere that I thought was too good to pass up.

More pics.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Beautiful car,good luck with it.Just a heads up,the hood bird is not OEM,the bumper cover bird is the real deal here.When you have the Fad Dot strip on the car you get the bird on the bumper,if you didn't have the Fad Dot Lower strip you got the small bird on the hood.The lg bird is not stock for that car.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the info. The small nose bird isn't stock. The nose bird should be the same design as the rear pillar birds and its not.

I know the large hood bird was an added option on 85s. You either had the large bird or the small bird but not both from the factory.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Yea that bird don't belong on the bumper,it looks like a 2nd gen bird.But what I said about the Lower Fad Dot Strip is the way it's supposed to be from the factory.Maybe the guy you bought it from added the lower strip.Most likely you have the WS6 with the 4wh.disk and 16x8 wheels.
If you want to be sure it has that,you can buy a copy of the original window sticker from PHS(Pontiac Historical Services)PHS Historic Services

JT

iTrader: (1)

The DX1 large hood bird was an option. When ordered, I believe it deleted the small hood bird on the bumper and it only makes sense as two birds so close doesn't look right. Sometimes you might see both on a car but when you look at the SPID the DX1 is often not present - meaning the large hood bird is often added after the fact.

The small bird on the front bumper for this car is clearly not stock as it's not the original design.

I've not seen any evidence that the optional DX1 hood bird had anything to do with the fade dot as you note.

Also, here's a Trans Am with the fade dot and the large DX1 hood bird. The car was used for Motor Trend back in the day so it was likely pretty original.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

This info is from 82-92 Pontiac Parts & Illustration Catalog.


No,13,has note 1.

JT

iTrader: (1)

What it's saying is that the small bird on the front bumper was only used with the accent stripe package. But it does not say that without the accent stripe package, the large hood bird DX1 was used.

The large hood bird DX1 was an option on the Trans Am. When ordered, I believe it deleted the smaller bird on the front bumper.

Note that it's shown as "extra cost" in the 1985 product manual.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Yes,you are most likely right,I wanted to edit my response and the computer froze,it(Illustration Catalog) doesn't have a note on the lg hood bird,so it would make sense to eliminate the sm.birds.

NowhereFast

Gorgeous car. I love the color. Great buy at that price too, those 85 TPIs have some *****.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Nick.

Hope she's a good bird. We will see over time.

More pics:

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

This leads me to believe the large bird came on my car and it originally had no little nose bird. That travesty on my nose was added by somebody with not a lot of detail perception LOL.

okfoz

That is one nicely optioned 1985... Appears to have every option...

1) TPI
2) WS6
3) Hood Bird
4) Overhead Console (still has the flashlight cool find)
5) rear aero Spoiler option
6) All power options Windows, locks mirrors, hatch release, defog, etc...

Just by looking here are the things that are not original: Most of which you mentioned in your first post.
The obvious:
1) Steering Wheel,
2) Some little red button on the center console (not sure what that is for)
3) The Fuel Injection decal on the passenger side is not original either.

4) The hash marks on the front fender, looks really good... been neat if they could have matched the stripe on the car tho.
5) Aero spoiler is painted body color was originally Black
6) Get rid of the extra nose bird, and the dealer sticker if it was not drilled through the bumper.

7) Under the hood, the braided Hoses, red wire loom, etc.

Car is Beautiful tho, its tastefully done. IMHO Its pretty clean too.

Great find for $5K

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks okfoz. It does seem to have it all loaded from Van Nuys. I couldn't have asked for any more.

There is a very small crack in the middle bird piece on the taillights. Nothing too noticeable but I will see it everytime I look at the rear LOL.

I had a Firebirdgasm when I saw the flashlight was still in the overhead console.

The red thing on the center console I believe is a fake alarm light and it doesn't do anything. I'm going to pull the console and remove it and see if its even wired to anything. I was given no alarm remote either. If it ain't original it will have no place in this car when I am done.

The cheap looking non OEM silver braided radiator hose is a sore spot with me too - soon to be changed back to black rubber. Someone went crazy with the red plastic hose crap under the hood too. That will be gone soon too with a complete cleaning and detailing of the engine by yours truly. Gonna change all fluids and plugs and make a rebuild decision after that.

I think I found a keeper here for $5K. The guy I bought it from was an older man that kind of babied it thankfully.

a couple more pics.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

WOW,that is a nicely optioned TA,you have the UQ7 Performance Sound System also,does it still work?I recently had mine restored with rebuilt original subs and all the 4x6 speakers.If you need that console I have a spare with the holes for the P/Mirrors and P/Ws.and I might have a center tail light piece also.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Manta you are my new best friend LOL.

Yep the stereo and the sub actually works and sounds great too. I had to blast some circa 85 Motley Crue that came on the radio the other day I think the car felt at home with this heh. The EQ actually changes the sound so I know its working well. The subwoofer gain works too. The guy I bought it from actually paid to have the cassette player fixed too, can you believe that? But it will never see a cassette in it as long as I have the car. Too many bad flashbacks of eaten tapes...

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

You should here the sound with a MP3 Payer!!! it's a whole different sound.I had one of our members install a jack in mine.so crisp and clear.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

You mean we can get an Ipod input on the Delco system? I need to know more about that pronto.

LHernandezJr

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LHernandezJr

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mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

O Yea,

LHernandezJr

...

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Hey motobooks:

I would love that. I am on east side of Orlando near UCF. Would be cool to get some 3rd gens together around here.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Low profile and SWEET!!!!!!!! Me likey. Me gonna do this.

kymmee

Good choice. I am always playing 80's music in my cars. Makes for a good drive.

Nice looking TA. I like the color.

Welcome to TGO.

gearhead141

I also own an '85 Trans Am but the LG4 model. I don't have all the bells and whistles you have but my car also came with the hood bird which I understand was the first year for it's return from the secondgens. Another bit of trivia I learned when I tried to reset the tripmeter; it's not a push button. It has to be turned clockwise to reset the wheels. I believe our cars are the last year with five number odometers. From the look of yours, I would think the miles are correct, i.e. very well taken care of. I have rebuilt my carburetor and am experiencing what I consider great mileage for a car of this age; 21mpg commuting. I'll be curious to hear what kind of mileage the TPI cars get.

You have a fine example there in a unique color. I'm sure you'll be happy for years to come with it.

okfoz

The "Hood Bid" was also used on the earlier 3rd gens Trans Am's but it did not spread across the hood. IIRC the DX1 on the earlier cars was on the "power bulge" of the hood.



Had a chance to pick one of these stickers up cheep in charcoal several years back... wish I would have now...

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

How about Phoenix Graphics???

Jet_91

Yep, my '86 is an original DX1 car and the little nose bird is supposed to be deleted with this option. I've seen plenty with both that have had the large bird added later but I think it looks strange. One or the other for me!



Great looking '85! Love that colour. Always been partial to the '85 and '86's.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Nice Bird,

Zane M

iTrader: (1)

Great car. Congrats!

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Now got to get started on the total stock resto.

Red90IROC

Awesome car, FL TA! ...it's always good to see a fellow owner who wants to keep their car true to the originals.

Thanks all, for the history on the DX1 hood bird.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Hey FL,I noticed you have a PONTIAC Emblem on the right headlight,that's not supposed to be their either.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Good eye manta. Yeah, its gone now. Someone def had a sticker fetish on this car.

okfoz

I think the Sticker fetish was born out of the 1970's when power started dropping they needed to make the car look "faster." If they could make the car look like it was going 50 mph standing still, just imagine how fast it would look when moving....

3rd gens were on the tail end of that fad, it seemed the faster the cars actually got through the generation the fewer and fewer stickers they got... Look at the stickers on a 92 Trans Am and compare it to a 1985 Trans Am for example. Granted I think in part this was due from the intention to make the cars less expensive to produce, but it is a funny trend nonetheless... The GTA was the king of the hill, but it only got little emblems instead of large stickers...

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Update:

The bird is placed securely in my garage now away from prying eyes.

I measured the sway bars confirming this is an authentic WS6 optioned car. I am going to order the kit from PHS just for kicks anyway.

Exterior Update:

Fender chevrons gone. Check.
Incorrect Pontiac emblem stuck on passenger side headlight gone. Check.
'Fuel Injected' badge on passenger dash gone. (now I have 3 holes on dash piece dammit)
Incorrect improperly placed nose bird gone. Check.
'Revolution battle advantage' badge on nose gone. Check.
1st gen fake cell antenna (circa 1994) stick on gone from back glass. That one really cracked me up.

Now onto more important immediate things, a synthetic oil change, driveshaft U joint replacement, coolant flush and fill, interior carpeting and headliner/sun visor replacement.

I also noticed surface rust on both sides of the T-Top bar rails so gonna have to replace that. See pic. Is this a bitch to fix or a simple replacement of the t-bar support? Anyone know of a source? EDIT: FIXED!

Another issue is driver side headlight is holding water (see pic). The rubber seal on the back of the bulb housing is missing. How in the hell do you get to this to fix it? Do I remove the entire headlight housing to get to the bulb and the back of the headlight? EDIT: FIXED!

Speaking of lights, the foglights are sporadically working. Yesterday they worked, today no luck. Something must be loose (fuse/connection/switch/bulbs?). Have to get time to check that out.

I'm also going to send off the radio for the MP3 jack install and I bought a stock steering wheel from my82roc on here that should be arriving any day. EDIT: IN PROGRESS!

Longer term plans include complete repaint (staying Dark Red - I may/may not replace all the ground effect stickers after this) and total engine tuneup. Just bought an 85 Firebird shop manual for $10 off ebay.

I already had a guy offer to buy her LOL.

LHernandezJr

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mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

If you do go ahead and put new decals on,before you buy them,make sure you ask specifically ask for these Pre Cut version
If not, their going to send you the rolled up versions of the Fad Dots and Red or Orange strips.

okfoz

Your best option would be to buy another one... hawksthirdgen.com offers a replacement one

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/pr...2dTop-Bar.html

The beauty of it is is SS, so it will never ever rust... Expensive, but the last one you would ever need.


Those are not original headlights... They were Sealed beam headlights originally...

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Update:

A. New sealed beam Sylvania Halogens installed both sides. Weird non stock non sealed beam headlights that leaked removed. No more retaining water onboard.

B. Found a replacement T-Top crossbar on thirdgenbargainbarn and installed it. A lot cheaper than the stainless one from Hawks. The good news is there was no surface rust underneath the old crossbar and my rubber seals were still good.

C. Bought a replacement gray center console glove box lid off Ebay and installed it. No more loose glove box sliding around and the glove box light staying on. Also purchased and installed a stock TA steering wheel from a thirdgen member. Gone is the Grant chrome wheel (available for purchase if anyone wants it). I also bought a passenger side lower dash trim piece (the part with the performance suspension badge on it) from a member here. I'll get that on and no more holes in the dash from stick on badges. Sheesh.

D. My new Silla one row all aluminum radiator arrived. Next up will be flushing out the coolant system and replacing the old stock plastic radiator, new water pump, new belts, new 180f thermostat and new fuel filter.

E. After that comes engine tune up: plugs, plug wires, header gaskets and engine detail/degrease (EDIT: DONE!). I also need to send the fuel injectors for cleaning. Have to save up big time for that.

F. My retired father in law has a shop in lower Alabama I will be trailering the car to in the near future to do additional work as time allows. He did a ground up renovation of an Austin-Healey and has the paint equipment and all tools needed for complete engine and trans repair and rebuild. Looks like the car will likely spend the rest of the year there in his shop being painted.
Looks like I will lose all decals and have to replace them after the paint job.

G. New gray headliner/sun visors and gray passenger and hatch carpet will complete the process. Who is the best and cheapest source for this? I'm hoping too once I pull the carpet I will find a build sheet as others have when replacing carpet.

Also gotta get the car titled here in Florida from New York where the previous owner had it titled. Gonna be a lot of dough just for that dammit . Dough I would rather spend on much needed parts rather than a piece of paper.

Not planning to tag the car until next year when it qualifies for an antique tag. I don't feel like giving the State of Florida any additional money nor buying classic car insurance for a garaged car for a year.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

And here are the beautiful new under hood parts ready to go in including my Silla aluminum radiator and radiator cap, the factory steering wheel and the new center console arm rest lid.


Don't worry the stock radio hasn't been stolen . It's sitting in PA getting an MP3 jack installed in it.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I dealt with Classic and A1 for those interior parts.Their all about the same price,Classic runs a 20%discount Occasionally,that covers the shipping and A1 always has Free Shipping,they both handle the CC Carpets.Check them both out and compare their prices.
PS What gen is that steering wheel??

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Manta. It's a third gen steering wheel as far as I know. I did put a cover on it to help protect the original wheel grip.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Oh,Doesn't look like a 3rd gen with the cover on it.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Just got a email from Classic,20% off your order.Use CODE MDN14,EXPIRES 3/31,MIDNIGHT.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Looks like you have some fun projects ahead of you.

Thanks for the picture of the t-top bar rust. I had heard of this problem, but not seen it. Now I'll know what to watch out for.

As a new 3rd Gen. owner, there's a learning curve that I'm on here. You mentioned your new "Silla" radiator. I have not heard of those. With all the brands out there, what made you decide on this particular one?

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

SWEET!

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

I knew I wanted an all aluminum radiator to replace the 30 year old stock one that I have no history of what coolant and liquids had been run in it.

I just did a search here on thirdgen and online and ran into a site with a price for a one row radiator including shipping I could live with (around $150. The stock style plastic radiators I shopped run about $80 - 90).

Here is a link to the radiator I purchased from Genesis Auto Parts:

http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_....0l_v8_305.htm

Genesis says that the radiator is a direct fit with no modifications needed. I intend to hold them to that statement when installing it.

I also used an online coupon promo code I found and saved some money too at checkout.

And here is a link to Silla's own site:

http://www.sillacooling.com/radiators.htm

Silla has a lifetime warranty as long as I own the car too.

The T-Top roof rusty crossbar was one of the first things I noticed when I looked at the car before I bought it. It's a long-known issue on 3rd gen F bodies and easily replaceable. Now I just have to keep an eye on it for signs of rust starting over. I don't intend to run the car in the rain (especially with no ABS or air bag) and the car will never go through an automatic car wash so I will baby the amount of water that hits the roof panels. I wouldn't have that rust issue with Hawks stainless replacement but I wasn't willing to fork over nearly $400 for that little piece.

FL TA

iTrader: (1)

Degreased/Detailed the engine last night as much as possible. Also removed the crappy red plastic wire covers that the former owner went nuts putting all over the engine wiring. Next to go will be the old ugly faded stainless steel hose covers and repainting the hand painted parts that are red black (someone was a HUGE bright RED fan that had this car). That upper radiator hose really bothers me too. It looks like a silver boa constrictor is going into the engine block .

Cleaning the engine will help keep my delicate hands cleaner when I change out the cooling system parts and belts.

I always like to start with a clean engine before I tear it apart LOL.