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Yes, it was pretty neat looking out the window and seeing his front plate.
Well, good idea or bad, I'm registered for the Trans Am Nationals. No trailer, tow vehicle isn't ready, and the car certainly isn't ready (and won't get much better in the next few weeks). But it's the 50th anniv. of the Firebird, and I wanted to be at this years show. So ready or not, we're going.
No trailer, tow vehicle isn't ready, and the car certainly isn't ready...
Took care of the "no trailer" part on Saturday morning. They are actually building one for me, but it will look largely like this one, with a few more options.
Two orders from US Cargo Control have arrived. E-track was already at the trailer factory when I placed my order. That was some fast shipping. My straps arrived at the house Monday.
As I will only have a 1/2 day to get the trailer ready for the trip to the nationals, I'm trying to pre-buy everything, and be ready for an installation blitz. Yesterday was a trip to Harbor Freight for a 5000 pound winch. List $244.99, on sale for $179.99. I had a sale flier which had this for $169.99, but I was able to use the 20% coupon, and got it for $146 or so. No complaints about that. As with any trip there, I couldn't make it out without picking up a few more items...nitrile gloves (coupon), a d-ring shackle (coupon), and a spring loaded center punch for drilling those holes in my brand new trailer and tool box! (coupon). My brother and I already have a bet going on how long I will stand there with the drill in my hand before I start making those holes.
Keep chipping away at prepping for the trailers arrival. Hope to be ready when it gets here. Ordered a full lock set for it today (ball, coupler, and draw bar) all keyed to match. Shopped dry cell batteries and boxes. Going to make another stop or two looking at those today, and try and get that purchased tomorrow.
Took the T/A out for the Woodward Dream Cruise this afternoon. About 5 hours of idling from Pontiac to Ferndale, and about half way back before they started shutting things down for the night. At least I know it won’t overheat in traffic.
Chevrolet display, Oldies 104.3 stage with band playing, and a Pizza Planet delivery truck.
Nice read ’57.
Love the Z28 graphics and sidepipes.
A prancing horse or two running about.
Lots of law enforcement to keep things under control. For an event with an estimated million people at it, there are very few problems.
Very nice ’92 Firebird. Nice young guys driving it, just out having a good time. Talked to them some here on the road, and saw them again later on the way home.
Pennzoil anyone?
Cool old Dodge Power Wagon at Ferndale Radiator.
Yep, they rent billboards for the event too. Ford has a BIG presence in Ferndale during the Dream Cruise.
These two guys drove this ElCamino from Pennsylvania to enjoy the cruise. It’s a on a lot of folks bucket lists, including my brothers.
Sort of a local “cruising Woodward” tradition…a lot of folks like to run WOT through this underpass…or today, slip it into neutral and rev the engine...makes a GREAT echo chamber.
Asked this fellow how his clutch leg was holding up. He said he was definitely feeling the burn!
I've seen the episodes of My Classic Car with Dennis Gage where he attends the "Cruising the Coast event. Looks like a lot of fun. Like the Dream Cruise, it too is on my brothers bucket list.
Lots of thrashing to get van, trailer and car ready, but we made it to the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton. Had a really great time, and will be going again in the future.
An actual running, driving Iron Duke powered Firebird. Not sure when the last time I saw one in the flesh was.
This GTA was beautiful!
Spoke to the owners of the blue and silver '87. Fantastic car, and nice folks. Original owners, and driven to the show.
Love the Anniversary cars. One like this is what got me interested in having a 3rd gen again.
Great pics of the Nationals, I was there and likely saw your car without even knowing it! LOL
The yellow 2nd gen formula you have pictured in post 423, pic 9 is the one I spent most my summer working on to get ready for my mom to drive down, had less than 500 miles on the refreshed 350 and cleaned up engine bay.
Same here. What class was your car in? I love yellow, and that 2nd gen Formula hood with it's low, flat, wide openings. Very eye catching to me. And awesome that your Mom came down in it.
I drove a 2nd gen this year while I'm working on my 85 project, was in light mod class, red 77 with louvers and a cb antenna, survivor car and a time capsule for sure lol
Great pictures DynoDave! I saw your car there! I drove my 4th gen down this year. Had plans to trailer the TTA but was on a very tight timeline (just got back from vacation a few days before) and I got the wrong trailering straps sent that I ordered while away. lol My car at Tipp.
Rats! Would have been nice to meet you there kymmee. Quite a few folks that I missed I'm afraid. There's always next year.
This was my first time ever trailering anywhere. Was unboxing and trying my new straps as I was loading the car. Thank goodness I ordered, and they sent the right thing for me.
There's a dark green one in the same body style that I love too. And the orange one photographed form the rear. I like those steel wheels without trim rings as well. All good stuff.
Just one third gen., but it was clean, fast, stable...looked very well sorted. I was not able to get into the paddock, so no chance to speak with the owner.
This is a show I've been attending with my folks (now deceased) and oldest brother and his wife for 20-ish year as a spectator. Last year my brother bought a car old enough to get in (pre-'78 only), and had a great time. The age limit for vars was progressing, but has been frozen at '78 for several years now.
After years of pestering them to allow newer cars (me, and a lot of others), they finally took a half-step by allowing newer cars of any year on Super Sunday only. So I took the Trans Am. It was my first big show (2300+ cars), and my first time entering Autofest. Also, after nearly 40 years of going to shows with my brother, we were finally able to both enter the same show at the same time.
Only a few 3rd gens. on Sunday, but many beautiful cars. In the spirit of the forum, I'll keep the pictures at least all F-body related, mostly.
So I'll start off by breaking my own rule, and post this engine picture. At some point I'll be changing heads and intake. I've always seen people use a dab of silicone in the corner where the head, intake and rail all meet. But on this GM crate engine (with 2yr., 50k mile warranty), they run a bead of sealer half way up the head, and on both sides of the intake gasket. Thought it might be good for future reference.
And these are the ramps I built last winter. Worked great. Had to replace the generic oil filter that the exhaust shop that installed my muffler and changed my oil used. It was loose, and leaking badly. Taking no chances, I replaced the filter with a Purolator, topped off the oil, and down the road we went.
On to the show!
Big yellow bird helping get those kids hooked on Pontiacs at a young age.
While cleaning my PW7s for what felt like hours, the WNEM TV 5 (Saginaw MI) news van showed up, drove around us, and stopped behind us. A nice young man got out, and we stood and talked cars, car hobby, guitars, etc. for quite some time. Turns out he loves 3rd gen Firebirds. I had him sit down inside, as he said he'd never been behind the wheel of one. He asked my brother and I each for an interview, which we did. A short part of my brothers was used on the 10 and 11 o'clock newscasts, with his 914 behind him, and my T/A in the background. So my car (if not me) has been on local TV.
Last edited by DynoDave43; 10-13-2017 at 09:43 PM.
This weekend, the Golling Buick GMC / United Street Machines Assoc. (USMA) car show. This is the 4th in a series of four for the year. I made two of them. I like to support these shows because Golling does a lot to support our Chapter #16 (Michigan Widetrackers) of the Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI), and the proceeds of the USMA shows go to charity.
I just found and read your whole thread start to now.
Sorry to hear of the passing of your folks. Thanks for your father's service.
You have a gift for patience and detail! Nice work. Inspiring me to start a similarly long list on my new to me Iroc.
We have a few things in common, a father that gave us the old car bug, owned a Jimmy (on my 3rd), family, and use of the phrase "Oil change or frame-off, nothing in between" LOL I have said that one many times in reference to my other car. One of the reasons I got a Camaro was to have something to drive and enjoy for when the day comes to redo the other car I expect it to be a 10 year project.
Keep up with the great post, love the pics of the projects.
Been pretty quiet for the last month. Things are winding down. But we do have our Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) Chapter #16 Michigan Widetracker's Fall Color Tour bright and early tomorrow.
So cranked up a little KSHE on the phone/radio...
...while packing and polishing the Pontiac.
There's a strong chance of rain during the day tomorrow, and while I don't want to go sit in the rain, or get the car all wet and messy, I think when I'm old(er), I'm more likely to regret missing events like this than I am having gotten the car wet.
I never pack light, so the std. gym bag with detailing supplies and blanket (always in the car), another overnight bag with travel supplies (jumper cables, ponchos, a towel, map, another blanket, etc.), an additional detail bag with chamois, glass cleaner, etc., another small tote with the car cover in it, and 2 chairs. Look like I'm heading to Florida.
The event organizer has kept the destination something of a mystery. We're meeting at 8:30am about 40 minutes from home, then driving another 26 miles to our destination. From the clues, lot of nice winding rural roads to get there, some sort of fall location or event with roped off area for us, covered area for us to gather in, a nice meal, shopping, and some other things to do. Sort of excited to see where we're going.
Besides, it's 10/13 today...Sammy Hagar's birthday. Went better way to spend the day prepping a red Trans Am for a trip?
Last edited by DynoDave43; 10-13-2017 at 10:03 PM.
08-01-2017, 05:00 PM
in my brand new trailer and tool box! (coupon). My brother and I already have a bet going on how long I will stand there with the drill in my hand before I start making those holes. 
