TransAm Depot - Restoration - 1978 Trans Am T-Top

Restoration - 1979 Trans Am T-Top 4sp

In 1991, I acquired a ’79 Trans AM from a friend of the family who had moved on to other things and unfortunately left the car to decline. This once proud, low 13sec. quarter mile W72, had reached bottom. Like an open wound, rust was attacking the bare metal exposed on the hood where the $300 Mako paint special had pealed. Sitting on two flat dry rotted tires, she looked as if her wings had been clipped and left for dead. That special space in the garage where she had been parked for so long was now occupied by a car of lesser years. Now, she could only watch from the beneath the partial shade of a sap dripping pine tree.

Because I had known the car and it’s owner for years, I felt a sentimental attachment and just could not bear to watch the suffering any longer. So, in the summer of ’91 I plunked down the $2,500 to buy her freedom. This was long before there was Trans Am Depot and let alone a place to carry out a restoration of the magnitude I had planned. Initially, I contracted an outside source to perform the restoration, but when the results began to resemble more of a nightmare than the dream I had envisioned, the decision was made to get the car back and start from scratch.

Consequently, the garage was converted and the house transformed. For five years parts accumulated in a spare bedroom waiting on their chance shine. Every spare moment during that five year period was spent in that garage. As days turned to night sleeping on the creeper became a way of life. Limited working space and the funds needed to speed up the process would teach patience. Finally, with over sixth years behind us she was finally complete. Halloween night would mark a much celebrated “inaugural” drive that would christen over 72 months of effort. By now we knew each other well. Like a synchronized dance we moved down the road with style. With t-tops off and hair blowing in the wind she preformed like the well-oiled, highly tuned machine that she was. Zero miles on a dyno tuned engine, NOS Goodyear polyglass radials and a 4sp. that flew through the gears with ease. Finally, the Trans Am Nationals were in her cross hairs. But fate would have different plans....

The next morning, with the hood up and the tyranny in neutral, I made some adjustments and then went inside the house for breakfast. Then, suddenly, like a tornado on steroids a guest of wind ripped through the garage. Catching the hood like a sail it pushed the car out and down the driveway. A driveway that resembled more of a cliff than a gentle slope. She would eventually come to rest at the base of an oak tree that must have taken root before the civil war. The impact was so hard the needle jumped off of the speedometer in search of relief. The treat of Halloween night had turned into a sick, twisted trick. And now, after six years of life dedicated to a concourse level restoration, all I had was a mangled wreck and a memory of one incredible ride.

It would take another two years to muster up the emotional resources to start all over again. But, by the grace of God and a “never say die” attitude I began her third frame-off restoration. Only this time, the garage was not on a hill.

Now, after a total of 15 years, she will finally make her debut at the 2006 Trans Am Nationals. We invite you attend and see for your self what true commitment is all about.

They say the third time is a charm.

UPDATE !!!
Dateline: Dayton, OH August 25-27, 2006 The sacrifice, persistence and effort has finally paid off. A huge sigh of relief was breathed and 15 years of effort vindicated this past weekend when we brought home the gold at the 2006 T/A Nationals... what a journey!