[72projectbird]

This T/A popped up on marketplace. No real description other than it was a 4 speed. Ended up making a 500 mile round trip way up in Maine and dragged this home.

It's a 77 W72 Y82. The car was repainted somewhere down the line. All the SE striping is hand painted, as well as the hood bird. The bird features a gold leaf body which still gleams in the sun. Theres even very faint remains of gold leafing on the windshield that spells out Trans Am.

I haven't decided what exactly to do with it yet. Part of me wants to restore it, but I kinda want to get it mechanically sound and drive it the way it is.

[FrankieT/A]

Nice pull!

[Darren 639]

Don’t touch it!!! get her running and drive it. Anybody can get a mint car in one day. But it takes 20 years for that car to get that patina. Do you really want to wait another 20 years for it to look that cool again?

[TAKerry]

Great find! Theres a great debate on the aaca website regarding originality vs. restoration. In the end it all depends on the owner. "its your car do what you want". My thought process is, if its in decent original condition by all means get the mechanicals sorted and leave the rest alone. This car has been repainted, and the current condition does absolutely zero to the value, in fact it detracts. Int. looks like a lot of elbow grease and some heavy duty cleaner may do some justice. If you are stacked with projects drive it, but in the long run, it at least needs a new paint job. Not sure I see 'patina' as much as a worn out body.

I saw a link to a fb ad a few days ago with an identical car, supposedly had something like less than 3k miles, however the paint looked good only dusty. The asking price was 100k and it later listed as sold!

[77 TRASHCAN]

Way Cool!!!
More pictures!!!

[camerjeff]

Very Nice find! Congrat's!

[napster]

72project bird,

Nice find. With all of the birds you are getting you will have quite the collection when you are done.

[bird72]

Great find! You are the Energizer Bunny of Birds. I hemmed and hawed getting a shifter in my one car for a year. I think you have bought six birds and restored three in that time. Or so it seems. Lend me some of your energy.

[77 Canamman]

That's a nice find, but the cosmetics are too rough to leave as is.

[Elarson]

My vote would be something in the middle. Repaint the rusted areas so it doesn't deteriorate more....then drive it!

FWIW,
Eric

[1965gp]

For the time being I would get it driving, polish the wheels and put new tires on it and drive it. It looks solid and does have a certain ‘back from the dead’ look to it. Eventually I would probably restore it but it could be fun as is. Sometimes it’s fun to have a muscle car you can sit on and not worry about.

[Tom Vaught]

I agree with Eric, Get it in good shape to drive and then drive it after fixing the rough spots.

Here is a picture of John Cleggs Supercharged 64 Lemans. Basically a solid body but very little paint left on the car.

Tom V.

ps it will run over 190 mph in the Texas Mile Race.

['ol Pinion head]

Congrats on dragging in a prize! Nothing wrong with getting it running/ pinpoint drivetrain issues. Driving it as is, can't see that as being smart, all of the upside will be realized upon properly replacing the rusted sheetmetal. On the first of my prev Y81's, when rescued, was in very similar weathered exterior condition. Hood bird was crispy crittered w deep rust pits in the hood, ended up replacing the hood with another I had. Fortunate on that one, as the stamped frame rails were solid. Ended up w small metal repair to LH lwr 1/4, two small spots in the lwr tail panel behind the rear bumper. Replaced the full rh 1/4 panel & trunk drop with a solid cutoff. Took my time in removal of the original 1/4/ no damage to remaining flanges. With breaking down the spotwelds from the donor cutoff, was ready to begin trial fitting & tack the full 1/4 on the third day.

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Throw a clearcoat over the rust and let her fly

[Brewster]

Take baby steps and enjoy the car. You can always restore it but you cant turn her back to what she is today.
More pics are requested.

[jhein]

That's a cool car. The only thing those cars were missing from the factory was horsepower. I'd restore it. Bring it back to the glorious machine it was, plus a couple hundred more horses.

[72projectbird]

It's tucked away in the garage now. I've been removing the interior to give it a good deep cleaning. I'll get it outside soon for some good pics.

[thews]

Originally Posted by Darren 639

Don’t touch it!!! get her running and drive it. Anybody can get a mint car in one day. But it takes 20 years for that car to get that patina. Do you really want to wait another 20 years for it to look that cool again?

this. cool car.

[Verdoro 68]

That car was someone's pride and joy at some point. I wonder what the story is?

[scott70]

IMO Sometimes people go overboard with the whole patina thing. A little faded paint here and there or maybe a dent or 2 but when rust has started to eat at the 1/4's,flapping in the wind and all that it doesnt look good. Hopefully the rear frame rails are decent,,ive seen some non existent. I would get it running and driving and decide from there. Shes been sitting awhile,,that lobster plate has been gone for awhile.....good find though.