[oldbirds]

I've been scanning slides from my personal collection and came across this one that I thought this might be interesting to a few people. This is a picture of my brand new 1970 TA taken in August 1970, just two days after picking up the car at the dealership. This is a Norwood car, shipped from the plant on 5/26/70. There have been some threads about shifter knobs and chrome/black gauge bezels - this one is obviously black knob, chrome bezels.

The other interesting points on my car were the custom exterior door handles (color inserts) with a standard interior, and the missing nose bird. Proves the old adage - build it with what you've got and keep the line moving. I never missed the nose bird, didn't know it was supposed to have one, and sure didn't notice the door handles - until I started researching stuff for the 70 TA restoration I did several years ago. Unfortunately I took very few pictures of my car back in 1970 - it just happened to be in pictures of other things.

Ray

[indyta1989]

That is very cool!

[cdoggy81]

Cool indeed! -_-

[Norwood]

Time Warp...... and how about that 68 Camaro parked there . Very Cool

[necdb3]

Looks like a black shaker door. What color are they supposed to be for 70-72?

Dave

[The Boss]

Two days and you were already scratching up the seatback.

Cool pic!

[cnc]

Very nice machine I love the look of the Chrome bezels, and oh that appears to be a 69 Camaro no vent window in the door glass only 67-68 just like the F-birds.....

[johnta1]

I'd call up Pontiac and tell them you want your Hood Bird emblem.

There was a Service Bulletin that said the emblems on certain TA's were omitted until they fixed the decals. They were crinkling.

The dealer was supposed to inform you when they got it fixed and install it for you.

[eaglesan13]

Cool picture Ray. Lots of good reference stuff, the black knob, chrome bezels, black shaker door, and I noticed the spokes on the steering wheel appear to be black too rather than silver. Do you still have the car?

I think the Camaro in the background is a 69 too.

[ddmrk]

Ray COOL picture !!! do you have any more ??

[Norwood]

Yes 69 Camaro, I had a Cortez Silver 69 Z/28. I just miss typed.

[cdoggy81]

"the spokes on the steering wheel appear to be black too rather than silver"
The correct color is black. Over time the black fades.

[oldbirds]

I thought that picture might be interesting...

Here are a couple more, taken at my wedding in April of 1971. The custom door handles and missing hood bird are apparent in these shots. I may stumble across a few more pictures, but I'm not expecting many more. As much as I liked the car, I never thought to take pictures of it (unlike the dozens I took of my first new car - 67 MGB-GT). An interesting point - at least in NW Ohio, dealers were eager to unload 1970 TA's. I had two dealers fighting over who could give me the lowest price, and I hadn't even asked for a discount. It seems that GM needed to build a minimum number (I think to get sanctioned for racing), and told dealers they were getting them. That's the story the salesman gave me anyway.

The interior shot in the initial post was taken at the Can AM race at Mid Ohio in August of 70. I parked on a hill right beside a brand new Corvette. I had to get up and open the hood, show the interior and answer questions about the TA about every 10 miniutes, while nobody gave the vette a second look. After about an hour the owner of the vette (who was sitting nearby) stomped over, flipped me the bird, and drove away. Raised the cool factor of the TA in my mind a lot - I wasn't sure I liked the stripes and spoilers when I bought it. Just really liked the way it sounded, handled and especially accelerated.

Another old TA story. In the town I lived in at the time (Findlay) there were three 70 TA's - mine, and two white ones. By spring of 71 I had the only one left - the other two were totalled and in the local salvage yard.

Hope you enjoyed some old original TA stories.

I sold the car in 72 and totally lost track of it. Bought a twin that needed a total restoration in 96 for about twice what I paid for the new one in 70. and then spent a couple bucks on a total nut and bolt restoration.

Ray

[69 T/A]

Way cool pic's, Thanks!
It is interesting to note the location of the fender decals, aren't they supposed to be centered between the door opening and the front wheel?

[ddmrk]

well I guess here is the proof on the exterior door handles having the stripe or paint color on them also the fender vent grills painted black not body color ,also look at the nose and hood, hood is higher then the pumper door strike painted body color . lots to learn from Ray's pictures.keep them coming

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by necdb3

Looks like a black shaker door. What color are they supposed to be for 70-72?

Dave

The trap door on early (70-72) T/A shakers was actually covered with a thin layer of black closed cell foam tape. (perhaps not considered tape back then)

I believe the foam had a dual purpose.
#1 sound deadener (to quiet flap closing)
#2 Waterseal (to help keep carwash & rainwater out)
The foam seal didn't stand up to very much UV exposure before it started to peel of & was likely removed the first time it stopped the door from closing.

MOST quality restorations have the door painted flat black or dull silver,which is NOT correct,but looks acceptable.

All of the NOS shakers I've owned & observed have had the black foam tape.

I've found a similar product available that is used on the bottom of pick up truck canopys/toppers to protect box rails & weatherseal canopy installation.

NORWOOD,are you tuned in?

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

The trap door on early (70-72) T/A shakers was actually covered with a thin layer of black closed cell foam tape. (perhaps not considered tape back then)

I believe the foam had a dual purpose.
#1 sound deadener (to quiet flap closing)
#2 Waterseal (to help keep carwash & rainwater out)
The foam seal didn't stand up to very much UV exposure before it started to peel of & was likely removed the first time it stopped the door from closing.

MOST quality restorations have the door painted flat black or dull silver,which is NOT correct,but looks acceptable.

All of the NOS shakers I've owned & observed have had the black foam tape...

Interesting, good info. I have an original '71/'72 shaker that still has some of that black foam tape on the flapper door, wondered if it was original/correct, guess so, thanks! :-)

[pontchief]

Nice pictures.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by 69 T/A

Way cool pic's, Thanks!
It is interesting to note the location of the fender decals, aren't they supposed to be centered between the door opening and the front wheel?

John,

I thought the exact same thing when I saw that - guess they could have ended up anywhere, even different depending upon which side of the car you were on.

[Norwood]

2many, when I got my 70 in 75 the shaker door was already gone as well as all the other guts. Thats why I originaly repoed these parts. I have had three different shakers over the years and have never seen the foam. I know that you have mentioned it before, I just don't know what it looks like. HELP.