[Alvin]

Parting shot from DKM literature. Enjoy!

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by hada76

mother nature is sure rough on our toys

We'll call that one a "barn find" thet didn't make it to the barn................

[ken73]

I've got one of the 26 1977 cars, undergoing a complete restoration. I would like to thank Chuck for giving me the opportunity to own it (#17).

[hada76]

Originally Posted by Alvin

1978 Macho Turbo Trans Am #178 of 204

read somewhere that DKM didn't like the turbos as much (they are rare) because of hp issues.

[muscle_collector]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Hey! I had those paint saving mudflaps too back in the day!

No front shots of the topless DKM, instead, IIRC this was one of MECHAM's personal cars?
But, I could be wrong (again)!

that is actually his wifes car new. I owned it until about 10 years ago I sold it to loren in Missouri who did an outstanding job restoring it.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Hey! I had those paint saving mudflaps too back in the day!

No front shots of the topless DKM, instead, IIRC this was one of MECHAM's personal cars?
But, I could be wrong (again)!

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

that is actually his wifes car new. I owned it until about 10 years ago I sold it to loren in Missouri who did an outstanding job restoring it.

Krap - Wrong Again! . Seriously though, Thxs for the info heads up clarification.

[muscle_collector]

it was dennis mecums wifes car so technically it was one of their personal cars.

[78Macho]

...actually, there were 202 Machos produced for 1978, with #202 being sold in Oct 1978. The last two cars were customer conversions, where #203 was converted in March 1979 and #204 was converted in September 1979.

[Judge273]

So, now I'm confused by the wording. Produced 202?

Were they not new cars converted into and sold used? That's 202 number.

203 and 204 were costumers who brought their used TAs to be converted the next year by them.

So a trick question. But, you could buy the stuff to convert your own as well. Just didn't get a production number?

If the eBay car was a nice restored SE in black it would fetch 60-70 k?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Correction: The actual number of 1978 Macho T/A's built by DKM is 204.

How do I know? Was told by Todd Coombs @ TA Nat's several years ago: IIRC (2) two of the cars were purchased elsewhere and brought in by customers for conversion at Mecham.

The Takeaway: I won a DKM Polo Shirt at the TA Nats by answering the following trivia

Question - "How many Macho T/A's were produced by DKM in 1978?
Answer - 204! "You are correct! Come on up and claim your prize!"

I gave it to Jimmy Flemming who had "restified" his 1979 White & Burgundy Macho TA #53 W72 400 4-spd.
As I recall, Jimmy was ecstatic receiving that shirt, and I was happy sharing in his enjoyment.

Dennis Mecham (wearing the same color & design DKM polo) and Alvin at said event below

Note: The Gold '79 Macho above was a 403 Auto, owned then by Todd Coombs.

Originally Posted by Judge273

So, now I'm confused by the wording. Produced 202?

Were they not new cars converted into and sold used? That's 202 number.

203 and 204 were costumers who brought their used TAs to be converted the next year by them.

So a trick question. But, you could buy the stuff to convert your own as well. Just didn't get a production number?

If the eBay car was a nice restored SE in black it would fetch 60-70 k?

Perhaps my post is a misquote and slight error in my part, which should instead read and be stated as:

The Takeaway: I won a DKM Polo Shirt at the TA Nats by answering the following trivia

Question - "How many 1978 Macho T/A's were produced by DKM?
Answer - 204! "You are correct! Come on up and claim your prize!"

The last two 1978 Machos; #203 & #204 were converted, numbered & documented by DKM. Those cars were brought to DKM for conversion by customers. DKM considered them MACHO TA's once they converted, numbered, documented and received payment...

Not sure - CRS - if MACHO conversion kits (such as Fire Am items offered by Herb Adams) were ever offered by DKM. Others here certainly know the answer to that Q and will correct the post accordingly.

IMO - doesn't matter now what I - or anyone else want to believe correct; DKM numbered and counted #203 & #204 as 1978 MACHO TA's. "Your results may vary."

[2manyT/A'S]

I don't believe that the DKM boys sold or endorsed any do it yourself Macho T/A parts or kits....perhaps some "over the counter" options.

Herb Adams (VSE) worked both sides of the street with the Fire Am.....wasn't near as successful with selling complete cars but I'm sure his parts business was MORE profitable than selling complete "converted" T/A's....

Alvin....got any Fire Am pics?

[Alvin]

Never heard of those "Fire What?!!" "Grand Am!" Yeah, now those '73-75's are cool!

BTT: Could it be this pop song is one reason for the potential lagging interest and values?

"MACHO-MACHO-MAN!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO43p2Wqc08

[78Macho]

Alvin-

I apologize if my posting was taken wrong. DKM certainly counts every car for their total production. My posting was to point out how the last few cars came about.

Think about it for a minute. #202 was sold in October of 1978. How many 1979 Macho's were made and sold before October 1978? I would think that a hand full would have gone out the door. My guess is that someone wanted the higher priced turbo Macho but didn't want to pay the new 1979 prices. Evidently DKM had an extra 1978 model in the waiting.

Interestingly enough, #202 was a turbo car as well as #204!

Jim

[Alvin]

No worries, & certainly no apology needed Jim. I'm wearing my Big Boy Pants today!

Seriously though, thx for the thought, input and certainly there are many more MACHO stories, details, data, and documents to be shared.
Please feel free to continue posting more information & photos about these niche "Tuner Pontiac's" here. After all - isn't your PY handle "78Macho?"

[Alvin]

A great on topic read here http://www.78ta.com/macho.htm

[charles bledsoe]

I like the white and black 78 wifes car! What year/years were the FireAm's?

[dreamn69]

Here are some pics of my Fire Am. By the way, I was one trying to pursue the #36 car in the Yellowbullet thread. Fire Am's were pretty much mail order only parts to build your own. They were they were classified as Stage 1,2 or 3, but you could buy any combo and any options you wanted. My car has most of stage 1 & 2 with some parts from Stage 3. I have only seen 5 others in person or online.

[dreamn69]

My car has the following:

VSE front and rear suspension kit
VSE Lowering kit
VSE front structure kit
Battery relocation
Solid subframe bushings
Koni adjustable shocks
VSE roll bar kit
Corbeau racing seats
Induction system (though this has been swapped over the years)
Full Fire Am decal package

[Alvin]

BTT and the DKM Macho theme; image posted from past weekend's TA Nats Tipp City Cruise below

Original thread link http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=760039

[Alvin]