[giles]

I thought that I would share a few pictures with my friends on this board. Thirty years ago this week I joined this fraternity by buying my '71 TA!
The first (lousy) photo was taken in the driveway of the TA's 2nd owner, from whom I purchased the car in December 1976. The gentleman from whom I purchased the car had only owned it for a year. The first owner had the custom paint applied when it was nearly new. A very high quality navy blue with a hint of green. Custom orange, blue and purple flames exited the fender air extractors and covered the shaker. Personally not my cup of tea but I am convinced that this custom paint job saved the body from a cancerous Michigan death! As a result of the paint work the car was not driven in the winters and the body was in exceptional shape when I bought it as a five year old used car. For those of you unfamiliar with Michigan winters, the car was a rare find as even 5 or 6 year old daily-driven F-cars were total rust-buckets.
The second picture was taken a couple years ago, long after the car received a cosmetic restoration. The last picture is my current status. I am going through the engine and hope to have her back on the road before spring.
This board has helped immensely on this project and I am sure will continue as an invaluable asset. I'll post some more pictures as I make some more progress.

[Jim Rotella]

Beautiful car, Giles. Not many people can say they've owned their prize possesion for 30 years. Keep the pictures coming.

Jim

[giles]

Here is a little update on my progress. I haven't posted much lately because I have been spending too much time working! Engine is together and in the car. I should get the rad support and rad installed in the next week and then I can fire it.....

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by giles

I thought that I would share a few pictures with my friends on this board. Thirty years ago this week I joined this fraternity by buying my '71 TA!
The first (lousy) photo was taken in the driveway of the TA's 2nd owner, from whom I purchased the car in December 1976. The gentleman from whom I purchased the car had only owned it for a year. The first owner had the custom paint applied when it was nearly new. A very high quality navy blue with a hint of green. Custom orange, blue and purple flames exited the fender air extractors and covered the shaker. Personally not my cup of tea but I am convinced that this custom paint job saved the body from a cancerous Michigan death! As a result of the paint work the car was not driven in the winters and the body was in exceptional shape when I bought it as a five year old used car. For those of you unfamiliar with Michigan winters, the car was a rare find as even 5 or 6 year old daily-driven F-cars were total rust-buckets.
The second picture was taken a couple years ago, long after the car received a cosmetic restoration. The last picture is my current status. I am going through the engine and hope to have her back on the road before spring.
This board has helped immensely on this project and I am sure will continue as an invaluable asset. I'll post some more pictures as I make some more progress.

Dude you KILL ME!
THE ONLY car I would sell my 73 for is a Lucerne blue 71 or 72 T/A!
What a BADBOY!
Since one just sold for 75k I'd say restoring your's is a smart idea.

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by giles

Here is a little update on my progress. I haven't posted much lately because I have actually been working! Engine is together and in the car. I should get the rad support and rad installed in the next week and then I can fire it.....

I think I have "engine" envy.

Do they sell a pump on the net for that?

[WarbirdTA]

Looking good!
Keep up the good work.
I need to redo my 1970 Trans Am.

George

[giles]

It fired up relatively easily...Broke the cam in (flat tappet). Immediately changed the oil (more 15w-40 and EOS) and she seems to run good. No leaks, no knocking and no smoking...I am a happy boy! As soon as I get the rest of the front end on I will get to take it for a spin.
If you look close at the attached picture you can see alternator fan movement as proof postive of an actual running engine!

[carcollector]

congradulations! Isn't it a great feeling when things go right?

[Norwood]

YES congrats

[T/A Fanatic]

Congrats also. Not only is it a dream to hear it fire up, wait 'till you drive it again for the "first" time. What a thrill! I wouldn't sell my '71 for $100K (at least not yet), it is just too much fun to drive!

Alan

[giles]

Another year has past since the purchase of my TA (31 now). I'll post some before and after pictures as I can......

[wwilder9]

Nice car. Nice paint in that motor also.

[Norwood]

Very nice, you gotta love the blue. You have had that T/A about the same length of time as me. Over the years I have never been tempted to sale mine. Barring any unfortunate circumstance I will have it till I die.

[71formula455]

Giles...where did you get the paint for the front sway bar and steering linkages(tierod ends, tierod sleeves etc)? I have the Eastwood Company's "Spray Gray" just not sure if it is the right color, is that what you used. Thanks

[indyta1989]

I agree, Very Nice! All of the 1971's salute you!

[giles]

71Formula455, I have used two paints for the cast and forged grey iron stuff;
Both Plastic-Cote "Cast Finish" and Dupli-color "Cast Coat" are available in rattle cans.
I was hoping that there would be a slight difference between the two but honestly I
can't tell the difference. I believe the difference that does appear between parts
is more a function of the surface finish than anything else.
FYI small parts, like tie rod sleeves, were glass bead blasted by me.
Larger parts like sway bars were sand blasted with a really fine grain sand by Steagall
Fabrication in Murfreesboro, TN.
The tie rod clamps were siver zinc plated, and the tie rod sleeves were painted with
my secret weapon in the rattle can arsenal - Rustoleum "Stainless Steel" available at
most hardware / home centers for about $7 a can. This stuff is great for things like
fuel lines and other steel items that should look bare but you want rust prevention.

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by Norwood

Very nice, you gotta love the blue. You have had that T/A about the same length of time as me. Over the years I have never been tempted to sale mine. Barring any unfortunate circumstance I will have it till I die.

NOW THAT'S what I like to hear!
That car deserves to stay with you Craig,you MADE that car,so to speak.
You should be proud,I would.

[giles]

I realize that I am getting a little out of sequence here, but I ran across these two photos for a good before and after comparison of the front suspension....
The real good news is...I actually drove the car Saturday for a quick spin around the block....and when I find my digital camera battery charger I might be able to take some pictures.....

[RASK]

Look, twins.......keep up the good work!

[giles]

RASK, When did you sneak into my garage??!!

But seriously folks, does anyone have a good picture of an ORIGINAL set of front sway bar links? My new links are parts store variety MOOG parts. As you can see in the before photo I had previously updated to WS6 nylon parts so the originals are Looooonnng gone. The MOOG parts look passable but I am not certain that the washers are really all that correct. Opinions?