[65madgoat]

Came across an unmolested original 1972 Trans Am.

Did the factory use a chrome or black air cleaner assembly originally on these cars?

This 1972 Trans Am had a chrome one it that 2nd owner had on since 1976 on his never restored, never modified or rebuilt engine car - I had assumed they were just black (since with Shaker on you wouldn't see the dual snorkel assembly so why would it be chrome)

[unruhjonny]

black.

The only way to get any chrome on a post-1970 Pontiac was over the counter.

For the inaugural year of the second gen Trans Am (1970), only the valve covers were chrome.

[65madgoat]

Wow then a little wild to me that someone would have swapped out to a chrome one on an engine with a shaker scoop that restricts one from even seeing that the air cleaner is chrome (just round base of it is chrome not air tubes off it). I mean this engine is stock stock stock too. So the dealer sold chrome air cleaners over the counter you are saying?

['ol Pinion head]

The factory did not supply chrome plated aircleaner bases or lids on 2nd Gen T/A's. The only chrome lids factory installed on 2nd Gens were on '70 Formulas, same chrome lid as came on '69 & 70 GTO's with the base 350 horse 400 4bbl engines.

In the 70's & 80's it wasnt that hard or expensive to have a stock steel aircleaner base chrome plated... most likely the origin of this damage. Will go that far, as I serious doubt the thermacs on the snorkels survived the plating process.

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Came across an unmolested original 1972 Trans Am.

Did the factory use a chrome or black air cleaner assembly originally on these cars?

This 1972 Trans Am had a chrome one it that 2nd owner had on since 1976 on his never restored, never modified or rebuilt engine car - I had assumed they were just black (since with Shaker on you wouldn't see the dual snorkel assembly so why would it be chrome)

Sounds like a great car. Can you share any other details?

[65madgoat]

The round air cleaner base assembly appears chromed - but I recall not the snorkels which are still black. Next time I can get to see it will take a photo.

[78w72]

Maybe the guy had the air cleaner chromed or a company made them back then? No air cleaner base was chrome from factory or dealer over the counter for any 2nd gen firebird or probably any other cars of that era.

You cant see any engine parts with a shaker or non shaker hood closed, but when hood is open you can definitely see the air cleaner base, maybe someone wanted a little more bling when the hood is opened?