[autobahn]

I'm thinking that most end up in a salvage yard within a year,

[Bentwheelbob]

Looks great. After the hood decal put the hood hinges on your list to get phosphated. You are going all out for correctness, and those appear to be painted.

It’s a game of inches and you have certainly moved this car forward a bunch.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by autobahn

I'm thinking that most end up in a salvage yard within a year,

LOL, I used to work with a guy, he called Trans Am's Trashcans, because they usually DID end up in salvage yard after a year or so...They usually looked like trashcans if they were on the road after 2 years...

I had a choice of a white or black T/A, at the dealer in my small town in May of 77...both had near same options. White car had 8 track, block did not, didn't matter to me...The white car had red velour interior, mine was black velour...

The white car lasted about a year and a half. Looked like it had been in a demo derby...such a waste

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Looks great. After the hood decal put the hood hinges on your list to get phosphated. You are going all out for correctness, and those appear to be painted.

It’s a game of inches and you have certainly moved this car forward a bunch.

Thanks, Bob

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Burd - I used Martin Seymour Cast Gray spray paint on the hinges. I sprayed them very lightly with a dry mist to replicate a gray phosphate type finish. The finish on the hood latch is original.

Do you still recommend this method, or should I be sending them out? On one of my previous 1977 A bodies, one hinge was black phosphate, and the other was the grey phosphate.

[Bentwheelbob]

Yes. I would send them out or do them yourself. This stuff works great. Best I have used and I have tried many different formulations.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-PARKE...sAAOSw8kRcLWU-

If you want to keep them painted you might want to hit them with a very dry spray.

I have a lot more experience now than I did 4 years ago.

Again, everything looks great.

[77 Canamman]

Finally, the Phoenix Graphix sourced hood bird is on. I could not find a local shop willing to do it, so I did it myself with the assistance of YouTube. With the liquid solution, it went on ok. Had a few bubbles to massage out of it, but it turned out satisfactory.

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[68tpls400]

Looks great! I finished my '76 last month too, If you want to swap the leftover grille surround and shaker opening trim, I'd be interested. The kits come with extras depending on year. So I have an extra set of '77-'78. Assuming you may still have the extra '76 ones? I also have the two extra '400' graphics for the shaker as I had the 455 ones if anyone needs those.

[TAKerry]

Bird looks great. I am sure you have heard it before, but if there are some bubbles, just leave the car in the sun for a few hours. They will flatten right out.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by 68tpls400

Looks great! I finished my '76 last month too, If you want to swap the leftover grille surround and shaker opening trim, I'd be interested. The kits come with extras depending on year. So I have an extra set of '77-'78. Assuming you may still have the extra '76 ones? I also have the two extra '400' graphics for the shaker as I had the 455 ones if anyone needs those.

Thank you. I bought just the hood bird, so I do not have any of the extra decals.

Originally Posted by TAKerry

Bird looks great. I am sure you have heard it before, but if there are some bubbles, just leave the car in the sun for a few hours. They will flatten right out.

Yes, and that did the trick. I am still amazed that they were able to install these rapidly at the factory and have them come out well.

[TAKerry]

I read somewhere, may have been smoke signals, that there was a team of 2 guys that would put the birds on. I dont remember now but the time it took amazed me. I had my son help me and it went on really easy. Looked absolutely perfect. Sat back and looked at it and wondered to myself why I worried so much. Then I went back in a couple of hours and the whole thing had blistered up with bubbles! I was sick. I almost ripped it off it looked so bad. I worked on it over the next couple of days squeezing as many as possible out. Then I sat it in the sun for a few hours over the next couple of weeks. It finally laid down flat and looks perfect except for one very small wrinkle that I put in whilst squeezing out the air. Most people would probably never even see it.

[77 Canamman]

At my employer's recent internal car show, my car won judges choice. A lot of people just loved the car. This car won over McLarens, Ferarri's, and a mint 1967 435hp Vette.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Congrats on winning!!!

A former co-worker of mine (he moved off to Florida, may be retired, he's about 80...) has a 72 Ferrari Dino. He put it in a couple of local car shows a few years ago. Nobody knew what it was, nobody. I used to razz him once in a while, ask him about his Karmen Ghia kit car....he doesn't take stuff seriously, but never liked me saying those words...

[Green Hornet]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

At my employer's recent internal car show, my car won judges choice. A lot of people just loved the car. This car won over McLarens, Ferarri's, and a mint 1967 435hp Vette.

and so.....it SHOULD have...

[77 Canamman]

Well, I was able to attend my favorite local event, which is the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealers annual cruise in. This year drew well over 300 vehicles.





My stepdaughter and my best friend's son played Lil' Bandit and Frog.

[TAKerry]

Car looks great! I have been doing work in the garage and mine has about an inch of dust on it. I really need to get it cleaned up.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

Car looks great! I have been doing work in the garage and mine has about an inch of dust on it. I really need to get it cleaned up.

You and me, both!!!

[77 Canamman]

Thank you, Kerry and Trashcan.

[77 Canamman]

Finally located one that wasn't $250 and missing the foam outer element!

[77 TRASHCAN]

I saved my original, I thought. My dad or one of my brothers robbed it out of my the Fram box and paper sack it was sealed up in, they put their old filter in the Fram box. May have many years before I found out...oh well.

[77 Canamman]

Well it arrived. The foam is absolutely soft and not deteriorated. It is a finishing touch and looks right at home.

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