The greatest LOST & FOUND car story we've ever heard! Pontiac Trans Am
 

Love this story.
Most car guys will be in tears after watching it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE169_QdV-A

That's a great story but I can't believe that after such yearning for that nostalgia that he did a LS swap.

Agree

I have no issue with that. Its his car.

As an owner of both Pontiac powered Pontiacs, and LS powered Pontiacs, they both have their pros and cons.

Yeah sure, it's his car. He could put a Briggs and Stratton in it for all I care. My point was that he was all nostalgic about the car he had as a kid, and nothing else really satisfied him. Then to change it so much doesn't really make sense to me. But if he's happy then that's great.

the only thing he changed ( I think ) was the power train.not my cup of tea for sure but the car lives on. cool reunion regardless

People act like an engine swap somehow ruins whatever personal memories that were made over the years with said car. The nostalgia for the car doesn't change, just because it's been repowered with another V8.

Example, my 71 has been powered by multiple Pontiac engines, multiple different transmissions (autos and manuals), and multiple rear axle setups. It currently has an LS in it. I still feel the same way about that car all these years later.

When I started building an engine for my Firebird, the engine that I had the most memories was a Pontiac 455. A lot of my friends wanted me to do an LS but my old 78 T/A and my 455 powered Can-Am were by far the best at putting a smile on my face. My wife has had 2 5th gen Camaros and currently has a 6th gen 2017 SS with an LT1. I like driving them, but they don't feel as good as my bigger 455 Pontiac does. The torque of the Pontiac feels so good.

It would for me.

Well, that sucks for you I guess.

Nogstalgia remains strong when the LS is running, and the PMD engine is displayed somewhere in the house...or garage.

I agree that the Pontiac powered car would have brought back better memories for me. It's the memories of sound, smells, ride, and look that really hit you. He changed a major component that alters sound. Saying all that, it's his car and I'm glad he's happy with it.

Great story though. I have a story of the same but haven't been able to get the car from they guy who currently owns it. 72 Formula 455 4spd. I dream about getting it back all the time.

Goes without saying, to each his own.
But it's fun to argue on the internet.

Cool story. I'd love to know what the resto cost.

I didn't watch the video,
An LS doesn't belong in a Pontiac!
Buy a Shetvelle or a Camtardo!

Great story. After watching it, I sort of get why the engine swap was OK for the owner ...
(And he did note that its original 400 was gone when he got the car back)

Back in the day I was extremely hands on with my car. For better, or worse. I didn't do everything right, but I did it anyway. My older brother had a really nice 78 TA. It was Chesterfield Brown (I think that's the color), T-tops, loaded. Beautiful. Perfect car for him. But if he had to change the engine air filter, he needed to call a mechanic. I'm not sure how many times he even opened the hood on that car. That was him. I was actually jealous of his car because it was so beautiful. Not in a bad way but just wished my car was nicer looking. But mine was much faster. LOL. That's where the fun was for me.

The guy with this car sounds a little similar to my brother. He loved his car, but he's a self-admitted non-car guy. He may not have even looked at his engine compartment very much, much less done anything too it. So, yeah he didn't care what engine was in it. To him the car is what you see from the curb.

Ya I was thinking about that also. Those shops aren't cheap. I'm willing to bet a minimum of $125K.

Ya I was kinda disappointed that he didn't go with the 400. It was like he threw the cars heart and soul away. He could have done a transplant. :drive:Great story though.

"Since you are not a car guy, go LS"

LMAO.

But true. Ha.

Finally had a chance to complete the video. Great car, great story I'm happy for the guy.

The restoration shop played a large roll in the decision for installing the LS engine. Dollars and cents was most likely the main driver.

I like the convincing line "the LS will start every time" ..... I never realized Pontiac's have "starting" issues.

A Shetvelle or a Camtardo?

Are you 5 years old?

Yeah I get tired of hearing "an LS will start every time". What, the Pontiac 400 in it 45 years ago never started for him each day (in NY no less) - so I guess he never made it to class or work on time.

Please.

Yeah, I caught that. Probably a good read.

Makes me sick when people leave beautiful cars out to rot and then have the nerve to say “It’s got sentimental value “ really??? Then why didn’t you throw a cover over it??? Brutal

After thinking about it some, I bet more than 50% of my fond memories and auto nostalgia is based on the drivetrain in the different cars I drove. Everything from an original tractor motored FJ45 with a 3 on the tree, to a 1966 GTO with a 428 and a Muncie.

I am OK with an engine swap and the LS makes a lot of sense in some situations.

But if that was the car I obsessed over and just had to have back, I would want it to sound and feel like the old car I had and I would have put another 400 in it - not an LS.

And yes that car is great looking and I bet it is a blast to drive.