Here's the story on the car.
I am the second owner.
In 1974, the original owner went down to the local Pontiac dealer.
He was looking for a Trans Am with a 455 engine.
Sitting on the front lot, was nothing but 1974 Trans Ams, however, they all had the 400 engine.
Walking into the parts department, he saw, by looking in the back lot, a white Trans Am with 455 on the hood scoop.
As he walked back to the car, he could now see the whole car, as it was parked between other cars.
He saw the portholes, and the half vinyl top.
He walked back into the showroom, and asked the sales manager about the car.
He was told by the sales manager that the car was being shipped over to Japan.
Seems that the Japanese government would not let the cars be certified unless there was more rearview view (sounds funny, but makes sense).
So, the dealership contacted a local company that did the conversions, and had them do it.
It was fairly popular, as the company did other conversions for even earlier Firebirds as well. Around SoCal, you could see quite a few conversions running around.
Anyway, the original owner then went in to see the owner of the dealership, as he knew him, and told him that he wanted the 455 Trans Am going to Japan. Seems that the car going to Japan didn't have to be a 455 engine, so the owner sold the car to him, and just ordered another 400 equiped Trans Am to be converted.
Now, a few years after this was going on, I got into Trans Ams, and in 1976, bought a 1974 Trans Am 455 engine, with a ASC installed sunroof. I lived at home with the parents, on a huge hill. As I would drive my 455 TA down the hill, this one with portholes would drive up. And vice-virsa. This went on for years! I always wanted bookend cars.
Then, in early 1989, I saw a ad in hemmings, for a 455 Trans Am with the local area code. I called, and he started describing the car. When he got to portholes and a half vinyl roof, I asked if it was white. He said yes.
I told him the car I own, and he laughed, telling me that he always wanted my car at the same time he had his.
Now, I wasn't really intrested in buying another car, as I had a fairly large collection at the time.
He was asking 6500, and all I had at the time was 4000.
I took my car up (as I was now living down the hill) to see it, and he was walking around my car, as I was his!
hecame over, and told me that since we had both wanted each other's cars, he would sell me the car for 3900!
I laughed, and showed him my check book.
And, bought the car!
A few months later, Sue Elliot from High Pereformance Pontiac saw the car, and asked me questions about it. I guess she never believed me.
years later, at the release of the new GTO at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, she remembered me, and came over, and told me that she had seen other cars like mine running around the valley where she lives.
I have seen a few in the junk yards, and I even bought the inner sail panels, glass, and chrome circles, to have as backup or do another car.
Right now, she runs a full set of "back" GTA style wheels, since they are more easy to find.
Hope you enjoy my story.
George
