[transam1972]

some more photos...

[transam1972]

so my car was an original standard interior that I have upgraded to deluxe..I plan on not installing the dash assist handle as I just cannot bring myself to drilling the holes for the handle...plus if the next restorer wants the car 100% original they will not have 2 holes and curse me out...but check out this car ...a 1972 TRANS AM with deluxe interior...the interior certainly looks original...those have to be original door panels...P.U.I. would have been obvious and Legendary only recently came out with upper door panels plus those panels are definitely O.E.M...or they would have to be LEGENDARY...however the plastic lowers match the uppers something difficult when redoing Firebird interiors in colors.(.thats a photo I took off of my computer)....so is it possible that the factory forgot to install the assist handle???....I just do not think that the car in this photo would have had its interior changed....anyway so I am just going with the theory that a car could have slipped through with a deluxe interior and come without the assist handle....how to explain the photos of this car?...and 1972 is a unique color and cover...these would most likely have to have been from another Firebird with a deluxe interior...so anyway I do prefer the look of no handle as the look of a clean dash is what I prefer...and I am not just saying that to explain my no dash handle!!

[transam1972]

just comparing my dash to the internet photo...that car was a 1972 but it was sold...notice how the handle on the door would match the dash...anyone else prefer the no handle look??

[transam1972]

well I decided to use the 3M spray adhesive for a more factory installation....first you glue the white foam layer...let dry...then glue the black top layer..definitely I think the tray installed better without the jute...a much better fit...too bad they did not use a thin layer of foam like the factory

[transam1972]

3M adhesive is great

[transam1972]

a last look at the rear seat frame...I was able to use all the original seat padding and I left the seat frame original...a light coat of surface rust...that is how it is supposed to look after 40 years...in a lot of ways by leaving as much as possible unrestored..you get to save yourself a lot of work..sandblasting the frame and then painting it with bare steel paint is not original...I am counting on this dremel idea to cut the hole....and after installing this tray I have to recommend LEGENDARY products once again..you think of seat covers but they sell a lot of all your interior needs (headliner.sun visors etc.)..they make the rear tray themselves..the cardboard was heavy duty and the material and foam were top quality matching the door panels...installation was a perfect fit...the deluxe mesh (70 & 71 ) is even way nicer than mine...I originally ordered mesh until I found out it was incorrect for 72..would have been easier to install as the speaker cut out is factory made and the speaker mounts from underneath,,,,,oh well...just look at how nicely the material over lapped having using there products for this interior project has made all the differance...actually the quality of the products has made this interior project fun and satisfying because I wanted my interior to be show quality and if you saw it in person the materials are as good. if not better (especially the seat covers)...the interior still has that new car smell!!LEGENDARY is #1 for me...stay way from P.U.I. junk!!!

[catc]

the interior is coming right along there,Glenn..i myself like the "no handle" ... look....But all 70-73 Trans Ams look AWESOME!

[transam1972]

Originally Posted by catc

the interior is coming right along there,Glenn..i myself like the "no handle" ... look....But all 70-73 Trans Ams look AWESOME!

THANKS!!I really do think the handle takes away from the clean finish of the dash..again, sometimes less is more..I suppose PONTIAC had to give you the extras with the deluxe upgrade...really was worth it as these extra padded seat covers and door panels cannot even compare to my original standard interior...the seat covers had like no padding and the upper door panels were hard/flat assembly..no padding of any kind...my 76 T/A had white deluxe with the horsecollar seats so I always remember how nice that interior was..I do prefer these 72 seats though

[transam1972]

I know I am photo crazy.some may think just crazy...I think I was bored today(waiting on parts)...so I went closeup nuts..also trying to communicate the vibe of what its like to sit in this thing after almost 30 years!..that is the repop lighter bezel & lighter

[transam1972]

KODACHROME..

[transam1972]

my first ride in a TRANS AM was the car I would end up owning..a 1976 Cameo white/white deluxe 455 4 speed (no air)...so when I took my brother to look at the car and talk to the owner (selling to get married!) I let him test drive and I sat in the back...I can still remember how cool it was to look up front at the engine turned dash with the Firebird emblem and the stick popping out the console...and of course the Formula wheel as he was driving..he did give it the thumbs up for me (23k miles)..so now we would go back to mom & dad that the car was o.k. to buy..and boy did I want it ($4500)..that I would slowly pay back (intrest free!)..so the pics from the rear seat are my best recreation from my 2nd TRANS AM ride...almost 30 years in the making so far and I do not even think I logged more than 200 miles on this High Output..my first T/A was a mint condition ride...the 2nd was all silver black standard interior and Rally 2s..the car needed to be restored that's why I never drove it as I knew it needed to be back to its former glory...just was not thinking perhaps 30 years and more??!!