[Bentwheelbob]

Interesting timing for that magazine cover. I spoke to Scott Tiemann yesterday about engine paint. He said that the last '78 - '79 restoration he did was about 15 years ago when he restored a Kammback. He said that his belief was that all '78 - '79 Firebird engines were painted corporate blue. He matched the paint on a low four digit mileage car at the time and still has the formula.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Y88? 1977 Cover Car

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Interesting timing for that magazine cover.

Speaking of seats, etc. take a closer look @ the M/T cover car and note:
- the earlier "horse collar" style seats,
- polished (chromed) 8" snowflakes (also on Kammback),
- no Y88 pin-striping on nose, flares, etc.,
- and those T-Tops: smaller Hurst openings?
Surely airbrushed cover touch up and prototype non-production mule. Cool nonetheless.

Timing: I remember purchasing this issue when it was newly published in 1977...right around the same time "Smokey and the Bandit" (& Star Wars) was in all the movie theaters. And that Kammback w '79 treatment shown in '77 - WOW!

[Judge273]

No mention of the "redbird" being cool? Are they??

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by Judge273

No mention of the "redbird" being cool? Are they??

I would say very limited "cool factor" on those, Mike. Not as bad as the Blue Bird or Yellow Bird models, but I think they have a limited following...

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by blue71ta

I would say very limited "cool factor" on those, Mike. Not as bad as the Blue Bird or Yellow Bird models, but I think they have a limited following...

....if any at all.

[Judge273]

So in this case limited edition meant very limited....

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Judge273

No mention of the "redbird" being cool? Are they??

"girlie car"......

[Alvin]

So while driving Houston-to-San Antonio business trip this morning, tuned into "Austin's Rock" Austin TX FM Radio KLBJ 93.7 and as luck would have it, the morning show topic dialogue was "the car I wish I had again" and during that the Lead Host recounted many a story about his '79 Z/28 wish he had it again for one drive home, blah, blah, blah. Later after several callers sharing their stories, it got interesting and went something like this (paraphrased):

"When I was young my buddies and I would go to the local dealerships, on our bicycles, to see what was new on the lots. I remember as a kid back in 1977, we came across our local Pontiac dealership that had all of the new Trans Ams just delivered that day on the lot, and there was one of those GOLD Special Editions with the Big Bird on the hood - amongst all of the others - it was beautiful! When we got close to the car, we realized it was unlocked AND THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION! WOW! Did we take it for a drive or open the doors? No. We didn't. We knew that we shouldn't. That was an awesome car I'll always remember!..."

[3tas4me]

At the Indian Uprising this year was a very low mileage Y88 survivor. If any of you were there, you probably saw the car. The owner said the car was completely original as the original owner was his dad. I took a few detailed pics for my own use as this car is an exact duplicate of my Y88. These should be helpful for those doing a restoration as I am.
The car does have a couple of non factory items such as an aftermarket security system and owner made mudflaps. I am not sure what to think on the overlay on the shift bezel as I have never seen those on anything except the 10th anniversary cars and the Indy turbo cars. I was most interested in the finishes they were using on certain brackets. One thing I learned from this car is that the black taillight finish is glossy, not flat as I always thought it was. I hope this is helpful.

[3tas4me]

More pics