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W72-Bandit · 12-14-2006, 11:03 AM

Hey guys some of ya'll may know of me, I hang out over at Transamcountry.com. I'm a big fan of the 79 W72 SE cars and I along with another owner are thinking of putting together a registry for them.
Production was just 1107 cars and we would like to find/document as many as we can. If you have one or know of one please let me know.
Also I would like your input as to what info some people would want to share about their car. I know some are a little wary of giving out VIN #'s etc.
Anyway, this is all in the early talking stages now, just trying to see if there is any interest or is it just me!

[email protected]

Mr W72 · 10:36 PM

Hello Paul,

At one time I wanted to start a W72 Registry but with 72,000 plus cars it just wasn't feasible, too difficult with such a large number. A smaller number may work a lot easier, such as the 1,107 SE's, 1,817 10th anniv or the 367 Formulas.

One thing, some owners may not want is their VIN's published or location of car known. In my own research, I have gained the trust of owners to share the build sheets with me because I have made it very clear I would never share them with others, andI hold true to that. I have helped many documents their cars and will continue to do so.

I have two 1979 Y84 SE W72 build sheets, one without t-tops built at Van Nuys CA on 2/6/79. I would be more than happy to give you options and build dates, but no serial numbers if that will help. I can also help you with historic data if you need it.

John

W72-Bandit · 12-15-2006, 07:09 PM

Thanks John. PM Sent

79 400 SE · 12-30-2006, 04:52 AM

I would like to see a registry for these cars as I bought one 6 months ago and am curious how many still exist. I would bet that not that many are still around as a lot of people didn't realize how rare they were. I watch for them on E-Bay and over the last 4 years or so I don't think I've seen more than 10-15 for sale. I live in the Denver area and have personally seen 2. One was a couple of years ago and didn't have the original motor and the other one I passed on buying for $4000.00 but that was 15 or so years ago. A registry would be great and could possibly help owners collect info on their cars.
I am currently trying to find out the history on my car as it is missing 2 important things to me (The build sheet and the original tranny) About all I know is that it was sold in Pennsylvania, spent some time in New York and then Wisconsin and I bought it from a dealer in Kansas and it now resides in Colorado. I don't know alot about the forums and clubs but perhaps the Bandit Trans Am Club could provide some info if they have any of these cars registered. Just a thought.
I also am curious as to what was the last W-72 car ever built. I contacted John Witzke and for a few short months mine was the last "known" one but then I found a regular W72 T/A on E-Bay built the same week (4th week of May, 1979) with a higher VIN than mine. I was told by the current owner of that car that it originally belonged to a "Big Wig" at GM or Pontiac. I e-mailed the info on that car to John but I'm not sure if he ever got it. He has been a great source of info and his website on the W-72's is fantastic.
If you want to contact me personally let me know and I will send you my e-mail address. Good Luck.

Mr W72 · 12-30-2006, 10:46 AM

At one time it was believed that a particular 1979 Trans Am once owned by George DeLorean was possibly the final W72 car produced based on certian comments by Mr. Delorean. For a while it had been thought that a couple of Van Nuys serial numbers 2W87Z9L182XXX produced on May 8th 1979 was the final or close to the end. But since there were two assembly plants, Norwood cars have lower numbers for the same period of time. Example 1979 Norwood produced W72 car with serial number 2W87Z9N179XXX has a production date of 05D on cowl tag or last week of May 1979 which is clearly the latest date I have recorded. So theortically it is very possible the final W72's were produced at Norwood even though it is now known that more W72 cars rolled off the Van Nuys assembly line during the 1979 model year. Although not confirmed, I have also been told that the last 40 or so W72 cars were suppose to have been sold to GM exec's.

Hope this sheds a little light as to what I know about the final W72 cars.

79 400 SE · 12-30-2006, 04:17 PM

John, thanks for the update in regards to the search for the last W-72 car. I take it you got the info I sent in regards to the N179XXX car. I also told the seller to check out your website and contact you. I don't know what came of that car as the reserve was not met.
I would love to see a W-72 registry that is something like the 428 Cobra Jet registry. I don't know if you have ever seen it but it is pretty nice. I have no idea what it would take to do something like that but as you said, perhaps a good start would be if enthusiasts started smaller registries for the W-72 TATA's, SE's, Formulas etc.
I continue to watch E-Bay for a higher VIN W-72 car. It is easy to check as most cars list their VIN's or at least say if they are an auto or 4-Speed car. I'm sure there are other sites that could be checked in a similar way but I am not aware of them. Keep us informed if you find a later W-72. I know there are some people that are interested in this regard and thanks for all your knowledge and carefull sharing of information.

W72-Bandit · 01-02-2007, 03:36 PM

I've had some repsonse from a few guys about the 1107 registry. Now that the holidays are over hopefully it will pickup. JW, it was good talking with you the other night, I'll keep an eye on my snailbox.
Again anyone wanting to participate shoot me an e-mail or PM.