[Hammertime Mike]

As big a man that John Wayne was, getting in and out of that low sitting bird must have been a hassle. Plus being up there in age couldn't have helped either. Regardless a John Wayne movie featuring a Pontiac T/A is worth watching.

[Alvin]

Note the RWL Wide Ovals on this one!

[Overkillphil]

I still get a sick feeling in my stomach when I watch the alley scene where the trucks crush the T/A.

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by Drag Star Le Mans

The plate number of the car sitting on tracks does not match the one getting some air.
Probably the one that gets smashed near the end of the movie.

Some sources say that three TA's were used (up) in the filming, all ordered with identical equipment. As is mentioned elsewhere, one of the three still resides here in WA. & no, at last check, not for sale.

[Transamric]

According to the PHS, they were ordered with;
B80 roof molding, B85 sill & hood molding, C60 A/C, D55 frt. console, U63 AM radio, U80 rear speaker, V32 rear bumper guards & Y90 Custom trim group, plus the typical WS4 credit of $27.00. Since there was no tire option shown, I'd say they were built with blackwall bias plies. Not recalling at the moment when blackwall radials became standard.
They were shipped 5/31/73 & sent & billed to Pontiac Motor Division, Zone Company Car at code 325-997 in Portland Oregon. MSRP was $5060.75, but they were sold as 25% discounted cars.

[A Schab]

That is exactly what the PHS shows,sale price was 4212.67 with the discount.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Transamric

According to the PHS, they were ordered with;
B80 roof molding, B85 sill & hood molding, C60 A/C, D55 frt. console, U63 AM radio, U80 rear speaker, V32 rear bumper guards & Y90 Custom trim group, plus the typical WS4 credit of $27.00. Since there was no tire option shown, I'd say they were built with blackwall bias plies. Not recalling at the moment when blackwall radials became standard.
They were shipped 5/31/73 & sent & billed to Pontiac Motor Division, Zone Company Car at code 325-997 in Portland Oregon. MSRP was $5060.75, but they were sold as 25% discounted cars.

Thanks for the info "Trans Am Ric". I forget when the 1st yr the RTS option was standard on TAs?

I do know 1973 was 1st year RTS was available - and a big deal for Pontiac - on the new Grand Am.

[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Here's what one of the cars used in the movie McQ looked like prior to restoration or scrapping:



From IMDB below:

Great pics Alvin - even smashed between 2 Semi's a 70's T/A looks better than any new car .

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Thanks for the info "Trans Am Ric". I forget when the 1st yr the RTS option was standard on TAs?

I do know 1973 was 1st year RTS was available - and a big deal for Pontiac - on the new Grand Am.

Radial tires were an option on '73 & early '74 TA's before the RTS package became standard. A '73 optioned with radials did not have the RTS emblem on the dash bezel as did late '74's. So IIRC, the RTS package became standard late in '74 & for '75/76.

[johnta1]

The 74 RTS emblem was on the Glove box door.
(not dash)

1975 and later it was on the dash.

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Remember that Brewster 1973 TA in John Wayne's last movie McQ?

I thought his last movie was The Shootist -

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by johnta1

The 74 RTS emblem was on the Glove box door.
(not dash)

1975 and later it was on the dash.

Thanks! Right you are.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Brad,

You are correct. "The Shootist" was filmed in 1976. "McQ" was filmed in 1973(?). Wayne passed away in 1979.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

ive always assumed they took all the trans am decals off of it to avoid any kind of royalty payments????

Originally Posted by Alvin

IIRC - appears presented as a HOOD BIRD decal delete T/A. Look closely and you can see the Small Bird decal on the nose and "Pontiac" emblem in the front drivers side grill.

M_C was referring to the missing TRANS AM decals that would have been on both fenders , and the rear spoiler. Big Hood Bird was an extra cost option.

i think they removed them because Pontiac wouldn't supply the cars for free.
So they reduced the amount of free T/A publicity by yanking the decals ?
idunno

But they did the same thing to The Judge in 2 Lane Btop

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

M_C was referring to the missing TRANS AM decals that would have been on both fenders , and the rear spoiler. Big Hood Bird was an extra cost option.

i think they removed them because Pontiac wouldn't supply the cars for free.
So they reduced the amount of free T/A publicity by yanking the decals ?
idunno

But they did the same thing to The Judge in 2 Lane Btop

Got it, thxs for the clarification.
PONTIAC on the rear panel and front grill...so...
Perhaps it had something to do with licensing royalties that would have been due to the SCCA for the Trans Am name usage?

Note no shaker decals either...

[Alvin]

Alley Oop!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

They got the cars at discount - which probably bought enough leverage to leave the small Pontiac lettering. But not enough to leave the high contrast TA decals.
Free cars would have probably been left alone - and even had big birds.

Like Bandit.
Freebies iirc - before hipo engine mods

Pontiac paid the royalty on every TA .

[REEDRACER]

I have to re watch this movie again!

[Brewster]

I know right, I need to watch it again too!

[Alvin]

Private Eye McQ follows the State Narco van