[speedrider]

I bought a TATA about 12 years ago. It was restored somewhat. The paint job was very well done. The problem was that they used a donor car for the interior so it was black interior. I paid 9,500 for it. I put about another 3,000 in to bring the interior back to original silver leather. It is the less rare Auto 403. I still think it could bring me a profit if I wanted to sell it. (I don't). I don't know if the engine is the original or not. The guy said it was, but I have not been able to confirm. I looked for the number on the block, but can't seem to find it. It runs good, but I still want to pull it and either rebuild it, or replace it. Even if it is just a repaint and re gasket rebuild. It is starting to leak from sitting in the garage so much. I probably only put a couple thousand miles on it in the 12 years I owned it. I think they will continue to go up in value even with the 403. It is what Pontiac put in at the factory, so it is still a Pontiac. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[yumpy]

If i am correct i believe your T/A is the one that got coverage this past year in Hemmings Muscle Mag.One beautiful T/A. I have a 79 ,the same color combo,options(with defogger) $9446 and change on the window sticker.That's with the $178 delete for the 301 cu engine. Need I say more.My car is a nice driver/survivor and is ALL Pontiac. I think my car would be worth even less than a 403 car in equal condition.

[geeteeohguy]

MNBob, my co-worker's '79 TA 400 4 speed was slow compared to my tripower '65 and '66 4 speed GTO's and his own 'other' car, a '69 SS396 Chevelle with a 4 speed. Compared to the early '80's offerings of other makes, yes, it was a LOT quicker/faster than the '79-'82 Corvette, Z-28 Camaro, etc. It still had that famous 'Pontiac Torque'!! (and it was a very nice road car. Much more refined than my old GTO's)

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by speedrider

I don't know if the engine is the original or not. The guy said it was, but I have not been able to confirm. I looked for the number on the block, but can't seem to find it.

Here is where the 403 engine number is. That's the front of the driver side head:

[Nitebird]

Originally Posted by geeteeohguy

MNBob, my co-worker's '79 TA 400 4 speed was slow compared to my tripower '65 and '66 4 speed GTO's and his own 'other' car, a '69 SS396 Chevelle with a 4 speed. Compared to the early '80's offerings of other makes, yes, it was a LOT quicker/faster than the '79-'82 Corvette, Z-28 Camaro, etc. It still had that famous 'Pontiac Torque'!! (and it was a very nice road car. Much more refined than my old GTO's)

Actually the 1979 TA W72 cars had just as fast quarter mile times as the 65/66 GTO's and the 69 SS396 cars. I guess it all depends upon which tests you wanted to consider valid or not and which cars you favor to be" quicker".

A lot of it depended on the driver.

[speedrider]

I looked and what I see (pic added) does not look right. It looks like the numbers are upside down and not lined up right. My serial # on my car ends in 149791. Is that the number that should be on the original block? If so, then it looks like it is not the original.
Thanks for the help.

[Grand73Am]

Yes, the last 6 numbers of the engine number should agree with your VIN to be the original engine. So, yours doesn't look like it matches.