[catc]

well..i work in a collision shop,...so that wouldn't have been a problem, but thanks for all the help Glenn.....

[transam1972]

Originally Posted by catc

well..i work in a collision shop,...so that wouldn't have been a problem, but thanks for all the help Glenn.....

...I always need to be fair,,but CATC, Charles (who PMed first...is nicely letting me send you the air dam...so forum members helping each other works for me!!!

[catc]

Thank You Charles!!& Glenn!!!!..it is appreciated greatly!

[transam1972]

since I forgot to get married and have children FATERS DAY is quite boring..and my own brother prevents me from seeing my father...but it will work out...I plan on installing the rear package tray tomorrow so that should be interesting..I will need to cut out the speaker opening...things I wish were already done as I do not like having to do detail work like that..to try and duplicate the stamped cut out by hand is not something I am looking forward too...somehow I will trace the speaker...and I should be getting the carpet dye in...that one piece carpet from FIREBIRD CENTRAL is A.C.C. so I plan to stay away from that!...some before photos of the carpet...really this factory carpet fits so perfect I do not believe any aftermarket could fit this well..plus all the seattrack & seatbelt holes are in place another detail that is a pain...so in a few days I hope to be good..oh and another thing..the factory carpet is so hap hazzardly cut!..each one cut per car so it seems...I would have thought they would have had a master pattern but it does not look that way!!

[transam1972]

I know that in the photos the A.C.C. black carpet looks fine but in real life it would not contour to the rear seating compartment..and the loop 80/20 just did not look right..and they advertise these carpets as though they are molded to a floorpan...it seems as though there are quite a few companies that make replacement carpet...A.C.C., TRIM PARTS, are just 2 that come to mind..are there really that many different companies that make replacement car carpets!!!?

[transam1972]

I was practicing uploading some photos that were never given names..surprised they uploaded..as I said I am bored...and I tried out my seatbelt system (early 1972) the other day with a seat bolted in place..absolutely horrible!!...the shoulder belt needs to be kept a bit loose as too not be uncomfortable..I cannot imagine drivers taking the shoulder belts down,using them..and then putting them back where they belong up against the headliner...and not breaking the small plastic clip!!??imagine breaking it..and looking at the owner...oops..sorry!!??...1974 & later inertia belts are the best...oh, and the belts on exit sides just lay there on the floor..really so bad...I thought my 1970 Esprit atleast had some sort of retracting belt or atleast mounted in a holder that bolted to the floor??

[charles bledsoe]

Originally Posted by catc

Thank You Charles!!& Glenn!!!!..it is appreciated greatly!

catc-

I saw you had posted that you were interested in the rear spoiler, and now thanks to Glenn we both are able to benefit from his generosity!! I'm sure Glenn could have very easily sold these items instead of giving them away. I plan to one day pay it forward to another member when I can. Glenn thank you very much for the gift!! I will reimburse you the postage as soon as I get the total. Keep posting the pics there great, I'm putting them in a file I use for references.
Thanks again.
Chuck

[transam1972]

well I finally have gotten around to replacing the package tray...the tray is from Legendary and is super high quality for $36....the jute was like $22??!!...although I have decided to leave it out..sometimes less is more...I believe the original trays used a more of a thin foam backing...the jute causes the tray to buckle a bit...without it it lays nice and flat...I also used a super strong duct tape to mount the front of the tray...it worked extremely well and I feel the tray is mounted securely...I did buy 3M spray adhesive but opted not to use it..sometimes using a spray like that does not always work out (messy,permanment..will it hold?)..so the tape works for me (similar concept)...now that it is mounted I plan on buying a dremel (always something!?)so that I can cut out the speaker hole...I plan on using the metal cut out to follow as a guide...sounds like a plan...I will just have a oval hole as I do not plan to try and duplicate the center bar as original on factory trays

[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

[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]

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!!!

[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

[Pepi]

Glenn, you ever get your rear window defroster wire fixed yet?

[transam1972]

Originally Posted by Pepi

Glenn, you ever get your rear window defroster wire fixed yet?

....NO!!...its stuff like that that is frustrating to repair...I asked at an auto glass place...the guy was older than me and he had no clue!...if I was better organized I think what I need is a constant flame to heat up a thimble full of solder...then just pour it over the connection...of course it would be taped off for staying in one place...I am certain the factory had something that shot out solder...I tried with a solder iron but it was not working out for me..I am still trying to track a friend of mine who solders all the time..he most likely could do it..I should ask if someone could post a photo of an original..I think it has to be soldered..not glued??...thanks!!

[Pepi]

I got to thinking about this and did a little research and came up with Loctite/Permatex 21351. It is a rear window defogger repair kit. It repairs broken elements and tabs. Check out this link (if it works) http://www.permatex.com/training/training-videos

If you try this I looked on Amazon, and it had mixed reviews, but it seems as though it was poor preparation. The ones that said it worked great said they watched this video and it had more steps than what the package shows, and another one list the steps that he did.

I don't know if it will work, because they say it must use a tab, I could not tell from your picture, but it didn't look like you had a tab. Hopefully I just didn't see it.

[transam1972]

not trying to overkill this tray but I just mounted the rear seat after like 24 years..the cardboard/jute panel divider hides the seat springs?!...just some detail pix on how well the tray fits with the rear seat in place.in one photo you can see the divider...but once I pressed the rear seat into the steel divider it went away..fit is real nice!...and thanks Pepi as I need to get this window in!.if my carpet dye would arrive..then we could make some real interior finished progress!..it has to work (xrosses fingers)