[lumarkhood]

Cool video.

Can anyone send me a pic of your cowl tag? Mine is a 10th Z code Norwood car.

Need a repro made.

[email protected]

Thanks

[68ragtop]

That's the sad thing about instant collectibles. Back in 1969, nobody even wanted a trans am thanks to the ruling GTO judge, & the Trans am was just weird. But in 1979, people not only wanted the TA/TA, but they stored them thinking they would be the next 1969 trans am....

I think the 1989 Turbo trans am is a great example. only 1500+ produced, cost over $30,000. Many of them bought & stored with ultra low miles. 20+ years later there not rare with low miles, & sadly they are not worth anywere near their original sticker price. Bad investment, if you bought one of those new... (love those 89's though)

[English TATA]

As i have come across this forum specific to the TATA i thought i would post some picks of mine here in England,currently undergoing a form of restoration on limited funds and time.

[mzbk2l]

Nice - must be tougher finding parts over there! Is the painted pic a before or an after?

[English TATA]

Painted pic is 8yrs ago when i got it and the others are taken in the last couple of weeks,
It can be a bit of a challenge locating parts at times,have scored a couple of deals but i do find when i am pricing up from the states and then compare the british price it seems that the english suppliers sometimes jack the price to match the US dollar !!!!

[Zirconia]

By their nature, you must admit that all TATA's look alike. However, this one has some subtle variations in the interior color scheme, and a not so subtle decal variation. In the interior, the dark grey dash color is carried on to the console and A-pillar trim, like most new car interiors. The door handle bezels are finished in silver instead of black. All of the light grey trim pieces are finished in metallic silver to better match the leather color. The overall effect is a pleasing tone on tone look without the contrast of the light grey color. And, yes, the engine is a 455!

[gilg]

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=678653

[242 Motorsports]

What do you suppose Pontiac would have done on a Z code '79 had a motor blown under warranty?

[gtohurstjudge]

I would assume they would have held back some engines for parts
supply/warranty issues. It would have been really dumb of them to use every
engine they had......of course GM is known for doing very dumb things!
UPDATE.......I just got off the the phone to Ross Clegg, who was the service/warranty claims manager
for Pontiac Motor Division back in 79.....he told me that they held back plenty of the Z code 400's for
warranty purposes, as well as individual parts like heads and blocks.

[1971WARBIRD]

i know my local dealer called me when they were clearing out the last 400 fitted blocks. if i remember right it was around 1983-4. 400 ci 4 bolt main fitted blocks, 400.00.

[muscle_collector]

Originally Posted by 1971WARBIRD

i know my local dealer called me when they were clearing out the last 400 fitted blocks. if i remember right it was around 1983-4. 400 ci 4 bolt main fitted blocks, 400.00.

should have bought them all for that price. even back then that was a bargain.

[242 Motorsports]

Any source or forum to document casting codes for small parts, i.e. brake calipers, carb, rotors, etc.?

Anything to help document the originality of the car as a whole, not just build sheet, VIN, motor code type stuff.

[242 Motorsports]

Thanks for the carpet info. I'll get a sample and pass the info along.

Originally Posted by 242 Motorsports

Any source or forum to document casting codes for small parts, i.e. brake calipers, carb, rotors, etc.?

Anything to help document the originality of the car as a whole, not just build sheet, VIN, motor code type stuff.

Any ideas on this??

[dreamn69]

Sorry, don't know any that detailed off hand. I have a 37k mile original that I can check if you need something in particular. You could also purchase an assemble manual from 79, I believe it would have some GM part numbers.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by 242 Motorsports

Any source or forum to document casting codes for small parts, i.e. brake calipers, carb, rotors, etc.?

Anything to help document the originality of the car as a whole, not just build sheet, VIN, motor code type stuff.

What do you want to know on the calipers, the casting numbers? I have a bunch of rear calipers, might be able to glean something from stack of orig rear rotors too. Calipers changed for '81's, if memory serves right.

[242 Motorsports]

What's the latest on who has the best TATA carpet??

[dreamn69]

Fbody warehouse has an accurate thick shag repo.

[242 Motorsports]

The rear ones are the originals.
Thge front ones are my concern now.

[bankbook]

Any information on stencils or measurements on the paint scheme?

[MNBob]

I finally made up my mind that I wanted a new 4 speed TA in the spring of 1980. Upon visiting several dealerships, I found that all of the 4 speed cars were gone by that time. Undaunted, I searched and found a speculator car that was called a TATA (the seller explained the model to me).

I went and looked at it and knew I had to have it. A deal was struck and I became the second owner of the car at 47 miles. The car was a Van Nuys car and I have all the original documentation (window sticker, build sheet, owner’s manual, etc.).

I drove it for two years in Minnesota winters and then decided that had to end if the car was to survive. Life was also getting in the way with jobs, marriages, and other issues so I basically put it into storage for 25 years. I would drive it in the summers, but never for more than 500 miles.

The car now has 35,000 miles and is in excellent condition with no rust or rot. The AC compressor clutch is gone and so is most of the paint. I put in a new stereo system (Retrosound) last year and just replaced the headliner. I will post some photos the next time I get back to Minnesota.