[R 70 Judge]

After a very long search and just missing on several cars I was finally able to buy a 1970 Trans Am. It came Polar White with bright blue deluxe interior. Ram Air III, 4 speed, no AC. It does not have the original engine or transmission. I believe the 12 bolt is the original.

It is currently in race car form but will eventually be restored one day. Unfortunately the interior was changed from bright blue to black at some point many years ago. The first thing I’d like to do is switch it back to bright blue deluxe and make the interior a bit more correct (steering wheel, correct 1970 gauges, a-pillars, etc). Oh and I’d REALLY like to get a replacement drivers side front spoiler if anyone has one they would like to part with??? I couldn’t find anything in the parts section

I’m guessing it was originally a M21 close ratio 4 speed due to the options on PHS. Unfortunately I have no way of really knowing for sure. What are everyone’s thoughts?

If by some wild chance anyone has a WS block or M21 with the partial VIN of N107491 please let me know. I’d like to save the parts for later.

[R 70 Judge]

[johnta1]

Very cool TA!
Congrats!

steering wheel, correct 1970 gauges, a-pillars, etc

Definitely the engine turned dash, that to me always jumps out at me when I see one.

[cnc]

Mo' s previous car looks like it....?????

[R 70 Judge]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Very cool TA!
Congrats!



Definitely the engine turned dash, that to me always jumps out at me when I see one.

Thanks! Yeah I’d like to get the correct one and the chrome bezels. I love how they look. It’s one of my favorite features of 1970 TA’s. Mine says “radial tuned suspension” which I think is a 1977 piece but I’m not 100% sure. I also have the thinner steering wheel that feels like a ‘77 era wheel.

If anyone want to help me out with finding some of the parts I’m looking for I’d really appreciate it! I know you guys have sheds just full of stuff

Originally Posted by cnc

Mo' s previous car looks like it....?????

Yes. Great guy. I believe it was initially built by Scott Rex back in the 90’s and street raced a lot before Mo bought it.

[FASTASSBIRD]

Originally Posted by R 70 Judge

Thanks! Yeah I’d like to get the correct one and the chrome bezels. I love how they look. It’s one of my favorite features of 1970 TA’s. Mine says “radial tuned suspension” which I think is a 1977 piece but I’m not 100% sure. I also have the thinner steering wheel that feels like a ‘77 era wheel.

If anyone want to help me out with finding some of the parts I’m looking for I’d really appreciate it! I know you guys have sheds just full of stuff



Yes. Great guy. I believe it was initially built by Scott Rex back in the 90’s and street raced a lot before Mo bought it.

The correct bezel is gonna be almost impossible to find. You’ll probably have to find the later bezel. The bird moves from one side to the other in non A/C cars around mid April I believe. Matt can probably pinpoint it closer. Some day Randy Combs will finish repairing this one

[R 70 Judge]

Parts list if anyone wants to help a new 70 TA owner out???

Drivers side front spoiler
1970 gauge cluster
Correct machine turned dash and chrome bezels
Rear view mirror
A-pillars
Large Formula steering wheel
Rear plastics (mine have been cut, probably from a previous roll bar install)
Deluxe interior seats
Shaker hood
Shaker scoop

Some of these items will be used at a later date obviously. I’d just like to have them so I don’t have to search later.

[R 70 Judge]

So based off the PHS is it correct to assume my car was a M21 3.73 build originally?

Axle-Perform Code 368
Radiator-HD Code 701

[unruhjonny]

I was going to reply to your M21 question, then read through the replies, nad saw that it was never answered...

Originally Posted by R 70 Judge

So based off the PHS is it correct to assume my car was a M21 3.73 build originally?

Axle-Perform Code 368
Radiator-HD Code 701

yes I believe so.

If those were not present, I believe it would have been an M20 car;
What is a bit fuzzy to me, is that the M21 required the 'performance axle' (3.73:1), but the performance axle could be ordered separate;
I am sure someone more knowledgeable would be able to chime in and clarify the invoice differences for an M21 vs M20+3.73 car.

[R 70 Judge]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I was going to reply to your M21 question, then read through the replies, nad saw that it was never answered...


yes I believe so.

If those were not present, I believe it would have been an M20 car;
What is a bit fuzzy to me, is that the M21 required the 'performance axle' (3.73:1), but the performance axle could be ordered separate;
I am sure someone more knowledgeable would be able to chime in and clarify the invoice differences for an M21 vs M20+3.73 car.

Appreciate it! thanks!

[trishieldchief]

Car was ordered with Performance axle 3.73 posi rear axle, so it would automatically receive M21 close ratio Muncie 4 speed trans.

[Green Hornet]

Originally Posted by trishieldchief

Car was ordered with Performance axle 3.73 posi rear axle, so it would automatically receive M21 close ratio Muncie 4 speed trans.

I believe the 3:73 performance rear axle was not specific to M21 in that year.

My friends 70 TA auto has that option on the invoice...IIRC

[padgett]

Not always. The RA (no such thing as a III) in my 4-speed 70 Judge came with a 3.23 because it also had A/C.

ps "12 bolt" interesting do you have a 455 ? Thought only GP 4-speeds got a 12 bolt (can learn if rong).

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by padgett

Not always. The RA (no such thing as a III) in my 4-speed 70 Judge came with a 3.23 because it also had A/C.

ps "12 bolt" interesting do you have a 455 ? Thought only GP 4-speeds got a 12 bolt (can learn if rong).

all 1970 Firebird Formula's and Trans Am's had them.
1970 Firebird Esprit models with the optional 400 (2bb) also got them.

[keith k]

Originally Posted by R 70 Judge

So based off the PHS is it correct to assume my car was a M21 3.73 build originally?

Axle-Perform Code 368
Radiator-HD Code 701

Highly likely it was M21/3.73, but not guaranteed. And no way to know 100% unless you find a build sheet (which were almost never found in Norwood cars in 1970, unfortunately) or the original transmission...

Congrats on the acquisition - cool car!

Originally Posted by trishieldchief

Car was ordered with Performance axle 3.73 posi rear axle, so it would automatically receive M21 close ratio Muncie 4 speed trans.

3.73s (Performance Axle option) could be ordered with any of the Trans Am's available transmissions ... M20, M21, or TH400. All of the RA IV 4-speed cars were M20/3.73, for example.

But checking the M21 box did require the 3.73 axle (which also automatically brought with it the HD Radiator, and excluded A/C).

[jhein]

Originally Posted by keith k

But checking the M21 box did require the 3.73 axle (which also automatically brought with it the HD Radiator, and excluded A/C).

This thread has got me wondering about my car. There is no axle option on the PHS but it does have the HD radiator and no A/C. So does that mean it had a 3.73? When I got the car it had been changed so I don't know what came in it.

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by jhein

This thread has got me wondering about my car. There is no axle option on the PHS but it does have the HD radiator and no A/C. So does that mean it had a 3.73? When I got the car it had been changed so I don't know what came in it.

I also had a ra 3 1970 Trans Am that had the original M21 transmission with a 355 rear and the only thing on the PHS was heavy duty radiator and change alert

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

I also had a ra 3 1970 Trans Am that had the original M21 transmission with a 355 rear and the only thing on the PHS was heavy duty radiator and change alert

interesting, I was unaware of a close ratio transmission ever being paired with 3.55's!?

[jhein]

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

I also had a ra 3 1970 Trans Am that had the original M21 transmission with a 355 rear and the only thing on the PHS was heavy duty radiator and change alert

There is a "change alert" on my PHS. If not for this thread I would have thought it maybe had a 3.55 from factory.

PS: sorry for the thread hijack but hopefully it's all related

[R 70 Judge]

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

I also had a ra 3 1970 Trans Am that had the original M21 transmission with a 355 rear and the only thing on the PHS was heavy duty radiator and change alert

Oh very interesting. I missed this post earlier.

A close-ratio with a 3.55 gear is probably still a great driver. Any less gear can be rough. My brother has a 3.23 rear gear with a M22 in his ‘72 TA and I swear you can go damn near 60mph in 1st gear