[ekancler]

I just got my hands on a numbers matching 1977 W72 Trans Am. I'm doing a bunch of research to better understand the car in detail. One RPO that I can't find any real information on is QCY - the Rally RTS (Radial Tuned Suspension) Package. Different QCY options were offered for different years, dating back to 1973. For 1977, the QYC option was available for $46 on a Trans Am and $116 on a Formula: https://tran-zam.com/fhistory/1977Options.aspx

I've only found very general descriptions of QCY. No specifications. For example: "Option code QCY Handling Package Rally RTS came with N65 Stow-Away spare tire, W/L GR70x15 steel belted radial tires, special front and rear stabilizer bars, springs and shocks." But does anyone know more specifically what the 1977 QCY option got you? In particular in regards to sway bars, brings, and shocks.

[burd]

Look at a 1977 Tech Bulletin binder, you may find one or more bulletins on the RTS package.
A 1977 press pack may talk about it too.
Also look in the HPP decode guide book as well. Pricy book these days, but I see them for sale.

[ekancler]

Originally Posted by burd

Look at a 1977 Tech Bulletin binder, you may find one or more bulletins on the RTS package.
A 1977 press pack may talk about it too.
Also look in the HPP decode guide book as well. Pricy book these days, but I see them for sale.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give them a try.

[77 Canamman]

Hens teeth are more common than any of those references that have been mentioned. Few people have access to them and they rarely come up for sale.

[78w72]

doesnt the "radial tuned suspension" just mean the cars had radial tires where previous years before RTS used bias ply? the rest of the suspension on these cars was related to the model of the car, such as base firebirds got small sway bars but formulas, t/a's &/or WS6 optioned cars got the bigger bars, poly sway bar bushings & faster/constant ratio steering boxes... the rest of the suspension hard parts & control arm bushings etc were pretty much the same.

[ekancler]

Originally Posted by 78w72

doesnt the "radial tuned suspension" just mean the cars had radial tires where previous years before RTS used bias ply? the rest of the suspension on these cars was related to the model of the car, such as base firebirds got small sway bars but formulas, t/a's &/or WS6 optioned cars got the bigger bars, poly sway bar bushings & faster/constant ratio steering boxes... the rest of the suspension hard parts & control arm bushings etc were pretty much the same.

It seems to be a little more complicated than that. Near as I can tell, in 1972 there was nothing - no radial tire option and no radial tuned suspension. In 1973 you could order radial tires but there was no suspension package. In 1974 the RTS option appeared as TGJ or TJK depending on your model - "Includes FR78-14 Raised White letter steel radial tires, rear stabilizer bar, special springs, firm shocks, and RTS identification on Passenger Dash Board." The radial tire packages were separate from those - THB, TGF, TGR, TML, TVH, and JV. So clearly RTS is more than just tires:

https://tran-zam.com/fhistory/1974Options.aspx

The QCY RPO appeared in 1975 and appears to have been different in 1975, 1976, and 1977. In 1978 the WS6 suspension package was introduced and the QCY package was back to being just tires again. BY 1979 any mention of RTS is gone.

But online literature and documentation on RTS is almost nonexistent. And the best of what I can find is still incomplete.

[78w72]

i wasnt sure of all the details & RPO codes, but yes it looks like RTS was more than just tires.

[ekancler]

Unless anyone here happens to have first hand knowledge I think I'm gonna have to get my hands on a Pontiac product manual or order guide. Although maybe I Rocky Rotella's book has this info:

https://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Fi.../dp/1613253214

All so very expensive!

[ekancler]

Well look at that. I found a 1977 Pontiac Product Manual, Order Guide, and Service Bulletin summary. In the mail now. I could not find any hens teeth.

[Rocky Rotella]

Hello, ekancler.

RTS was standard on the Trans Am beginning in 1974 and it included larger-diameter front and rear sway bars, spring rates, and shock valving that could vary depending upon the model year. It also included black-wall GR70-15 tires.

QCY coding was used between 1975 and 1977 and simply refers to the GR70-15 tire with raised white letters. I haven't seen it used to reference anything else.

Hopefully that helps!

[ekancler]

Thanks Rocky. So I'm guessing then that RTS was optional on other Firebird models? Or on some of them at least.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by ekancler

Well look at that. I found a 1977 Pontiac Product Manual, Order Guide, and Service Bulletin summary. In the mail now. I could not find any hens teeth.

Good for you...

[ekancler]

I think the attached price schedule clarifies things.

There were two Rally RTS options for F-Cars in 1977 - QBX and QCY. QBX was for black wall tires and QCY white letter tires. It would appear these were only available on Formula and Trans Ams - not the base Firebird or Esprit.

Each could be ordered on a Formula - $70.08 for QBX and $117.28 for QCY. QBX was standard on Trams Ams and QCY cost $47.20.

If that's right then wow, $47.20 seems like a lot of money for white letters.

Anyway, as Rocky says, RTS appears to have been standard on 1977 Trans Ams