[ramair2]

I figured the last time we roll called a roundport first gen Bird the response was crazy (good).

So lets do the other cars you rarely hear about or see (i.e. 69 RA IV TA or Firebird). Feel free to post about one of these that you own, used to own, a barn find or mystery car, an example that torched a Hemi Cuda back in the day, etc.

This should be fun....

(Off to Thankgiving dinner but I will post my own entry here as well)

Happy Thanksgiving to all! :-)

[ramair2]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ??

[dxeven]

Wish I had one, does that count? Would definitely enjoy reading your entry.

[R 70 Judge]

I had one, but I'm pretty sure you know where it is now.

[muscle_collector]

i have a carousel red / black , a midnight green / black and a trans am. all four speed cars.

[bruno17]

Mine was born a iii but grew up to be a iv. Its my new "pure stock" ride for '08.

[roundportponchos]

Two are here in this area.... a silver convt. & a TA

[tom s]

doe a 303 RA V T/A count?They are round ports!Tom

[johnta1]

Tom, you need to start a forum for 'Round Port' intakes.

[tom s]

but they are now D shaped intakes!LOL

[johnta1]

[threefidee]

That's cheating Bruno...

[The Boss]

RA IV/Auto vert in DC.

[ramair2]

Sorry about the delay. Here are two picks of my 69 RA IV TA (plus the car's invoice). I am the second owner (although PY member James, aka R 70 Judge, had the car/was TA caretaker for couple of weeks before I took delivery). He turned me on to the car about 4 years ago and knew it would someday be up for sale. That day came in early October 2005. Thanks again James for giving me the opportunity to buy it from the original owner (through you). BTW, please feel free to add in details of the car since you were "next door" to it for over a decade in S.CAL

Very brief history on the car. Prior to me, it was a 51K mile original owner, original paint RA IV M21 69 TA that had spent over 90% of its life in southern Califonia. ALL matching driveline, Protect-o-plate, past registrations, etc. I had to find a 9273 carb and original alt but as far as the tough stuff that was about it. When I got it it had its original paint and had factory markings under the hood that still remain (or were carefully reproduced). Car was fully documented then underwent a subframe-off complete restoration that took about 18 months.

Dan Jensen re-built the motor to AMA specs (10.75 CR all around- not puerstock drags 11.3 NHRA etc). Car max dyno was 438hp. About what I was expecting/hoping. The interior is immaculate and besides the carpet and headliner 100% original. Many HOURS and HOURS of cleaning detailing were logged (I think he was a smoker). In the end it was worth the effort. Car was brought down to metal. Only very minor body work was required (no panel replacement anywhere- thank you Southern California!). Biggest repair was some minor damage on driver rear lower 1/4 and the air foil. Guess he was storing a salted pork roast on the spoiler at some point during the late 1970s as it sat in his garage! (James, can you post that pic of the car CRAMMED in his 0.9 car garage? It's both funny and sad at same time!)

Anyhow, the car was and still is an insane time warp mobile. It's one of only 55 '69 RA IV TAs ever built (46 4-speed; 9 Th400). How many are restored with their matching drivetrain intact today? Can't be too many. I feel very, very, very lucky to have the two cars that I've always wanted (other being my RA II Bird). To me they are the ultimate Pontiacs. Great looking, lightweight, high compression, 4-speed, round-port First generation F-bodies. Am I biased? Of course. Do I care that I'm biased? H3ll no! :-)

PS One of the factory markings we found (and left untouched) was a grease pencil 8458 on the radiator shroud. Does anyone know what this number/code means or represents? The TBP on both sides of the firewall were also there when I bought the car. The letters were reproduced in the same font/size, color and locations.

[tom s]

was that engine the Muscle Car Review engine?The RA III engine from my 69 T/A was built for the MCR RA III build up.Still have the mag article that will go with the car when it sells.Tom

[ramair2]

No dan did another ra 4 at/around same time he did mine....think max hp was somewhere around 450hp if memory serves? i believe that motor was in MCR.

[BLKBRD]

Any chance of getting in your will?

[Uncle Judge]

Great story and great car Joe. I was right behind you on that car. You just beat me to it. Some pics of the interior would be great to see!

[J GLASGO]

Originally Posted by bruno17

Mine was born a iii but grew up to be a iv. Its my new "pure stock" ride for '08.

Looking good Bruno! Cant wait to see it!!

[R 70 Judge]

Originally Posted by Uncle Judge

Great story and great car Joe. I was right behind you on that car. You just beat me to it. Some pics of the interior would be great to see!

umm... Now I'm confused? Are you the friend of Michael that was interested in the car? Because otherwise I think you may be confusing Joe's car with the 1 of 1 Van Nuys car that was discovered shortly after. (which from what I've been told was an equally original time capsule that was also still with it's original owner.)