My 71 is heading for the Shop

by **mr71transam** Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:10 pm

Nothing happening now. But my 71 Trans Am will be getting new paint and a lot of body work over the winter. I'll post before, during and after pictures.

Rick H

by **69_RAG_TOP** Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:05 pm

Who will be doing the body work and paint for you?

by **mr71transam** Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:50 pm

His name is Jim. He's the same guy that has done Niel's two 70 Trans Ams.

by **mr71transam** Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:42 pm

Here are some pictures of what needs to be corrected.
Replaceing both fenders with correct 1971 .
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_3929

You can only see a little rust now but there is more for sure. I will be having both rear qtr panels replaced/repaired.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_3924

Both of the trunk to qtr panels are in really bad shape and will be replaced.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_3927

Have correct NOS Front and Rear Spoilers. So they will be replaced.

Both Doors will be replaced.

The Hood will be replaced.

The Rear End Panel is broken so I will replace that as well.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_3928

That's the starting list. But I'm sure as the old paint is removed there will be more.

by **mr71transam** Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:35 pm

Well today I got the last piece of the puzzle. I was able to get the passenger fender that will be transformed into a fender for my 71. To date I have replacements for both doors, both fenders, and hood. I also have complete quarter panels. Jim has most of them in primer. After the cruise to Lyman Orchards tomorrow I will start to remove the interior. Here are some pictures.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_4032

by Martin Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:03 pm

Paint it blue blue Rick......

by **mr71transam** Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:02 am

Martin wrote:Paint it blue blue rick......

You know me better than that. The reason that there are fewer Blue Trans Ams is because less were sold. So why would I change? Very Happy

by **mr71transam** Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:30 pm

Well I got the interior out today. She sure looks strange. Maybe next week I'll get her to Jim so he start his magic.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 005

Judy's not to happy with me using her sewing room !!!!!! This is going to cost me. My 71 is heading for the Shop 001

by Martin Sun Oct 10, 2010 6:54 pm

I'm Jealous Rick.... Very Happy

by Steve Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:15 pm

Those floorboards are looking pretty pristine Rick. How did you get her apart so fast?

by **mr71transam** Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:22 pm

Well today I got a Good look at the TA. She was in worse shape than I thought. But you have to get her to all good metal before you start to rebuild her. You see all the pictures that the other guy posts of their Firebird, but it is sure different when it's your Firebird.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_4061

This picture was taken looking from one side of the trunk to the other.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_4071

by Steve Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:01 am

Holy Cow! I can't believe that gorgeous car you have been driving has been hiding that kind of cancer underneath. Your efforts will preserve a piece of history for the ages, probably even increase the value quite a bit. But don't tell the owner that Smile

(for all who don't know Rick considers himself the caretaker of this car for his heir apparent).

Judging by the cuts the shop made it looks like these guys really know what they are doing for a Firebird. Back when these were made I would swear the factories built them to last 5 years and that was it. Therefore there were lots of sandwiched panels with plain steel. I think it was the '80's where factories realized people were keeping cars longer and began using galvanized steel. I guess these pics prove that there are lots of hiding places for rust to take hold.

I can't wait to see her done Rick!

by **mr71transam** Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:54 pm

Yes Steve I was also surprised. It's going to take most of the winter to get her back together. All I want is to have her ready for Saratoga this summer.

Spent a few hours this morning stripping the old dye off the dash and re dying it. That only took three hours.

This is the way it looked after I removed the old dye.
My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_4092

and this is the finished product.

My 71 is heading for the Shop 100_4093

by Steve Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:00 pm

Very nice Rick. What are you using for dye? I just picked up some SEM Phantom White in a rattle can and the match for the oyster interior was perfect. I bought a can of top coat, like a dullcoat to give it the right sheen according to the vendor. I have all new interior pieces that I will be painting.

by **mr71transam** Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:12 pm

I had it color matched by PPG at Albert Kemperle in Waterbury.
I tried the colors that Ames sales but they just didn't match, not even close.

by blue81ta Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:58 pm

Looks like some major surgery there Rick. Good news is your T/A will survive. Very Happy

The dash came out great.

Yes, yes, yes, your Bird MUST be finished in time for Saratoga. Easy for me to say since I'm not doing any of the work. Laughing

by Steve Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:12 pm

Keith, it looks like you and Tom will have to have a trophy polished for Rick at next years Saratoga show. Not many people put in the effort Rick is to insure correctness.

by 73sd4me Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:52 am

I don't think I have the heart (to rip in to it)or the patience (cash) to do all of that work Rick. Kinda jealous that the 71 is going to be pristine on all fronts when done for Saratoga. Just make sure when its all done that hole shots and tight donuts are the top priority! Hey, at least the brake booster still looks good. Cool

by blue81ta Sun Oct 31, 2010 2:32 pm

Steve wrote:Keith, it looks like you and Tom will have to have a trophy polished for Rick at next years Saratoga show. Not many people put in the effort Rick is to insure correctness.

I agree, Steve. Looks like Rick is paying a lot of attention to the details. I have no doubt Rick will be bringing home some well deserved hardware next year. Very Happy

by **mr71transam** Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:33 pm

As important as Hardware/Bragging Rights are. It's really about enjoying the car and of course the people that you get to know while enjoying your car.

by blue81ta Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:49 pm

Rick, I agree with you 1000%.

by **69_RAG_TOP** Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:52 pm

As important as Hardware/Bragging Rights are. It's really about enjoying the car and of course the people that you get to know while enjoying your car.

I sort of agree with that statement...but for me I like to drive these cars 'hard like I did back in the day'.

After you put that much time, money and attention to detail in your 1971 Trans Am 455HO, if I had that car, I would just trailer it around to major shows next year. It is too much to worry about getting it damaged driving it 350 miles to a show. Even stone chips and paint scratches are worrisome.

These high end cars that are almost perfectly restored like you see at the Nationals and Carlisle are trailered. The owners have too much money invested in these classics to drive them on the street.

You will never see a Barrett Jackson or Mecum car driven as a daily driver.

by **mr71transam** Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:02 pm

69_RAG_TOP wrote:As important as Hardware/Bragging Rights are. It's really about enjoying the car and of course the people that you get to know while enjoying your car.

I sort of agree with that statement...but for me I like to drive these cars 'hard like I did back in the day'.

After you put that much time, money and attention to detail in your 1971 Trans Am 455HO, if I had that car, I would just trailer it around to major shows next year. It is too much to worry about getting it damaged driving it 350 miles to a show. Even stone chips and paint scratches are worrisome.

These high end cars that are almost perfectly restored like you see at the Nationals and Carlisle are trailered. The owners have too much money invested in these classics to drive them on the street.

You will never see a Barrett Jackson or Mecum car driven as a daily driver.

Well I'm glad that my Trans Am will never be a trailer Queen and never become a Barrett Jackson or Mecum car. Larry I'm like you, I enjoy driving my Trans Am. If it gets a chip or scratch I guess I'll have to drive it that way till I can get it repaired. That's what insurance is for.

by **69_RAG_TOP** Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:14 pm

"Well I'm glad that my Trans Am will never a trailer Queen and never become a Barrett Jackson or Mecum car. Larry I'm like you, I enjoy driving my Trans Am. If it gets a chip or scratch I guess I'll have to drive it that way till I can get it repaired. That's what insurance is for. "

The solution is easy Rick.....restore your 1971 Trans Am 455HO to a perfect 100 points car and trailer it to shows.

Buy a Firebird street car for under $5000. Drive the street car as a daily driver and to cruises.

Heck, I was able to buy my 1987 Pontiac Trans Am GTA 350 car for $3000, that is less than what you would pay for a quality paint job for a show car...lol

In my mind you can build a top shelf first class show car, a hot rod or a daily driver, but you really can't have all three with the same car.