A car I really want...
- Thread starter Jpec07
- 84 comments
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- 10,081
- WFG9
Have you tried looking at Pontiac image galleries?
- 12
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I got a pic of a 500+ hp rotary. I'll try to find a scanner and put it out. Bad ass car. I think I hear it is the fastest in its class here in Japan. 😈 😈
😈Originally posted by USAF RACER
I got a pic of a 500+ hp rotary. I'll try to find a scanner and put it out. Bad ass car. I think I hear it is the fastest in its class here in Japan. 😈 😈
Spectacular. It still can't beat a drag-prepped V8. Let me know if you find out about any drag turbo-4, turbo-6, or rotary that beats a drag V8.
- 10,081
- WFG9
Actually, if it has circular headlights it may be a pre-70s model. Is there body panelling seperarting the headlights?
- 10,081
- WFG9
This?
Or this?
Or this?
- 10,081
- WFG9
77 and 78
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- WFG9
Smokey and the Bandit
- 10,081
- WFG9
The movie.
- 10,081
- WFG9
It's on tv a lot. It's ok.
- 10,081
- WFG9
Oh, well, it was directly after discussing the movie.
A good buy? To be honest, probably not unless you can get parts cheap, probably can, but I've heard some parts can be hard to find. Late 70s were not great in performance, though the Birds were decent compared to the 'Vette at the time in at least one category.
"The WS6/W72 combination quickly established the 1978 Trans Am as the "King of the Hill", long before there was such a thing a a Corvette ZR-1. Magazines loved the car and the Spring 1978 issue of Road Test magazine squared off a Z28, a Corvette, and a Trans Am in a street fight. The T/A was clearly chosen as the easiest car to drive fast.
As a result of the test, it was reported that it took 15.2 seconds to cover the quarter mile, going through the traps at 93.4 mph. It could spring from zero-to-sixty in 7.2 seconds and had a terminal speed of 123 mph, a full 600 rpms over the redline of 5000. In braking, the 3720 pound T/A test car took 149 feet to stop from 60 mph. In a circle, the Trans Am could generate .83g of grip which matched the test Corvette and was well beyond the .76g the Camaro Z28 capable of."
http://www.iwaynet.net/~gl&lisk/1978ta.html
Interestingly, the TT Trans Am of 89 would best the 'Vette.
I have never heard the Firebird to be very reliable. But if you like the looks, feel you can afford any needed restoration and the particular vehicle has a good history, I see no reason to not buy it if it fills your needs.
Frankly, though, if this is to be your daily transportation and you intend to be on extended trips, or just drive long distances, I would not buy it. I think it's best suited as a hobby car or fairly inexpensive transportation until a car of better quality can be affordably owned and maintained.
But I am no expert.
Ok, Hooligan, your turn.
A good buy? To be honest, probably not unless you can get parts cheap, probably can, but I've heard some parts can be hard to find. Late 70s were not great in performance, though the Birds were decent compared to the 'Vette at the time in at least one category.
"The WS6/W72 combination quickly established the 1978 Trans Am as the "King of the Hill", long before there was such a thing a a Corvette ZR-1. Magazines loved the car and the Spring 1978 issue of Road Test magazine squared off a Z28, a Corvette, and a Trans Am in a street fight. The T/A was clearly chosen as the easiest car to drive fast.
As a result of the test, it was reported that it took 15.2 seconds to cover the quarter mile, going through the traps at 93.4 mph. It could spring from zero-to-sixty in 7.2 seconds and had a terminal speed of 123 mph, a full 600 rpms over the redline of 5000. In braking, the 3720 pound T/A test car took 149 feet to stop from 60 mph. In a circle, the Trans Am could generate .83g of grip which matched the test Corvette and was well beyond the .76g the Camaro Z28 capable of."
http://www.iwaynet.net/~gl&lisk/1978ta.html
Interestingly, the TT Trans Am of 89 would best the 'Vette.
I have never heard the Firebird to be very reliable. But if you like the looks, feel you can afford any needed restoration and the particular vehicle has a good history, I see no reason to not buy it if it fills your needs.
Frankly, though, if this is to be your daily transportation and you intend to be on extended trips, or just drive long distances, I would not buy it. I think it's best suited as a hobby car or fairly inexpensive transportation until a car of better quality can be affordably owned and maintained.
But I am no expert.
Ok, Hooligan, your turn.
- 10,081
- WFG9
Just remember you would be buying 70s technology, not an Audi from 3 years ago. A crash in the older car is more dangerous, unless you are the size of an 8 year old and have an airbag infront of you, then the opposite may be true.
I know. I was just having fun.
Erm, "my turn"?
I'm far less knowledgeable about older cars than I am about more current ones. But my opinion would probably go along with Talentless: I've heard nothing but good words about the TT Trans Am. As for any other pre-1990 Firebird or Trans Am, they seem like great bargains. Perhaps not the best handling vehicles made, but they certainly are great fun on US highways. A lot of bang for the buck, totally rebuildable engine (should it need it), and a tall, tall ceiling for tuning and extracting power from the engine. A real holdover from the muscle car era."A good buy"? Certainly. It's high on my list of "possible second cars".
- 10,081
- WFG9
Third gen cars were not known to be the best performers, 80s being a low year. 15 ann Trans Am was not considered a great performer, from what I've heard. But everyone has heard GM engines are supposed to be some of the easiest to work on.
It would not be too bad to have a firehawk either, especially the early ones.
It would not be too bad to have a firehawk either, especially the early ones.
- 10,081
- WFG9
I think the engine went all chevy prior to the third gens or early therein.
I know I got into this thread late but I am after all new to this board.
After reading through all the post I am noticing how passionate everyone is about cars. Whether it be American , Japanese, or European.
The thing I don't get is some of the people running down the older American muscle cars. I am assuming that you have owned one ar at least driven one. If not then try it. I have owned my share of em and I am forever hooked on them. My first car was a Charger SE with a 383. The car I own today is a 72 Chevelle SS 454/430+ hp. I can't describe the feeling I get when I climb into the drivers seat, strap in, get a good grip on the wheel, start it up and hear it thunder in my garage, pull it onto the open road and let loose all the fury of an Amarican made big block. God I love it!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me ask those who think American muscle cars suck. Have you ever considered what you would be driving if it weren't for the old American speed junkies of the 50's , 60's and 70's? Probably something that would barely top the speed limit.
Don't get me wrong. I do like a lot of the new cars on the road.
I own a 200 TA (or I should say my wife does) But when we want to go for a cruze in a car that catches a lot of looks and can tear up nearly anything it comes up against then there is no choice.It will be the old American muscle car every time.
I love it when I am sitting at the end of a quarter mile street race waiting for the other guy (who was a smarta@s just a few seconds earlier) and hear him say "You got lucky. Here is your 100 bucks".
Keep the passion.
Later
After reading through all the post I am noticing how passionate everyone is about cars. Whether it be American , Japanese, or European.
The thing I don't get is some of the people running down the older American muscle cars. I am assuming that you have owned one ar at least driven one. If not then try it. I have owned my share of em and I am forever hooked on them. My first car was a Charger SE with a 383. The car I own today is a 72 Chevelle SS 454/430+ hp. I can't describe the feeling I get when I climb into the drivers seat, strap in, get a good grip on the wheel, start it up and hear it thunder in my garage, pull it onto the open road and let loose all the fury of an Amarican made big block. God I love it!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me ask those who think American muscle cars suck. Have you ever considered what you would be driving if it weren't for the old American speed junkies of the 50's , 60's and 70's? Probably something that would barely top the speed limit.
Don't get me wrong. I do like a lot of the new cars on the road.
I own a 200 TA (or I should say my wife does) But when we want to go for a cruze in a car that catches a lot of looks and can tear up nearly anything it comes up against then there is no choice.It will be the old American muscle car every time.
I love it when I am sitting at the end of a quarter mile street race waiting for the other guy (who was a smarta@s just a few seconds earlier) and hear him say "You got lucky. Here is your 100 bucks".
Keep the passion.
Later
