50 yrs of Trans Ams | FerrariChat

50 yrs of Trans Ams

Discussion in 'American Muscle' started by jm2, Jul 10, 2018.

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  1. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
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  2. of2worlds

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  3. Eric R

    Eric R F1 Veteran
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    Favorite car of my youth and sadly missed.
     
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  4. of2worlds

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  5. ForzaV12

    ForzaV12 Formula 3

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    I have owned a number of Trans Ams. Great fun and surprisingly capable. One of my favorites was a 1974 SD455 4 speed that I used to run with the Ferrari club at Riverside Raceway back in the 80s. It really torqued off some of my F-car pals to be passed again and again by that mighty Pontiac. Daytonas, 308s, etc never had a chance. I did , however, discover the importance of a baffled oil pan on Turn 9 during one session. Never run a Pontiac V8 without one.
     
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  6. Tenney

    Tenney F1 Rookie
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    Ran outta oil before ya ran outta corner ...?!
     
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  7. ForzaV12

    ForzaV12 Formula 3

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    Yup.
     
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  8. carguyjohn350

    carguyjohn350 F1 Rookie
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    My first car was a 1994 Trans Am I got in 2000 in my senior year of HS. Great car at the time, some day it will run again when I get time for it...


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  9. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

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    Had a 78 gold trans am senior year in high school. Had a 400 with a Muncie 4 speed and hurst shifter, cragars, we built up the motor put in a cam double roller timing chain edlebrock intake Holley 750 carb, hooker headers it went pretty good they were actually somewhat heavy cars.
    I remember one afternoon leaving my friends house I dumped the clutch at about 5 grand and heard a big BANG and thought I had blown up the rear but turns out I had broken almost all the studs on both rear wheels!
     
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  10. f4udriver

    f4udriver Formula Junior

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    This was my high school car purchased in 1978 for 850.00. This is the second rebuild. It is a 1972 455 HO Trans Am, was a 4 speed now a 6 speed.
    Also have a Stock 1970 TA, Stock 1979 TATA and I just pulled the engine out of my 78 TA going full pro touring with DSE suspension, high hp LS motor and trying to figure out a DCT transmission with paddle shift.
     
  11. ForzaV12

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  12. TheMayor

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  13. ralfabco

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  14. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
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    That’s a Jack Folden sketch. He did many more that were closer to the mark.
    This sketch is just one of hundreds that were done for that program.
     
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  15. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    No I understand. But its amazing how the sketches never look like final cars -- even Ferrari and Maserati.
     
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  16. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
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    As you point out, oftentimes the vision and reality are somewhat apart.
    Production processes, money, physics, regulations and yes egos have a tendency to alter the designer’s original vision.
    Sometimes the production vehicle looks better than the original sketches..............sometimes not so much.
     
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  17. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    Like the shift lever!
     
  18. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    F-4 Phantom stick grip! And other fighter aircraft as well.
     
  19. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    I was fortunate enough to fly several jets with that stick grip!
     
  20. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #20 Wade, Nov 2, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2018
    A-10s as I recall?

    As an F-15 Crew Chief, I was fortunate enough to get about 5 minutes of stick time after the DART mission was completed. :)

    Decimomannu Air Base - 1986

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/146283573/
     
  21. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    Nice! Glad you got to get a ride. I wish they could do that more for you guys that keep them flying. It's been a long time ago but I'm pretty sure that same grip was in the T-37, T-38, T-33, and the hog.
     
  22. HOF Ferrari

    HOF Ferrari Formula 3
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    My first car was a 1980 gold Trans Am...... Just found the faded receipt from the purchase a few weeks ago... What an amazing car
     
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  23. 95spiderman

    95spiderman F1 World Champ
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    Had a new 77 t top black and tan. Couldn't stand it even back in the day. Last American car I ever had.
     
  24. Eric R

    Eric R F1 Veteran
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    Well, if it was the LAST American car you have had you have seriously missed out. So I question if you are a "Car Enthusiast" or not? My bet is NOT.
     
  25. Eric R

    Eric R F1 Veteran
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    And if you could not stand it back then why did you even buy it?
     

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