1979 Pontiac Trans Am

Y84 SE Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

2W87K9N107211

Gasoline

1979 Trans Am Y84 Special Edition Of the 50,000 Special Edition Trans Ams produced in the 70’s, this may be one of the last that wears the original factory type of acrylic lacquer paint. We have noticed that the decals applied onto the newer base/clear paints have difficulty in adhering. While base/clear is a very nice paint, the epoxy clear sets up to quickly for the decal glue to stick properly. The acrylic lacquer has a slower curing time. This allows the paint to remain soft so the decals will bond to the painted surface. This is why some 30 year old TAs still have their decals stuck to the surface only to be removed by sanding. We wanted to restore this painting aspect back to factory standards and to let TA enthusiasts understand how it was done correctly some 30 years ago. This SE TA has 60,000 miles on the odometer. The engine is numbers matching. It was parked in 1992 and has not been driven on the road until we recently purchased it. The engine starts and runs as it should, cold or hot. A solid feeling car as it drives down the road. Below is a few words of what we have restored on the car and pictures of the finished results. Exterior / Body /Frame Hood, trunk lid, mirrors, wheel flairs, front air dam, and trunk spoilers were removed to be worked on separately. The front frame received a new set of body bushings. This was the start of all of the front parts aligning up properly again. A arm bushings and even sway bar bushings were still intact and left alone. A rust free donor door was needed to replace the driver's door which had been dented and disposed of before we purchased the car. The next item to be replaced was the door hinge pins. After the doors were aligned, the front fenders could be aligned. After all alignment was finished, the body work was started. The original paint was stripped and minor dings were repaired. Old T-top moldings were removed along with door moldings. Very little rust repair work was needed to the body of this TA. From the front fenders to the floors and even the rear tail panel were solid, all evidence of this being a low mileage TA. All parts were primed and then wet sanded in preparation for paint. At this point, a new windshield was installed. The door jambs were first to receive their new paint. The hood and trunk were next to get painted. The body then got its 4 coats of acrylic lacquer paint. While the body was curing, all the flairs, spoilers and mirrors were painted. After a short dry time, every part and piece then got a light wet sanding. From there, initial buffing was done to start to bring out the shine. The TA was re-assembled at this point. New window felts were installed along with door and T top weather stripping. New door handles, locks and even the new gaskets for those items got installed. Windshield moldings were stripped, painted and installed. New decals were then applied. We used only the premolded stripe kit for originality. After the 43 individual pin stripes were applied, the "Trans Am" words and 3 different birds were put into their position. The complete body paint received one more careful buffing with a fine compound. Finally, it got a waxing to bring out the mirror shine that only a lacquer paint can provide. Engine / Under Hood The engine was first cleaned with a power washer. The block # could be seen at this point. It is a #s matching 403 engine. Oil and filter were changed. The engine was then run until warm and at-operation temperature so the oil pressure could be checked. This one holds about 35 lbs. pressure at the lowest idle, a very good number for a TA. An engine mount was needed to get it sitting level again. Valve covers were removed to inspect the valve train. The plastic valve stem seals usually wear out and disintegrate on higher mileage engines. Upon inspection, all were still intact and in good shape. As it did not need new valve seals, just the valve cover gaskets were replace. The factory Rochester carburetor was removed and rebuilt. The engine was completely repainted in the factory color. After drying, the carb was reinstalled along with new plug wires, hoses, grommets, filters, etc. The look of the engine was kept stock in it’s appearance all the way to the plastic factory spark plug wire looms. Master cylinder, vacuum advance for distributor, and battery were replaced. A new radiator was installed along with the fan clutch for proper cooling. The AC system had a few O rings replaced, and filled with the new 134 refrigerant. All under hood areas were cleaned and painted the correct factory trim black color. Hood hinges and brake booster got their correct paint color also. Trans / Differential Fluid and filter along with a few seals were replaced in the turbo 350 transmission. It is working fine with no slippage. The differential is a posi with a 3.08 gear ratio. The pinion seal was replaced and fluid topped up in it. Exhaust The exhaust has been replaced with a true dual system. It is new from the manifolds back to the splitter chrome tips. Two flow sound mufflers give it that old muscle car tone. Brakes A few of the parking brake cables needed replacing to make it operate properly again. A front brake hose and bleeding was all that was needed for the rest of the brake system. Pads and shoes looked new. Wheels / Tires Wheels were cleaned, painted the correct gold and then polished. Lug nuts and center caps are new . The tires, while old, still have good tread left on them. They have not been driven on much according to the receipts, and do not have much dry rot. Interior The floor has new underlay insulation and carpet installed along with new sill plates. Rear shelf package tray has been replaced along with the headliner and sun visors. Deluxe door panels are new. The dash bezel and shifter bezel received the spraying/tinting process to bring them back to the original gold color. All dash gauges work properly. Power windows and locks work correctly. The radio is an older AM / FM / 8 track / CB unit. New speakers were installed in the rear shelf and the radio works OK. We haven’t checked out the CB or 8 track. The cloth hobnail seats are original. They could be recovered by us in new cloth or vinyl if desired. I would like to leave that decision up to the new owner. Contact us if you would like a price quote for new seat covering. Another item you might want us to repair could be the cruise control. It has been checked out and found to need a transducer and a turn signal/cruise lever. We can give you a price quote on that also if you so desire. General Information SCTAs for the past few years have been specializing in the restoration of numbers-matching ‘79 Special Edition Trans Ams. While some other businesses leave you guessing what you may get, this is the TA you will receive. I invite you to inspect any and all aspects of it before you bid. If upon inspection you would like any other features restored, we can assist you after your purchase. This TA is unique in that it still is wearing acrylic lacquer paint, and is sure to be a valued collectible car for years to come. We do occasionally work on Trans Ams other than our SE projects. If you have a TA and would like us to restore some or all of its aspects, give us a call to discuss price and turn-around time. Bill 919-639-4702 or sctransams@yahoo.com