TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 2018-09-27_05-02-21 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Car on its way to the shop.2018-10-15_04-45-57 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Packed with spares! Car is a 1979 Tenth Anniversay Trans Am. For those that dont know and may be interested, this was a special edition model commemorating the first Trans Am of 1969. It was somewhat of a limited production model, they made 7500 total, 1718 of which were 4 speed models. This one is a 4 speed. 4 speed cars came with a true Pontiac 400 motor, the automatics had the corporate GM olds 403. This was the highest priced trans am when sold, and had zero options. Including for the first time a leather interior. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 2018-10-25_04-50-46 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2018-10-25_04-50-32 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2018-11-27_08-04-56 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2018-11-27_08-05-14 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 2019-04-20_04-50-43 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-05-06_09-31-40 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-09-26_06-25-16 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-12-27_02-43-29 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2019-12-27_02-44-21 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-12-30_10-30-34 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2019-12-30_12-34-26 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 Car is a two tone silver with a grey accent on top. I have been working on this for about a year now. Everything but the hood is finish painted and buffed out. I am in the process of putting things back together. Car was virtually rust free, with the exception being a small part at the bottom of one of the fenders, which is typical for these cars. I have done some restor to some int. parts as well and will post that up in a bit. I enjoy doing paint and body work, but I have little to no experience with motors. I will most likely farm that part out to someone. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 2019-07-27_05-49-59 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Jig I made from some 2x material and my motorcycle jack to take off and install doors. These things are about a mile long and weigh a ton! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 2019-04-23_09-05-29 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr No pics of dash before, but it was pretty bad. This is the start of the resto process. I have restored about a half dozen of these now and its not real hard, just takes a bit of technique. I left this one in the car just because. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 2019-04-23_09-05-42 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-04-23_09-06-08 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-05-02_10-28-52 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-05-06_06-56-15 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2019-05-06_06-56-47 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-05-06_06-56-39 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 You are doing nice work. In 1986 I redid a 79TA for my daughter. It was a 4 spd. 4 whl disc. no T tops and the big motor with A/C. Black with honeycomb wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 The dash looks great, what magic are you using there? What material is the dash and what is the repair material? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 I use a product from a company called Polyvance. It is called padded dash filler. It looks and works like bondo, but stays flexible. The dash itself is originally a plastic type of material over a thin layer of foam which gives a bit of push. UV rays ( i suppose) deteriorate it over time. I have seen very few of these dashs that are good. Once the filler sets up, several coats later it can be sanded smooth. I use a coat of texture spray from SEM then colour dye from SEM for a finish. I have come up with a few techniques over the few I have done to make things a bit easier. Its really not hard work, just technique. 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 2019-03-08_12-28-15 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Here is the centre console I resurrected. I like to use all original parts if possible or at least NOS. They make replacement consoles but I have heard they are questionable at best. I figured with nothing to loose I would try to fix mine, which was literally broke in half. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 2019-03-08_12-28-51 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Temp straps to hold it in shape. 2019-03-04_05-18-32 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-03-08_12-27-23 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2019-03-08_12-27-30 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-03-08_05-14-57 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2019-03-08_05-14-43 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-03-08_12-27-37 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2019-03-08_05-13-59 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 TAKerry, very nice work on the dash, and console. Interesting project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hursst Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Fantastic work! I have an old console that I kept that I didn't think was repairable, now I know it is. Great car, can't wait to see the finished product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 29, 2020 Author Share Posted December 29, 2020 2020-12-23_03-11-56 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 29, 2020 Author Share Posted December 29, 2020 2020-12-23_03-11-35 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Sent my booster out for a resto. Process took a few months but I suppose its good to wait for a quality product. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Nice work? I have always liked those 79 Tenth Anniversary cars. I have been watching the Y84 cars for a while and they get insane money or at least they ask for it. Is yours a W72? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 30, 2020 Author Share Posted December 30, 2020 Yes, 4 speed. Total Tenth production was 7500, of those 1718 were 4 speed cars. Ironically the 79 anniversary cars were low on my list. I had an automatic version that I had planned on resto modding, but it was lost in a fire. I found this 4 speed version by accident, being that it WAS a 4 speed I couldnt resist. They have grown on me quite a bit, to the point that I have started a registration! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 All the W72 cars are four speeds but are all the four speeds W72? I actually like the silver and the wheels quite a bit. A nice contrast to the Y84/82 cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 31, 2020 Author Share Posted December 31, 2020 Good Question. No idea. I think maybe in '79 other years not so much. I too like the turbine wheels. They are a love hate thing I have found though. I love the 2 tone silver paint. My biggest dislike on the Tenth Anniv. cars from the first time I saw one when brand new were the silver seats. I am still not crazy about them. I think by todays standards a nice charcoal grey would look very nice. I have an extra set of seats and am considering doing one pair in a custom colour and the other with original style covers for show purpose. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 I remember these cars when they were new in the dealership. I saw them both at the local Pontiac dealer and also at the annual car show. There was a certain cool factor back then. I lived in the LA area then and all the T/A's were automatics. The four speed was not available due to Kali emissions laws. A lot of neat cars and options weren't available because of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonW Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Great work! I'm very envious of guys who have the talent you do. Not to mention patience. I have neither. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 2020-12-11_08-49-37 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr I sent my wheel out to be restored (not sure if its appropriate to give names but will be glad to upon request). The Tenth Anniv. model was the only Trans Am that actually had a leather wrapped wheel (along with leather seat inserts). There is a person in MI that does the wheels as well as other makes. I had redone the silver spokes last summer so it wasnt too bad to start with, so the turn around time was shortened a bit. I mailed it from MD to MI on a Tuesday, the following week Thursday it was back on my door step finished. She did a phenomenal job with it. I assumed it was the original wheel but after talking to the guy I found it was not. The TATA steering wheel cores were unique in themselves. SO, I have since sourced an original core and will be sending it out for a new cover!! May be a nice grey wheel on ebay? The price to do the wheel with return shipping was $225. I thought that was pretty good, considering repops go for $200-$300+ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 2020-12-10_12-45-11 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr This was the condition of the motor when I bought the car. It was loaded up a couple of weeks ago and sent off to the builder. Last motor he did for me took about a month, so I have my fingers crossed that I will have this back late winter early spring. Block is original, heads original, intake original, 4 speed trans original. Lots of the smalls are missing, brackets, distributor, water pump etc. Carb I got with the car was not original. The Q jet for the 79 4 speed motors are rare as hens teeth, and those that have them usually ask for a first born. After about a 6 month search I found one an hour away and at a reasonable price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 Yes, it will be as close to stock as possible. Some internal upgrades to the motor to give it a bit more go, but nothing other than that. This car has the Pontiac 400 as opposed to the olds 403. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 2021-01-08_05-59-55 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr2021-01-08_05-59-45 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Found a correct Tenth Anniversary core. Will be sending this one out now to get recovered! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliishere Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 My brother bought a TA after he got back from Nam, I loved that car, please keep up your excellent progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 2021-01-12_03-15-31 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr I was missing the rear sway bar. A fellow T/A guy was generous to send me a spare he had laying around. The problem was it was 5/8 dia. and mine came with 3/4 dia. I took the smaller gauge bar to an Amish machine shop and they replicated it for me the correct size. Now with some polishing I think it will come up nicely. Slowly getting all of the 'lost' pieces replaced and hopefully will be starting to get started soon putting things back together. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Any idea what type of steel they used to make the sway bar? That's always a nice option to have tucked away if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 10 hours ago, AURktman said: Any idea what type of steel they used to make the sway bar? That's always a nice option to have tucked away if needed. Not a clue. Bar was left bare metal from factory so they all rust up fairly early in life. I wanted mine to have that fresh/new bare steel look. I have cleaned it up to bare and it looks pretty good now. Plan to coat it with shark hide. I do have an original in the correct size but it was pitted too bad to 'polish' so I painted it instead. I have it as a back up if I should have any problems with the 'custom' piece I had made. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 2021-02-05_04-20-21 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Bar has been cleaned up and coated with shark hide. Ready to install when the time comes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 2021-01-30_01-21-11 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2021-02-05_04-19-53 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2021-02-05_04-19-42 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Cleaned and painted/refurbished the steering column. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver_WT Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Nice work. Great project. I bought a 1979 Trans Am in 1980, yellow with Olds 403 engine. Had a lot of fun with that car. I would like to do a 1979 TA some time, but the garage is full. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 2021-03-26_05-05-04 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Picked up an air cleaner housing from a member on another forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 2021-03-26_05-05-39 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2021-03-26_05-04-48 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Had to get the kid off the bus, PTI. Paint stripper, scotchbrite with paint thinner and a fine grit roloc cleaned all of the old paint off. Prepped to put a fresh coat on (being done so presently). This air cleaner is unique to the 79 Pontiac motor, not quite as hard to find as a part for a pre war car, but hard to find none the less. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 2021-04-04_04-26-03 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Finished my air cleaner, been working on some small parts whilst waiting on the return of my motor. Cleaned and dressed up the transmission a bit, put new bushings and correct pins in the linkage. Made a huge difference in what was sloppiness in play. Repaired the washer pump on the windshield wiper motor. About ready to start putting stuff back on the car. 2021-04-04_04-26-25 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2021-04-04_04-25-31 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr clapped out, hodge podge hardware 2021-04-04_04-27-04 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2021-04-04_04-27-25 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Keep at it Kerry you will have the TA up and running by the end of the summer. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 Thats the plan Tom, I am patiently waiting for my motor to come back from the shop. Doing the little stuff in the meantime keeps me busy, and when its time to put the stuff back together they will be ready to go. I ordered a new gas tank and fuel lines, will pick them up at Carlisle to save on shipping. Once I get that stuff installed the bottom of the car will be finished and I can sit it back down on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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