I’m going to try something new folks. I’ve been building models now on and off for the past 4 decades. I’ve only been a more dedicated and active builder in the last 9 or so years. Being a modeler who likes details I often spend 6+ months on any given build with my quickest turn out being around 3 months. With all that being said-my threads tend to be rather lengthy. What I’m shooting for is to start a thread with a model build that will be as close to OOB as possible with just a few scratch-built changes. No aftermarket upgrades, no fancy PE sets ……notta. I also am going to complete this thread using 8 posts or less in the build process. If anyone has any questions on how I completed a certain task or technique I’ll address those inquiries but I’ll keep posts limited to completion of each module, i.e. engine, chassis, interior, body and such. I want something simple for a change, and I’m trying to keep the thread the same way. The aim is to spend less time posting, more time building, and to complete a build without a whole lot of complications. This….is going to be a challenge for me on a number of levels but one that I hope to meet.
I’ve been wanting to build a late 90’s / early 2000’s Trans Am for a while now. I was working in a Pontiac Dealership as an auto tech when the 1998 Trans Am equipped with the new LS1 engine were being freshly delivered and I instantly fell in love with these cars. I mean the 93-97 T/A’s were nice but these…….were A LOT faster than their LT1 equipped counterparts. No factory American built car had given me the “butterflies in the stomach” feeling under hard acceleration the way my first test drive in one of these things had. Beautiful and fast cars these were and even though I never actually owned one, I got several chances to drive pre-sold and the used offerings that were there on that lot (SIDE NOTE HERE-I was NOT one of those techs who went out joyriding in owners vehicles-just a wrong thing to do to another man’s car) and I loved every minute of it.
The Kit:
And…we’ll be going with a red one in honor of the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar. This thing just screams “I Can’t Drive 55”. lol
I always liked the ram air TA of those years. They were quick too, I’ve seen them run 12’s in factory trim. And that was fast for those days. I too was a tech, but at Ford. I always took great care of the customers cars as if they were mine, but the dealer owned cars, new and used got beat like you wanna beat the neighbors dog. I never drove one of these but I did get to drive the new GTO when they came out and “$*#&”, that car would step right out. Looking forward to this one.
Well, this should be a lot of fun. Very cool subject. No upgrades or PE huh? I’ve got to follow along on this one simply because I’ll believe it when I see it. [:D]
Hmmm. Yes, this will be difficult for you. My bet is you will have more trouble not adding the details you are famous for more than getting 'er done quicker.
We shall see. Fun choice.
PS, a wonderful women I used to work with (bless her soul), used to drive a Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am. At the time, I didn’t realize how cool that car truly was.
Greg and Joe: DEFINITELY gonna be a challenge for sure. The Maverick is not done yet…not by a friggin’ LONGSHOT!! Which is why I wanted a project that I could see some results with fairly quickly. I have a little bit more bench time during the day on the 3 day weekends now so I’m working this build in between the lulls of the Maverick build.
Gamera: Wow! You lucky DOG!! I can remember when I was working at my first dealership back in Carrolton when these things were brand new. I was doing an oil change to a red T/A like yours and “I Can’t Drive 55” came on the radio. Perfect song for this car at the time. BTW…interior and engine shots of that car would be greatly appreciated. All the interior you can stand to allow me to have would be great!!!
Chad: I’m sticking to the basics on this one for sure. It’ll make 'er a little quicker in the building process.
Oh sure Mustang, I’ll see about some engine pics this weekend. The interior is kinda messy, I haven’t cleaned her since last fall. I’ll see about getting her cleaned up for some photos too.
You got me thinking. I owned a TA once. It was an 87 TA with all the black and gold with snowflake wheels. I miss that car so much. It looked exactly like this.
I was an Alignment and genral mechanic at the Pontiac/Oldsmobile/Auroura/Cadillac and GMC Dealer in Stillwater,Mn.
I got a work order for a black T/A with a heavy gas smell in it. Imagine my suprise whenI get in and its a Limited Edition Blackhawk. Number plate on the center console. The owner had overfilled the gas tank dumping the extra fuel into the canister on the evap system. Heck yeah I road tested it, I never turned in a work order without knowing the problem was fixed. No I did not drive it like I stole it, just a route that I used to check Alignments and other road issues.
Thank you for dropping in fellow Pontiac tech!! I remember the Firehawks but I may have to look in to the Blackhawk. You’ve got me interested with that.
