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Found another '79 T/A need advice

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Old 03-09-2007, 07:20 PM
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Default Found another '79 T/A need advice

alright fellas, i called an ole boy and he took me to see his t/a. (he has two, a 78 and a 79, both t tops)

The only one for sale is the 79. its a 10th anniversary car, with the pontiac 400 and the 4 speed. only supposed to be ~1800 made in this configuration. The exterior is good. NO RUST. in primer. hes supposed to have almost all the parts to make it original. the interior is shot, will have to be compleatly redone. and also has the mirrior t-tops.

oh and the odometer only says 38k miles. he thinks its original, but i think its rolled over.....

he also has 4-6 BRAND NEW NOS turbo wheels. they are the 15x8's, not 15x7's.

So whats it worth?
Old 03-09-2007, 10:30 PM
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pics pics pics.......#1. #2, how can you be sure its a real 10th anniversary? get the VIN, and run it through PHS or find a code book or something first. and how can the interior be shot in only 38k miles? of course its rolled, they most always are. does it run and drive?
Old 03-09-2007, 10:56 PM
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I paid $7000 for my '79 with no ttops, pontiac 400, th350 tranny, black/gold paint scheme(just like bandits) except it has tan interior which is brand new, just got put in months ago, speedometer also says 38,000 but I know it's been rolled over at least once. No rust on mine either, paint aint in great shape but it's good and like i said the interior is perfect. Just to give you an idea on pricing. All original gold wheels on it also.
Old 03-10-2007, 08:05 AM
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prices are going up on second gens. going up on everything old anyway. i paid $5750 for my 78. this was in 1999. 400/4spd, everything else in my sig. came with a new headliner and carpet, but i had to get them installed. needed work on all 4 quarters, including one patch panel. put maybe 2k into the body/interior. people say i could probably get 9k for it, maybe, but who knows. you can only get what someone is willing to pay. get some pics first, see if it runs/drives, and find out if its a real 10th aniv.
Old 03-10-2007, 08:31 AM
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allready checked the vin it is a 10th car, has the x as a 2nd # in the vin, rear disc brakes and mirror tops and all. I'm wanting a black on black 77. I'm wanting to change out the nose and rear on the car. so as far as a colletor # matching aniversary car that's not what I'm looking for. Yes I drove it, started right up, idled nice and ran good. he wants 5k for it and another 750 for the new turbo wheels. It will need a whole new interior. and he has the new hood bird/decal kit with it.

Last edited by blackdiesel; 03-10-2007 at 08:59 AM.
Old 03-10-2007, 09:04 AM
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oh yeah, he had to replace the cam in it to. said it had a coupla flat lobes. LOL of course its rolled over. i just wasnt going to tell him. However, he seems pretty knowledgable about cars.....

we might be bringing it over and putting it on the lift. ill try to get some pics. and the new cam he put it in is a step up from stock, so she sounds NICE lol
Old 03-10-2007, 08:05 PM
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5750.....what i paid for mine. not bad, without seeing it at least. if you really want a 77 (though 78 is better), then id hold out and wait for one. they made around 90,000 Trans Ams in these years, so theyre out there. just have to find one in the shape youre looking for. never know where it might turn up. if you want to swap the nose and rear, then i definetly wouldnt get a 10th aniv. theyre too rare and valuable to mess around with like that. just look around for a real 77-78. i do love the color scheme of the 10th though, silver and gray, with the special hood bird.....sweet.
Old 03-10-2007, 08:17 PM
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i would take a 78 or a 77. Dosnt matter. really the only noticable difference is the front plastic insert, which most guys dont notice anyways...
Old 03-10-2007, 10:35 PM
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the trained eye does......and the 77 has a trans am decal on the upper drivers side nose, where the 78 doesnt.
Old 03-12-2007, 09:59 AM
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It would be a shame to modify a 10th Anniver 400 4sp car. This sounds like a desirable car to a collector. It sounds like a decent price, if the body is solid.
Old 03-12-2007, 10:06 AM
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If that car is in the shape you describe its in, maybe 20k+. 10th's pop up on ebay all the time.
Old 03-12-2007, 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by blackdiesel
allready checked the vin it is a 10th car, has the x as a 2nd # in the vin, rear disc brakes and mirror tops and all. I'm wanting a black on black 77. I'm wanting to change out the nose and rear on the car. so as far as a colletor # matching aniversary car that's not what I'm looking for. Yes I drove it, started right up, idled nice and ran good. he wants 5k for it and another 750 for the new turbo wheels. It will need a whole new interior. and he has the new hood bird/decal kit with it.
5k????

If nothing else, double check the numbers to make sure everything matches, then buy it and put it on ebay. That price is a damn steal.
Old 03-12-2007, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Zig
5k????

If nothing else, double check the numbers to make sure everything matches, then buy it and put it on ebay. That price is a damn steal.
My thoughts exactly!
Old 03-12-2007, 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by blackdiesel
i would take a 78 or a 77. Dosnt matter. really the only noticable difference is the front plastic insert, which most guys dont notice anyways...

You're talking about the grilles, yes.

The '77 has a honeycombed design, while the '78 has a diagaonally criss crossed shape.

Not to mention the hurst hatches versus the fisher brand t-tops...

in regards to the Trans Am- 1979 was the highest year ever for Trans Am production. Granted, we're talking about a "limited edition" anniversary collectible here, but, if it's in primer and the interior is shot, then there isn't much originality left to it anyhow.

If it's a solid car I say get it and do what you want with it. There's enough "original" anniversary editions out there to force this one in the lower bracket of collector value because it has to be restored versus buying an untouched survivor.

just my 2 cents.

Last edited by tuske427; 03-12-2007 at 01:59 PM. Reason: add more info
Old 03-12-2007, 05:09 PM
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ok well i just bought it off the guy. All the numbers match and it is indeed the silver edition 400/4 speed. i got it for 4500 plus the brand spankin new wheels and tires. (turbo wheels, never been mounted)

i got it on the lift this afternoon, and the floor pans are great. not rust AT ALL. the only bubble i seen in the whole car is on the driver side, rear fender, before the wheel. the spot is about as big as a half dollar. Other than that its in great shape.


Now all i need is the 77 front nose and rear end.
Old 03-12-2007, 05:48 PM
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very nice, good price. but i still wouldnt swap the nose, really. there are plenty of real 77-78 TAs out there. no its not very original in its current state, but with a little money and restoring, itll be worth alot more and be more of an investment then anything. if you want, fix it up and sell it. the profits will probably pay for the car and restoration, if not break close to even. then, with that extra money, go looking for a real 77 or 78 TA to play with. what youre doing is kind of like taking a 2002 firehawk, and putting stock trans am rims and hood on it.
Old 03-13-2007, 08:04 AM
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To make it look like a 77, 78, you have to swap more than just the nose. The front spoiler is different, the rear spoiler end caps are different, the rear bumber is different, rear taillights are different, and all 4 wheel spoilers are different.

-Rich
Old 03-13-2007, 02:55 PM
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Talk about timing...

I was glancing through my new edition of Hemmings Muscle and they have the current price guide and they prices are as follows:

1979 TA 10th Anniv. 4sp Low: $9000 Average: $15,000 High: $24,5000
1979 TA 10th Anniv. Auto Low: $9000 Average: $15,000 High: $24,5000
Old 03-13-2007, 03:01 PM
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I might add...

If you do get a 79, one look that I REALLY like is a 71 doghouse on a 79 body and keeping the 79 taillights.
Old 03-13-2007, 03:24 PM
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I say go for the 78, much better looking year of TA than the 79 IMO

but we need some pics to give a better idea on price


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