My new 1988 T/A

[DynoDave]

Routed off of Woodward by the local police, our night was done. A nice high-speed jaunt down the highway, and we are home.

[DynoDave]

I was fortunate enough to attend the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio this past weekend. It was a furious couple of weeks prepping for it (truck and trailer, and a little on the car), but in the end, I would say it was very much worth going to. Last years event was around 375 cars, and while official numbers are not in yet, it looks like they will be very close to, if not over, 400 cars.

Some of class G1, light modified, which I was thrown into because I have aluminum trim rings around my gauges.

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That's me in the middle, in glorious Bright Red.

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An actual, live, in the flesh Iron Duke powered Firebird!

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This GTA was BEAUTIFUL! Would have been in my Top 3 for the class, and was in the show's opinion as well.

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I spent a bit of time talking to the (original) owners of the blue and silver car. Very, very nice car in fantastic condition. Driven to the show. Would have also been in my Top 3 for the class, and was in the show's opinion too.

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Just love this Anniversary cars. One like this is what lured back to 3rd gens.

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[DynoDave]

Beautiful car.

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A very nicely modified 3rd gen. Spent quite a while speaking to the grandfather, father, and grandson trio here showing this car.

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I always liked this car in this color. Brannigan anyone?

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White Firehawk convertible with red interior. Sweet!

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Love that OHC six!

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[DynoDave]

Very pretty color combo.

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Yet another Anniversary car I'd love to own.

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Another very handsome color combo. And an Ed H. signed Firehwak to boot!

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A triple white beauty!

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[DynoDave]

I have not seen so much chrome since the Car Craft Street Machine Nationals of the '80s. Guy must own a plating shop. Nice car though. 36499970130_c27c1acbb3_b.jpg

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I always thought this was one of the best looking hood of the muscle era.

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Nothing like a nice fat 245/60/15.

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[DynoDave]

Sporting one of my favorite old wheels...

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Now off to the Tipp City cruise. About 20 minutes or so through the Ohio countryside, on a nice new, winding blacktop road, the town of Tipp City blocks off their old downtown, and has a cruise night for T/A Nationals drivers. Very nice little town, had a lot of fun walking to see all the cars, and the town. Had dinner, then a nice run back later that night.

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Nice two-tone.

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[DynoDave]

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Another color that I think looks fantastic on these cars.

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And yet another color I think is perfect for a 3rd gen....

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Back at the show on Sunday, enjoying a third straight day of perfect car show weather, and reading the Cruis'news.

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Sometimes it's fun to break a rule.

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[DynoDave]

Saw this nice looking bird at Waterford Hills this weekend. Looked fast, and very well composed. Didn't have a chance to get into the paddock and talk to him though.

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[Yukon Cornelius]

You have a very nice example of a T/A.

[DynoDave]

Thank you sir.

I just sent you a PM on an unrelated matter, in case you see this first.

[DynoDave]

This past weekend was the Frankenmuth Autofest. I attended with my brother, as we have done for the last 20-ish years. Last year was his first time entering, and this year was mine. Been attending car shows with him since I was a teen (many decades ago), and this was the first time we both had a car entered. It was a lot of fun.

Keeping it mostly F-body related, here are some photos from the event.

OK, so right away I'm breaking my F-bodies only pledge. But I took this in the vendor area. A GM crate SBC with 2 year / 50k mile warranty. I know the corners of the intake to rail are a common leak area, and a dab of silicone is often used in this corner. But I thought it was interesting that they extended that half way up the head, and on both sides of the intake gasket. Since GM has o stand behind this under warranty, I thought it was worth making note of for my future head and intake plans.

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And the first test of my home made ramps...worked flawlessly. Here, used to access the leaking generic oil filter used by my exhaust shop when I had the muffler replaced this spring. Left too loose, and slowly getting looser. Could have lost the filter and engine! A new Purolator and top off the Mobil 1, and we're in business.

Now, off to the show!

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Getting those kids interested in yellow Firebirds early in life.

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[DynoDave]

This weekend...Golling Buick GMC / United Street Machine Assoc. (USMA) car show in Lake Orion. I like supporting Golling as they are a big supporter of out Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) Chapter #16 Widetrackers, and the USMA show profits always go to great charities. Win/Win.

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Next event, Fall Color Tour, if I can make the date work with other commitments.

[DynoDave]

Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) Chapter #16 Michigan Widetrackers Fall Color Tour

Rain was predicted. And the weather man did not lie. It was raining when we left, and rained on the way home. About 8 of us, out of 40 or so members that showed up, brought our old cars. She'll need a good detail, but no leaks in the t-tops, and the a/c - defroster and rear window defogger all worked. The warmer fall has delayed our colors some too. But we had a nice club gathering. An easy drive out into the country to a family owned apple orchard and cider mill. Catered lunch of broasted chicken, spare ribs, several sides and corn bread. Lots of apple cider and donuts too.

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But, into every life a little rain must fall. And I don't mean the wet stuff from the sky.

As happened 3 years ago (3 years ago? Wow time flies) when my power antennae failed as I was shutting the car off after the last cruise of the season, a minor failure may spell the end to our cruising season. As I went to put the folding chairs away in the back of the T/A at the cider mill, the rear hatch motor failed. Just won't rise up when the hatch is opened, either by key or button on the dash. Drove home with it strapped down inside. Thanks God I brought that bag of travel supplies, which includes an old snow mobile tie down strap. I don't usually carry that in the car.

So I guess among the other winter projects I wanted to get to, I will have to add a hatch motor repair to the list. I must admit, I'm NOT looking forward to it.

One by one, my car is suffering all of the stereotypical 3rd gen failures. It had a headlamp motor done before I bought it, broken fog lamp, failed power antennae, t-top drip rail pulling out, now this. But this is part of the fun of owning older cars, right?

[DynoDave]

Pretty nice weather this weekend. Snuck out to the garage and fired the car up for the first time in many months. Battery tender disconnected, key on to prime the fuel, and she started right up. Nice weather here today and tomorrow too. But winter still has a few cold days left yet I'm sure. Still, Ill be able to start working on her again soon, which makes me happy.

[DynoDave]

Yesterday was the 4 year anniversary of our purchase of the Trans Am. It's funny, because in some ways it seems like we just got it, in others like it's always been there.

My oldest brother, the one with the Porsche 914, found a small canopy (or easy-up) at Walmart the other day. He's always had 10x10s, but carrying one of those in a 914 meant that the passenger had to hold it in a bear hug in the passenger seat. Not very fun to say the least. This smaller 6x4 will fit in the 914 trunk very nicely. While it doesn't provide a ton of shade, it sure beats the alternative for ease of transport.

And while I could shoehorn a 10x10 into the rear seat of the T/A, I knew I'd be bumping it off the trim, seats, etc. So as an anniversary gift, I bought one for the T/A too (and a sun shade).

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