1983 Trans Am Needs restoration $900 obo

[hgffrank]

I got this car originally as a daily driver and drove it for about 2 years but parked it when I got a job 60 miles away and gas was $4.29/gallon. About a year later I started working on the car and I installed 2" lowering springs from Canuck motorsports along with front/rear KYB struts/shocks. I sent the speedometer out to be custom recalibrated and refaced to 160mph, I changed the carb to a mechanical q-jet, installed HEI distributor. I was going to install a 3 point strut tower brace but never did, it will go with the car. I bought new bumper grill panels but never installed them and they will also go with the car. A functional cowl CAI hood with 5.0HO decals was installed on the car. The car had black leather PMD seats however the driver bottom seat cushion was changed to tan leather. The seat was customized for a taller person with steel plates that move the seat back about 2 inch's. Can be put back to stock if desired. A center console from a 90 Firebird was installed. Still has the original black leather T-tops bag in the back. I installed 4 new wheels(Hotwheels 5 spoke design) and Avon Tech M550 P245/50/16 tires. Was planning to install another modded 283 engine into car but due to work just didn't have time. As it sat the driverside floorpan rusted out and has peeled back. Just the floorpan is bad the control arm mounts and subframe is ok. I was going to put in a new floorpan but closest place to buy is Windsor, Canada which I got arrested last time I tried to get in Canada so that's not an option and the other place wanted $300 for shipping. This may have changed since then but its been about 6 years since I looked into it. I have a second instrument cluster that I bought for it just because I was trying to repair the tach that reads high. Never did fix it. There is also a 3" y-pipe that I got to use on the car and never did. The car needs a lot of work but the body is truly salvageable and could be easily restored for someone that knows how to do it. I truly never intended on selling this car however I'm sick and tired of the Michigan economy and pathetic government and my wages have fell to a point that I am now moving to New Mexico, so I need to get rid of this car because I already have 2 other vehicles, a 21 ft boat and another trailer that I have to get 1600 miles across the country and another car just isn't doable. I think I actually won best beater or something like that at one of the first mifbody meet and greets....lol..I've still gotta figure out how to get my photo's up on here since its been so long since I've been an active participant I've forgotten. I got banned from firebirdnation and just walked away from the web forum drama and never really came back. Sorry for that. Let me just say that YES, this car needs a lot of work, and yes $900 may seem to be a lot however I truly believe this car is a gem in the rough and with the right person it could really be an awesome car, just needs some TLC. For its age the body actually is in pretty good shape considering its in Michigan.If interested call me at 517-937-9318, I work M-F 8am-6pm. I'm a mechanic at a ford dealer so I can talke but it depends on what I'm doing at the moment so your best bet is to text me and I'll get back ASAP. 1983 Trans Am.jpg[010965].jpg[019225].jpgDSC00003 65%(2).jpgDSC00095.JPG20130411_230953.jpgSpeedo.jpg

[bri2203]

This brings back memories!
I remember I was considering buying this car a few years ago when I purchased the LT1 engine and two wheels from you.
Crank windows in a trans am....you don't see that too often.

Have you tried to start it up recently?
I will give it some thought.....

[hgffrank]

I forgot to mention that the reason I was going to put another engine in the car other than wanting more power was because the 305 that's in it has high miles and was burning a lot of oil and developed a rattle that sounds like a wristpin or something of that nature, tho it does still start and run I would not try and drive it anywhere.

[hgffrank]

Wow it seems like forever ago when I sold that stuff to you, how have you been. Been lots of changes for me, I'm now a Master Ford Tech, and just landed a job in New Mexico as their head diesel guy, so I'm moving there. Gotta follow the money since my pay will triple. Yeah I moved it to where it sits back in September so it was out of my way during winter, the engine doesn't sound very good. One more thing I failed to mention was that I have a posi carrier that I wanted to install but never did. Still have it and it also goes with car. I probably have more stuff too, but the car has sat so long I'm struggling to remember where I was with it and I keep thinking of more stuff as time goes by. One thing I should mention is that after I installed the springs struts and shocks I've only driven it about 50 miles. Car has just been sitting with the occasional start up and warm up to move it. When I moved last time is when the floorpan gave out so I never drove it on the roads after that and that was about 4 years ago. And ya know, no matter what, I know for a fact that in about 10 years from now I am totally going to regret selling this car, I absolutely loved this car. It was so much fun to drive and I didn't even get a chance to drive it much after the suspension upgrades, but I'm sure it would have been ridiculously fun.

[TylerT/AZ28]

how much rust? u said its salvageable but is it solid? id love to have it i got the cash just dont have a trailer atm its in use.

[hgffrank]

I think its salvagable, however its been years since I've been able to look under it. You would have to come and check it out for yourself.

[NullHead]

Hmm .... think you cold part with the strut tower brace or the carrier? How does that tower brace mount up though, because the edlebrock ones looks like it bolts to either tower and to the cowl

[hgffrank]

Hmm .... think you cold part with the strut tower brace or the carrier? How does that tower brace mount up though, because the edlebrock ones looks like it bolts to either tower and to the cowl

Apparently Edelbrock redesigned the strut tower brace, or the one you posted is for fuel injected cars, the one I have is definitely beefier and its an Edelbrack STB, it has mounting feet just like the one in your photo, I just forgot about them so they aren't in the photo I posted. I actually spent about an hour today looking for them, haven't found them yet but I'm going to work on cleaning my garage tonight so hopefully I find them. I know I have them, just need to unbury everything in my garage. Its a disaster in there.Garage messy small.jpgLast July 4th by daughter was almost killed in an auto accident and I just kinda let everything go around here since, shifted priorities ya know, but she was in ICU for 9 days and finally allowed to go home and has had extensive rehab since, still has some cosmetic repairs to be done but shes going to be fine. But enough about that just makes me mad thinking about it because I blame her worthless mother who I believe was drinking and driving and was never tested. I will find those mounting feet, I'm sure I have them.

[hgffrank]

I know a lot of people hate aftermarket wheels on the fbody cars, and I just realized that I actually still have a set of 4 Firebird wheels/tires here. I will also let them go with the car if someone buys it. Don't quote me but I think these were from my 90 Firebird, but could possibly be from my 85 TA or the 83 TA I'm trying to sell here. I really don't know but I'm leaning toward the 90 Bird origin. They are not in mint condition but not too bad considering and as a bonus all the center caps are still on them which I know isn't always an easy find with used wheels. If nobody buys the car I'll post these separate in the near future.Firebird wheels.jpg

[hgffrank]

I walked around car earlier today and I just wanted to update the thread and say that the rust has worsened a bit. there are a few spots on the body panels that feel soft. I just don't want anyone misled about what the condition is. You really need to come and judge it for yourself. Remember I'm asking $900 obo, not 9000, its not going to be in great shape, and if someone comes to check it out with cash in hand I may consider a lesser amount, just don't try to low ball me to the point I'd be better off at the local salvage yard.

[TylerT/AZ28]

take quick snapparoo of floors from underneath if possible?

[hgffrank]

take quick snapparoo of floors from underneath if possible?

I will try tomorrow

[TylerT/AZ28]

gracias

[Darren]

Your moving! Anything else in that garage for sale? Lets say that air compressor!?

[hgffrank]

Your moving! Anything else in that garage for sale? Lets say that air compressor!?

Sorry but the air compressor isn't for sale. I actually pieced it together myself, borrowed the tank from my dad since he had a bare 60 gallon tank, the compressor my cousin was going to junk because it was leaking oil, I tore it apart, cleaned it up and ordered a new gasket for it, works great now. motor is the weak link at this point, I've only been able to come up with a 1 hp motor, and the compressor really needs a 5 hp motor, as it sits now I have a 1.75" drive pulley and a 16" compressor pulley, so the stupid compressor only spins at about 400rpm which is way too slow, but any less ratio and the motor doesn't have enough power to run it. Its not much of a compressor but its all I got so its going with me.