Archive for September, 2007

Ok, enough emails, I’ll tell you…

Project “TA” is a series I’m working on where on this podcast we will discuss the restoration of a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

This project has been started and will be completed by TDC sponsor “Trans Am Specialties“.

Why a 1980? Well, I prefer the 77-78 but more the 78 because of the T-tops being made internally by Fisher (GM), the WS6 package was new that year, and the wheels were also changed for the WS6 package.

So, since the recent “Bandit Run” celebration for the 30th anniversary of the movie “Smokey & The Bandit” for which the Trans Am really was made famous, the value of these cars is starting to really get out of most peoples’ budget. I’m looking forward to this coming Barrett-Jackson to see if the 2nd gen ‘birds FINALLY make an appearance.

Anyway, why an 80? Well, Brett “Hitman” Campbell from Trans Am Specialties has been an incredible mentor and friend over the years, and finally the funds came together to finally buy the car of my dreams. While we were discussing this project it hit me, the 2nd gen Firebird structure for the most part had not changed too much, so, why not go with a 79, 80, or 81 and clone my 78 Special Edition using that car.

Brett agreed and we talked about some minimum requirements, factory Fisher T-tops, power windows & locks, and preferably a WS6 & rear defrost car, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc.

Brett set out to search for the project car. I kept scouring Ebay, Craigs List, and a couple websites that turned out to be a waste of time… Because Brett found a car!

Brett originally showed me a 79 t-top car that was for sale by one of the 78ta.com forum members. I looked at the car which had the Olds 403 engine in it, and I was excited but the car was missing a lot of the things I wanted.

This spawned another conversation where I mentioned that I didn’t want the 403, I wanted to build a 400… Or a 455…

Brett said “Well, I happen to have a 1971 455 right here!”.

That was that, and Brett set back out for another search and found a 1980 t-top car, power everything, tilt wheel, everything I’m looking for, but it was someone elses’ parts car that had been picked through. Brett told me that everything that was missing was stuff we were already planning on replacing anyway! Including the engine. SCORE!

Just about anyone will take a major price hit when trying to sell a non-running car. This made 100% sense for this project…

So, I present Top Dead Centers’ “Project TA” car:

More pictures coming soon….

-Scott

I just received confirmation from Paul Robb of Information Society, Paul is granting his permission for me to play INSOC music on TDC!!!

I’m a long time fan of Insoc since I first saw them on MTV back in 88′… I’m sure you remember their hits “What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)”, “Walking Away”, “Running”, “Think”, “Peace & Love Inc.”, and many more… I’m happy to see that the original members have reunited for a tour supporting their newest album “Synthesizer”. Check out the offical website: http://informationsociety.us

Although Kurt had not yet re-joined at the time they recorded the album, he’s back now.

Looking forward to future music and hopefully they might pass through STL…

-Scott

I am announcing “Project TA”. Project TA is going to be a complete restoration of a car that will be funded by me.

I hope that you all will find this process as interesting as I do.

More to come….

-Scott