As far as what neds left to be done… finish hooking up all of the items to the engine (alternator, power steering pump, etc.), do the exhaust, find a rear bumper, do some little detail work and finish outside (like grilles and nose emblem).  And then test everything and get it running.  Then final clean up and it is done.

I’ve made the official decision to just have it transported here instead of taking the risk of driving it from Ohio to STL.  I’d rather have it arrive in pristine shape.

So, hopefully it’ll be done soon!

It’s September and it’s starting to cool off outside.  Some of the leaves have already started to fall, and it’s getting to be time to put the cars to bed for the Winter.

Last night I had a happy and sad conversation with Brett.  I’m happy because we got the transmission figured out.  The trans is a GM 200R4 built by Vince Janis of Janis Transmissions of Akron OH.  A friend of Brett’s has this trans in his 78 TA, with a Buick 455 with 570HP and 565Ft lbs of torque.  Yes, it’s a racing transmission.  I am in serious serious trouble. 

Anyone who thinks this is a little trans and it won’t hold up to the abuse a 455 can dish out, that should about answer that question.  After all, this is a race transmission that COULD go into a 7 second car without a problem.

Now, for the not so happy news.  Brett has been watching Ebay and put out all kinds of feelers for a rear bumper cover.  The price he quoted in the estimate for the car is to find a used one in great shape and prep & paint it to match the car.  He says that the rear bumper cover should be a $60-$100 item.  So far, they’re scarce, and instead of going through YearOne their overpriced parts, I chose to wait.

When I say wait, I really mean wait.  Until next year wait.

This will give Brett all the time he needs to drive the car around and get all the bugs worked out.  I’ve asked him to put about 1000 miles on it to break in the engine.  This way, I can fly up to Cleaveland and drive the car back to St. Louis.  This should give me pleanty of time to “get to know” the car.

I’m disappointed that I missed every car show and cruise for 2008, but there’s really nothing we could do about it.  This was not a project that we were prepared to throw money at problems and there is no need for high-pressure dead lines.

So, we can both breathe a sigh of relief and I look forward to 2009.  Hell, maybe as I’m driving it home, I’ll be able to drive along side of a 2010 Camaro or two.

Scott

But, what’s more important is Brett is pulling the engine because the rear seal is leaking.  I’m very happy and thankful that he found this now and is fixing it.  I would probably throw up if after the car was delivered it started dripping oil everywhere.

No idea of a delivery date at this point.  Just waiting.

A decision had to be made, do I want the rear end to have 79-81 spoilers, or 78?  I decided to go ahead with 79 tail lights, and 78 spoilers.

Stay tuned for updates!

The bodywork is complete, at the time of these photos it’s in primer. Brett said that he didn’t find any surprises and the project is on schedule by being completed in June.

The car is due to go in for paint next week.

-Scott

General Break down total of all cars:
# of Mopar      115
# of GM          460
# of Ford        267

# Of cars (Muscle cars only)
Car Model                                 # Of Cars
BARRACUDA                           4
CAMARO                                 19
CAMARO INDY PACE CAR       1
CAMARO RS                            3
CAMARO RS/SS                      13
CAMARO SS                            8
CAMARO Z/28                          10
CAMARO Z/28 RS                    1
CHALLENGER                          1
CHALLENGER R/T                    6
CHALLENGER SRT8                 1
CHARGER                                2
CHARGER R/T                          3
CHEVELLE                               10
CHEVELLE COPO                    1
CHEVELLE LS6                        2
CHEVELLE LS6 SS                   3
CHEVELLE MALIBU                  1
CHEVELLE MALIBU SS            3
CHEVELLE SS                         15
CHEVELLE SS 396                   12
COBRA                                     6
COBRA 427                              4
CORONET R/T                          3
CORVETTE                               97
CUDA                                       10
CUDA AAR                               4
CUTLASS                                 2
CUTLASS 442                           2
CUTLASS SUPREME                2
DAYTONA                                 2
DUSTER                                   1
EL CAMINO                               2
EL CAMINO SS                         2
FIREBIRD                                 4
FIREBIRD TRANS AM                2
GS                                            1
GSX                                          2
GT                                            1
GT350                                       12
GT350 H                                    2
GT500                                       10
GT500 E                                    1
GT500 KR                                 5
GT500 SR                                 1
GTO                                          22
GTO JUDGE                              5
GTX                                           3
HEMI CHALLENGER                  3
HEMI CHALLENGER R/T            1
HEMI CHARGER 500                  2
HEMI CHARGER R/T                  2
HEMI CUDA                               6
HEMI GTX                                  1
MUSTANG                                 33
MUSTANG 428 CJ                      3
MUSTANG 428 SCJ                    2
MUSTANG BOSS 302                 3
MUSTANG BOSS 429                 4
MUSTANG COBRA SVT              1
MUSTANG FR500C                     1
MUSTANG GT                             9
MUSTANG GTA                           1
MUSTANG MACH 1                     6
MUSTANG ROUSH STAGE 3       1
NOVA                                         6
NOVA SS                                    6
NOVA SS 396                             1
ROAD RUNNER                          10
SHELBY GT500                          1
SHELBY GT500 KR                     1
SHELBY GT-H                            1
SUPERBIRD                               4
THUNDERBIRD                           38
THUNDERBIRD ‘E’                       4
THUNDERBIRD ‘F’                       1
TRANS AM                                 3

Here are cars from the TV show “Monster Garage” that are for sale.  Please pardon any customer cars mixed in here:
Here are the vehicles:
Lot #         Year      Car Make            Car Model                       Car Style
61            1997      FORD                  F-150                            “NUT-SHAKER”
62            1969      ROLLS-ROYCE    SILVER SHADOW         “SEWAGE SUCKER”
64            1975      DATSUN                                            “HONEY BEE DRIFTER”
65            1992      HONDA               CIVIC                             “NITRO”
66            1929      FORD                  ROADSTER                   “HIGH SCHOOL T-TRACK”
67            1986      CHRISCRAFT                                           STEAM POWERED BOAT
68            1964      LINCOLN             CONTINENTAL               “OPEN ROAD RACER”
69            1959      CHEVROLET                                            DAIRY TRUCK “MILK BOMB”
70            1945      JEEP WILLYS                                          “ARMY TRACTOR PULL”
71            1996      LINCOLN             TOWNCAR                    “FIRE TRUCK LIMO”
72            2004      ULTRA SHADOW PICKLE-FORK               “JET BOAT CAR”
73            1972      PETERBILT                                              “TRUCK ENGINE TRIKE”
74            1998      FORD                  CROWN VICTORIA        “DOUGHNUT SHOP/COP CAR”
75            1990      FORD                  MUSTANG                    “SWITCHBLADE”
430           2005                                                                “BAJA 1000 TROPHY TRUCK”
430.1        1950      FORD                  WOODY                       “SURFMOBILE”
431           1963      INTERNATIONAL                                     “FIRE TRUCK BREWERY”
431.1        1988      CHEVROLET       BLAZER                        “PIKE’S PEAK HILL CLIMBER”
432           1981      FERRARI             308 GTS                       “PASTA FERRARI”
432.1        2005      MX2                                                         “GEORGIA HS JR DRAGSTER”
433          1975      CHEVROLET        CAMARO                      “DIRT TRACK CAMARO”
434          1970      FORD                   RANCHERO                  “LOW BULL RIDER”
434.1       1994      FORD                   EXPLORER                   “WHITE TRASH TRUCK”
435       1981      CADILLAC             FLEETWOOD               “QUARTER MILE CADILLAC”
435.1       2003     TOYOTA                CELICA                        “JET CAR”
435.2       0           GMC                     LYONS RAIL                “HOT DOGSTER”
435.3          2002      CHRYSLER           PT CRUISER                “WOOD CHIPPER”
435.4          1993      CHEVROLET        IMPALA                        “ZAMBONI ZAMPALA”
1264        2004      PANOZ                ESPERANTE                 “THE FLYING CAR”
1264.1     1996      CHEVROLET        IMPALA
1265        2003      CADILLAC            ESCALADE ESV          “TAILGATER”
1265.1     1973      CHEVROLET        CORVETTE                   “MUD BOGGER”
1265.2     1951      CADILLAC                                                “COOL DADDY CADDY”
1531        1954      FORD                  WAGON CUSTOM         “ALL STAR BUILD”
1532        2005      DODGE                MAGNUM                     “TRAIN CAR”
1533        1996      CHEVROLET        IMPALA
1533.1     1954      CADILLAC            CUSTOM                       “HEARSE REVISITED”
1534        1982      ZIMMER               GOLDEN SPIRIT            “LOG SPLITTER”
1535        1994      CHEVROLET        SUBURBAN                   “WEDDING CHAPEL”
1536        1984      PORSCHE            944                               “GOLF BALL COLLECTOR”
1536.1     1999      REYNARD            CHAMPIONSHIP CAR     “STREETLINE PAINTER”

What a shame!

It was verified by CamaroZ28.com Podcast that the Camaro will be priced within $500 of a similarly equipped Mustang.

Sweeet!

Scott

The red fiberglass “push car” will be shipped instead and will arrive Nov 25th.

This news came from the CamaroZ28.com Podcast.

Scott

Either way, I think this could be interesting, especially if it’s rear wheel drive….

I will say this, Holden has been batting them out of the park so far. It’s very clear that Ford (Mustang) and MOPAR (Challenger) seem to be the only ones to understand what a “retro” car should look like.

Until now… Holden is really on to something with the Efijy.

I know my Father would want one, I could see the Hot Rod age of the 50′s and 60′s come back strong if this car were to make it to production.

Here are my personal ideas that could really revive the muscle car market:

GM: Please bring the Trans Am back and base it off the 1977-1978 Special Edition.

Mopar: Please bring the Barracuda back (base it off the 1971-1973)

Ford: Bring the Mustang Mach 1 / Australian Falcon back (base it off the 1971-1973)

Project TA is coming along, Brett @ Trans Am Specialties has ordered some interior and engine parts, however he’s about a week or two away from going full speed ahead as he is finishing up other customer vehicles. Welcome Mike!

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