1970 Pontiac Trans Am Tribute

Description

For sale is a 1970 Pontiac Firebird Espirit Trans Am tribute car that has been transformed into a very authentic and detailed Trans Am replica with a few driver-friendly upgrades.

Feel free to call for more information at (818) 437-0924. Car is located in Simi Valley, CA. For sale locally so I reserve the right to end sale early.

BODY:

The body started as a very solid rust-and-accident-free southwest car brought into Southern California close to 20 years ago. It was recently completely taken to a bare metal shell, refurbished as necessary, painted and re-assembled. All body components are original to the car except for a set of factory Trans Am fenders, a factory Trans Am shaker and a quality reproduction Trans Am hood. All new glass was installed, along with all new weather-stripping. All door and door window components were refurbished/replaced. The original door hinges were rebuilt. New hood hinges were installed. The car had the rear air dam when purchased but did not have the correct trunk lid torsion rod so a new one was installed. Also purchased new were exterior door handles and rearview mirrors. The rear bumper and the tail light bezels are re-chromed originals. Front/rear window moldings are polished original items. The front grilles/moldings are detailed originals. The wheelhouse flares, front spoiler and tail light panel are best-quality ABS replacement pieces. All light lenses are new. The body is finished in the correct Polar White with a high-quality clearcoat. The shaker was painted in Meridian Blue, which is the color that appeared to match the original (there is a deficiency of good documentation on the 1970-only color). The Trans Am accents are from Phoenix Graphics. The wheels are factory 15" x 7" rallyes that were sandblasted and correctly refinished. Tires are new BF Goodrich T/A radials; when mounted the front was aligned and lubed. Door, trunk and glovebox locks were rebuilt and single-keyed. All new fasteners/hardware were used in the assembly of this car. Correct decals were installed where applicable.

ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN: The engine is a fresh rebuild mid-70s 400 that was bored .030 with flat-top pistons, zero-decked and line-honed for the installed ARP main studs. The cylinder heads were completely rebuilt and milled .020. With the compressed thickness of the Felpro head gaskets the compression ratio is close to 9:1. An Edelbrock Performer Plus cam with matched performance lifters, valve springs and roller timing chain set was installed. The factory rods were resized for ARP rod bolts. A Melling high-volume oil pump and pickup was installed. The timing cover is a new replacement item, as is the harmonic balancer. The distributor is a factory HEI with all new components. The factory Quadrajet was rebuilt and lightly modified for the slight increase in compression ratio and camshaft and is mounted on an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold. The water pump and fuel pump are brand new, the alternator rebuilt and new belts were installed along with a new high-efficiency aluminum radiator and a new factory replacement fan shroud. Patriot headers were installed along with a 2-1/2" aluminized exhaust system running through turbo mufflers. The transmission is a mildly built turbo 350 with a rebuilt stock-stall converter, heavy duty clutches and shift kit. The differential is a 10-bolt with limited slip and highway gears that was disassembled and refurbished as needed.

SUSPENSION: The front sub-frame (along with the transmission, driveshaft, differential, rear sway bar and rear springs) is from a low-mileage 1978 Trans that was in the process of being restored before the project went another direction. It was completely rebuilt years ago then placed in storage as it was not used. When installed under this car it received rebuilt brake calipers and new pads. New brake hoses were installed front and rear. All emergency brake cables and components are new. The brake booster, master cylinder and proportioning valve is a matched combo unit for this application from CPP. The rear drum brakes were rebuilt with new shoes, hardware and wheel cylinders. Front brake lines are new, the others were inspected and cleaned. The original fuel tank was cleaned and a new sending unit installed along with all new fuel lines/hoses.

A/C: The original HVAC was removed, the firewall smoothed and a new Old Air Products system installed, along with an electric pusher fan on the condenser that activates with the a-c function. This system blows cold and is, unlike the original system, easily and fully serviceable.

WIRING: The car was fully re-wired with a GM-based system using a compact 21-circuit mini-fuse block. A new factory-replacement rear body harness was incorporated into this. All light bulbs and switches in the car are new except for the wiper switch which is a refurbished original. The windshield wiper motor is rebuilt and the washer pump assembly is new along with the washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles. Wiper arms and blades are new. The factory lighter receptacle is now a 12-volt source, the light is blocked from function.

INTERIOR: The interior is finished in the 1970-only Bright Blue. The dash is a nice original out of an early 70s Firebird refinished in a texture that is very close to the original 1970-only dash texture. It was fitted with rebuilt gauges and polished bezel from the 1978 Trans Am that provided so much else for this car. Including the tilt steering column that was fully rebuilt and topped with a new reproduction steering wheel, horn button and bird emblem. Also installed was a new Custom Autosound stereo head unit along with a front factory-fit dual-voice speaker and rear 6"x 9" 3-ways. This system required no dash modifications and has some nice features (the owner’s manual will be in the glovebox). Under the dash the firewall has Dynamat installed. The floorpan was layered in heat shield and sound deadening under the new carpet. The original seats were fully disassembled, cleaned and re-upholstered with new molded foam cushions and factory-tailored deluxe-interior covers. The heat shield/sound deadener was also installed above the new headliner with new dome light base and lense. New front and rear window trims were installed along with new sun visors, new interior quarter trim panels, new upper and lower deluxe-interior door panels with armrests, a new deluxe package tray with speaker perforations, new sail panels, a new interior rearview mirror and a new storage compartment/armrest pad for the refinished factory console. The factory floor shifter was rebuilt, with a re-chromed handle, new knob and shift button. Window cranks and door lock knobs are new.

This car has a clear, clean California title and has been on a planned non-op for at least 15 years, so has not been driven more than a few miles since the build. With all that has been done to this car and the very little it has been driven this is as close to a new 1970 Trans Am with minor improvements as is available. This Firebird runs well, sounds great and presents better. It only needs to be broken in, driven and enjoyed.