All posts by firebirdclub

General

The Real Story Behind Pontiac’s Black and Gold Trans Am

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BY JEFFREY N ROSS, YAHOO

This instantly recognizable package is more than just a movie car.

The 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit may have immortalized the black-and-gold Pontiac Trans Am, but this special edition model was actually created by GM design boss Bill Mitchell to celebrate Pontiac’s 50-year anniversary in 1976. These cars were designated with the Y82 RPO code, and they featured the iconic black paint job with gold accents including gold pin striping, gold grille, gold wheels and, of course, the gold Screaming Chicken decal on the hood. The Y82 Trans Ams were built in low volume from 1976 through 1978, but this “Bandit” paint job carried on (under various other RPO codes) through the second-gen Firebird’s final year in 1981.

In 1977, the Y82 code represented only the examples with t-tops, while the hardtops showed Y81 on the build sheet. Compared to the more than 15,000 Y82/Y81 Trans Ams built in ‘77, the 1978 model year saw this number drop down to just 3,643, and t-tops were also added as standard equipment with this package. With the Firebird’s 1979 redesign, the RPO code was changed to Y84 for the car’s final three years of production.

Here are two excellent examples of the Y82 Trans Am, and both are available through Carolina Muscle Cars for $75,000 each. 1976 Pontiac Trans Am Y82 Limited Edition

Only 2,590 examples of the 1976 Pontiac Trans Am Y82 50th Anniversary Limited Edition were ever built, and only 319 were built with the 455 H.O. engine and without the available Hurst t-tops. The 1976 model year was the last year for the 455 CID V8, and it was paired to a four-speed manual. This particular ‘76 Y82 is a numbers-matching car with a factory-original interior and a restored exterior including new paint and graphics. This Y82 Limited Edition is spotless and ready to show, and it comes with documentation from Pontiac Historical Services, original build sheet, ownership history and more. 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Y82 Special Edition

The popularity of Smokey and the Bandit led Pontiac to increase production of the Trans Am Special Edition to more than 15,000 units offered with a 400 CID or Oldsmobile 403 CID V8, and this Y82 is just one of 3,760 equipped with the W72 high-performance 400 CID V8 engine and an automatic transmission. This, too, is a numbers-matching Trans Am that was fully restored including all-new body panels and an all-new interior, and it also comes with the factory build sheets.

Black and gold Trans Ams are everywhere these days, but if you want a true Y82 Trans Am, contact Carolina Muscle Cars for more information on either of these rare and immaculate Pontiacs.

Members' Cars and Photos, Uncategorized

‘73 Formula of Keith Lally from Kingston, Ohio

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I bought my 1973 Firebird 400 in 1977 when I was 16 years old. It had 51,735 miles. I garage stored it for 29 years and started restoration in 2009. My son and I rebuilt the engine. It was bored over to .030 with a scat stroker kit.

Now it’s a 461 cu. in. with 549 lift compcam. I put in a scorpion roller valve train that features Kaufman aluminum heads. The fuel delivery is a Rob mic fuel pump to a pro fuel system with a Holley 870. The transmission is a GM Turbo 400 with a B&M 3K stall converter built by M. Downs.

It has got a 12 bolt master rear end with 373 gears and I rebuilt the suspension. The paint and body was done by Dean Osborne in Levercross, North Carolina.. I have all authentic GM sheet metal. My fiancé and me restored the interior. I finished my car in October 2017.

General

Enter to Win the Ultimate Smokey and the Bandit Collectible!

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Enter to Win the Ultimate Smokey and the Bandit Collectible! 50% Bonus Tickets Compliments of The National Firebird and Trans Am Club!

Say the word “Bandit,” and one image instantly comes to mind—Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds behind the wheel of a black-and-gold Pontiac Trans Am.In 2015 and 2017, Mr. Reynolds worked hand in hand with Dream Giveaway Garage to bestow two autographed Bandit Trans Ams on two lucky winners. These Bandit Trans Ams became two of the most popular muscle cars in Dream Giveaway history. Now, with the full blessing of the Burt Reynolds estate, you can bring home an extremely low mile and restored 1979 Bandit Trans Am, which is nearly identical to the one that Burt Reynolds owned and sold for $300K at a recent national auction. When you enter to win, you’ll be honoring the legendary Burt Reynolds, who will always live in our hearts and minds. Plus if you’re the winner, we’ll pay $17,500 for taxes and fly you to Clearwater, Florida, to be awarded this grand prize. Enter now!

Enter now by clicking here! Remember your donation helps veterans’, kids’, and women’s charities.

Put The Pedal to the Metal and Enter Now
Smokey and the Bandit fans, listen up. If your lifelong dream is to own a Bandit Trans Am with Burt Reynolds’ autograph looking back at you every time you put the pedal to the metal, this is the only Bandit Trans Am on earth for you. Win a Bandit Trans Am Autographed by the Legendary Burt Reynolds
Dream Giveaway Garage worked closely with the Estate of Burt Reynolds to handpick the perfect Bandit Trans Am, which honors Burt Reynolds’ life, legacy and films. Now you can bring home this very special Bandit Trans Am in the Bandit Dream Giveaway brought to you by Ames Performance Engineering.This documented 1979 Pontiac Trans Am has all the signature features that made Smokey and the Bandit a car-guy classic for all time – Pontiac’s black and gold Special Edition package, T-top roofs and a numbers-matching V-8 engine.


Enter now by clicking here!

“I know what an important part the Smokey and the Bandit movie has played in the lives of so many of my fans.” — Burt Reynolds, 2015 *Photography of Mr. Reynolds from the 2015 Bandit Dream Giveaway.
ENTER TO WIN AND HELP CHILDREN IN NEED AND OUR VETERANS!
Go to DreamGiveaway.com or call toll free 866-600-0646 and use code NF1019Z
NO PURCHASE, CONTRIBUTION, DONATION OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY AND MAKING ONE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Bandit Dream Giveaway starts on September 6, 2019, at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time and ends July 28, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, with the selection of a winner on or about August 13, 2020. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. (except Oregon) and Canada (except Quebec) and other countries and U.S. territories and possessions only where offered and permitted by law, age 18 and older. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning equal to one divided by the total number of tickets issued. This ad is for informational purposes only. For entry and official rules including free entry method visit www.dreamgiveaway.com/dg/Bandit/official-rules. The Sponsor, New Beginning Children’s Homes, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, PO Box 529, Centerton, AR 72719, is a licensee of the Dream Giveaway® brand. Prizes identified, logos, brands and other trademarks referred to within a Dream Giveaway are the property of their respective trademark holders and are not sponsor of this promotion.. 
Members' Cars and Photos

’77 Formula of Jim Elick

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This issue’s featured car is the ’77 Formula of Jim Elick from Sharpsburg, Georgia. Here is the story:

The Formula is the rarest of Firebirds but try to find a one-owner, matching numbers 400, in 29L Nautilus Blue with prototype “Sky Bird” bucket seats.

It was purchased 21 days after Smokey and the Bandit and spending $5000 for this car nearly 42 years ago. I have not seen another 77’ like her and apparently neither have the judges as we’ve just stormed through the southern US car show circuit. By these same attachments, it’s clear who my only Firebird club is!

Having just returned from Mecum in Indy and speaking with PHS, yet again, these simply don’t exist any longer, not with this cowl plate.

She is 43 years old and was featured on Summit Racing’s turntable for two weeks in September.. This car has a terrific story behind it as well being a one-owner vehicle.

'77 Formula of Jim Elick from Sharpsburg, Georgia
'77 Formula of Jim Elick from Sharpsburg, Georgia
'77 Formula of Jim Elick from Sharpsburg, Georgia
'77 Formula of Jim Elick from Sharpsburg, Georgia
Events

2019 NJ Trans Am/ All Pontiac Run

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Edison. NJ McDonalds to Howell, NJ Chik-Fil-A
7-13-2019

The 2019 NJ Trans Am/All Pontiac Run drew 20 participants, and all but three made the whole trip from Edison to Howell New Jersey Chik-Fil-A, our host and destination for this year’s Run. The weather was as good as one gets in July, with a high near 90 degrees, but fortunately without oppressive humidity, which pleased both the vehicles, and their owners.

While we did hit a small traffic jam getting on to Rt 195 east from the New Jersey Turnpike, as the non-car people fascinated themselves with a roadside Tire change, which backed traffic up from a point just as we got on to Rte. 195 east, back to the NJ Turnpike Toll Plaza. Once past the roadside entertainment for the non-car people, it was smooth sailing all the way to our destination.

The folks at Chik-Fil-A outdid themselves, not only did they throw in a Chunk Chocolate Cookie with each Run participant’s food order, but they even coned off the lower Parking Lot for our participants.

After allowing about an hour for everyone to settle in, eat, and hang out a bit, the winners for “Best Trans Am/Firebird”, and “Best Pontiac” were called. The “Best Trans Am/Firebird” Trophy went to a semi customized 1978 Black and Gold Trans Am, and the “Best Pontiac” Trophy went to a dark Green 1966? G.T.O.

Once the Trophies were awarded there was a FREE Raffle, to distribute some giveaway items to six lucky winners.

With the Trophies awarded, and free Raffle concluded, everyone headed home

See you all again next year.

Ben Deutschman

2019 NJ Trans Am/ All Pontiac Run
2019 NJ Trans Am/ All Pontiac Run
2019 NJ Trans Am/ All Pontiac Run
2019 NJ Trans Am/ All Pontiac Run