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.
‘67 Firebird of Clark Cayot‘69 Firebird of Carl M Cavolick from Carson City, Nevada‘95 Trans Am of Tommy Young from Centreville, Michigan2002 Trans Am of Shannon Crawford
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
I’ve been a Pontiac guy nearly my whole life. I
grew up street racing a 1969 GTO, and along the way I’ve owned a 1976 Trans Am
and a 1983 Trans Am. I currently own a 1965 Tri power GTO.
Last August, I was sitting out back on a Friday
night with my wife enjoying a beverage when my friend Mike called. He asked if I
was interested in going in on a car with him to work on over the winter and flip
in the spring. He said he thought of me because the car he found was a Pontiac.
After asking him several questions about his find, I realized that he may have
found one of my dream cars – a 1970 Trans Am. I told Mike if it’s what I think
it is, I want the car for myself! He thought I was crazy, but he was excited for
me.
The following Monday, I met up with Mike to check
out the car. As the garage door was opened, my eyes feast upon a Polar White
1970 TA RAIII 4-speed. The car had been sitting in that garage since 1998! The
car showed 56k miles on the matching numbers engine. It had some light surface
rust on the body, but otherwise it was solid. After extensively inspecting the
car and finding no issues, I did some quick negotiating and loaded the car on to
our trailer.
I decided to do a complete frame off restoration
since it is, after all, one of my dream cars. We dropped the frame, disassembled
the suspension and sent it out for media blasting. The engine was broken down,
and completely rebuilt to stock. Everything on the engine was rebuilt instead of
replaced to try and keep it as original as possible. While that was being worked
on, the car was sent to the body shop for a strip down, body work and paint.
This is a good time to mention I also sent out all the chrome to Speed Sport
Chrome who advertises in the back of the Eagle. Craig did an amazing job on it.
During the restoration, we had an amazing thing
happen. I purchased the car in August, but sadly my Mom passed away in
September. After her passing, I told my family that I was dedicating the car to
her and so I named the car “Carol”. Everyone loved the idea! Then, when the
interior was starting to be disassembled, the glove box door was removed and
there written in white marker from the factory was the name “Carol”. Talk about
being speechless! At that point, my wife declared it was meant to be.
Carol’s restoration is now complete. My wife and I
enjoy taking her out for weekend drives. She looks, runs, and handles
incredibly. Ride on Carol!
The Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show has been happening now for almost two decades! This year’s show has some of the most gorgeous Pontiacs around. The 19th Annual show was held on May 30 – June 2, 2019.
The show was held in a new location at MainStay Suites in beautiful Pigeon
Forge, Tennessee. There was fun for the whole family as there was something here
for everyone! You could go to the indoor and outdoor pools at the host
hotel, visit Dollywood Amusement Park for some serious thrills, or shop till you
drop at the many outlet malls. We assure you that no one was bored. All
proceeds from the show went to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving
memory of Ciera Blackburn. Editor’s Note: Thanks to David Caudill for the
photos.
Pontiac Transportation Museum 350 W. Pike St. Pontiac, Michigan 48341
One of America’s most robust centers of transportation history, innovation, and accomplishment is Pontiac, Michigan. While nearby Detroit proudly claims the mantle of “The Motor City,” it was here in Pontiac during the late 19th and early 20th centuries where some of the nation’s most successful manufacturers of horse-drawn buggies and carriages evolved into the earliest automobile companies. Among the dozens of such companies with local roots, two of the largest ultimately became General Motors’ famous Pontiac Motor Division and GMC Truck and Coach.
To celebrate the heritage and remarkable
achievements of these many enterprises, the Pontiac Transportation Museum is
being created to showcase examples of the cars, trucks, and other vehicles
designed or built here – vehicles that truly changed the nation and the world.
The Museum will also honor many of the personalities whose legacies are
associated with these efforts. Through the museum’s existing and growing
collections we will endeavor—through displays and various programs—to help
educate and inspire young people to chart their own destiny with greatness.
The Pontiac Transportation Museum has acquired and
will develop a 55,000 square foot building that will include vehicle display
galleries, a theater, research, library, and restoration spaces. The museum
store will offer appropriate merchandise and the facility and its grounds will
be able to host special events, vehicle shows, and other meetings. The Museum is
expected to open to the public late 2019.
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