Author Topic: First Pontiac Trans Am Made  (Read 10687 times)


jacmac

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2018, 12:34:21 AM »
Well someone has to reply,I love those 69s  Firebirds.I went to look at one for sale "Formula"back 1975,I was 19. My dad talked me out of it.Orange,black top ,black
interior,4 speed,nice car!! 6 mo. later I bought my 69 Z10.If I would have bought
that Formula I would still own it today!
69 Z10,69 ss396Chevelle, 71 Corvette

firstgenaddict

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2018, 07:35:38 AM »
wow... I did not realize they made the T/A at VN prior to the switchover of 69 Firebird production from Lordstown to Norwood.
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

bcmiller

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2018, 02:05:46 PM »
Had “unrestored” at the end. Not fully restored, but far from original. Was repainted 35 years ago, NOM and some interior replaced.

Still an awesome car!
« Last Edit: May 06, 2018, 12:34:29 AM by bcmiller »
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

Kelley W King

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2018, 12:16:16 AM »
It is an awesome car but I am like Bryon. What is restored or unrestored? My 77 TA has paint,brakes,door panels, suspension,wetherstrip, other stuff original but I don,t call it unrestored.
69 Z28 RS Scuncio Hi Performance
69 SS L78
67 SS Chevelle
64 Corvette
66 GTO Tiger Gold
77 Trans Am Special Edition

ZLP955

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2018, 09:59:42 AM »
Interesting. I've read several posts where very knowledgeable people like JohnZ and William commented on the additional complexity that arose from adding the Firebird to Norwood assembly, but had no idea the same also happened at LOS.....
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

bcmiller

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2018, 01:30:13 PM »
LOS was also building full size with the Camaro on the same line.

I don’t know if or how that changed once the Firebirds also started. Had to be very stressful.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

firstgenaddict

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2018, 10:13:56 AM »
Pretty sure from my recollection  John Z was setting up the Lordstown plant for the VEGA and wasn't part of the firebird being phased into the Norwood line in Late April Early May of 1969. 
This came from the decklid discussion which started on Camaros.net then moved here approx 10 years ago regarding Trans Am decklids at Norwood in May and the fact that they would not cover the emblem holes. John relayed that he wasn't part of the 69 Firebird production at Norwood due to Lordstown being reconfigured.
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

bcmiller

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2018, 12:03:37 PM »
?

Where did it say John Z was involved?
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

firstgenaddict

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2018, 04:15:33 PM »

?

Where did it say John Z was involved?

Here
Interesting. I've read several posts where very knowledgeable people like JohnZ and William commented on the additional complexity that arose from adding the Firebird to Norwood assembly, but had no idea the same also happened at LOS.....
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

bcmiller

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2018, 06:17:19 PM »
You might have read too much into that. From reading that, I didn’t assume John was involved.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

ZLP955

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2018, 10:18:44 AM »
My comment was noting other's observations on how adding more lines to the assembly process (including additional paint/trim colours, RPOs and unique parts) increased the complexity of managing scheduling, supply, inventory etc as well as assembly - not suggesting those individuals were necessarily personally involved.
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

firstgenaddict

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #12 on: December 25, 2018, 12:37:44 AM »
My comment was noting other's observations on how adding more lines to the assembly process (including additional paint/trim colours, RPOs and unique parts) increased the complexity of managing scheduling, supply, inventory etc as well as assembly - not suggesting those individuals were necessarily personally involved.

Funny thing about the different interiors...
Dave Beem's recent acquisition Burnished Brown L78 Convertible with a good bit original paint, original interior, purchased from the original owner has a 69 Firebird rear seat bottom...
Car was built just after the transition period.

James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

bcmiller

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #13 on: December 25, 2018, 03:07:23 AM »
Yep there are a couple of original cars with seats that don’t exactly match.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

GMAD_Van Nuys

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Re: First Pontiac Trans Am Made
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2022, 07:37:08 PM »
In the March 2022 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines, the first 1969 Pontiac Trans Am was displayed at MCACN 2021 and it was reported that the car was a "company car" and wasn't sold to the public until July 20, 1970.

 

anything