About “trigger”

Everyone has fond memories of there first car, my frist was a 1976 Trans am - carousel red with black interior, & only three years old. We had a lot of good times together, she always carried more beer then gas! Unfortunately she's gone, sold her back in the 80's.

Twenty seven years later, my 15 year old son looking on e-bay found a 1976 T/A for sale and said " Hay dad look, you should biuld one like your old car " .... I knew trying something like this wouldn't be easy, most of these car have to be striped out and or badly rusted by now!

He found a 76 T/A in Maryland, another in Jersey, and we even saved a 75 bird from the crusher. Three cars, and just like I thought anything good was removed long ago. I realized there's no turning back now, there's to much invested already!

In my hunt for parts, I found a salvage yard that still had the old cars - some dating back to the 50's or older. The owner (John) only bought old cars & trucks and most people didn't know about his yard! The cars were like a time capsules /// untouched , but most T/A 's were to far gone to save. I saved whatever Pontiac parts I could, swap meets and e-bay were the only places left to get original parts. I used year one and classic industries for the new stuff, like seat upholstery, rug, weather stripping ect. I wanted to keep her original as possible, doing the work myself - I could.
2 1/2 years later my work paid off, she was finished. A true factory correct 1976 Trans am, right down to the original working delco 8 track player & I had to fix that myself to.

The color, Carousel Red (orange) is a factory Pontiac color for 76. Remember " The 68 GTO Judge " same color.

I love cruising down the road with "Born to Run" playing in the 8-track. The sound of the Pontiac 400,....the 4 barrels opening,.... and the duels .... Feels great!

A little Pontiac history ; 1976 marked the 50th anniversary for Pontiac, and there flagship car was the T/A . This was the 1st year black was offered on the T/A's & Pontiac would use the all new Hurst T-tops!..... The first Black/Gold T/A was built calling it "The 50th Anniversary model" and a badge was placed below the name on the fenders. These cars were built in very limited #s, with or with out the tops or 455 optional motor.

Pontiac kept the Black/Gold colors option for 1977 calling it a SE~T/A, but dropped the 455 motor. This was the year of Smokey & the Bandit.....Pontiac only gave one car to film the movie - it proved to be a good idea for sales - we all know how well they did!

Why not black here?....Many people today would have painted this car black claiming it's a 50th, or change the nose saying its a bandit car -something it's not. We all have seen plenty of that stuff, tribute cars & little white lies. Only built to sell & make a buck in the end.

My memories of the old bird ment much more to me, she was differant back in the day and stood out.... Today she still turns heads!

Thanks Tommy