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Forum: The Local Choke and Puke

Topic: 30th Anniversary
Started by 1tinindian Mar 2, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Last post by Shaker Mar 5, 2012 at 10:43 am
This topic has been viewed 714 times and has 10 replies

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Topic: 30th Anniversary

Forums > The Local Choke and Puke > 30th Anniversary

Page 1 of 2: 1 2 > Last >> Posts 1 – 10 of 11

#1 Mar 2, 2012 at 11:08 pm

1tinindian

Total posts: 79

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No, it's not about my wife, as we haven't been married that long yet, (but close).

It's about how long I have owned my 1979 Trans Am. and what better way to celebrate, than on the Bandit Run?!

Smokey and the Bandit was a huge influence for me on getting a Trans Am in the first place, and it was many an 18 year olds dream to own one back then, and I count myself very lucky to have gotten this one.

I bought it 1982, the year I graduated high school, and it has been with me from Texas to Minnesota, Nebraska to Ohio, and this coming May, it will once again be with me as we both enter states neither one has been in before!

This was the car I always wanted as a kid. So many times I've heard the stories from my dad of the cars he USED to have and wished he had back. I made up my mind that this car wasn't going to be one of those that got away, and after 30 years of ownership, the one thing that always comes back to me is that I feel young again driving this car, over all others that I have owned, as this was the car of my youth and it just feels good to drive it.

I may not have owned it from new, but with it being only 3 years old and 38617 miles back then, I have owned it longer than any one else.
It now has a little over 103000 miles and with having repainted it in 1994, it looks better than it did the day I bought it. It is a time machine, in my mind, as it doesn't look like it aged a day. (I just wish I could say the same for myself!)

So when you see me mixing it up on the run this year having fun, give me a wave and help me celebrate my 30 years of looking out, over the hood of a Trans Am!

Leon

1982- First tank of gas the night I bought it.

1984- Back home in Iowa, on leave to pick up the T/A to take it back to Texas while stationed at Bergstrom AFB, Austin TX.

1993- Torn down for the repaint, and refresh the interior.

1994 Trans Am Nationals

2010- Winterset Iowa, John Waynes Birthplace.

Drive it like you stole it!

1966 Pontiac Catalina (project)
1979 Trans Am
1983 Trans Am
1995 Grand Prix GTP
1998 GMC Sierra
2004 Bonniville SLE
1960 Triumph 650
1982 Suzuki GS1100L
1991 Yamaha FJ1200

Edited Mar 2, 2012 at 11:13 pm
#2 Mar 2, 2012 at 11:11 pm

LarryMow

Total posts: 75

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Beautiful example of a TA......Im jealous.

Proud owner of an underpowered Trans Am clone
#3 Mar 3, 2012 at 6:42 am

mmfryar

Total posts: 140

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Too cool~

Mike and Marcia, Chattanooga TN
#4 Mar 3, 2012 at 7:08 am

chumbrother

Total posts: 290

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Leon, One heck of a story, love it! you bleed pontiac thats for sure....Ive had cars so long , my wife stopped nagging me to sell some of them. cant wait to hang with ya , and others, ...thanks for sharing your history with your Trans am.

Same Bat time.....
Same Bat channel.......
#5 Mar 3, 2012 at 7:10 am

CF_TransAm

Total posts: 41

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Congrats Leon on the the 30th!!
Hopefully we can get together more this year than last but we will the Bandit Run for sure to celebrate!!
Kurt

Kurt
#6 Mar 3, 2012 at 3:47 pm

Shaker

Total posts: 990

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Fantastic Story Leonardo! Wow. 1982 huh? and you kept it all this time. Man, that's awesome! Yessir!

"Ready to Roll Roy?"
78 WS6 TA, Original Owner, Martinique Blue, Coupe
79 WS6 TA, Mayan Red, T-Tops
and a couple of others that will remain nameless!
#7 Mar 3, 2012 at 5:36 pm

1tinindian

Total posts: 79

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Quote:
Originally posted by Shaker Fantastic Story Leonardo! Wow. 1982 huh? and you kept it all this time. Man, that's awesome! Yessir!

Thanks Ron, but it's not as cool as being an original owner, like you, but after having owned mine for as long as I have, I feel like it's the next best thing!

Thanks,
Leon

Drive it like you stole it!

1966 Pontiac Catalina (project)
1979 Trans Am
1983 Trans Am
1995 Grand Prix GTP
1998 GMC Sierra
2004 Bonniville SLE
1960 Triumph 650
1982 Suzuki GS1100L
1991 Yamaha FJ1200
#8 Mar 3, 2012 at 8:50 pm

ponchofreek

Total posts: 136

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Now you are what I call a very smart man. Found a sweet car he knew he would not ever part with! Makes you wonder if GM ever understood its customer base doesn't it.? Seriously love the old photos with the car. My first stop when I drove from Boomershine Pontiac in Atlanta was by a Ga state trooper that wanted a closer look at the '75. Don't think he would have appreciated me taking out a camera for the "photo op " though! Really love the story!

Ponchofreek
75 Sterling Silver T/A original owner 406ci 350 Turbo (my first car)
69 Firebird TA Clone 77-400ci 400 turbo (dyno'd 289 rwhp )
85 Red TA 305 (transplanted 86) TPI 700r4 t-tops ,Custom Int
92 Green TA vert 305 5spd
00 Black WS6 6 spd 5.7 litre, Leather, T-Tops.
81 Basket case WS6 completed project ls2 4L80trans 74 Red T/A future project (another LS conversion with 6 spd)
#9 Mar 4, 2012 at 10:17 am

cdn77bandit

Total posts: 42

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Great story, Leon. I know what it's like to have held on to a car that long. I bought my 77 Bandit brand new in 1977 and have driven it ever since. It's got around 206,000 miles on it now, many of those from the three BR's I've been on. Looking forward to seeing you so we can swap stories about a combined total of 65 years of ownership.
See ya in May.
Dave

SHOW 'EM THE 'BIRD!!
#10 Mar 4, 2012 at 1:41 pm

1tinindian

Total posts: 79

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Quote:
Originally posted by cdn77bandit Great story, Leon. I know what it's like to have held on to a car that long. I bought my 77 Bandit brand new in 1977 and have driven it ever since. It's got around 206,000 miles on it now, many of those from the three BR's I've been on. Looking forward to seeing you so we can swap stories about a combined total of 65 years of ownership.
See ya in May.
Dave

Thanks Dave.
I sure remember you from last year, and I think we even parked next to each other in Mt Vernon last year.
I really enjoyed your friendship and willingness to help a first-timer out on the run.
I admire you for having held on to your car from day one, it's like a bond that can't be broken, am I right?
Too cool, I can't wait to be surrounded by some of the best people in the world, once again!

Leon

Drive it like you stole it!

1966 Pontiac Catalina (project)
1979 Trans Am
1983 Trans Am
1995 Grand Prix GTP
1998 GMC Sierra
2004 Bonniville SLE
1960 Triumph 650
1982 Suzuki GS1100L
1991 Yamaha FJ1200