A Car So Nice We'll Build It TWICE! 1980 Turbo Trans AM

1980 Trans Am Turbo 301

This one owner 1980 Pontaic came to us several years ago in need of a mechanical diagnosis of a severe engine knock  and a complete repaint. The body was fairly aged with a few areas that had some rust holes, but it looked like it was just sheet metal rust and the majority of the structure was intact. It still had it's factory color, Ontario Gray, but at some point it had been repaired and repainted with the wrong Phoenix put on the hood. The graphic was turned the wrong way and the all of the decals were the wrong color. Although some parts would need replacement, it was mostly complete other than missing the air cleaner which turned out to be very challenging to find!

Owned locally in Wisconsin, the car has been with the same owner for decades, but it had been several years since it was driven at all and the interior was in pretty rough shape with no headliner to speak of and some mouse houses throughout. There was no shine left to the paint and the decals were barely visible and sun faded. The good news? No bright work! Chrome work can be very expensive, and on this car, even the window trim is painted flat black.

The Truth Behind the Trans Am Restoration

1977 Pontiac Trans Am Restoration: Metal Repair

At first glance, this 1977 Trans Am looks solid. It's well cared for, driven frequently (only in the summer), and any minor body damage or mechanical repairs were always done promptly. But there was a dirty little secret hiding under the whopping 5 layers of Brentwood Brown paint(see the video tour of paint stripping on Facebook). Old repairs left the rear wheel housing, trunk extension and quarter panel with rust eating away at the sheet metal.

In the photos that follow, we show you the rusty consequences of incorrect metal repairs and how we fix it at Driven Restorations LLC, using fresh sheet metal on this 1977 Pontiac Trans Am.

1973 Pontiac 400 Built for HP and Fun!

Years of storage and memories on the road have this 1973 Pontiac Grand Am showing it's age with a moldy and mouse infested interior and worn out smog motor. It pulled into the shop running on 7 cylinders with a plume of blue smoke behind it. This wasn't quite what the owner remembered enjoying about the car when he first got it in the mid 70's.

 It was quickly decided that a complete mechanical overhaul was a necessity. With orders to add a lot more power, enhance handling and freshen the interior, we began tear down on this customer project in the summer of 2015. It's going to be a sleeper, keeping the original look and paint of the classic Pontiac. The Hooker Aerochamber mufflers and new Crager wheels are the only hints at what's hiding under the hood. 

BEFORE: 1973 Pontiac 400 smog motor, stock

BEFORE: 1973 Pontiac Grand Am: broken front facia

The seats have seen better days. Mice and mold are eating the upholstery away bit by bit. All new interior is on  the way!

Let the work begin!

Engine is removed and mechanical dis-assembly is under way