2001 Black WS6 Trans Am, 6-speed

[Billohio]

I have seen several low mile trans ams where the sail panel is doing something weird. I think a couple were 2002s. I wondered what was up with that. They must have had problems later also.

[njsteve]

Absolutely. It was some time after 1999 that the assembly line switched adhesives on both the Camaros and Firebirds to a far more aggressive adhesive that reacted with the resin transfer molded (RTM) panels. The assembly line also did not prime the underside of the porous, RTM sail panel. As a result, the solvents in the adhesive gradually softened the plastic and ate their way through til the paint would bubble. No amount of sanding and cutting would stop it as it would just come back out an inch away from where it was repaired.

The only real fix was replacing the entire sail panel (or "targa bar" in Porsche speak) with a brand new one (discontinued GM part number 10254708) or one carefully removed from a 1998 and earlier car. The OEM replacement panel has not been available since the late 2000's. Your only choice is a fiberglass replica part they sell on ebay, or an original part removed from an earlier car. The reason that the earlier panels are good is that from 1993 to 1998 the assembly line used a different adhesive which did not affect the panels. That was what I did on this car - got a perfect one from a 1997 in a salvage yard and carefully removed it from the donor car and then had the body shop remove the old one from this car, paint it and install the new one with the modern, plastic-friendly, adhesive that was specified in the technical service bulletin.

Here is the actual TSB dated February 2003, just after they stopped making the cars.

[Lynn]

How is this car still for sale? You don't even need to do an LS swap on it. GM did it for you.

[njsteve]

Am I being too reasonable and providing too many properly focused, detail photos? I could add some blurry photos to add mystery. if you think it would help. ;-)

I'd love to see it go to a good home before winter gets here. (My daughter wants that garage spot for her car).

[Lynn]

I don't know Steve. Perhaps a bit of celebrity owned history would help. Used to be owned by Jon Voight?

[njsteve]

The original owner was a lady truck driver...hmmm maybe it was Sally Field from Smokey and the Bandit??? Or it could have been Large Marge from PeeWee's Big Adventure?

[CC Rider]

It's an awesome car. Someone will buy it.

Have you seen auto ads on Craigslist? Back off as far away from the car as possible, raise your finger to cover the license plate, and shoot into the sun. Most frequently used places to shoot a car are at a gas station (day or night) or self-serve car wash. Behind a fence is popular too.

[L_e_e]

Originally Posted by CC Rider

It's an awesome car. Someone will buy it.

Have you seen auto ads on Craigslist? Back off as far away from the car as possible, raise your finger to cover the license plate, and shoot into the sun. Most frequently used places to shoot a car are at a gas station (day or night) or self-serve car wash. Behind a fence is popular too.

Don't forget to take a pics with the car wet and the hose laying on the ground next to the car.

[njsteve]

Still looking for a nice adoptive parent for this WS6. Feel free to PM me with an offer. Thanks, Steve

[njsteve]

Took her for a short drive today to the DMV to get the bi-annual emmisons sticker. Runs great and passed with flying colors. Good for two more years in case any Jersey guys needed that extra assurance. :-)