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View Full Version : MRHP's 72 T/A......


Belair62
08-11-2005, 06:36 AM
I owned a '72 T/A that I bought in late '73. White, blue deluxe
interior, 3:42s, 4-spd w/A/C. Bought it with 3000 miles on it & had the
unitized distributor re-curved at the local speed shop. The car was a
rocket. Got into a lot of trouble with that car (I was 18). I also remember
being bummed out by the engine compartment, as everything, even the intake,
was painted that sickly blue color. But that car put a lot of the 'chrome'
crowd 'back on the trailer'. I still have my registration card from 1973.
It was vine # 520001. I actually bought it directly from Pontiac, from the
factory fleet sales rep that was a friend of my older brother. My brother
had 'The' National Car Rental franchise in downtown Chicago & was stocking
the fleet with Pontiacs. The rep was going to personally put my order in on
a new SD-TA. When he came by, production was stopped on the '73s, so I
worked up an order on a '74. Came to about $6300. But he said the factory
had a car that was faster, the '72 that they had done some testing with, &
he could get it for around $3000. Of course, I said no, at which point my
brother was about to pound on me. The rep said the '72 was going to the
factory auction in Deerfield IL, & he would give the ok to have me pick the
car up there, drive it back to Chicago, & if I didn't like it, he would buy
it & order my SD. Well, after burying the speedo on the Edens expressway
that mid-Tuesday morning, I bought the '72 for a total of $3250. Then the
oil embargo hit, & you know what happened... This past year, after many
other muscle cars (Such as the red 70 SS454 that Jim SS4REAL got from me), I
decided to get 'my old car' back. Found it in Illinois, of all places. Was
sold new at McAleer Buick-Pontiac in Danville, stayed its whole life in
Mattoon, & was bought new by the neighbor of the guy that did the 5 year nut
& bolt resto. Stickered out at $5639.18. White with blue deluxe interior
like my old one. Automatic, A/C, 3:08s, tilt, stainless exhaust & numbers
matching drive train. Engine is painted traditional Pontiac metallic blue
w/chrome covers, like the RAIV that it, the 455HO, evolved from. The guy
that did it is a body man/painter by trade, & did it as a trailer queen. I
got it with 80 miles on it, mainly put on to the alignment shop & the
exhaust shop. I had to find the '72 model year only' emission parts, finish
some mechanicals, & dial it in. Now it runs as strong as it looks. I sit
in it & it really is a 'time machine for me. Of course, now gas is high
again, & money is tight. But I don't want to make the same mistake again &
let it get away!

Thanks,
Robb
(mrhp)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/P1010006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/P1010002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/P1010008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/P1010004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/P1010005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/P1010001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/Int.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/Eng2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/Eng1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/TABottom.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x6-5-05%20Robb%2072%20TA/TATank.jpg

MosportGreen66
08-11-2005, 06:49 AM
Nice Attention to detail on the bottom side!
I really like those second gen TA cars!
NJSteve... take careful notes... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

njsteve
08-11-2005, 06:56 AM
Totally Pont-errific! Now I know what my car is supposed to look like finished. My car's is actually pretty close to your original car...519898.
Here's the current status... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat...0&fpart=all (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=Othermuscle&Number=107225 &page=0&fpart=all)
if only I could speed up the process. Hey will someone buy my Z11 already so I can finish my T/A. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

mike s
08-11-2005, 07:00 AM
thats a beautiful peice hope you have it for many years to come and glad you found a ride just like the one you had as a young man http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Xplantdad
08-11-2005, 07:40 AM
Robb,

You have an awesome car. I really like the second gen Trans Ams... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

My brother had a 70 1/2 Formula 400 Firebird. He sure surprised a few people up on Whittier Blvd. in the mid 70's.

Enjoy the car...and don't sell it anytime soon.

Belair62
08-11-2005, 07:50 PM
Very very nice !

olredalert
08-12-2005, 12:12 AM
-----Very nice TA!!!! Owned the twin to this car except stick. Bought from Knafel himself in 73. I was told it was his wifes demo. Always thought it was cool that she drove a stick...........Bill S

SS4Real
08-12-2005, 12:48 AM
Robb,

Your TA is stunning just like the rest of the cars you have owned! Great to see your latest addition (and knowing your cars I'm sure it's near perfect). How does the T/A compare to the Chevelle for brute acceleration? And yes, I still have the Chevelle but now it's up here in Oregon.