My wife and I drove 3 hours south last Saturday just to LOOK at a Trans-Am..the car was nearly IDENTICAL to this one that you are building. Right down the the paint…decals…tan interior…hardtop…and Year One Wheels! Well…it’s being delivered to my garage later this week. At first I thought THIS WAS MY CAR! Congratulations on an AMAZING build! 😉
@@EarthSurferUSA Well, back in the day, I was taking care of elderly parents and a special needs, autistic brother, full time. And yes, new cars today are rapaciously (good word, eh?) expensive!
This was my first car. I bought it when I was 16. I'm 45 now. I wish I would have never sold it. ☹️. I'd give anything to find another one to restore with my son. A true classic! Thx for the video. Brings back some great memories.
I bleed Pontiac red. My first car was a regular beat up 83 Firebird. My next car was an 89 Trans Am. I still miss that car. Smokey and the Bandit, Rockford Files and Knight Rider hooked me as a kid.
Mine was a 1979 "Bandit" Special Edition with the T-tops. Like you, I would give anything to have that car back. Maybe we can replace our cars one day but that youth we had is long gone. The girls back then loved to go for a ride in that car. I only let two drive mine, the first got a ticket on her only drive. The second one stayed around for a few years until the end of high school. I remember packing them in on Friday and Saturday nights.
@@ecleveland1 I was too shy and did not date much in HS. But I know if I had this car in 1980, I would not be dating the Junior High school gals. You ever get in trouble for that? lol
I really liked this gen of Firebird and Camaro. But as a larger individual the full size cars are more my jam. More room for cruising and CID. And generally more affordable given that even 80s and 90s cars are now getting outrageously priced.
I would say that it was the second best looking American car of 1978 (after the 1978 Corvette). There wasn't much competition at the time. The 1978 Ford Mustang II was a glorified Pinto; Chrysler had nothing other than the ho-hum Aspen/Volaré, and AMC's 1978 lineup was even worse looking than Chrysler's. Globally speaking, in 1978, the Ferrari 308 (GTB or GTS), Ferrari BB 512, Lamborghini Countach, Porsche 911, BMW M1, De Tomaso Pantera, and Maserati Bora are all better looking than a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am in my opinion.
I'm not a car guy, but I watched this whole restoration. What a beauty! My high school math teacher had one of these back in 1981. He even had a sweet mustache.
Brilliant job folks! (-: I'm born the same year with the Pontiac! (-: God Bless American Car Builders of the '60, '70 & '80! Those decades Car Manufacturing Worldwide was a PIECE OF ART!!!
Hey guys. I want to first say thar I love the work you do. I have watched a few classic build shows and I have to say that you're one of my two favorites. I also watched "Overhaulin" religiously. Now a little bit about me. I'm a 64 year old retired, 100% disabled Army Veteran from Houston, TX. I fell in love with the 1970 Chevelle SS when I was 19 years old. I had opportunity to drive one to a job interview. This is a true story. The interview was about 30-45 away from where Iived. The interview was scheduled for 3pm and it was 225pm. I made it in about 15 minutes. I was in love at point... The closest that I have ever come to owning one was 1970 Malibu I bought in 1980. I lost to an accident. Fast forward July 1988. I had just finish Basic training and came home got married before heading overseas. I retired in 2009 after 21 years. Body beat down and broken but still full of life. Without finding one at a dealership so I could naked payments, I probably would not ever be in a position to own one before I close my eyes for the last time. I said all that to say this, I never won anything worthwhile. A few hundred dollars playing bingo. So here's my question to you guys. Please keep me in mind if you ever decide to give away my dream car. What will I need to do to put myself in a position for that possibly happen. Keep up the awesome work you guys do!
Thank you very much for your services in America. I love this country, and I really thank you for protecting it! You're an amazing person to beat yourself up for our freedoms. I hope you do receive your dream car really soon. Thanks again.
Such a beautiful car, wish I had a chance at winning a girl like that in my life while battling this cancer battle that I have to win for my adopted son that passed away last year along with my dear friend Gloria that passed away from pancreatic cancer that wound up getting to her brain sadly. I just lost my best friend and cuzbro on December 7th from congestive heart failure and than my dear sister Sheryl from catching COVID-19 while she was fighting severe pneumonia in the hospital. I hope you have a good day and thank you for all the great videos.
Id like to see the behind the scene struggles and dirty work that we all know they had to go through. Although I do love how the video presentation makes it look like they're doing it as clean and precise as surgeons!
I always think that as well like where’s all the cuts and grease under the nails for working for hours on end but someone else finishes the builds I’m sure.
Agreed. I'm a seasoned auto tech and worked in the resto field for years. A lot was omitted, and I noticed mistakes made the they probably figured most people wouldn't notice
(William Gallagher) As a lifelong musclecar/Pontiac fan and a professional mechanic I know exactly what you're saying. I've had my share of builds,resto-mods,race cars , restorations, and they never g
Absolutely Fantastic. Two of the most Professional and Lovely Gentleman you both are. I really do enjoy watching your videos. Such Beautiful American classic vehicles You Restore and bring back to Life again. Very Well Done to you both. Kindest Regards from Jonathan.
I lost out. At 80 I however owned a 1966 442, a 1968 442 convertible, and a 1985 olds 442. . But I have to admit this Pontiac is hot. I sure would have loved to have won it. But I'm a year late and a dollar short.. you guys rock! Thank you so much.
It's a beautiful car. This would be anyone's dream car. I really admire the work you guys do and the dedication you take to restoring vehicles. Thank you for keeping us entertained while providing others with an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime.
This is awesome. It's like I'm twelve again watching tnt on Saturday morning. Powerblock with trucks! With Stacey David, horsepower TV and, man, those were good times.
Don't see many of these in the UK but back in the 70s and 80s I used to see a beauty every day on my trips to Liverpool - Jet black with gold birds. Turned my head every day.
Love the trans am and how awesome is it that you guys used my customers 73 Cuda with the sidepipes at 6:24! I had to rewind it and pause it just to make sure I wasn't seeing stuff. Al ordered that Cuda before he went to Vietnam and has had it ever since. Awesome car and an even more awesome person.
I went to Butler Performance back in early 2019 to finish the details on my 505 Pontiac Stroker they were building for me at the time. I was talking to Rodney Butler, who's in this video, about this build while there and he mention that show for whatever reason, decided on using a very restrictive exhaust system that actually choked the power output. To this day I never understood why, especially when you have an awesome Butler Performance engine under the hood. Butler is great company to deal with, good people work there, and they know their stuff.
That's Insane, why would you willingly do that to such a good engine. That's just Stupid. But just on seeing that system in the show my first thought was that exhaust system is RUBBISH. I'm no expert but I do know what works in performance & that is a long way from it. I've seen and experienced what an Expansion chamber can do & it's effect is Not limited to 2 strokes, let me assure you & no that does not make them louder but holy Muther of god does it wake them up to yet another level of Power you never knew you had.
That's one gorgeous muscle car I'd love to own and make to be my daily driver! It's really a beautiful machine, with awesome upgrades to it. It would look really nice sitting next to my two first-generation Pontiac Firebirds! I own a 67 with a stock matching numbers 400 Pontiac engine under the fake 400 ram air hood. The other car is a 68 with the 400 engine but no matching numbers on the 68. Our 68 is purple with ghost scallops in the front, and my 67 was orange-red with yellow, white, and orange flames on the hood and fenders! I truly wish that I could give that gorgeous Smokey and the Bandit look-alike a wonderful new place to live in my garage!
I’m about to start working on one just like this. Nice build! Much better shape than mines that’s been sitting outside over 30yrs. Thanks for sharing, keep up the great work!!
I enjoyed this Video. It was fantastic, watching your installed a new Engine from scratch, plus rebuild the car suspensions, and torqued it to it specifications. New sway bar link, control Arms, coil shocks, rotors, brakes, shift cable, differential, pinion gear and seal, C clips, modified floors, new tie rod ends, logos, nice painted transmission, new u joints, new mufflers, oxygen sensors, alignment using toe in and toe out. 55 Engine block, new valve springs, new pistons and Rod, new cylinder head, and gasket, nice intake Manifold, and etc... it was a wonderful video because your explained it in a understandable way. Thanks Detroit Garage!
My first car was a 69 firebird with a 350 and a turbohydromatic trans. Paid 600 bucks. Being a disabled vet. Owning this TransAm would be a dream come true.
Nice build as always, guys. It’s incredible how a movie will “make” a car. No offense at all the the Firebird, I love that car and have since the early ‘80’s, but let’s remember the many cars that were as good if not better, that didn’t have the good fortune of making it to the movies. Just for reference, my Ginetta G15 with a 1228cc engine makes more than 120hp. At 1250lbs, the 1973 Ginetta will leave your Firebird in the dust on a straight and out of sight after a few corners. The Ginetta (you never heard of because it wasn’t in a Hollywood movie, but is an incredible car from the 70’s) is one of those cars that deserves as much credit as this beautiful Firebird. Love the show. Keep up the good work.
Amazing work Congratulations ! This car was fantastic ! Better than now , real cars , real good people ! Made in the USA God Bless You all , God Bless America ! Friends and Brothers from Greece 🇺🇲⚔️🇬🇷
I really like the way you brag that car back to life the black paint decals upgraded rims add a bit more power also the interior came out great throwing some t-tops and I'll take it no looks great like that Happiness to the winner.
Same great machine my friend had back in 78… however your build is a monster!! Boy your video brought back a lot of fond memories!!! Thank you very much!!!
I did a complete restoration on a 1978 Y82 Bandit Trans Am for my mom about 7 years ago, everything original except for a little patch in the trunk and paint, this was around when Richard Rollings did his bandit episode
I smile every time I see one of those . I had a 67 barracuda coupe with a big block only bored to 350 . Only mopar I never had to go into so I'm going off what the seller said . I rolled smoked an lit up that TA drag , roll off an on top end walked off an left standing still.
I had my dad's 1977 trans am. He passed away in 2008. My mom had cancer shortly afterwards and I had no choice but to sell the car because we needed the money. It wasn't in the best shape. I look around every now and then to see if the car comes up for sale. I'd like to buy it back one day, but the odds of finding it now are pretty slim. It was black with red interior. California car too. ❤
I 've rod in a 442 Olds & a 68 Camaro SS both when they were less than a year old & they were great as well as strong! Never rode in a Trans Am but am sure it would"ve been great as well!!! Nice them muscle cars, I'm 72, born the year Nascar was born & still have the passion for them deep in my heart!!
Awesome job. This is my dream car. They should've stayed with black vinyl interior tho, & cut the roof & got a ttop roof from a junk donor & welded it on, & also got one of those upgraded retro oem style stereo so that it looked original but had bluetooth. I so badly want a 77/78 bandit ttop upgraded just like like this but with 5-600whp. I have all the different toy manufacturer versions in 1:64 scale of Bandit 1 & 2. I have 7 different versions.
I think with 600+hp, you REALLY want/need a full roof for rigidity, unless you're willing to put a cage in it. I had a t-top IROC, and yep, I loved driving with the tops off, but that thing rattled and twisted something awful. Really, to be truthful, that car was a POS. The stock 305? I think the less we say about them, the better. So dumb of GM to not have a 5sp offered with the 350. I know gas mileage was a big deal back then, but there's no reason they couldn't have made a manual that would work with an HO 350.
@PaulSter in a street car that's not going to hook up like a track car on slicks, then a set of subframe connectors would reinforce it plenty, if that's not enough you can get full bolt in frames for them now, but that's excessive for a street car under 600hp.. I've cracked the floors on hardtop foxbody & new edge mustangs at the track, so with or without a ttop isn't that much difference if your launching at 5k rpm and dead hooking. A ttop car with subframe connectors and you'd be fine dumping the clutch at 5k rpm. Personally I'm going to buy a 78 ttop within the year, and I plan on dropping a stroked 455 in it with around 600whp I'm gonna dritch the leaf springs & put a 4link in it tho, they mount to several more places under the rear of the car and have extra bracing so that accompanied with good subframe connectors will be more than enough for a fun driver. I sold all my jdm cars now I just have to find a decent clean 78 t/a thats not to perfect or numbers matching that way I don't overpay and so I don't ruin an original car by restomodding it, I want oem looking as possible, just 4link, tubular control arms up front, coilovers on all 4 corners, stick to the real pontiac 455 4bolt main tho and just build it & add efi, upgraded dual piston disk brakes all around & either a t56 6spd manual or built 4l80 auto with a dual gate shifter like came stock in 68/69 gto. I found a good candidate I have to go check out but they're asking a little to much for it, so we'll see.
@@brianbevans6804 yea, it would 'probably' be fine with the sub-frame connectors, but they weren't in my '68 Nova. Doors got pretty bad for opening and closing - and that happened with a built THD400. It was a turbo'd 355 that even managed to blow a head gasket with o-ringed heads. Those things happened after I sold it to a family friend. I'm not sure what he did to my car, but I didn't expect either of those things to happen after I stiffened the frame. Coupled with my experience with my "bendy" IROC, I decided that if I ever get the chance to do it again, I'm going to stiffen the car in every way possible. But I was also planning 800+ rwhp a BBF w/ Tremec, and having a handling car for once. So I'd be using every possible aid to make that happen.
@PaulSter I just want a nice street car with no more than 600hp, if I was building something I planned on taking to the strip or beating on all the time I'd definitely go full frame an either buy an already full frame car like 69 chevelle or 69 camaro or buy a custom full frame for a unibody car, you can get them for about any popular performance style car these days. Just type in 2nd gen fbody full frame and Google will bring up full frames from like 20 different manufacturers ranging between $12k-$20k. But I would use a lighter car if I was making an all out performer, the 2nd gen fbody is already a heavy car and adding a full frame would put it over 5k lbs, defeating the purpose of an all out performer, so its not a great platform for that anyway unless you spend some serious coin an cut away half the unibody & use carbon everywhere you can. Personally I don't care for the 3rd gen fbody, the 80s interior were hideous and really cheap plastic. My buddy loves 80s camaros tho & has had several of them, they look ok from the outside tho, but the firebirds are ugly inside & out, they are dog slow but thats an easy remedy if you've already got the 350, my buddy had a mint 88 iroc 350 tpi and I smoked him from a dig in my other friends 04 mustang 3.9l v6 1 wheel peel 5spd manual, lol. An yeh its shtty the 350 never got a manual only the weaker 305 did, but honestly I like the auto with the 350, just throw a dual gate shifter in it an your set..
@@brianbevans6804 I hear you. My 305 IROC was such a dog. That's why I ended-up w/ a new Mustang 5.0 (I would go on to own three more). It's weird, I was always a Chevy guy, but always wanted something different, and that wasn't the usual Camaro, (unless it was a '69, but they're too pricey now) or a Nova. Almost decided on a Monte Carlo, but to your point, I knew it would be heavy. I was going to overcome that with a huge, torque-monster crate motor. But I love what builders are getting out of the BBFs, but finding a good donor car is the hard part. For me, I think the best plan is to get something that's built already, (just barely street-legal), has three pedals, but that needs an engine, or has a blown one. Like where the owner just ran outta money, time, or motivation. Still got an itch to race shifter class. I'm still at least two years away from mine. Your kind of build makes the most sense though. 5-600hp is definitely nothing to sneeze at and big Chevy power is so much easier to come by. Anyway, good luck with your build!
Hi I still watch this movie yet today 1978 I was 15 today they old man is going to be 60 in Sept. Of 2023 .and I only owned one ta in my life .1980 white with white interior. She was a looker .a lot of people liked. Her .6.6 letter. But enough of me .I don't think we do have anyone left from they show. Thank you for being beautiful fans of they show .👍 .
I have a 78 Y88 Gold Special Edition. 300k+ miles on the odometer too lol. It belonged to my father and he had it repainted, new decals/emblems installed, some body work, rust work, and a minor engine rebuild around 2010. He passed away in 2013 from cancer so I inherited the car from him when I was 11. It still runs and drives and it sits in climate controlled garage so it still looks good as new. I'll be bringing it back down to North Carolina soon!
Tommy and the cool old dude.......great Pontiac .....I'd love to cherish it..I'd enjoy that baby from now on...not too many days left to bring able to drive a car like that .....always wanted one.never could afford one.....I can't remember if I entered or not to win it....man.i hope I did.....keep on hot rodding guys......you all really have the love of the cars !!!! Wane Peyton
Man I grew up watching the bandit over and over and over and over. 50 now an watched it 9 times this year. Heck I'm gonna watch it now. Not by myself gotta 11yr old boy that has die-cast models all of em ha ha .he drives my truck an camero.hes a pontiac guy though bandit ta all the way
In 1984 in Dalton Georgia, I bought a 78 golden addition Trans am 4spd with a built 400 ci ! Baddest car I've owned hands down and the car I learned to drive like it was mint to drive and after nearly 40 years later several friends who are still alive still talks about the high speed chases and crazy rides we experienced during those days! We're blessed to be alive and talk about the good Ole Trans am days 💛 honestly in Knoxville Tennessee one night we out ran Knoxville city, UT police, Knoxville County sheriff patrol getting to the interstate and from there drilled several state boys ! After about an hour making our way to Anderson County free and clear lol we posed the top on a beer by the lake knees knocking and laughing! Idiot legends lol God's truth bless y
My best friend has an original 97 TA Bandit edition in his garage with some light front end body damage on it. If this show would not motivate you to get out there and start turning wrenches on it, nothing would. Great series and a beautiful car.
I really like the bandit trans am, but my favorite car that Burt Reynolds drove was the 56 Oldsmobile in the movie "C.W and the Dixie dance kings " with Art Carney.
My wife and I drove 3 hours south last Saturday just to LOOK at a Trans-Am..the car was nearly IDENTICAL to this one that you are building. Right down the the paint…decals…tan interior…hardtop…and Year One Wheels! Well…it’s being delivered to my garage later this week. At first I thought THIS WAS MY CAR! Congratulations on an AMAZING build! 😉
Absolute STUNNING build! I'm 60, and remember lusting after the T/A 6.6 and Formula 400's 'back in the day'!
Well, you should have bought one back in the day,---because we can't afford a new car today.
@@EarthSurferUSA Well, back in the day, I was taking care of elderly parents and a special needs, autistic brother, full time. And yes, new cars today are rapaciously (good word, eh?) expensive!
I found and 81 with a new 6.6 for 10k runs and drives should I take up the offer?
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@@lovasky I see the lobotomy worked!
Congratulations for using a Pontiac engine
Yes sir amen 🙏 🙌 👏 beautiful black paint cool 😎
Congrats and good luck would of put chevy in it
I love having these videos play in the background when I'm rebuilding my motorcycle!
i miss Burt Reynolds Straight up icon and legend
This was my first car. I bought it when I was 16. I'm 45 now. I wish I would have never sold it. ☹️. I'd give anything to find another one to restore with my son.
A true classic! Thx for the video. Brings back some great memories.
I bleed Pontiac red. My first car was a regular beat up 83 Firebird. My next car was an 89 Trans Am. I still miss that car. Smokey and the Bandit, Rockford Files and Knight Rider hooked me as a kid.
Mine was a 1979 "Bandit" Special Edition with the T-tops. Like you, I would give anything to have that car back. Maybe we can replace our cars one day but that youth we had is long gone. The girls back then loved to go for a ride in that car. I only let two drive mine, the first got a ticket on her only drive. The second one stayed around for a few years until the end of high school. I remember packing them in on Friday and Saturday nights.
@@ecleveland1 Bitter sweet memories.....
@@ecleveland1 I was too shy and did not date much in HS. But I know if I had this car in 1980, I would not be dating the Junior High school gals.
You ever get in trouble for that? lol
Still have 3 'orphaned' Pontiacs... '77 Astre Formula Safari (Kammback) Station Wagon, '85 Fiero, '87 Trans Am GTA in black...
Whoever won this all I have to say is ….. you lucky bastard!!!
Will never get bored of watching you guys bringing new life to old wheels🔥
Some great tips that sadly I've forgotten over the years. That's how bad habits start. Thanks.
Favorite Pontiac of all time
I really liked this gen of Firebird and Camaro. But as a larger individual the full size cars are more my jam. More room for cruising and CID. And generally more affordable given that even 80s and 90s cars are now getting outrageously priced.
This is the best-looking car built in 1978 for sure, I love the touches you guys put on it.. keep the videos coming..
Too bad most 1970's engines were slugs...
I would say that it was the second best looking American car of 1978 (after the 1978 Corvette). There wasn't much competition at the time. The 1978 Ford Mustang II was a glorified Pinto; Chrysler had nothing other than the ho-hum Aspen/Volaré, and AMC's 1978 lineup was even worse looking than Chrysler's.
Globally speaking, in 1978, the Ferrari 308 (GTB or GTS), Ferrari BB 512, Lamborghini Countach, Porsche 911, BMW M1, De Tomaso Pantera, and Maserati Bora are all better looking than a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am in my opinion.
Best looking car to this very day, coming from a european
that old man has a really soothing voice
66 and about to retire, I plan on trying my hand at auto restoration. I learn a great deal watching and taking notes. Thank you!
I'm only 33 and I wish I'd spent the past 15 years going into Auto work instead of Information Tech.
love these full build, all in one videos.
Burt Reynolds died the 6 september 2018 and this video been done way before, nice iconic car !
I dated a woman in the early 90's who had a black Bandit trans am it was in excellent condition and really nice handling car
I'm not a car guy, but I watched this whole restoration. What a beauty! My high school math teacher had one of these back in 1981. He even had a sweet mustache.
Brilliant job folks! (-: I'm born the same year with the Pontiac! (-: God Bless American Car Builders of the '60, '70 & '80! Those decades Car Manufacturing Worldwide was a PIECE OF ART!!!
Tommy is the man!
Both entertaining and knowledgeable. Not an easy combination. I know this is old but I still enjoyed it.
Hey guys. I want to first say thar I love the work you do. I have watched a few classic build shows and I have to say that you're one of my two favorites. I also watched "Overhaulin" religiously.
Now a little bit about me. I'm a 64 year old retired, 100% disabled Army Veteran from Houston, TX. I fell in love with the 1970 Chevelle SS when I was 19 years old. I had opportunity to drive one to a job interview. This is a true story. The interview was about 30-45 away from where Iived. The interview was scheduled for 3pm and it was 225pm. I made it in about 15 minutes. I was in love at point... The closest that I have ever come to owning one was 1970 Malibu I bought in 1980. I lost to an accident. Fast forward July 1988. I had just finish Basic training and came home got married before heading overseas. I retired in 2009 after 21 years. Body beat down and broken but still full of life. Without finding one at a dealership so I could naked payments, I probably would not ever be in a position to own one before I close my eyes for the last time. I said all that to say this, I never won anything worthwhile. A few hundred dollars playing bingo. So here's my question to you guys. Please keep me in mind if you ever decide to give away my dream car. What will I need to do to put myself in a position for that possibly happen. Keep up the awesome work you guys do!
Thank you very much for your services in America. I love this country, and I really thank you for protecting it! You're an amazing person to beat yourself up for our freedoms.
I hope you do receive your dream car really soon. Thanks again.
Nice to bring Turd ferguson on the show!
The fastest car I've been in. A friend owned it. He drove ~140mph in a 40mph zone on Henpeck Lane in Franklin
Well memed on the hood scoop sfx. Editor needs a raise.
Such a beautiful car, wish I had a chance at winning a girl like that in my life while battling this cancer battle that I have to win for my adopted son that passed away last year along with my dear friend Gloria that passed away from pancreatic cancer that wound up getting to her brain sadly. I just lost my best friend and cuzbro on December 7th from congestive heart failure and than my dear sister Sheryl from catching COVID-19 while she was fighting severe pneumonia in the hospital. I hope you have a good day and thank you for all the great videos.
That all sounds really hard, keep on fighting and living with love inside. I wish you more love and more life friend ❤️
One love man. I valet at a cancer center, and tell me you are are the toughest humans.
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Id like to see the behind the scene struggles and dirty work that we all know they had to go through. Although I do love how the video presentation makes it look like they're doing it as clean and precise as surgeons!
I always think that as well like where’s all the cuts and grease under the nails for working for hours on end but someone else finishes the builds I’m sure.
Ha! Yea, they only do what u see them do.
Agreed. I'm a seasoned auto tech and worked in the resto field for years. A lot was omitted, and I noticed mistakes made the they probably figured most people wouldn't notice
(William Gallagher) As a lifelong musclecar/Pontiac fan and a professional mechanic I know exactly what you're saying. I've had my share of builds,resto-mods,race cars , restorations, and they never g
I don't know what that woman was thinkin' that car needs to be black with gold.
Wow, my dream car, thanks, guys we'll done
That was awesome thanks
Absolutely Fantastic. Two of the most Professional and Lovely Gentleman you both are. I really do enjoy watching your videos. Such Beautiful American classic vehicles You Restore and bring back to Life again. Very Well Done to you both. Kindest Regards from Jonathan.
I lost out. At 80 I however owned a 1966 442, a 1968 442 convertible, and a 1985 olds 442. .
But I have to admit this Pontiac is hot. I sure would have loved to have won it. But I'm a year late and a dollar short.. you guys rock! Thank you so much.
$8,500 for that is a killer deal! I woulda snagged that up in a heartbeat!
It's a beautiful car. This would be anyone's dream car. I really admire the work you guys do and the dedication you take to restoring vehicles. Thank you for keeping us entertained while providing others with an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime.
Ugly ass car
This is awesome. It's like I'm twelve again watching tnt on Saturday morning. Powerblock with trucks! With Stacey David, horsepower TV and, man, those were good times.
Don't see many of these in the UK but back in the 70s and 80s I used to see a beauty every day on my trips to Liverpool - Jet black with gold birds. Turned my head every day.
Love the trans am and how awesome is it that you guys used my customers 73 Cuda with the sidepipes at 6:24! I had to rewind it and pause it just to make sure I wasn't seeing stuff. Al ordered that Cuda before he went to Vietnam and has had it ever since. Awesome car and an even more awesome person.
This was a great build from start to finish, enjoyed it all the way through.
Loved this build! Huge thank you for keeping it Pontiac powered too!! Good job Butler!
I went to Butler Performance back in early 2019 to finish the details on my 505 Pontiac Stroker they were building for me at the time. I was talking to Rodney Butler, who's in this video, about this build while there and he mention that show for whatever reason, decided on using a very restrictive exhaust system that actually choked the power output. To this day I never understood why, especially when you have an awesome Butler Performance engine under the hood. Butler is great company to deal with, good people work there, and they know their stuff.
That's Insane, why would you willingly do that to such a good engine. That's just Stupid. But just on seeing that system in the show my first thought was that exhaust system is RUBBISH. I'm no expert but I do know what works in performance & that is a long way from it. I've seen and experienced what an Expansion chamber can do & it's effect is Not limited to 2 strokes, let me assure you & no that does not make them louder but holy Muther of god does it wake them up to yet another level of Power you never knew you had.
That's one gorgeous muscle car I'd love to own and make to be my daily driver! It's really a beautiful machine, with awesome upgrades to it. It would look really nice sitting next to my two first-generation Pontiac Firebirds! I own a 67 with a stock matching numbers 400 Pontiac engine under the fake 400 ram air hood. The other car is a 68 with the 400 engine but no matching numbers on the 68. Our 68 is purple with ghost scallops in the front, and my 67 was orange-red with yellow, white, and orange flames on the hood and fenders! I truly wish that I could give that gorgeous Smokey and the Bandit look-alike a wonderful new place to live in my garage!
I’m about to start working on one just like this. Nice build! Much better shape than mines that’s been sitting outside over 30yrs. Thanks for sharing, keep up the great work!!
R.I.P. Burt😇
😢
Already watched this once it was a while back I applied the win for this car but you're showing it again love the car
I enjoyed this Video. It was fantastic, watching your installed a new Engine from scratch, plus rebuild the car suspensions, and torqued it to it specifications. New sway bar link, control Arms, coil shocks, rotors, brakes, shift cable, differential, pinion gear and seal, C clips, modified floors, new tie rod ends, logos, nice painted transmission, new u joints, new mufflers, oxygen sensors, alignment using toe in and toe out. 55 Engine block, new valve springs, new pistons and Rod, new cylinder head, and gasket, nice intake Manifold, and etc... it was a wonderful video because your explained it in a understandable way. Thanks Detroit Garage!
Perfect upgrade ! Can’t imagen how incredible that T/A feels to drive .
Nice job. 2:00:57 I think new headlights would've gone a long way on finishing the appearance.
Beautiful job. I also agree that new headlights would have completed the makeover.
My first car was a 69 firebird with a 350 and a turbohydromatic trans. Paid 600 bucks. Being a disabled vet. Owning this TransAm would be a dream come true.
Nice build as always, guys. It’s incredible how a movie will “make” a car. No offense at all the the Firebird, I love that car and have since the early ‘80’s, but let’s remember the many cars that were as good if not better, that didn’t have the good fortune of making it to the movies. Just for reference, my Ginetta G15 with a 1228cc engine makes more than 120hp. At 1250lbs, the 1973 Ginetta will leave your Firebird in the dust on a straight and out of sight after a few corners. The Ginetta (you never heard of because it wasn’t in a Hollywood movie, but is an incredible car from the 70’s) is one of those cars that deserves as much credit as this beautiful Firebird. Love the show. Keep up the good work.
This is my dream muscle car! So excited about this build!
Amazing work Congratulations ! This car was fantastic ! Better than now , real cars , real good people ! Made in the USA God Bless You all , God Bless America ! Friends and Brothers from Greece 🇺🇲⚔️🇬🇷
LOVE these full build videos!
Saw one in my moms best friends driveway....fell in love......just bought a 1980 cant wait to fix up.....gj on this build guys some good ideas
Man ive dreamed of owning one of these my whole life
1978 Pontiac Firebird
18:42 with Butler Performance
1:08:54 Exhaust Installment 1:11:49
1:17:27 Defacing Decals & Wire mesh Swap
I really like the way you brag that car back to life the black paint decals upgraded rims add a bit more power also the interior came out great throwing some t-tops and I'll take it no looks great like that Happiness to the winner.
Same great machine my friend had back in 78… however your build is a monster!! Boy your video brought back a lot of fond memories!!! Thank you very much!!!
PLEASE! More about the giveaway of this beauty. Oh my, great job on this car.
Old show rerun, car given away years ago...
That first set of dyno pulls is the definition of the Italian tuneup. Went from 110hp to 136hp as you continued to clean out the carbon.
They didn't call it OLD SMOKEY for nuthin. LOL
Wow, what a beautiful car. Great job Tommy n Joe!
I did a complete restoration on a 1978 Y82 Bandit Trans Am for my mom about 7 years ago, everything original except for a little patch in the trunk and paint, this was around when Richard Rollings did his bandit episode
Rip Burt Reynolds...thanks Burt for the memories!
All that work and they didn't replace the milky dull drivers side headlights! Jokers!
Pure dream! Great job guys.
This car lives in mi dreams, it's a most beatiful than one car can be.
79 Was a Really good year for Trans Am.....Keep up good work....
I smile every time I see one of those .
I had a 67 barracuda coupe with a big block only bored to 350 . Only mopar I never had to go into so I'm going off what the seller said .
I rolled smoked an lit up that TA drag , roll off an on top end walked off an left standing still.
I had my dad's 1977 trans am. He passed away in 2008. My mom had cancer shortly afterwards and I had no choice but to sell the car because we needed the money. It wasn't in the best shape. I look around every now and then to see if the car comes up for sale. I'd like to buy it back one day, but the odds of finding it now are pretty slim. It was black with red interior. California car too. ❤
im glad i saw this pop up as i just bought my first car, an ‘85 trans am, love the car and now know where to find some parts 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I 've rod in a 442 Olds & a 68 Camaro SS both when they were less than a year old & they were great as well as strong! Never rode in a Trans Am but am sure it would"ve been great as well!!! Nice them muscle cars, I'm 72, born the year Nascar was born & still have the passion for them deep in my heart!!
Awesome job. This is my dream car. They should've stayed with black vinyl interior tho, & cut the roof & got a ttop roof from a junk donor & welded it on, & also got one of those upgraded retro oem style stereo so that it looked original but had bluetooth. I so badly want a 77/78 bandit ttop upgraded just like like this but with 5-600whp. I have all the different toy manufacturer versions in 1:64 scale of Bandit 1 & 2. I have 7 different versions.
I think with 600+hp, you REALLY want/need a full roof for rigidity, unless you're willing to put a cage in it. I had a t-top IROC, and yep, I loved driving with the tops off, but that thing rattled and twisted something awful. Really, to be truthful, that car was a POS. The stock 305? I think the less we say about them, the better. So dumb of GM to not have a 5sp offered with the 350. I know gas mileage was a big deal back then, but there's no reason they couldn't have made a manual that would work with an HO 350.
@PaulSter in a street car that's not going to hook up like a track car on slicks, then a set of subframe connectors would reinforce it plenty, if that's not enough you can get full bolt in frames for them now, but that's excessive for a street car under 600hp.. I've cracked the floors on hardtop foxbody & new edge mustangs at the track, so with or without a ttop isn't that much difference if your launching at 5k rpm and dead hooking. A ttop car with subframe connectors and you'd be fine dumping the clutch at 5k rpm. Personally I'm going to buy a 78 ttop within the year, and I plan on dropping a stroked 455 in it with around 600whp I'm gonna dritch the leaf springs & put a 4link in it tho, they mount to several more places under the rear of the car and have extra bracing so that accompanied with good subframe connectors will be more than enough for a fun driver. I sold all my jdm cars now I just have to find a decent clean 78 t/a thats not to perfect or numbers matching that way I don't overpay and so I don't ruin an original car by restomodding it, I want oem looking as possible, just 4link, tubular control arms up front, coilovers on all 4 corners, stick to the real pontiac 455 4bolt main tho and just build it & add efi, upgraded dual piston disk brakes all around & either a t56 6spd manual or built 4l80 auto with a dual gate shifter like came stock in 68/69 gto. I found a good candidate I have to go check out but they're asking a little to much for it, so we'll see.
@@brianbevans6804 yea, it would 'probably' be fine with the sub-frame connectors, but they weren't in my '68 Nova. Doors got pretty bad for opening and closing - and that happened with
a built THD400. It was a turbo'd 355 that even managed to blow a head gasket with o-ringed heads. Those things happened after I sold it to a family friend. I'm not sure what he did to my car, but I didn't expect either of those things to happen after I stiffened the frame. Coupled with my experience with my "bendy" IROC, I decided that if I ever get the chance to do it again, I'm going to stiffen the car in every way possible. But I was also planning 800+ rwhp a BBF w/ Tremec, and having a handling car for once. So I'd be using every possible aid to make that happen.
@PaulSter I just want a nice street car with no more than 600hp, if I was building something I planned on taking to the strip or beating on all the time I'd definitely go full frame an either buy an already full frame car like 69 chevelle or 69 camaro or buy a custom full frame for a unibody car, you can get them for about any popular performance style car these days. Just type in 2nd gen fbody full frame and Google will bring up full frames from like 20 different manufacturers ranging between $12k-$20k. But I would use a lighter car if I was making an all out performer, the 2nd gen fbody is already a heavy car and adding a full frame would put it over 5k lbs, defeating the purpose of an all out performer, so its not a great platform for that anyway unless you spend some serious coin an cut away half the unibody & use carbon everywhere you can. Personally I don't care for the 3rd gen fbody, the 80s interior were hideous and really cheap plastic. My buddy loves 80s camaros tho & has had several of them, they look ok from the outside tho, but the firebirds are ugly inside & out, they are dog slow but thats an easy remedy if you've already got the 350, my buddy had a mint 88 iroc 350 tpi and I smoked him from a dig in my other friends 04 mustang 3.9l v6 1 wheel peel 5spd manual, lol. An yeh its shtty the 350 never got a manual only the weaker 305 did, but honestly I like the auto with the 350, just throw a dual gate shifter in it an your set..
@@brianbevans6804 I hear you. My 305 IROC was such a dog. That's why I ended-up w/ a new Mustang 5.0 (I would go on to own three more).
It's weird, I was always a Chevy guy, but always wanted something different, and that wasn't the usual Camaro, (unless it was a '69, but they're too pricey now) or a Nova. Almost decided on a Monte Carlo, but to your point, I knew it would be heavy. I was going to overcome that with a huge, torque-monster crate motor.
But I love what builders are getting out of the BBFs, but finding a good donor car is the hard part. For me, I think the best plan is to get something that's built already, (just barely street-legal), has three pedals, but that needs an engine, or has a blown one. Like where the owner just ran outta money, time, or motivation. Still got an itch to race shifter class. I'm still at least two years away from mine.
Your kind of build makes the most sense though. 5-600hp is definitely nothing to sneeze at and big Chevy power is so much easier to come by. Anyway, good luck with your build!
Hi I still watch this movie yet today 1978 I was 15 today they old man is going to be 60 in Sept. Of 2023 .and I only owned one ta in my life .1980 white with white interior. She was a looker .a lot of people liked. Her .6.6 letter. But enough of me .I don't think we do have anyone left from they show. Thank you for being beautiful fans of they show .👍 .
I have a 78 Y88 Gold Special Edition. 300k+ miles on the odometer too lol. It belonged to my father and he had it repainted, new decals/emblems installed, some body work, rust work, and a minor engine rebuild around 2010. He passed away in 2013 from cancer so I inherited the car from him when I was 11. It still runs and drives and it sits in climate controlled garage so it still looks good as new. I'll be bringing it back down to North Carolina soon!
Love that blue block excellent color choice 👌
Joe and Tommy - the best of the best right here.
LOVE IT! Thank you for this. So amazing, and nostalgic.
I had a beautiful black 1977. It was so much fun to drive. License plate read: 7T7 TA.
Tommy and the cool old dude.......great Pontiac .....I'd love to cherish it..I'd enjoy that baby from now on...not too many days left to bring able to drive a car like that .....always wanted one.never could afford one.....I can't remember if I entered or not to win it....man.i hope I did.....keep on hot rodding guys......you all really have the love of the cars !!!! Wane Peyton
Sad Burt is gone. He was awesome.
Love the blacked out trim.
Love Smoky and the Bandit.Burt Renalds was rite pick for the movie.
I realy enjoy what hing the car taken apart and put back to perfection.❤
Yet another fantastic build on yet another fantastic episode..
And I just love the color , MASSIVE 👌
Man I grew up watching the bandit over and over and over and over. 50 now an watched it 9 times this year. Heck I'm gonna watch it now. Not by myself gotta 11yr old boy that has die-cast models all of em ha ha .he drives my truck an camero.hes a pontiac guy though bandit ta all the way
I went and seen Smokey and the Bandit when I was seven years old at the drive in theater. Love that car since.
My grandpa had one and I always wished I would’ve inherited the trans am. I love those T/A’s
Sweet ride.Amazing work.❤
In 1984 in Dalton Georgia, I bought a 78 golden addition Trans am 4spd with a built 400 ci ! Baddest car I've owned hands down and the car I learned to drive like it was mint to drive and after nearly 40 years later several friends who are still alive still talks about the high speed chases and crazy rides we experienced during those days! We're blessed to be alive and talk about the good Ole Trans am days 💛 honestly in Knoxville Tennessee one night we out ran Knoxville city, UT police, Knoxville County sheriff patrol getting to the interstate and from there drilled several state boys ! After about an hour making our way to Anderson County free and clear lol we posed the top on a beer by the lake knees knocking and laughing! Idiot legends lol God's truth bless y
Loved watching this build. Glad they used a Pontiac over an LS, but you sure have work for the hp!
Good build, good video. Thanks guys 👍
My best friend has an original 97 TA Bandit edition in his garage with some light front end body damage on it. If this show would not motivate you to get out there and start turning wrenches on it, nothing would. Great series and a beautiful car.
Eastbound and down. Love this build. Nice work!
Another thumbs up for linking these all together.
You did Real good job building this car
That’s one of the best cars made. My favorite car ❤❤❤ ever. You are Blessed.
Burt looks AMAZING for a dead man!
Nothing better that the old tyres with the white marks
I owned a white 77 ta, but without the eagle. Who knew how much it would be worth now. Oh, how I miss that car. Nice build, Joe and Tommy
bought one in 1978--- ahhh the memories
We all did a very good job on that transam when that car was made I was 20 years old like all the upgrades you guys did to that muscle car
Bandit"Breaker;Breakeaker boggi on your tail. So sweet.❤
I really like the bandit trans am, but my favorite car that Burt Reynolds drove was the 56 Oldsmobile in the movie "C.W and the Dixie dance kings " with Art Carney.
Love these cars. I have a 73 and is such a fun car
Kickin' the chicken? Better than chokin' it. Lmao. Great video and quality workmanship.