National Firebird and Trans Am Club Blog

’94 25th Anniversary Trans Am of John Klaver

firebirdclub — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:18:09 +0000

The August 2010 issue’s featured car is the ‘94 25th anniversary Trans Am of John Klaver. Here is his story:

I want to let you know about another Trans Am that I just added to my collection. I have already told you about my white 1988 GTA, my white 20th Anniversary turbo pace car and my black ‘96 Trans Am.

Now I have a ‘94 25th Anniversary Trans Am. It’s number 3 off the assembly line for the total production of the anniversary run. Now for the really neat part – it’s also 1 of 2 1994 NASCAR pace cars. One is in Michigan at the Pontiac Motorsports Museum and I have the other. It’s also the same car that paced the late, great Dale Earnhardt to his seventh and last championship. This car still has all the markings on it from race 29, AC Delco 500, North Carolina Raceway, October 23, 1994 and the caution lights are still intact and still work.

It has 12,600 miles, 4,000 are documented pace laps from the 1994 season. It’s one of the 25th anniversary cars with hard top, automatic transmission and AM/FM Cassette radio which makes it 1 of 254 produced but again the documentation shows it to be one of the earliest off the assembly line, as NASCAR needed it to prep for the ‘94 Daytona 500. Paperwork also shows that these two pace cars were at 20 different NASCAR tracks in ‘94 excluding the Brickyard 400 which used a Monte Carlo.

In short, this rare ’94 25th Anniversary pace car looks good sitting in my garage next to my 10th Anniversary turbo pace car.

Long live the Firebird Trans Am, if not on GM sales lots, at least in the our garages and on the road!

2010 Firebird Fest of the Carolinas

firebirdclub — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:30:39 +0000

Story and photos by Bethany Orr

On Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, 2010, Firebird Fest of the Carolinas kicked off in Mebane, NC! The weather was clear and beautiful, but HOT! On Friday night, check-in began and when we were ready to head downtown, there were 11 Firebirds from three generations lined up and heading down Fifth St. towards The Curious Peddler. After some careful arrangement of the flock, a NC Barbecue dinner was served, with music provided by a talented acoustic pair. From an original-owner 1975 Trans Am in silver to a 2001 custom Trans Am in black, there was a sight to be seen in downtown Mebane!

Saturday brought more fun, more Birds, and more HEAT. The heat index was 103, but that didn’t stop the Birds and Trans Ams from coming out in force.

With several rare ones, including an ’83 Autoform Convertible, two 1989 Turbo Trans Ams, a 1976 Formula, and a 30th Anniversary edition, there was no shortage of sights to see! Saturday evening wrapped up with a group photo or three (seen below) and a very nice awards dinner at Sake Japanese Steakhouse! Best of Show was a tie between Mike & Alicia Holley with their ’01 Trans Am, and Jerry Hazi with his ’67 Firebird! Both winners are pictured below!

The group shots came out just beautifully! It was hot, but the Birds just made it hotter!

Even the original DragonBird of Mike and Alicia Holley was there in some form…they won Best in Class at Trans Am Nationals, but their car was totaled coming home from Nationals in 2009.

Oldies…

Goldies…

…and Golden Oldies

All came out for the Show.

Group shot at Dinner! We all rolled in off the interstate, and boy was it a beautiful sight! Birds and Trans Ams as far back as you can see, all waiting to get off the interstate. People actually pulled off to the side to watch all of us roll by in admiration.

A good time was had by all, and we hope to see you all on June 18, 2011 at FIREBIRD FEST 2011

From the Editors’ Desk – August 2010

firebirdclub — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:03:01 +0000

Thanks to all of the new members that joined recently.

Thanks to Bethany Orr, Dan Wernitznig, Becky Bardoff, Rod Mehl, John Klaver and all of the other contributors to this issue! Also many thanks to Todd Stahr, Justin Kwarta, Doug Lester, Bethany Orr, Bill Simcox and Brett Campbell on their continuing technical help to our members on our message board at http://board.firebirdclub.net.

I am sure you have noticed the improvement in the look and feel of the Eagle. The pages are larger, the paper is better and the quality of the color pictures is considerably better with more vivid colors. We have made a change in printers to make a better looking magazine. Let me know what you think of the changes.

In addition to the items found in our regular club store, more store merchandise including tote bags, caps, sweat pants, shorts and other items can be found at our Fieldhouse Club Store located at www.fieldhouse.com/nftac .

There are organizations to save Pontiac. One of the more organized ones is located at www.SavingPontiac.org . Some of the details appear in this issue along with a sample petition to be sent to government officials. If you go to the website you can submit it through the internet.

We have updated our payment form on our website to directly take credit card and PayPal payments. Your credit card is now checked for accuracy and verified and your order is placed into a shopping cart of items awaiting checkout. This type of program should be very familiar to people who pay for items on other Internet websites and is available on the PayPal/Credit Card website button. The old form will also remain for members that are comfortable with it.

Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section on the Club Message Board where each local club has its own section where local club items can be discussed.

You can now find us on the popular networking sites myspace, facebook, friendster and twitter in the groups/clubs section.

We have a new and improved club message board. You can access through the club website at www.firebirdtaclub.com or directly at http://board.firebirdclub.net . We have a members only section of the message board. You can use the user id and password on page 3 of each Eagle or you can get a personal id and password. To do so, register and then logon to the message board and send a message to us with a reply in this section or via email. This allows you to access the Member Only Question & Answer and Upkeep and Performance Hints Area.　 It also allows you to post items in the For Sale and Wanted sections as well as post photos in the Member Photos area. Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section.

The club also now has a blog located at http://blog.firebirdclub.net . Members can publish items or comments to the Blog.

We have a National Firebird & Trans Am Club photo gallery located at http://photos.firebirdclub.net . The same login is used for the gallery as the Message Board. Members can download photos directly here.

We now offer a 3 year membership or renewal rate which includes a free t-shirt or tech volume II CD. The rate is $95 or $125 for members outside the USA. And in response to many members we now have a 3 year eMembership for $65 which also includes a free t-shirt or tech volume III CD. So save some money and get a free t-shirt or tech CD in the process!

Classified ads are FREE to members but now you can add photographs of your items for sale. For $15 we will include a photograph of your car or item. Also the classified ads will now appear on our website and in the eEagle.

Remember we will send out the eEagle, our email newsletter in addition to the regular Eagle for members that have given us their email address. Our website address is www.firebirdtaclub.com and our email address is info@ firebirdtaclub.com. The website has a “Members Only” section on the web site. This section contains technical staff contact information, recommended repair shops, spare parts lists that members have sent in as well as complete current and past issues of the member magazine which can be viewed on-line or downloaded for printing.

You need an ID and password to access this area. You will find the current ID and password on page 3 of each issue of the EAGLE. These will change with each issue so use only the current ones listed. Also now you can to create your own id and password for the members only section. Submit the form on the members only page to do this.

Thanks for all of your support and to this issue’s contributors and I hope to see you at the car shows this summer!

’77 Trans Am of Larry Bartlett

firebirdclub — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:23:31 +0000

‘77 Trans Am of Larry Bartlett back on the road with the new 496 engine! It burns E85 and she loves it! It’s a lot cheaper then premium and more then half the price of racing fuel. 13:1 compression and E85 works great.

’79 Trans Am of Doug Lester

firebirdclub — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:53:59 +0000

The featured car in May 2010 issue of the National Firebird and Trans Am Club Eagle is the ‘79 Trans Am of Doug Lester. Here is his story:

I have had Trans Ams for as long as I can remember. I sold my first one to start a business. Things went well for me and I caught the car bug one day at a local car show. I went out looking and found one in January of 2009 and stripped it down and built it back up. 8 months and 15k later, she was done. I took it to the Trans Am Nationals, in Dayton, Ohio and placed 2nd in the F-4 modified class . Thanks to some of the tips I got from other Trans Am owners!

Letters to Save Pontiac

firebirdclub — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:16:10 +0000

My name is Nick and I am still in the fight to save Pontiac until the beginning of next year, and I am asking for your help. Please ask your members to consider writing a few E-mails and letters on behalf of rescuing Pontiac. I ask for no money and all it takes is a few stamps and a little bit of their time. First, everyone should send an E-mail to editor Tom DeMauro at High Performance Pontiac magazine at Tom.Demauro@sorc.com . He is seeking comments from people who want Pontiac to return. He will then turn these comments over to GM and Michigan senators.

Next, Pontiac fans should write to Magna International. This Canadian and Austrian company is huge and nearly purchased Opel from GM last summer. GM changed their mind at the last minute and the deal fell through. They are an international auto parts firm and even operate assembly lines for other auto makers. They have the means to revive Pontiac. I have already written to two addresses – their Canadian headquarters and U.S. office. Here it is:

Magna International
Attn: Company CEO
337 Magna Drive
Aurora , Ontario
CANADA L4G 7KI

Magna International of America Inc.
Attn: Company President
600 Wilshire Drive
Troy, Michigan 48084

And finally, if enthusiasts want to go one extra mile they can write to Exxon Mobil. They have vast financial resources and who says an oil company can’t own a car company?

Sounds a bit off, but they can make it happen if they believe it is a good investment. Pontiac fans can convince them that it is. What have we got to lose? I already wrote them a letter. Here’s the address :

Mr. Rex W. Tillerson, Chairman and CEO
Exxon Mobil Corporation
5959 Las Colinas Boulevard
Irving, Texas 75039

Thank you for your time in reading my letter. Any help you and your club members can offer is greatly appreciated, Nothing will happen unless we all work TOGETHER.

Sincerely,
Nick S.

’86 Trans Am of Mark Goldman

firebirdclub — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:51:47 +0000

In January of 1995 I found my 1986 Trans Am in a used car lot. At the time it had 59,000 miles, was dark blue metallic w/silver ground effects and had been used as a pace car on the local track. It was pretty much a stock 305.

Since that day I have totally transformed her into a custom modified beauty”. In 2000 I had my 305 pulled and the car painted Ice Blue w/Pearl Dust and Ghost Flames by Dreamakers Kustoms in Endicott, New York. Upon completion of the paint I installed a custom built 350 Chevy 700R4 transmission, Be Cool radiator, fiberglass ram air hood, Eagle alloy wheels and a custom dual muffler system w/dual Monza exhaust tips. The interior is stock except for Firebirds embroidered on the headrests, Panasonic stereo w/ MTX custom sub box and Kicker Amp and a BM Ratchet Shifter.

In 2008 I won all local shows in my class and took a 3rd place in 3rd Generation at the “Firebirds On The Lawn” in Saratoga Springs, New York.

From the Editors’ Desk – May 2010

firebirdclub — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:44:46 +0000

Thanks to all of the new members that joined recently.

Thanks to Yukishige Akiyama, Jerry Foglia, Mark Goldman, Tim Webber, Doug Lester and all of the other contributors to this issue! Also many thanks to Todd Stahr, Justin Kwarta, Doug Lester, Bethany Orr, Bill Simcox and Brett Campbell on their continuing technical help to our members on our message board at http://board.firebirdclub.net .

Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section on the Club Message Board where each local club has its own section where local club items can be discussed.

You can now find us on the popular networking sites myspace, facebook, friendster and twitter in the groups/clubs section.

We have a new and improved club message board. You can access through the club website at www.firebirdtaclub.com or directly at http://board.firebirdclub.net . We have a members only section of the message board. You can use the user id and password on page 3 of each Eagle or you can get a personal id and password. To do so, register and then logon to the message board and send a message to us with a reply in this section or via email. This allows you to access the Member Only Question & Answer and Upkeep and Performance Hints Area.　 It also allows you to post items in the For Sale and Wanted sections as well as post photos in the Member Photos area. Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section.

The club also now has a blog located at http://blog.firebirdclub.net . Members can publish items or comments to the Blog.

Thanks for all of your support and to this issue’s contributors and start making plans to get you car back on the road in the spring!!

Another Trans Am Conversion

firebirdclub — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:53:46 +0000

from Car Scoop

Not surprisingly, Pontiac’s demise has spurred an interest in the creation of Trans Am replicas based on the new Chevrolet Camaro. We remind you that we’ve already seen a conceptual proposal for a modern-day Pontiac Trans Am from ASC Creative Services and real-life examples from Lingenfelter and Trans Am Depot.

The latest company to join the list of tuners interested in creating a Trans Am replica is a company called Gearhead Performance Group.

Along with the cosmetic upgrades that include new front and rear fascias complete with unique lights, 21- or 22-inch snowflake wheels, a large rear spoiler and gold interior accents, the tuner claims that it will offer an optional twin-turbo LS9 V8 with some 900 horsepower.

National Firebird and Trans Am Club Eagle Advertisers

firebirdclub — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:59:18 +0000

These are the people and services that help bring information to our club members by advertising in our club publication, the Eagle. Please support them.

Accessories, Events, Insurance, Parts, Service

Accessories

Stencils & Stripes, 847-692-6895
offers exact reproduction, one-piece birds and other items for all Pontiacs and others

Hot Firebird and Trans Am Items, 1-866-403-2243, www.carcrazymerchandise.com
shirts, caps, pins, posters/prints, flags and more!

Phoenix Graphix, 1-800-941-4550, www.phoenixgraphix.com
world’s largest manufacturer of licensed GM restoration decals

Events

A Pontiac Celebration, Warwick, RI, 401-934-0663, frdigi@cox.net
come celebrate 84 years of Pontiac’s rich history, September 17-19, 2010

Insurance

Classic Auto Insurance, 1-800-397-0765, www.classicins.com
collector car insurance for less

Parts

Functional Shaker Hood Scoop Kits, 512-789-3005, www.PontiacPlus.com
complete kits to convert hood scoops on 1971-1981 Trans Am to operate

Ames Performance Engineering, 1-800-421-2637, www.amesperf.com
Firebird and Trans Am restoration parts

The Paddock, 1-800-428-4319, www.paddockparts.com
the best parts and accessories for your 1967-2002 Firebird or Trans Am

Frank’s Restoration Parts, 760-361-3242, www.frankspontiacparts.com
buy, sell, new, used and reproduction

Convertible parts, 1-800-343-4261, www.hydroe.com
pumps, cylinders, roofrails, weatherstripping and more!

FBodyStore.com, 937-829-0322, www.fbodystore.com
1967 thru 1992 Firebird and Camaro Restoration Parts

Parts for your Firebird or Trans Am at http://partssearch.firebirdtaclub.com.
parts for all Pontiacs and other vehicles!

Publications and Literature

Books4Cars.com, 1-206-721-3077, www.books4cars.com
books and manuals for all Firebirds and Trans Ams

Firebird and Trans Am color sales brochures, 315-432-8282, www.autolit.com
original sales brochures for most cars & trucks

Pontiac Shop Manuals on CD, www.firebirdtaclub.com/regalia.htm
with Fisher body service & 1963-75 Pontiac parts, for ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘70, ‘71 or ‘72

Service

Tuner Tools, 1-888-639-9750, www.tunertools.com
providing the latest equipment for monitoring, diagnosing and tuning engine management systems