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My interest in Firebirds started in 1973, while I was reading car magazines.  While all car companies were dropping performance cars and large engines, Pontiac felt the need, the need for speed.  They released a new Trans Am, with a motor they called the SD-455.  The SD stood for Super Duty, and it paved the way for future performance.  And I also fell in love with that big bird on the hood, also released in 1973.  Not being a shy person, I wanted every one to know I was coming, so that bird appeared to me to be that sign.

In high school, I had a female friend who had a Blue 1976 Firebird.  But her brother had a 1973 Trans Am.  Then in 1977, he traded that in for a Smokey and the Bandit 1977 black Trans Am.  She drove it once in a while, and I knew I had to have one.

Well my day came when I got my first job in college, in 1978.  I went down to Jack White Pontiac in Anaheim, and gave them a check for $2,000 as a down payment.  The total with tax and license came to just over 10 grand.  And with that money, I had myself a new 1979 Nocturnal Blue Trans Am.  It had the light blue interior, including the new multi-colored hood bird.  I drove it down the street, and filled up the tank, paying 69 cents a gallon. 

Ok, so what cars did I have, and do I still have you ask.  I have always been a car guy.  But Pontiac has been in my blood since the start.  I didn't start out with one, but as soon as I could afford one, it has always been Pontiac time.  The only other cars have been Oldsmobiles, and they filled the convertible need for me.

 The Past

1973 Plymouth Duster

Brown in color, this was my first car, a gift from my parents in 1975. It was powered by the slant 6 engine.  I sold when I bought my 1979 Trans Am listed below.  It looked like this, but the top was white also

   

1979 Trans Am

Dark Blue with Light Blue Interior.  I bought this one new and had it for several years, selling it due to family issues.  The new owners were driving it up to Canada.  Wish I still had this, or at least knew how it was.  It had Blue Recaro seats front and back, a Panasonic overhead cockpit radio system, and gold 81 Turbo rims.  I also added foilers, and SE type pin stripes.

   

1982 MSE Trans Am

Red with Black Interior.  I bought this new, and I had it for about ten years.  Also sold for family issues, in ten years, I only put 18K miles on it.  I sold it to a friend at work, and he sold it years later.  After that, I lost track of it.  Then I found it on the www.firebirdgallery.com, last year.  I emailed the new owner, and we talked about it. That was nice to see it go to a collector.

   

1986 Pontiac 6000 SE

This was the family car when I had the Trans Am cars.  For the time it was a great car to drive everyday.  Powered by a 2.8 V6, it was quick and easy to drive

 

 

1986 Pontiac 6000 Station Wagon

The family wagon back when I had the SE.  I bought this used at the dealer after liking the 6000 SE so much.  We had it for several care free years.

   

1969 Firebird 350 Convertible

White with Black Interior.  This was a used car, bought in around 1984.  I wanted an old Firebird so bad, and couldn't wait for the right one, so I bought this one, with light rust, and not the best of shape.  After having to replace so many thing in the first year, and it still not looking good, I sold it.  Wasted days and wasted nights on this one.  I learned on this one, wait for the one you want, don't settle. Don't care what happened to this car.

   

1969 Firebird 350 Convertible

Green with Green Interior.  Found this one for sale from a college student who got three tickets, and had his insurance dropped.  So he had to sell it.  It had around 79K, and but was in rust free, very nice shape.  Not highly optioned, it was a great driver, to take to toy shows and misc. Sunday drives.  Sold this to a friend at work when I sold the other cars.  He took this nice stock automatic car, and made it into a 4 speed.  He changed the hood, added a rear spoiler, and other modifications.  That hurt a little, but I moved on.

   
1989 Pontiac Sunbird GT Convertible

This was the first convertible I had, a small, low powered 4 cylinder Sunbird.  It was fun, but to small for my growing older body.  Even my kids didn't like it much.  So we sold it after a few years to get the larger Olds convertible below.

   

 

1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible

Red With Black Interior. This Convertible became our  weekend driver and errand car.  This was my second convertible, and really started the wind passion for me.  Powered by a V6 3.1, it was faster than the Pontiac.  I have always had a convertible since then.

 

 

 
1990 Lincoln Continental

 

   
1995  Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible

Teal With Gold leather Interior, this is the Convertible that became our weekend driver and vacation car when we sold the red 92 and upgraded to this nicer car.  This one had the larger 3.4 engine, and was pretty fast and very confortable.

 

   
1988 Oldsmobile Tornado

Always looking for a daily driver, this 1988 caught my eye in the auto trader.  Dark blue in driver, the original owner took good care of it, and we had it for several years.

   

1995 Grand Prix GTP

I bought this 1995 Grand Prix GTP on eBay in 2002.  It was from Glendale, AZ, just northeast of Phoenix.  One owner with 68K miles, and had every option, including leather interior and sunroof.  Then Engine was the 3.4L, and was fast enough for me around town and getting to work.  It also got great gas mileage, and has that great Pontiac Shark look.  I only kept it a couple of years, selling it to get a convertible.  I wish I had kept this car.  It was nice, drove great, and looked even better.

   

1979 Trans Am

I found this car on eBay in May of 2005.  Just like my first car, dark Blue with light Blue trim.  It looked like a nice daily driver, and I always need another one, so I bought it.  It was trucked in the last week of May 2005, arriving June 3, 2005.  This car has just over 100K, but has T-Tops and the famous WS6 handling package.  Not a show car, but you cant beat driving to work in a classic 1979 Trans Am like this.

   
1992 Bonneville SSEI

Gray with Silver Leather interior.  Daily driver, family car with the 3.8 supercharged engine.  I was surprised how fast and nice this car was.  I bought this car from the original owner after the Lincoln was hit by a semi truck.  Sold with over 117K miles for the Black 2002 Grand Prix below.

   

1996 Trans Sport

Dark Blue with Tan Interior.  Our family van, and toy hauler for several years.  I bought this on eBay when we were selling die cast toys.  We drove it to Los Angeles twice a week when we were selling toys several years ago.  We sold when it had about 116K for the 1997 Pontiac van below.

   

1989 Turbo Grand Prix

Red with black interior, I got this to fix up, but never really got the chance.  I had always liked this special two year only Turbo Grand Prix.  Fully loaded including heads up display and GTA Rims, they were very fast.

   

1996 WS6 Firebird Formula LT1 Ram Air

When Pontiac brought back the Ram Air hoods it looked evil and powerful just parked.  Once again on eBay, I saw this car, a 1996 Firebird Formula LT1 WS-6, with 6 speed.  It had 116K miles. Always looking for a bargain, I loaded up kids, and off we drove to Oregon to pick the car up.   Arriving home November of 2006, this car was used small weekend trips. 

   
2001 Bonneville SLE

Gold with Tan leather interior.  This family car comes with power everything, inc. sunroof.  We drove to AZ to pick it up from original owners when the SSEi approached 100K.  We used this car to go to  Laker and Clipper games.  We sold it when it reached 90K miles to buy the red 2002 Grand Prix GTP below. 

 

The Present

1969 Firebird 400

Matador Red with Black Vinyl Top. Weekend car only

   

1969 Firebird 400 Convertible

Blue with Black Top. Weekend car only

   

1971 Lemans Sport 400

Red with Black Vinyl Top.  Week day driver.

   

1985 Trans Am Convertible

Black with Gold trim, Batmobile looking.  Weekend car only

   

1988 Fiero GT

Black with gray interior.  Loaded, with low miles.   Shared car between my son and daughter.

   

1979 Trans Am

Dark Blue with Gold Interior. Weekend car only

   

1997 Trans Sport Montana Van

Gold Mist with Tan Interior.  Family van, and Pontiac parts hauler.

   
1998 Firebird Formula LS1

Red with Gray Interior

   
1999 Firebird Trans Am Firehawk Convertible LS1

Red with Gray Interior

   
2000 Trans Am NHRA Edition LS1

Pewter with leather interior.  Loaded, including T-Tops, my son's car.

   
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

Black with Black Leather Interior

   
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Supercharged

Red with Black Leather Interior

   
2004 GTO

Impulse Blue, blue leather interior.  Loaded, daughter's car.

 

The Future

1977 Trans Am Smokey and the Bandit

In  the 40K to 70K range.

 
   

1989 Turbo Trans Am

In  the 40K to 70K range.

   

2006 G6 Hardtop Convertible

Not sure on the color, but it will be new, and a keeper.

 

 

Click below for pictures of my past Trans Am and Firebird cars.

TA DEVIL (1979 Trans Am)

MSE TA (1982 MSE Trans Am)

1969 Firebird Convertible

Trans Am Club and Trans A Rama

 

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