Entry 10: 9/8/2022

Been a while. Got the car to the body shop in July. Not much progress so far.

Was quoted 15,000 for the following:

1) Smooth firewall
2) Repair drivers side cowl section
3) Strip car to bare metal
4) Paint engine bay (flat black)
5) Reassemble (sheet metal)
6) Get car in sealer/primer and paint behind panels. Car isn't coming apart ever again so I'm having them spray behind panels

I have all factory panels, hardware, shims. I did purchase an OEM 1976 front bumper that is in better shape than mine. Also bought a new core support, door hinges...but everything is there; bagged and tagged.

I try to stop in once every few weeks to grab some photos but I don't like to linger and bother the guys. I'm usually in and out in about 5 mins.

As of last Friday they started work on the firewall and removed the damaged drivers side cowl section. I'd have to guess it won't get stripped until late November.

Progress is good. :thumbsup:

Entry 11: 9/9/2022

Stopped in this afternoon to drop off the rear bumper and fenders. Still have to deliver the hood, hood scoop, spoilers and a few other pieces but everything else is over there for the most part.

Looks like they have the driver's side cowl panel mocked up to tack. Car was hit in the late 70s and the original panel was bent. My dad had the fender and door replaced but opted not to have the cowl panel addressed. That bugged me so I'm getting it done now.

Replacement panel came from a donor 78 firebird out in Arizona.

Yeah, that would bug the hell out of me, too. Just because it's not seen doesn't mean it should be covered up. Glad you're making progress!

Entry 12: 10/8/2022

Had some time to kill so stopped by the shop. Firewall nearly done. Next up is temporarily hanging doors and aligning fenders before stripping panels to metal. We'll assess what needs to be addressed and get a better idea at what we're looking at as far as bodywork is concerned.

Shop is hoping it's ready to strip to metal in two weeks or so.

Meanwhile, started my workbench. 2 feet deep by 16 feet long. Lots more to do out there before the car is back home.

Progress is a good thing. :thumbsup:

That's a nice work bench you built.

Entry 13: 10/21/2022

I dropped the hood and fender hardware off a week ago and caught up with the shop owner. Push came to shove, and we decided it wouldn't be a horrible idea if I came in on the weekends to try and get my car further down the road.

Talked to the wife and cleared it with her. Weather has started to turn here in Buffalo and the wife is usually busy carting our son back to fourth to hockey all Saturday afternoon.

This past weekend was the first time there - spent roughly 7 hours dicking around. Did a rough assembly of the front clip. Replaced the door hinges and got the doors pretty much perfect - used the old floor jack and 2x4 trick.
Brought my power inverter and finally brought down the passenger side window (that has been up for the past 5 years or so because I forgot to roll it down before ripping the wiring harness out).

When I ripped the front clip apart for the sub frame, I took detailed notes of what shim went where which really helped in re-assembly. The aftermarket core support fit perfectly and I am astonished - was fully intending to be disappointed. Also of note, I'm using Pro-Touring F-Body solid body mounts.

Picked up an OEM 1977 Trans Am fender to replace the original:
For the one guy out there who reads this thread 10 years from now looking to see if a 1977 Trans Am fender will fit his 1976 Trans Am - the answer is yes. The only note is that you need to remove the brace from the original 1976 Trans Am fender and tack it to the 1977. For clarification 1970-1976 Fenders will fit your 1976 Trans Am. 1977 and 1978 fenders will fit your 1976 too - as long as you bring over that front brace.

Shop owner said he took the factory inner fender wells down to bare metal and that they are in great shape. No need to replace them. Going to stop in for a little bit this Saturday (10/22/2022). Gotta drop off splash shields and front bumper supports. There's also slight bondo by the drivers side quarter panel I'm going to burn out and a little on the drivers side door.

Here's how I left it last weekend:

I went back to the beginning and read the entire thread. Great back story and love seeing all the progress pics. I can’t wait to see it in your garage.

Are you taking the car home in primer or painted. If your taking it home in primer I would have him spray the complete inside of the trunk, interior, firewall and underside. This way you can assemble the car as a finished roller and have him spray the outside when you’re ready.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ideally, I'd get it painted and back home. But that all depends on final quote. So far, shop quoted me $16,000 to get the whole car stripped bare metal with all body work done and put in epoxy sealer.

Honestly, I've managed to save about $26,000 in cash for paint and body work. But until we get the thing totally stripped...we won't know the exact quote. From what me and shop owner can tell it won't need much body work. Minimal surface rust with no rot. For $26,000...I'm not sure that will be enough. I might just drag it home in epoxy sealer and start interior / fuel / brakes / steering / electrical while funds build back up. Just getting it all one color will be an insane boost to my motivation and confidence...even if it's just epoxy sealer.

For what it's worth, I had the entire interior, trunk pan, and undercarriage media blasted and painted about three years ago already when the sub frame/sub frame connectors were done; so, we're good there.