Resurrecting Project Triple Threat Trans Am

[Doug1]

I decided to start a new thread to cover the Triple Threat Trans Am build since it has gone through multiple builders and is more or less starting over at this point. The car is a unique project that has had it's twists and turn. Since the 2nd builder was the OP of the build thread, I thought it would be best to start a new thread as the new builder.

For anyone interested the link to the orginal thread is located here...
https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=27798


To summarize, the car is going to be a full frame 2nd Gen, with power to spare and lots of fabrication. We are going to tie the Art Morrison 5-link rear clip and their front clip together to form a full frame car with a removable body. Every single part of the fabrication will be revisited and revised.

We're 75% or more there in the way of parts acquistions since we have the frame in hand, the motor, the tranmission the rear end and all the body pieces, the front brakes, radiator, fuel cell and pump, Year One fiberglass front end, flares and rear bumper, the Hydyne Motorsports wheel centers are cut and the manufacturer is waiting on backspacing measurements from us to complete.

The big parts we have yet to purchase are a carbon fiber hood and deck lid, seats (long story), rear brakes, master cylinders for clutch and brakes along with the steering column.

[DETON8R]

Sounds like an awesome build.

Personally, I like late 70's styling of the F-bodies better than the earlier versions of the 2nd gen body style. Since the project will have a custom front end, which year will you run for the front end? Or is it going to be full custom and not identifiable to a specific year?

LS power or will you be running an older GM engine? Vintage Pontiac maybe....

AME puts together some SICK stuff. When you mention a 5-link, do you mean the same rear clip that is both a 3-link with a watts and a 4-link for drag racing? Like the rear that was set up for Project Unfair?

Can't wait to see the photos.

[coolwelder62]

I wish Good luck too you,on trying to keep moving forward. I would cut out all of the hand made stuff.move the motor back to local AME started w/ then install a repo firewall & floor pan.Order up set of DSE sub frame conector's & soild body mount's.You dont need that kind of motor set back to make a 2nd gen handle well.Just work slow and think about every step you need to do.You can do it yourself.

[WSSix]

Detonator, the car in his avatar is the car in question. There's a full size picture of the rendering in the other thread.

Good luck Doug. It's going to be worth it in the end. All the drama that's occurred just makes for a more interesting story at car shows and cruise-ins.

Also, what ever happened to your other 79? The dark blue one that had a stroked 400 I think it was? I swear you had a second car that was at the driving stage. Maybe I'm making stuff up again though.

[Ron in SoCal]

Doug you probably have a good handle on this from your advisors, but if you're truly going back to body on frame, why not put a floor in it, put some DSE or AME subframe connectors in it to tie the front/rear and be done with the complicated stuff?

[Matt@BOS]

I agree with what Ron said. What is in the car now might not be pretty, but it does appear to be functional, and once the floor goes back in, along with the connectors, and rocker tie ins, I bet there will be more than enough strength. Engineering a full frame and fabricating floors to fit everything and make it all removable will be very time consuming and expensive. I would just spend the money on a set of good shocks that can be set up for how you want the car to ride, and focus on putting it together. I know you mentioned that you liked the idea of having Dan Hollohan possibly build you a car one day, and if that's the case, I would start setting aside money for that project. Then you could have a solid, nice car (this one) while you build something crazy.

Matt

[ccm399]

Can't wait to see more progress! I would echo the thoughts here though... Re-do the sub-frame connectors, put a floor in it, move the engine back to a more normal position and move on.

Chris

[FETorino]

Doug

I like the Poncho power. I hope you stick with it this could be a great car. Sorry to see the previous builder created as much of the project as he accomplished.

How about just posting the highlights of the current plan on this thread so we don't have to dig around in the old thread.

If you want a slam dunk solution to connecting your frame and building your floors I'd say take it to RS.

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Detonator, the car in his avatar is the car in question. There's a full size picture of the rendering in the other thread.

Good luck Doug. It's going to be worth it in the end. All the drama that's occurred just makes for a more interesting story at car shows and cruise-ins.

Also, what ever happened to your other 79? The dark blue one that had a stroked 400 I think it was? I swear you had a second car that was at the driving stage. Maybe I'm making stuff up again though.

You have a good memory. That car started showing some rust and after getting after it, found more damage than i expected. It is now a rotisserie stripped down to bare metal. I just installed a new full floor in it and am getting ready to mini-tub it and put in DSE subframe connectors.

[Frankenstine]

Are there any pictures of this build on this wesite