1971 Pro Touring Trans Am with a twist

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by garickman

I have thought about that often. It's been difficult to try and figure out the best decision for this build.

Here is a picture of Bill Porter who designed the original Trans Am. He is standing next to his original 1973 Trans Am with what he calls the "correct" hood.

Thats the ticket right there Greg. I think your biggest challenge will be choosing the color and to be quite honest that red with Trans Am logo is looking pretty sweet.

[T_Raven]

Originally Posted by garickman

I have thought about that often. It's been difficult to try and figure out the best decision for this build.

Here is a picture of Bill Porter who designed the original Trans Am. He is standing next to his original 1973 Trans Am with what he calls the "correct" hood.

That actually looks really good. I'd love to be there when someone tried to tell him it was wrong and he schooled them on the fact that he designed the thing in the first place lol

[tazzz2_ca]

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Greg,

Just wondering, have any Trans-Ams 'clones', for lack of a better term, brought $100K or so at auction?

When a F-body is pro-toured or modified to this extent it won't make a difference... these are one of a kind rolling pieces or art that eclipse the original cars in so many ways that there is no comparison back to orginal.....

[fleet]

Albert,

I respect your vast experience in the T/A market.

Do you believe Greg's build is being done in a much different 'climate' for selling such a heavily invested in one-off Firebird, then when the rarest of the rare, a '69 Trans-Am Convertible, was 'cloned' and PT'd (on this forum and others), and sold for $85K at auction IIRC?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Albert,

I respect your vast experience in the T/A market.

Do you believe Greg's build is being done in a much different 'climate' for selling such a heavily invested in one-off Firebird, then when the rarest of the rare, a '69 Trans-Am Convertible, was 'cloned' and PT'd (on this forum and others), and sold for $85K at auction IIRC?

I think its going to come down to 3 things:

How badly 2+ people will want the car
The popularity of the build
Support and build up for the charity

I think it was Charley that said if you want to build a $100K car you'll have to put $300K into it.

i'll add...or have Stielow build it.

Remember this car isn't for bragging rights , recognition or the money. Its for a charity.

[BBBluey]

[QUOTE=garickman;485400]
The bright blue leather and suede interior looked like they were getting ready to make a porno movie in there.QUOTE]

Lol !!!

Well, I'm drooling over this car. I actually told my wife that I'm considering spending our home downpayment for it as I can always use a 0-down VA loan for that...but even that won't add up to 6 figures...regardless, I'm hoping the very best for you Greg.

[RussMurco]

Originally Posted by garickman

I'm quite sure I have lost the purists, but I am definitely going after the the PT crowd. I can't guarantee what this car will bring at auction but I can guarantee it will be an amazing street car with equally amazing track capabilities.

Let the purist fuss over 20 shades of underhood black and what brand and ply count of toilet paper was used in the Norwood factory during the 3rd shift on November 23, 1970 so they can put the right number of lint pieces on their lug nuts. We're PT folk, cut it up and build it right!

Thanks for the pics of the DSE parts going in, looks great!

[frojoe]

Originally Posted by Ravenworks

... cut it up and build it right!

THIS!!!

[syborg tt]

I love the entire concept of this car and all of the reasons behind why you are doing it. If possible I would like to offer to pay for your dinner and make a donation to your Organization.

As for color - you need to search all of the recent auctions and look to see what these cars have actually sold for and what colors seems to bring the biggest draw. You also need to find an auction house that will wave the buyer & sellers fee's.

I am pretty sure this was the TA that sold at mecum for 170,000 ( please correct me if I am wrong ).

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...=SC0513-154176

I am looking at your build and your pretty much building a 150 to 200 thousand collar car. I am hoping that most of the parts are donated or given at a reduced cost if your goal is to get this car into the six figure mark. It kinda seems like a loss.

Okay so since I am long-winded sometime I will try to explain my next thought. Years ago my best friend started a fund raiser for Jane Bowel ( www.ridejanieride.org ) who had cancer. They raffled off a Chevelle that he had built and raised close to $100,000 the first year. Since them they have raised over $500,000 and all of the money has been given back to local family's with children that have cancer. I have been lucky enough to help the last 5 years and it is truly rewarding. This year was really hard because 4 weeks before the fundraiser one of the recipients passed away.

You may want to look at something slightly safer then an auction as it's hit or miss. A raffle is something you can guarantee. Sell 1,000 tickets for $100.00 each or 2,000 for $50.00 each

[Rick D]

Wow Greg, not sure how I missed this one? I commend you for your efforts on this build and the dedication to your charity.

This will no doubt be a very cool car and very capable car for sure.

Two things that come to mind. And I know you did ask for my opinion so please take this with just what I seen over the years in our car hobby.

First is I couldn't agree more with Marty on this one. Do a raffle it is way safer and can protect your interest much better? Promote the car on every forum you can get on, now this is where I would get on the phone with Marty?? He has some experience at promoting a build on the internet?? Remember a little mini truck he built?? I had a customer that built a Chevelle for a charity (no where near the level of this build) but they did a raffle and I think they raised over 50k for the charity. It was for batter women to help them get back on their feet.

The second is and I may get flamed on here ( ) just kidding guys. But you said you are trying to build a car not to your taste which is very hard todo when building a car. But you are also building the car to a smaller segment of our hobby? You are also building a car with more of a race car feel then a street car feel? Dry sump very cool, oil primer very cool, but very race car? Believe it or not not everyone likes the cars we build, and the street rod segment is still way bigger then ours. And I don't mean 30s, 40s and 50s street rod but our same cars? Maybe street machine would be a better word.

It's hard to put it all in to words on a forum but I think you can get an idea of what I'm trying to say?

Not in anyway am I trying to say that this car wouldn't be very bad azz, but you will appeal to more poetical buyers or ticket buyers if it was maybe toned down some from the PT crowd and built more for the man stream hot rodders?? Just my thoughts and either way it will be very cool and if I wasn't all the way in the Midwest I would offer to do the body and paint for you on this in a second?? But guess that's what they make transport for right. Please don't take my comments as negative not trying to do that at all, just want you to get the most possible for your charity!!!