Let's Talk About Specs

While we're waiting on the arrival of the TA, let's talk more about what we are actually getting.

The basics according to the VIN number are:

Pontiac Trans Am Sport Coupe
403 Engine (also known as the Olds engine as opposed to a Pontiac engine) cid, 4BBL, V-8. I only know what about two-thirds of this means (what's 4 BBL? what's cid?);
Built in Van Nuys, CA;
Number 101, 672 of, I believe, all TAs built for 1979.

Automatic transmission; t-tops; air conditioning; power windows, power steering.

Oyster (white) exterior with orange decals. The primary decal color for white TAs was blue, so this may have been a special order. I do not know how many 79 TAs were produced with the orange graphics; John said that he had seen some previously. Personally, I do like the orange.

Oyster (white) seats with red carpet, dash and accessories. Sherry was right in a comment she made to me yesterday after she saw the photos. The white/red combo is really eye-catching!

About 27,500 miles. Mileage in 6/85: 4021; mileage in 5/02: 24,897.

Two solid owners with an in-between owner. The original owner (1979-2002) in Racine, Wisconsin; a Milwaukee-area mechanic (a few months in 2002); PTTH/MTS of Greenfield, WI from 2002-8/07, and me.

Known to have been replaced in 2002: exhaust system, tires, spark plugs, some belts, washer pump & nozzles, oil pressure sending unit, valve cover gaskets, choke pull-off. (about $1700 total).

When this work was done, the previous owner had brought it in because the exhaust system was hanging off; the start-up was a bit rough; the wipers were not working, and the oil pressure measured high.

What does it mean to "shim" the starter? This was also done in 2002.

Regular oil changes by previous owner, who also replaced the front arm rests with new, red ones (the originals were oyster, but I think the red ones look good) and fixed a small tear in the driver's seat.

Assumed replaced but date unknown: battery.

Minor appearance issues: a few paint dings throughout, a loose rear panel above the trunk (trunk panels and trunk lid do not quite align); a bit of silver stripping on one door/interior is peeling; hood shaker seal could use replacing; one driver's side headlight has some moisture in it causing it to appear a bit darker than the others.