First I'd like to thank the people who helped to sponsor and be a part of this build...

My wife(Amy) - very time consuming project!! Always there with a fresh glass of tea and some food. Thanks Babe!! Your the best! Year One(Mike) - Thanks for all of the parts!! Saved me a ton! Hotchkis Suspension - "sacrificing cost for quality is not an option!" Thanks for the support!!               JL Audio/Ultimate Audio(Shawn/Josh) - Thanks for sponsoring the equipment and hours to build a truely one of a kind audio system!         S&S Classic Parts(Steve) - Recaro/interior items at a fraction of the price!"what a sweet interior it will be!"   PM Paint and Body(Jeff) - man you are slow...L.O.L.!!!But the best! Thanks for the countless hours and not charging me for all of them!!That helped to save me a ton! Briggs Collision(Brad) - for sponsoring all of the Sikkens paint and materials. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to use the highest quality of paint!! Wheel Pros-American Racing (Jody/Randy) - Beautiful set of wheels that are sure to turn some heads! Atlantic Speed (Pete/Scott) - Elderbrock , MSD equipment. (She purrs!!) Muffler Masters(Bobby)-Thanks for the full Flowmaster exhaust sponsorship! A perfect Install! Geometry is perfect! Rimzone(Mike/Emily)- sponsoring parts powder coating. I appreciate you!! H&H Polishing(Glen)- I dont think there is a piece of metal that you can'nt make shiney! Three R's Trim(Whole Crew) - Thanks for the full sponsorship on the interior recovering! I would not have trusted anyone else tearing apart these Recaro's!! I chose the above companies because they all stand for quality and great service. Thank you all again for your contributions toward this project. We will represent what you stand for at each and every show!  There are countless others who have helped.THANK YOU!!

THE HISTORY/STORY

Here is my 81 T/A . The first picture is of another 1981 Trans Am Nascar Daytona 500 Pace Car in its original form. I am a "new school" type of guy and have a different outlook on what this cars potential as a muscle car really has. Here you get to see my vision of what that is and what types of things I have done to acheive my goal of personalizing my custom pace car. Enjoy....
The History:
In 1981 Pontiac introduced its first Trans Am Turbo pace car for the Nascar circuit in a limited production run of 2000 units out of a total 33,313 "Firebird/Trans Ams" produced in 1981 in which was the "f" bodys last year. This year Darrell Waltrip won the 81 Nascar championship as this Trans Am lead him around the track that season at the start of each event and during caution flag laps. This was also the first year that Recaro seats made its American debut in a domestic race associated automobile introducing the very first fully adjustable sport seat.I sold the original Recaro's that were badly weathered and updated them to the formula one style Recaro a more modern design and recovered to original red and black scheme.

I got this car from my uncle Larry out of Nashville Tenn. who I had begged for some 15 years for it. He finally gave in knowing I had the ability and resources to bring the ole T/A back to life after it had sat for some 8 years untouched.
This car originally was powered by a 200hp turbo 4.9 liter V8 originally. the turbos were notorious for burning up with low mileage and were more trouble than the power they were capable of producing so my uncle bought a used 400 to limp it by while he had in it that I rennovated.
I started with the engine a 1974 .40 over 6.6L 400 with a turbo 400 transmission. It currently has 6x8 heads(ported and polished) , MSD Pro Billet Distributor , MSD 6AL , MSD Blaster 2 coil , Moroso ultra 40 wires , Barry Grant Race Demon polished carb. , Eldebrock Performer RPM "Endurashine" finish Intake manifold , Bolt Locker polished stainless hex engine bolts throughout , polished Mickey Thompson old skool valve covers , polished water pump , polished timing housing , stainless braided hoses , Polished Be Cool radiator , several other polished/chrome items still await installation , long tube Hooker ceramic coated headers with x pipe and twin 40 series Flowmaster exhaust As you can see from the pictures below I had alot of work to do!
Now that it runs we have started on the paint , body so here are a few pics of before and some images after

alot more to come ...tell me what you think?

1981 Trans Am vin decoder/information

This is the car the day I picked it up in Tenn. (8 years and never moved anywhere but further toward extinction) The turbo wheels came with the car along with the set of GTA wheels taht my uncle had put on the car.

The first day in N.C. a wash job and a used set of BBS two pc. 18x8.5's & 18x10's with michelin pilot sports as rollers.
The engine at first sight.
Starting to turn into something. I did'nt want to go to crazy with the hp set up , just enough to still be dependable for a weekend out of town trip. With the 3 speed turbo 400 transmission I'm sure she will still white smoke em through 1st and second and hook half way through to drive! Thats all I need.

Firewall still to be cleaned up with an a/c delete kit and replace brake booster / master cylinder . There is still a lot of parts that need to be installed! More images once complete!

AC delete kit installed 

Test fit the Lorenzo forged 22x11 (check caliper , exhaust and fender clearance) 
Once the Hotchkis leafs springs & sway bars are installed w/ new Bilstein shocks it should set down a couple of more inches.

clean up a ratty firewall