By 1993, the Howells had embarked upon the restoration of a '73 SD-455 four-speed T/A. Word got around the water cooler that the resto would be first class. This kind of news usually draws some attention, and lo and behold, a friend of the Howells dropped a bombshell.
The tiny details are what...
The tiny details are what separate a high points resto from a street resto. Note the "PQ" sticker on the throttle cable, the correct yellow stripes on the Thermac unit hose, and the red/orange paint daub on the power brake booster, which were found during teardown and recreated. The booster was restored and zinc dichromate (gold iridite) plated by Steve Gregori. Ames pro-vided the reproduction exhaust heat shroud, the special clamp, and the hose assembly up to the air cleaner.
Original Ram Air exhaust manifolds...
Original Ram Air exhaust manifolds (#9799721 right / #478141 left) were coated to look like bare cast iron for a stock appearance. You can also see the date coded 4-Q-70 (fourth quarter of 1970) reproduction plug wires. The "614" on the head is visible as well, and even the oil pressure sending unit has a sticker on it, "1103."
For 1970, the Shaker not only...
For 1970, the Shaker not only shook, but it also sucked air thanks to a solenoid that would kick the door open when the throttle was mashed. At the top of the opening, '70 Shakers were very thin in the area where the hinges were mounted for the trap door, and some tended to crack. The problem was fixed in 1971 with more material added to the area. Hence the '70 Shaker scoop is a one-year-only piece.
"Our friend Jimmy Usher told us he had a '701/2 Ram Air IV four-speed Trans Am," Bill says. "Several years passed after that conversation, and then on December 27, 2001 (our anniversary), Jimmy called and asked if we would like to purchase his Ram Air IV T/A. He said he wanted us to have the car because he knew we would be very particular about restoring it to its original state. Wow! I was ecstatic! I knew this would complete my collection of several rare T/As. We sold our '99 30th Anniversary T/A with just 12 miles on it to buy this car--a real good move." The Howells took delivery of the R/A-IV T/A in April 2002.
Once it was in their Southeastern garage, and the PHS paperwork confirmed the Bird's authenticity, the treasure hunt was on for needed parts. The T/A would require a carburetor, a distributor (#1112011), and the aluminum intake (#9799084) with its cast-iron crossover for starters. Birthday and Christmas presents from Mary consisted of the correct Ram Air IV distributor and the aluminum intake. Then, a set of five JW-coded wheels were scored just two hours from the Howells' home. With the parts collecting moving at a brisk pace, there was action on the resto side as well.
The driver seat was a comfortable...
The driver seat was a comfortable place to be in 1970. Low-back buckets and chrome bezels (some '70s had black) around the gauges were '70-only items. This is a "standard" interior as denoted by the lack of assist straps on the dash and doors, bright trim on the pedal pads and around the door latch escutcheons, and a differing seat pattern than the Custom interior. Strangely enough, Bill says the all-black door latch trim pieces are actually covers that hide the chrome and black trim pieces, found on Custom interior cars, underneath.
This ornate four-speed shift...
This ornate four-speed shift knob is another '70-only item. Bill bought this knob 15 years ago from another T/A owner and paid $50 for it.
The correct Hurst shifter...
The correct Hurst shifter and boot remain, but the optional '70 AM pushbutton radio has been updated with this AM/FM unit that came with the '73 dashpad. Bill had it restored prior to installation.
Noted collector and Pontiac guru Bill Blair blueprinted and rebuilt the numbers-matching Ram Air IV engine. The stock crank and rods were refurbished and retained. And TRW forged pistons wrapped in Sealed Power rings were also installed in the 0.030-over 400 four-bolt main block. An N.O.S. 041 cam featuring 308/320 degrees duration with 0.516/0.516 lift with 1.65 ratio rockers was employed to actuate the 2.11/ 1.77 valves in the blueprinted Ram Air IV heads. The newly acquired correct carb, aluminum intake with crossover, and distributor were then bolted on. An N.O.S. pump feeds the fuel, and the original Ram Air exhaust manifolds disperse with spent gasses into a correct-for-'701/2 Gardner exhaust system with a crossflow muffler.
The task of restoring the body and chassis of the Trans Am to its former glory fell upon Randy Jones of Randy's Paint and Body. Stripped to the bare shell, the T/A was mounted on a rotisserie and every inch was gone over. The quarters, rockers, and floors were in pretty good shape, and the nose, hood, and decklid could be saved. But the doors would need to be replaced with good, used parts, and the factory fenders and valance gave way to N.O.S. items.
A reproduction "COZ" decal,...
A reproduction "COZ" decal, which denotes the rear axle type and code was affixed to the rear brake drums as the factory had done in 1970. The black center lugs on the Rally II wheels are correct as well. Wheel colors are Charcoal and Argent.
This card was attached to...
This card was attached to the ignition key cylinder by GM back in the day to explain the ignition interlock system.
This '70 (70) Norwood-built(NOR)...
This '70 (70) Norwood-built(NOR) T/A (WS4) features black standard interior (208), Polar White paint (10 10), and was built in July (07) in the third (C) week.
Once the body was smoother than 12-year-old scotch--after blocking the primer six times--the T/A was shot with three coats each of Polar White PPG DBC 2000 basecoat and clearcoat. Wet-sanding with 600-grit paper took place between each coat.