New guy with 1970 Trans Am

[HIOSILVER]

Hello i am new here but not to cars done bodywork fo 30 years.. yea i am older..my cars 1969 firebird ram air 3..1978 trans am got new..1979 trans am 4 speed..2000 trans am ram air and the 1970 trans that me and my 19 year old son is building..doing a few things to make the car more to his idea"s..drop 2" and he picked out foose legend wheels 17x8 4.5 bs front and 17x9 5.25 bs rear we are trying to pick tires looking at 255/45/17 front--and--285/40/17 rear nittos 555..what do you guys think..also have a vintage front engine dragster pontiac powered..still working on that also thanks love the info here....J.R.:cool:

[NOT A TA]

Welcome! There's a bunch of us here with early 2nd gens so any questions you/he might have should be easily answered. Post up some pics!

[O'Neall]

Hi, I recognize the name from TAC. There's a few of us TACers that hang over here too. Sounds like you've got an awesome collection of T/As there! Post up some pics.

[Throttle]

I would go with 40 series up front. With that Combo you are actually a little taller up front..

[HIOSILVER]

heres some of mine

[1971CHEVELLE]

Welcome to the site

[O'Neall]

While true the 255/45/17s are a touch taller than 285/40/17s... it is a miniscule 1.5mm. The human eye cannot detect such a small difference... especially separated by the length of the car's wheelbase.

This very set up was used by the factory for many a C4 Corvette. Its a tried and true combo... and a good overall choice if you desire the tires to be virtually the same height f/b.

[birdsandbowties]

those are my kind of cars !!!! nice !!!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site, J.R. Nice T/As!

[ed1le]

Nice line up! I grew up riding around in the back of my Dad's '70 T/A, one of my all time favorite cars!

[79-TA]

Welcome to the site, it's always good to see another TA owner on the boards.

[HIOSILVER]

thanks will get some pics of the 1970 TA soon

[Roadbuster]

Welcome HIOSILVER!
I love the early second generation TAs! Please post the pics when you can.

Jon

[smellmygas]

Gorgeous cars you have there...welcome to the board!

[Dante]

nice collection,love the original brown

[opnwide]

Nicest brown TA I've ever seen. Welcome.

[PleaseNoSteve]

Solid collection man. You dont see too many of those TA's in brown anymore - I like it!

[68Formula]

The width and backspacing is good for a 1st gen, but I think the 2nd gens need more backspacing. Double check this before you order.

Also, the 285/40 is not recommended with a 9" width. While you could cram it on, I always stay within the tire manufacturers recommendations. You should consider stepping up to a 10" rim if a 9.5" is not available. Either width should fit provided you get the backspacing correct.

255/285 combo looks awesome on a 2nd gen T/A.

You cars look great. Welcome to the forum.

[JEFFTATE]

'70 Trans Ams are cool !!
Welcome ..

[HIOSILVER]

this is the 70 ta as what it looked like when i got it 49,000 original miles sat out side the last year before i got it..the car belong to a dealer and had never been titled..my son 19 now has a title that looks like he got the car new..i think that neat for him..runs great drives great so a lot of things are just a cleanup and go....

[Dante]

how much did you pay for it?

[twoformulas]

Welcome HIOSILVER. Nice collection of 'birds!

Rick

[HIOSILVER]

well Dante..i got this car 6 years ago and payed the mans asking price of 3,500

[NOT A TA]

A STEAL !!!!! Even 6 years ago!

[formula]

3500?!?!?!?! you lucky dog, you...I payed 6 for my car about the same time and thought I came away a criminal! Great find, my bird was/is my first and only car, there is absolutely nothing better than having a beautiful vintage bird when you're a kid. Great to have you guys aboard, beautiful collection you have there!

[HIOSILVER]

thanks ...does anyone go to the pontiacs in pigeon forge tn car show june 5th 6th and 7th........

[aaron]

Wow, beautiful Bird. Would love to know it's story over the last 39 years! It's inspiring to know that cars like this are still out there. I felt lucky to find my 68 goat in 2001 pretty complete, but not nearly as original as yours appears to be. Can't wait to see your progress.

[cdoggy81]

Any updates on your TA?