79 Trans Am need some opinions!

[bhcustomdesigns]

I am currently building a 79 Trans am,the only thing is I never really liked the 79 front bumpers so my original plans was to change the car over to a 70-73 front bumper taillighs and back glass so then it would look like a early 2 gen.This car is getting the full protouring makeover ls engine wilwood brakes coilovers front and rear and a 4link etc,but my thing was in the future if for some reason I was to ever sale the car the 70-73 front bumper taillights and back glass might hurt the sale value. I dont plan on saleing it but I have built alot of cars an it seams like when I get them done I enjoy them for acouple seasons and then I end up saleing them to start another project.So my next idea on the build was to leave all the body parts 79 and maybe install a 77-78 front bumper on the car and go that route either way I am going to have a protouring trans am to beat on at the track but i was just thinking ahead.So should I go with a full 70-73 makeover or leave it 79 with a 77-78 front bumper,whats your guys opinion.

[brownz]

I say 79 with a 77-78 front bumper, I would do that for the reason its a lot less work and money to get rid of the front end you dont like and If you really want a 70-73 I would go out and find a roller that needs all the stuff you would need to replace on the 79 and just redo the 70-73 and have the value of that year.

[mc84_zz4]

I say 79 with a 77-78 front bumper...

^^ x2

[FirebirdSteve]

Back glass on 70-73 is totally different than later second gen. back glass remember. I do love the fronts of the 70-73!!! Don't hate the 79-81 fronts LOL
I would totaly leave the 79 front and tweak it with a headlamp upgrade and maybe rework the lower grills with a different type of material or color. My .02

[bhcustomdesigns]

Back glass on 70-73 is totally different than later second gen. back glass remember. I do love the fronts of the 70-73!!! Don't hate the 79-81 fonts LOL

I was going to change the back glass to the smaller one if I went with the 70-73 bumper it would be some work but not real hard to do, but I really think I am going to leave it 79 and go with a 77-78 front bumper

[BonzoHansen]

go 79. the 77-78 is like a 69 camaro. dime a dozen.

[LeighP]

The 70-73 uses different quarters and a different tail panel...quite a bit of work.

One of the nicer conversions I've seen for a 79 is to use the early 70-73 front (you'll need a nose, valance, bumper mounts, and an early hood to match the nose, plus small brackets for the front of the fenders to hold the valance) and combine that with a 74/75 rear bumper thats modded to have a licence plate holder in it. The 79 lights and fuel door look great with the 74/75 bumper, and the rear bumper shortens the car and balances the look of the shorter nose - which looks pretty strange when you leave the long 79 rear bumper on the car.
I'd personally leave the 79 wrap around glass alone...unless you really need to change it for yourself - I've seen a couple of people do it, it isn't that hard, you just need the top of the quarters from an early car...rusty cars are good for this as the top area is usually OK.
Good luck...I'm with you, I never really liked the 79-81 nose - even though they are by far the most aerodynamic of all the 2nd gens.

[WS6]

go 79. the 77-78 is like a 69 camaro. dime a dozen.

x2 though if you do insist on a change, go with the 77-78 front end. Love the early cars but money and the reasons you've already stated make the 77-78 front the smarter choice