85 Trans am
Moderators: neps, Matthew, Michael Pajaro
- Goldwings
- Rookie
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:35 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: San Jose, California
- Contact:
85 Trans am
Well, I might have a good shot at getting a 85 Trans am for a KITT replica, that is if 1.) my parents don't kill me and 2.) i can work out some kinda deal with the owner. The thing is I don't remember seeing if it had a target top (it was dark in the parking lot when I wrote down his phone #) I really want one with a T top to make it season 1/2 accurate. My question is how easy is it to make it a T top? How does it affect the structure of the car? Should I just wait till I can find one with a target top instead? How rare are target top trans ams anyways?
Thanks guys! ^^
Thanks guys! ^^
- ReddawgKnight
- FLAG Assistant
- Posts: 514
- Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:23 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Contact:
Go to http://www.markscustomkits.com to find out how expensive it would be..
- Crovax Ws-6
- Rookie
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:45 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Newton MA
- Contact:
- R.J.1984
- Operative
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2004 3:11 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: KITT's driver's seat driving down the highway
I am inclined to agree. I've seen pics of what they can do and I was very impressed. It is costly but well worth it. Thats just my two cents.ReddawgKnight wrote:Go to http://www.markscustomkits.com to find out how expensive it would be..
- TurbomanKnight
- FLAG Operative
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:09 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Brooklyn, NY 11208
- Contact:
In my opinion it would actually be better if you found a car with T-tops. It would be cheaper and you can have your glass off as soon as you buy the car. I mean Mark is in Florida and you will have to pay Transportation both ways and with the cost of the roof conversion.
Anti-Ford. 'Nuff Said.
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
- Goldwings
- Rookie
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:35 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: San Jose, California
- Contact:
Well I just called the owner. It is a target top. ^^ Problem is is he's asking 3K USD for it and it has about 177K miles on it. It is all origenal, but like I said earlier it had noticble blemishes.TurbomanKnight wrote:In my opinion it would actually be better if you found a car with T-tops. It would be cheaper and you can have your glass off as soon as you buy the car. I mean Mark is in Florida and you will have to pay Transportation both ways and with the cost of the roof conversion.
What I could do...I could get rid of my 1999 Jetta and get this car. The thing is my Jetta is more reliable and has less miles of course. On the flip side this car would be much more simpler to work on myself. Another thing I do have to take in account for is gas, out here in CA it is very expensive and my jetta would obviously burn less than a Trans am.
What to do what to do....
- HondaSiR
- FLAG Assistant
- Posts: 809
- Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 11:58 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Asia Pacific
Don't let go of your daily driver Jetta. It is a fuel miser compared to an 80's Trans Am and you will definitely need it when you are working on your KITT replica.
If the car you are after has the t-tops, is in good condition for its age (minimal rust and chassis damage), then I think the 3K asking price is fair enough but you can still haggle a bit with the owner. The '85 does have the rare front fender vents (I think) but it lacks the cowl induction hood. You will have to find a replacement for this later. And the tail lights will need to be replaced too since they are of the curved type, not the flat ones on early 80's Firebirds. And the rims too, I don't think 85s came with the correct turbo-finned bowling ball caps. You will have to buy these later somewhere else.
If the car you are after has the t-tops, is in good condition for its age (minimal rust and chassis damage), then I think the 3K asking price is fair enough but you can still haggle a bit with the owner. The '85 does have the rare front fender vents (I think) but it lacks the cowl induction hood. You will have to find a replacement for this later. And the tail lights will need to be replaced too since they are of the curved type, not the flat ones on early 80's Firebirds. And the rims too, I don't think 85s came with the correct turbo-finned bowling ball caps. You will have to buy these later somewhere else.
- TurbomanKnight
- FLAG Operative
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:09 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Brooklyn, NY 11208
- Contact:
I think if you snap some pictures and post them we can give you a more detailed opinion. Did the owner tell you what type of engine is in the car? You should also check http://www.autotrader.com for any other Firebird/Trans Ams in your area. Checking there can even help you find a cheaper or more resourceful Firebird/Trans Am. Good luck.
Anti-Ford. 'Nuff Said.
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
- Knight of Sweden
- Operative
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2002 1:01 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Sweden
- Contact:
- 86chvs10
- FLAG Recruit
- Posts: 472
- Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2003 9:54 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Pensacola,Florida
- Contact:
Don't buy this car.Find another Trans Am with t-tops.And 177k miles on that car.I don't think you want to buy a car that's about has 200k miles.That's just wrong.He owner probably just lets the car sit there and rot.Just keep searching.And for a conversion you probably need to look around for a 82-84 Trans Am.
- Crovax Ws-6
- Rookie
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:45 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Newton MA
- Contact:
you dont NEED an 82 -84. third gen parts are almost totally interchangable. you can get a later car and the parts will still fit with little to no modification. Also My car had 161K on the body and the only rust is on the drivers side rear 1/4 over the wheel well and a bit on the floors. Both are easliy fixable. Dont judge a car by its milage. GO look at it.
- Crovax Ws-6
- Rookie
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 12:45 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Newton MA
- Contact:
- Army_F_Body
- FLAG Assistant
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 1:01 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Contact:
I see a lot of third gens advertised in the local auto trader here in Bakersfield, CA. for about 2 grand or less. Chances are that perfect 82-84 will be totally beat to hell and no where near good mechanical order. You'll end up spending less getting a newer model and adding the correct fenders, hood, etc., than you would taking care of body and mechanical damage on an older model.
I figure as long as it's a third gen and has t-tops your good to go. The other stuff is just a mater of combing the junk yards and taking your time.
I figure as long as it's a third gen and has t-tops your good to go. The other stuff is just a mater of combing the junk yards and taking your time.
- Goldwings
- Rookie
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:35 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: San Jose, California
- Contact:
Oh awesome! I am just right above you in Fresno, so that isnt too much of a drive away. The only problem would be getting it home, that and to and from school to work on it if I take more auto classes. My Bf has a silverado, it would be a matter of finding something to tow it on...Army_F_Body wrote:I see a lot of third gens advertised in the local auto trader here in Bakersfield, CA. for about 2 grand or less. Chances are that perfect 82-84 will be totally beat to hell and no where near good mechanical order. You'll end up spending less getting a newer model and adding the correct fenders, hood, etc., than you would taking care of body and mechanical damage on an older model.
I figure as long as it's a third gen and has t-tops your good to go. The other stuff is just a mater of combing the junk yards and taking your time.
Anyways, I will have to go down there during spring or summer vacation (and when I get a wad of cash. )
- TurbomanKnight
- FLAG Operative
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:09 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Brooklyn, NY 11208
- Contact:
You can puill it with a tow bar. My old man has done it many times. Just remember to leave the steering open and the transmission in Neutral.Goldwings wrote:My Bf has a silverado, it would be a matter of finding something to tow it on...
Anti-Ford. 'Nuff Said.
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
- Army_F_Body
- FLAG Assistant
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 1:01 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Contact:
Fresno ain't too far at all.Goldwings wrote:Oh awesome! I am just right above you in Fresno, so that isnt too much of a drive away. The only problem would be getting it home, that and to and from school to work on it if I take more auto classes. My Bf has a silverado, it would be a matter of finding something to tow it on...Army_F_Body wrote:I see a lot of third gens advertised in the local auto trader here in Bakersfield, CA. for about 2 grand or less. Chances are that perfect 82-84 will be totally beat to hell and no where near good mechanical order. You'll end up spending less getting a newer model and adding the correct fenders, hood, etc., than you would taking care of body and mechanical damage on an older model.
I figure as long as it's a third gen and has t-tops your good to go. The other stuff is just a mater of combing the junk yards and taking your time.
Anyways, I will have to go down there during spring or summer vacation (and when I get a wad of cash. )
KITT project is on again!
Currently working on: brand new stock tan interior, almost done!
Currently working on: brand new stock tan interior, almost done!
- knightrider2004
- Operative
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 8:31 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
another plus about getting a 1992(newest 3rd gen model) is that the car has like 250 horsepower compared to like 90 horsepower from the 1982 chevy crossfire V8 motor. Also try to get either a carbeurated or tuned port injection car since these would make the car a little faster than the cross fires injection system.
Michael wouldnt one woman be sufficient?
-K.I.T.T., Trust Doesent Rust
-K.I.T.T., Trust Doesent Rust
- TurbomanKnight
- FLAG Operative
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:09 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Location: Brooklyn, NY 11208
- Contact:
Dude, wasnt it like 150 Horses. I believe the few 4Cyl Firebirds/ Trans Ams had 90 horses.knightrider2004 wrote: compared to like 90 horsepower from the 1982 chevy crossfire V8 motor. .
Anti-Ford. 'Nuff Said.
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
1988 Camaro IROC-Z28
5.7 Tuned Port Injection .040 over
700R4
2.77 posi
3" Exhaust with Headers
- Army_F_Body
- FLAG Assistant
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 1:01 am
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0
- Contact:
Well my 92 V6 has about 200 hp and can take a 82-84 305 v8 no problem.
The only problem with a 92 that I know from experience is that all the trin has to be changed. I spent the afternoon removing my door panels and taking off the ground effects that are attached to the doors. if your going for a 100% there a lot of stuff that needs to be changed out. Some conversionists don't bother with a lot of that. I've seen a lot of excellent conversions with the stock newer center consoles or door trim still on them.
The only problem with a 92 that I know from experience is that all the trin has to be changed. I spent the afternoon removing my door panels and taking off the ground effects that are attached to the doors. if your going for a 100% there a lot of stuff that needs to be changed out. Some conversionists don't bother with a lot of that. I've seen a lot of excellent conversions with the stock newer center consoles or door trim still on them.
KITT project is on again!
Currently working on: brand new stock tan interior, almost done!
Currently working on: brand new stock tan interior, almost done!
- knightrider2004
- Operative
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 8:31 pm
- What year did the original Knight Rider start: 0