70 RAIV Trans Am
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif I just made a great addition to my little Pontiac collection: I found, out in Northern Calif. a 70 RAIV/4spd TA, white/blue deluxe, tilt, am/fm Stereo, cal emmission car too. The car has great history. It was raced in 70/1 @ Laguna, still has Orig. vintage Amer. torque thrust Magnesium rims. It has 33k miles,& is one of 88 made, only 17 produced @ Van Nuys plant. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

So where are the photos???? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif Cant wait to see the car https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

J-top,
Please tell me it's not the car with the 13 heads and small roll bar.
Jim

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Thats the car!

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

YEP!,I think he tried ebay, but no one saw actual vin#. this was one that slipped through cracks. Guy was not sure it was a RAIV, as the PHS said SD, as all 88 RAIVs. This car is a super clean cal. all orig. sheet metal car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Well done.Congrats! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

HI, thanks!!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

How about a pic?

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Have you sen many 70 RAIV TAs. I think Gary has an auto car.Pretty unique, has no other birds had RAIV, just TA. The Gto/Judges had it. In 69 birds & Ta had raiv, so alot more in the 69 bird vs 70 bird. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Gary has an Auto and 4SP 70 TA RAIV, he has about a dozen 69 TA's with probably half RAIV, he has one 69TA RAV with cast manifolds, and two 69 RAIV regular Firebirds that I know of.

He also has two 68 RAII Firebirds and 3 RAII GTO's, most are 4SP if not all.

The RAII Birds get my top vote.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

I know Gary has alot!! of great cars. I know one of the 69 TA's is a RAIV, from Fab firebird guy. I know he has a green 69 project, & a nice orange one. I can't fathom having a 100 cars. I feel pretty lucky having 5 RAIVs & my 71 HO TA. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

It's not about who has how many cars, and who can spend the most money.

What is important is Gary and others like him for whatever motives, purchased these cars back when they were readily available and still in some what decent shape then stored them (most inside) for future use.

Most of his cars are in an untouched condition, as in they were 20 years ago. It's like walking through a museum. I would rather see half a dozen of these type cars then 500 premium restored cars.

Eric of your half a dozen cars, are any of them your original cars from way back? Maybe 1 or 2 from your first years of driving, maybe not? If people like Gary hadn't done what they did years ago, people like you and me wouldn't be able to get these cars anymore. Not easily anyway.

I should be shot for all the GTO's I stripped for $50 dollars just for a fender and set of gauges. Then sent the car to the crusher because it looked bad in my yard. So I say a toast to people like Gary that had a vision unlike myself.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Hey Steve, to each his own. Me having 6 cars, is most I would want. It's hard to enjoy them. I try to have some diversity, would not want 5 or 6 69 TAs, as they would all look the same. I have 3 little kids so time limited. Being a caretaker of 100s of cars is not for me. It's almost like these people who take in 100s of strays.
The car I've had the longest is my 1969 RAIV TA, had it since 95. I, like you had alot of cars, parted many 70-2 TAs, & 2 69 TAs. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

I met a guy from Indiana that owns about 80+ Trans Ams...Is that Gary ?

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Gary is on the left with the green shirt, I'm on the right. The guy in the middle is another friend from Tulsa.

http://www.empgmc.com/race/3GUYSt.jpg

Full Size

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Charlie, that would be Steve Hamilton https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Anyone have a pic of this Hamilton's stash of cars?

What kind of a mix does he have in the way of nice, unrestored, or parts cars?

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

When I spoke with him he was considered as owning more Trans Ams than anyone. He was at Bowling green 2 years ago at the Fbody gathering with a Bandit Trans am. Nice guy. I think I saw a writeup in one of the car mags of his collection. I don't think he sells anything.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Gary in Tulsa just coughed up a couple of pics.

This one is a 25ANN with a 69 IV in and GSX in the back ground:

http://www.empgmc.com/race/groupat.jpg

Full Size

And this is one sweet RAII with long branch manifolds and ram air pans intact:

http://www.empgmc.com/race/raiit.jpg

Full Size

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

That car has a bad ass look to it..never saw one trimmed like that with the dog dish...

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Yes those poverties look awesome, and get this!!! It was painted black in the early 70's, guess the original color?

- - Speacial Paint Ralley Green just like Mike Guarise's!!

He said you can see it in several places and hopes to paint it back to that some day. Not that the black looks bad.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

The Indiana Firebird collection is Steve Hamilton's. He has over 80 Firebirds, and there was a 2-part write up in High Performance Pontiac last year showing dozens of photos of his Birds.

He has eight SD455 cars, including a pair of 1973 and 1974 SD455 Formulas. He has mostly 2nd gen cars, but he does own a 69 RAIV Trans Am with a column shift (1 of 3 made) and other 1st gen cars.

As far as "too many cars", I tend to agree with the above comments that 4-6 cars is enough! Anything more is getting into the therapy area.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Part of his collection. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Now that you mention HPP I think I remember. Thany You.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

[ QUOTE ]
That car has a bad ass look to it..never saw one trimmed like that with the dog dish...

[/ QUOTE ]

There is a pair of RAII 'Birds that run in Pure Stock with us...1 is black, has the "usual" Firebird wheels, but the other is a bronze color, with poverty caps! Very different looking, and still the only one with caps that I've seen in person...but I dig it! And to top it off, it runs like stink!!

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

He's got alot!!! Do not think anything good sold. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

That 68 RAII is here in W. PA. I bought my 92SSE from him. It does have dog dishes. My 69 RAIV TA came w/poverty caps too. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

HI Thanks, as I say to each his own. But having tons of cars, esp. unfinshed ones is useless & enslaves you. I have a great friend in Dallas, has an awesome collection! all cars done & in his Museum. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Eric

When I said Gary had untouched cars, I didn't mean unfinished or one step from the junkyard. Here are some more of his cars. 4 TA's (1 is restored), the one in the back with the hood up is the RAV. The Gold 71 Judge ragtop that is painted blue is to the far right; and behind that is his favorite street car, a black with red interior RAIII 70 Judge. This black one had 34,000 miles on it when he got it, he put a few street miles on it before it ended up in the garage.

I took this out at his house last winter, they are all in the same spot.

http://www.empgmc.com/race/tast.jpg

Full Size

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Steve, I know he has alot of great cars. Hey, have 500 of them, as long as I don't have to be the caretaker. Like I said having 1 69, etc TA is good for me. To each his own. He, you said has been collecting for many yrs. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

I'm overwhelmed by 5 myself, but room is my biggest enemy.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Hmm kind of reminds me of those crazy people you see on Animal Planet with 50 cats in the house. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

-------Actually, Id love to be the caretaker of a collection like that. Just not the owner. My dream job would be to take care of someones large collection and get paid for it. Hell, Id go back to work for that!!!!!!!!.........Bill S

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

I noticed that his collection is'nt covered, is there a reason for that?.

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Room, tough for me too, & renting gets expensive, would like to have bigger garage built, when "my ship" comes in. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Funny, you do see alot of people who can't stop taking in strays, I think something "screwey" w/that. Hey, I love cars, but having too many is overwhelming. I would rather have the 6 really choice cars I have, & spread more cars to others collectors. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

[ QUOTE ]
... Hey, I love cars, but having too many is overwhelming. I would rather have the 6 really choice cars I have, & spread more cars to others collectors...

[/ QUOTE ]
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

A number of people I know think I am nutz to have just three cars that are not every day drivers..I bet you hear it from people when they find out you have "only" six collector cars!
-Sam https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: 70 RAIV Trans Am
 

Tell me about it, family members don't have "collector" mentality. Someday each of our little children will have their pick of 2 cars. Time/$ are 2 huge hurdles to try to overcome. But hey, I was lucky enough to dig up 5 RAIVs, & 455 HO. It's great now that alot of collectors have come aboard the pontiac "ship" I love them whether there in "vogue" or not.
I see you're in WA, my 71 just came out of there, sold new in Yakima. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif