What did you do with your Trans Am today?

[raynor139]

If you don't remove the glue it will come through whatever you do. As old as our cars are now the glue has seeped into the fiberglass of the old panel and so far the only way I've seen 100% certain to fix it is remove the old panel and put a new one on.

[herculesrider1]

I'm seeing a few bubbles on my Silver 2000 T/A, and one on my Red 2000 T/A. After the nightmare Trev had, I don't look forward to that AT ALL!!

[clovenhooves]

Just errands. It's in between repair stints. This time I was hassled by a parking attendant with interest in buying. That's been happening too much lately, I guess as 4th Gens become rare on the road. Why would I sell a hard-to-replace good-looking car with a strong engine? It's fun to dart around newer, generic vehicles.

[SMWS6TA]

Last weekend Vert top update. It's getting there, gotta put the trim and seals back on.

[hardtrailz]

Will get ya some pics.

I stuck the new wheels n tires on last night

[herculesrider1]

If you don't remove the glue it will come through whatever you do. As old as our cars are now the glue has seeped into the fiberglass of the old panel and so far the only way I've seen 100% certain to fix it is remove the old panel and put a new one on.

I looked online at 6LE which changed it's name to MAGG Performance, and found a sail panel in fiberglass for $650. The Carbon Fiber was close to $1000.Only problem I see with pulling one off a used T/A, is WHAT IF that one has the same glue issues that the one you are pulling off has?? MAGG says that the new fiberglass sail panel fits better than OEM. After all that work of pulling off a used one, to have it do the same thing might make you want to become a pyrotechnic....!!!! Just kidding! But saving up for the $650 NEW Sail Panel, I think, would be well worth the $$$. In my humble opinion!! Of Course!

[herculesrider1]

Last weekend Vert top update. It's getting there, gotta put the trim and seals back on.

Looks really good Scott. Hey man, I think you need some more tool boxes!!! Nothing like fresh leather on a vert top! Is there any way to tighten up those areas right above the top of the windows? Maybe how it was sewn together?

[herculesrider1]

Will get ya some pics.

I stuck the new wheels n tires on last night

Sweet! What are the make and size of those wheels?

[hardtrailz]

ASA JH8 18x9.5 45 offset with 275/35/18. Needed a 5mm rear spacer to clear the center lip on axle. Using hubcentric rings with them as well.

[herculesrider1]

Those look really nice!!

[SMWS6TA]

Looks really good Scott. Hey man, I think you need some more tool boxes!!! Nothing like fresh leather on a vert top! Is there any way to tighten up those areas right above the top of the windows? Maybe how it was sewn together?

Vinyl top. I tried and tried to pull it tight, any tighter and the top doesn't open right. Not sure why it won't lay down there.

[herculesrider1]

It still looks awesome man. This will allow differentiation between a landau top and a true vert top. Perhaps when it sits in the sun for a while it will tighten up? Glad you got it back together. You just increased the value of your T/A!!

[SMWS6TA]

It's a Firebird V6. This will be for my daughter'd 16 B-day in June.


My 98 is the TA.

[speedyWS6]

Instead of going thru all the headaches you did Trev, with cutting the old one off, would it be possible to refiberglass the panel and make it look like new? Just asking.

Hey Don....

It's an interesting idea but i would wager that unless you are very skilled in the application of the fiberglass and resin and all
of that then it may well look like a dogs breakfast!

If you did achieve it then i guess it would hold off the vapors from coming through but... Who knows!?

Chase has pretty much echoed the situation... replacement, or it ain't worth doing??!!

Went to pick my painted sail panel up from the paint shop a while ago today.... Bloody well not done yet!
"sorry mate, we've been really busy" Ho Hum... typical paint shop time lines, eh?

[Zapper2003]

Those remind me of the wheels I had on my 97 Formula

[SMWS6TA]

Hey Don....

It's an interesting idea but i would wager that unless you are very skilled in the application of the fiberglass and resin and all
of that then it may well look like a dogs breakfast!

If you did achieve it then i guess it would hold off the vapors from coming through but... Who knows!?

Chase has pretty much echoed the situation... replacement, or it ain't worth doing??!!

Went to pick my painted sail panel up from the paint shop a while ago today.... Bloody well not done yet!
"sorry mate, we've been really busy" Ho Hum... typical paint shop time lines, eh?

I dropped off a dash to have the vinyl redone mid Feb, they still haven't gotten to it yet.

[herculesrider1]

I dropped off a dash to have the vinyl redone mid Feb, they still haven't gotten to it yet.

Wow, that dash recover job sounds intense! My silver t/a has cracks in the dash from the sun that has caused the foam padding underneath the vinyl to harden. I would love to see it when they get it done. I just can't wrap my mind around HOW they are going to do it! Must be a talented group of people!

[hardtrailz]

Vinyl top. I tried and tried to pull it tight, any tighter and the top doesn't open right. Not sure why it won't lay down there.

Did you let the sun bake it some? i know it was a huge difference maker with Jeep tops for us.

[SMWS6TA]

Yeah but was 60* days when I as at that point in the installation.

[Whamhammer]

Got the UMI front sway bar on, finally, now I have to put the summer wheels/tires on, and see how much kore sticky the car is.

Probably getting my subframe connectors welded on while Im recovering from surgery at the end of May.

Fun fun fun