Building the Mullet Missile: A Stunning '78 Trans Am

[@chrisryan751]

I appreciate the positive comments on the TA. We were not trying to restore the car to original, we were trying to step outside the box and do something different. When you do something different and outside the norm you open yourself up to judgement and ridicule. In my world i want to be the one pushing the envelope and setting new trends, I dont want to copy what has already been done. Sometimes it works , sometimes it doesn't. Some people will like it, some won't. Its ok. That is why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream. In the end , I'm proud of the car we built. Peace Y'all.✌✌

[@VaporEG]

Only an idiot would fail to see the beauty in this. It's absolutely stunning and the work is amazing. Awesome job.

[@heavyonthepedal7141]

Not a fan of the wheels but that’s a personal preference. Details on this build and workmanship are incredible. Taking the plastic out I love and you guys did a hell of a job on this ride, hats off👍🏼

[@byronmcelfresh2380]

You put a LS instead of a real Pontiac engine in it, why the dumbass idiot engine instead of the better Pontiac engine?

[@arrowheadhunter420]

Nice ride brother

[@raycorvette04]

Chris you set a gold standard how you build the second generation Trans am

[@JoseRodriguez-rl3ch]

He knocked this build out of the park, so many details they did right but my favorite that kept coming at my eyes was the bird, the brushed aluminum swirl marks in the background…what an awesome detail. 👍

[@elmerfudpucker3204]

Unbelievable craftsmanship. Every detail is spot on, and perfectly executed. Beautiful work.

[@512bb]

As a long time T/A collector who's main interest are in rare factory muscle this is one that deserves much admiration. Truly a great deal of talent involved here that deserves a great deal of respect. Well done Sir.

[@chrisk920]

Yes it's like resto modding a 40 year old garbage truck....

[@512bb]

@@chrisk920 So deep.

[@SilentKnight43]

Hands-down one of the nicest lookin' rides I've ever seen. Incredible work! It doesn't get much closer to perfection than this. Love the care and attention put into all the details.

[@philadams374]

My first job out of High school in 1978 was at a Pontiac dealership. For all I know, i may have done the Pre-Delivery inspection on this car when it was new .This car, however is leaps and bounds ahead of anything that came out of the factory. My hats off to a nicely done job gentlemen!

[@thenotoriousc8846]

You got fired Phil- after like a month

[@Santos.Sarmento]

I give more to the original cars, in fact I am quite against modifications, backdates, restomods and retrofits, but in some exceptional cases I recognize that the work will become a classic of value. This is one of those cases. Pure art. Congratulations to those responsible. Greetings from Brazil.

[@oldman7452]

The "Smokey" T/A is overdone (I still love them) but this Bird is awesome. Silver/Red combo really looks great, interior is spot on, and the body work/mods just makes it better.

[@Omnihil777]

Wonderful machine, great build. Buuut IMHO a Trans Am should've got square lamps / eyes, that's a lot of their charme, but that's just me. Love the color & workmanship.

[@crw3673]

I feel the exact same way

[@JD-ml7cg]

Get off your girly feelings

[@scottk8559]

Agreed 100%

[@AB-80X]

Yep. As awful as the square lights were on other cars, Pontiac absolutely nailed it integrating them in the '77/'78 facelift. Not a fan of the bumpers either.

[@og4660]

Same thing I was thinking 👍

[@SuperVette05]

Best looking Trans Am build I've ever seen. Absolutely beautiful! My first Trans Am was a gold 78, Had 3 79s since. Just delivered one to Southern Classics for paint today.

[@dragonlips2005]

Nice ride. Love that interior. The body mods are super clean, especially that rear bumper. I would have hid those front headlights, because the rounded shape of those lense is very distracting to the eye, and round clashes with the asthetic of the car. Would have been nice to see an 800hp Butler Pontiac under the hood, but LS-everything is the trend these days.

[@ezacher4634]

Agree about headlights. Some hideaways would be perfect.

[@thought1212]

I liked the look of the square units, maybe a modern version would've worked.

[@keithmaxwell2169]

Chevy motor in a Poncho just ain't right it Needed a Built 455 in it

[@boeing175]

I agree with all that. However, Butler is expensive and LS motors are cheap sadly. If Butler made their motors a little cheaper WOOOOOOOO I'd put one in my 88 Firebird!

[@louisbabycos106]

I would love a plastic bodied firebird with an escalade AWD power train and paddle shifters.

[@STRAIGHTP]

i like all the touches. not really a fan of the circle headlights, but what a beautiful build! i cant believe the interior was stitched by hand! wow. awesome TA

[@BerserkerVision]

not over the top and still pays homage to the original. beautiful car!

[@OriginalMomo]

I love how him and Tommy bust each other’s balls even during the shoot. Great job on this beautiful car. My godfather had a ‘79 gold TA, tan interior. Ahh memories….

[@EdwardTilley]

Beautiful car and every 58-year-old 16-year-old went nuts for these in high-school as well. Top marks for this update; truly a work of art - with small helpful comment on the round headlamps. If headlights found their way back to squared LEDs, even better. Great video - and have to say I really enjoy the southern accent, know-how, and whit of this presenter; just makes for entertaining viewing!

[@JEEPDadXJ]

I've got a 1977 Formula Firebird 350 project that I've been working on. That 78 is gorgeous, my interior will never look that good. I've been trying to transform it into a 9/11 Memorial car I call the, "Freedom Firebird Project." It has it's own Facebook page under that name with more pics and info.

[@4344chicago]

This is by far the most beautiful car "work of art" ever built.

[@brettbrannon4775]

That’s one of the finest update with out going overboard and taking away from that legendary Design, awesome job💯🙌🏻😁

[@bradwilliams4921]

My first car was a 1978 Firebird Esprit. A buddy of mine had it before me and it started out baby blue with white interior and no spoiler. He had it painted dark metallic blue and added a spoiler before I got it. Great memories riding around listening to Def Leppard, Kiss and Guns & Roses. But I wasn’t man enough for the mullet.

[@MoeSlislack]

how the hell did you not have a mullet? every mans hair cut in the 80s was some form of mullet. there was the power mullet, the metal mullet and even the yuppie mullet.

[@alankowalski8781]

So year one makes modern versions of the snowflake wheel that are already mondernized that look better, and mondernized headlighs are already out there for the car that fit it better, but not bad over all. Loved all the body work amd details that went into that

[@widecat-1838]

I like the look of the square headlights better but this is a nice reimagining of a classic.

[@wileyblankenship3206]

Wow, what a build! Top to Bottom, Front to Back…NICE WORK!!

[@mrharry8466]

I love the Pontiac Trans am. This version is very special, for me it would have to be black and look the same as the smokey and the bandits car, however with the changes with this version. I will have it one day, 6 years. Thanks for the ideas. FANTASTIC JOB, you should be very proud of your achievement

[@beddamade]

When I saw the preview, i thought it was a remote control car!!! Absolutly BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@CanadaBud23]

That Firebird is gorgeous. Looks so clean and smooth, like it should have been.

[@phroggie69]

My step brother had the six cylinder version 😂 he even had the dual exhaust 😂. But then he fell onto the Ford Ranger Splash! V-8 🎉 it drove better than the ranger reg. Only in 2 door, fancy step side fender had that forever since new!! Hope to see it this year!

[@busara45thevillain22]

Headlight schmeadlight!!! When you make your own car, you can put whatever you want wherever you want as long as what matters is where it needs to be. I throw my hat and my thumbs up for this one!

[@StoneyBrownTV]

Breathtakingly beautiful car!! This thing was made the same year I was born.

[@toddheimann8020]

Stunning. Just stunning. Tastefully done. Bravo.

[@frankiebars4312]

Wow this car is beautiful... My uncle had 1 it was the coolest thing to me ... Now I'm m older I can appreciate what he actually had...

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Absolutely FANTASTIC Build... It's annoying to listen to people talk about cars like this in their OEM form being the only way to do it. Right now, this car is SO MUCH BETTER than anything that came off the production line during that entire run of F Bodies.

[@emerancemanitaguha102]

Thank you. I appreciate your courage too leaving the comments on. I’m never worried about what people will say either. I love the car! Would I have done the car the exact same way? Who cares? It’s not my car!!!

[@clutchpack1969]

Black interior and square headlights would have made this perfect. The red is to much and those round headlights.......*shiver*

[@abrahamnutrition]

Just beautiful! My cousin would go crazy over this. He has a '79 and a '78.

[@Greatday68]

I like everything about this car except the round headlights. They just don't look right for the design of the car.

[@revolutionday1]

I'd have to do amber rings around them, at least, instead of the UFO hue. LuLz

[@crw3673]

I feel the exact same way.

[@jaythorogoodonair]

Agree square headlights better

[@dieterhauer8619]

Yup the square headlights should have been kept.

[@richardcolon373]

The round headlights kill the front end.... Otherwise it's nice AF

[@jhawk1985]

Nice car.... that red interior and the clean red LS is super cool

[@byronmcelfresh2380]

The LS ruins it

[@tankthebear]

Wow! SCHWINNNGGG! I had a 78 TA my first new car - great vehicle. Just love what you guys did here thanks so much for sharing!

[@ljaysperspective1775]

Dam this one took my breath away. Beautifully executed. Very clean and almost natural looking, except for the front head lights. But I can appreciate the upgrades, headlights, front flares, slick door handles, tucked bumpers, flared out wheel wells,, Beautiful big LS red motor and an interior to match. Michael Ball said it best, Love changes everything ❤💯

[@FastMonty]

Wow. I love it. Love the suttle changes, and the color combo is tough to beat.

[@RichardDee144]

I could watch this over and over, Sweet !

[@indio2935]

" Eastbound And Down." This car is absolutely amazing!!!

[@FrankMerkk]

The guy is really wiping every finger with this towel like he jus did a oil change 😂 iconic mechanic move

[@dable1731]

THESE GUYS ARE INCORRECT... IT TOTALLY NEEDED THE ROUND H-LIGHTS TO GIVE IT THAT WOW FACTOR, GREAT JOB!!!!!!

[@qualityman1965]

Wow. Love to have it for a toy. Old enough to remember the original. Great job.

[@pacerodi]

Everything in this car is a jewel.

[@williamfswann]

I remember when these were brand new on the lot in 78.

[@Pendaws]

A beautiful edition of a very good car.

[@tomgeorge9025]

Fnnnnning SICK Trans Am, this is what the factory should of make them like. All metal, and Real leather . More HP… Best Trans Am I ever saw…

[@chrisgoffe5048]

..here in New Zealand people would put this cars front on HQ Holden sedans and even Panelvans ..as a kid i always thought they were genuine pontiac ..holden ..general motors products ..awesome build bro i love trans ams ..had a model as a kid in the 80s !!

[@sunnyali8061]

Great built...great idea... top class work...Great Job done guys

[@grantbassett2048]

Absolutely Gorgeous car!!!!!! Would like to drive this around the streets of Leeds!! 👌💛

[@beausmith3900]

That was a cool clip, and great car. Love the custom touches

[@4344chicago]

I had 2 TA in my life. My late father purchased a 79 for me as my 1st car. The same day on test drive I was hit by a drunk driver and it was totalled. I almost lost my life at 17. I used the insurance money and purchased a Gold 78. I didn't really know much about cars. In 30 days it blew a rod and engine locked up. My life with my favorite car was over for good. Now I am missionary religious brother and will never have the resources to own one again. The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord

[@donricolife1861]

One of the baddest Trans Ams I ever seen thanks for building it 💪🏽

[@jamesalmeida4979]

That 78 trans am is the best 1 i have seen yet good job the colors are so nice

[@travishall67]

Beautiful car. I LOVE the headlights. Would have been nice to have a Pontiac 455 SD under the hood, but I get it.

[@enerrivers4392]

I'm glad to see some 1 else bring this up. Chevy engine in a Pontiac. Even the original 6.6 could've been modified very nice.

[@DOCTRJ]

That paint and interior is epic!

[@trystanmccoy2387]

Dont get me wrong the build is amazing but I really like the original look the old firebirds have. Again nothing against the build. But that old pic of it when it was brought just had it's own character you cant beat, but so does this build so i guess it's a win win lol.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I like the mesh screen front grill but think the round headlights kinda makes it look like a gen 5 Camaro . I think it'd look/match better if the old square headlights were cleaned up & used with some good LED bulbs inside. He did a great job on the car but for some reason I'm not digging the all red interior. I would have mixed it up with maybe some black & silver to match the exterior.Like do the roll cage in black.

[@CathyInBlue]

It's called going from strength to strength.

[@dalehawke7621]

That is one beautiful Trans Am,you have done a great job 👍

[@delvonhall3469]

I hope that I don't get cancel for what I am about to say. But she is a very beautiful car. I am a diehard mopar guy but give credit when credit is due. Great work to all. Take care...

[@vorant77]

Bringing back memories, I almost bought a new Blue Formula Firebird in 1979 and still regret not getting one despite its flaws, never really cared for the TransAm version.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Those Formulas were really cool David!

[@siredward1061]

fantastic to modernize such a gorgeous classic model back to original state is a very challenge job,but you guys take a few steps further than that to modernize it to lure me to own one of this dream car for myself- ( trans am )always my dream car literally

[@joecameron3406]

Just plain badass. The little changes just add up to artwork

[@christopherseaton7598]

I have a silver 77 ta whit Red interior i was looking for a black and gold one but I love the silver and Red interior this is one of the best looking cars great job on the build

[@da-veteran3842]

Just simply awesome color combo T/A. I got one in need of restoration. It's a metallic brown with a 403 engine.

[@SteveGrin]

Silver on red is amazing, nice.

[@streetstock72]

Timeless,you nailed it!

[@carlos64030]

Good Lord... this T/A is incredibly GORGEOUS!!! 😍❤😍❤😍❤😍

[@clearskies8098]

One Hot Bird!!’ That stitching on the seats looks amazing!!!’ 🦅❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jhickox]

This is the most perfect machine I've ever seen.

[@jmoo72]

Wow what a beauty 😍! My dad own the orginal trans am when it came out! It had the firebird on the hood!!

[@sheepdoglogic]

I am a fan of the 79' myself and I have always felt the 79' is timeless.. Glad this is not the 79'. That said, I do like all the body mods and the interior is just beautiful. The Bird should be bigger but that is my opinion, due to the original 3 piece Bird. Love the power train and have no problem with that. Even if it was a 79' a newer and bigger motor would be necessary and, a new and improved suspension as well.

[@stevenfesperman9064]

Just Awesome! Better than new no doubt. Bet it will drive like a champ as well

[@marklewis8914]

Looks great, I'm not a fan of slapping an ls in an old classic, but to each their own, you guys did a great job, looks awesome

[@LORDS-SWORD]

VERY VERY BADASS!!! EXCELLENT BUILD. CONGRATULATIONS.

[@TheRealKalEll]

WOW, JUST WOW !!!!! ❤ Nicely done boyz

[@jaminhodges3123]

This is the cleanest bird I've ever seen. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@1BigDaDo]

I think it looks good and I don't know why car companies today don't make Vehicles like this

[@americanpatriot2.06]

I was just watching an old MuscleCar episode and it had a younger Tommy with shoulder length hair! He's a LOT more talkative now than he was back then (never said a word)!

[@gmoney1061]

My DREAM CAR in HOT ROD form!! 🥳👍🏾😎🤟🏾🥰🤴🏾

[@mikethatguy27]

Something about the Smokey T/A with 18"-20"oem replica wheel looks bada$$ 💯🙌✌

[@torresserg]

What a beautiful car! Just wow!

[@tony8099]

Boy,that’s really thinking outside the box, she freaking gorgeous,it’s a home run gorgeous 👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@richardcoleman9645]

Would have been cool to see this side by side with an all original one so we all could see the differences. Next time could yall do that with this type of mod of anything please?

[@CJColvin]

Thats one badass 78 Trans AM.

[@elvis-jj1sc]

nobody chases me boy! cars bad ass well done!

[@jameslyle7226]

So awesome, so many smart tasteful details. Only thing I slightly disagree with is the round headlights - would love to see what it would look like to have those halo LEDs in a square shape like the original.

[@D5DRIFT]

This is a ridler winner. This is art!

[@Therealrichdude]

Looks like the Year One trans am from fast and furious. Beautiful car

[@shatteredreality87]

Absolutely amazing and out of this world.

[@goodbonezz1289]

This car came out really nice. I’ve got a ‘77 with a red gut and trying to decide what color to go with too…it was originally sterling silver, been painted black..that donnington gray looks sweet.

[@goodbonezz1289]

@@thenotoriousc8846 puzzling comment. I complemented the T/A, and that was pretty much it. Inside..you’re a shit box.

[@goodbonezz1289]

@@thenotoriousc8846 what kind of a person randomly says something shitty to a complete stranger? And based on what, exactly? Seriously..the assumed condition of a car? I don’t know who I feel worse for. Some poor kid/person who actually gets their feelings hurt by a turd like you..or I actually feel pretty sad for you. ..NOTORIOUS C8?..what’s that supposed to actually mean anyway? You have a C8? Who cares? You’re nobody special if you’ve got money. And if you’re that ugly to randomly say shitty things to strangers who you don’t even know..I feel bad for you. You are EXACTLY the type of person that brings others down. Supposed friends, family..your parents know you suck. If you have kids, they know you’re an asshole. If you’ve got a wife..she probably sucks to have married you in the first place. If not, I’m sure she loathes you as well. Your character is the absolute worst, to feel the need to try and hurt some random strangers feelings..like it pumps you up. I honestly can’t remember the last time I ever crossed paths with such an asshole like yourself. You are less than a nobody. You’re a joke. A loser. not close to being a man. I can imagine what you’re like to anyone in your life..if you even do have anybody to put up with you. Behind your back they hate you. I know that because your true character shines through. But you do you…NOTORIOUS C8 lol

[@thenotoriousc8846]

@@goodbonezz1289 fyi you’re still short

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

I love those projectors

[@luish777]

Hand stitched😳 wth!! very very impressive car congrats

[@kevinchetty8340]

Awesome build👌

[@kennymartin4928]

I had a 78 T/A with red interior, loved it.Would like to buy this one though

[@nickthetoycollector3360]

An absolute stunner of a car ❤

[@Jeefrorss]

Wow perfect thank you so much for showing

[@californiachief27x]

THAT CAR FRIGGIN SIKC 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@TheBakoman5]

im more to a trible black but that thing is a piece of beauty

[@jameswayland2339]

It’s a nice car , but some of it I’m not a fan of . I think Pontiac did this car just perfect.

[@samtheman227]

I’m not a big fan of the circle headlights