Picking Up My 1976 Pontiac Trans AM

[@rexgratteaux8655]

One of the best looking Trans Ams of all time , beautiful example you have there for sure

[@jerryheusman5842]

I have my dads 76 50th anniversary trans am that I’d love to get restored. He bought it new when he was a senior in high school. He passed away in 83 and someday I’ll bring it back to life to pass on to one of my sons. Love just seeing 76’s

[@ADR.Hi-Gain]

Thank you for letting me enjoy your Sick T/A, from an SLP Firehawk owner and former owner of 2 1970 GTO's.

[@mickeydavis2250]

The car I graduated from high school with in 1979 was a black 1976 Trans Am. Later I had a red 1975 Trans Am. In 2018 I was looking for a 1975 thru 1978 T.A. but was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This put a damper on my plan. Have a blast with it

[@danabeckham7461]

Oh my God look at that.....a thing of beauty...

[@stuartb9323]

Love the Trans am. My parents were Pontiac people growing up too. I talked my father into a Firebird back in 72...couldn't get to swing for a TA or Formula. That started my passion for the TA's! At one time, I had 22 parts cars in a yard...all Trans am. Still have loads of parts 🙂

[@Cash2112]

We called the cars with those gothic graphics the “AC/DC Trans Ams” back in the day. 😂

[@joshuawellwerts2078]

Love it!!! When I was a kid, my mother had a 1976 Black Trans Am with the 400 and we had lots of fun in that car. I currently have 3 4th generation Trans Ams. I'm Also in NWI so hopefully I see you at some car shows this summer

[@keithlipford3205]

Im a Pontiac man myseif. Nice car! It would be cool to get the shaker functioning again. I'll stay tuned.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Absolutely, the shaker base air cleaner is getting tougher to find for this year and very pricey but I’m on the lookout for one

[@joeg3218]

Nice ride! I just bought a 1976 Tans am Red with gold snowflake wheels. 400 with a 3 speed Auto. Love this car!!

[@allantaylor3288]

Love it. Owned a’77 T/A 400 back in the day, your a lucky man👍

[@samuraijutsu8876]

me too,. I had the special edition 77 black on black in black, and later got a 78.

[@jamesvw769]

No power from those engines.

[@samuraijutsu8876]

@@jamesvw769 they were torque'e enough to burn out with and had a good top end. You could get them up to 100 pretty fast, the speedo only went to 100 but not govern at 100. The 0-60 sucked as well as the 1/4 mile times did. My 77 had the 400 225 hp, my 78 had 180 hp 403

[@danabeckham7461]

Love love love Pontiacs...my first car was a 59 Catalina 2dr post coupe love and miss that car...regret ever letting it go...always wanted a t/a tho...closest I got was a 91 spt coupe....

[@davidwallis8162]

Very nice, I had a 76 Trans Am that I bought new. I do notice that it is missing the fender support braces.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Oh yes I forgot about those braces! Glad you said that because I have to locate some. I noticed them another car so I figured they were probably missing. Thanks and I’m glad you like the video video

[@Mr455HO]

Nice to see another 1976. I have a 76' also, purchased by my brother new, 455 4 speed car. Love the black. Best of luck with everything, I definitely check in from time to time on the vids...Joe

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Cool! That thing must be super original, thanks for checking out the video and I should be doing some updates pretty soon.

[@goodbonezz1289]

Man..that is CLEAN. Wish my ‘77 was half as nice.

[@loutielli]

I just subscribed. I want to see this. My first brand new car was a 76 TA. Wish I still had it.

[@dave6227]

Great motivational, I just recently got my 76 TA and going thru the motions as well.

[@tomake6581]

what a sweet trans am. I have a 76 ta 455 4spd with honeycombs and it's carousel red with black std interior. it has the gold bird and decals

[@hotroddave7597]

The first new car I bought was a 76 Trans Am 400 four-speed I loved it I wish I still had it

[@loutielli]

That was my first brand new car as well. Mine was an automatic though. Drove it for over 100K miles which was pretty good for back then.

[@caseyjones3684]

Best Looking Year T/A 1976

[@opsihota2118]

I know how you feel about the correct 76 455, I spent forever looking for the right one for my Firebird ( Formula not Trans AM ) and it took me a long time but it just feels better having the numbers matching engine.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Thank you, I should be doing an updated video soon. The motor is all done and we’re getting ready to take the old drivetrain out of the car and finally get it ready for paint. I’m excited to start working on it again

[@richardmorris7063]

I had a 75 w/ 400 bought new in the Marines.One of my friends had a black 76,455 4 speed factory.We used to trade off for weekend. Didn't see many that's for sure.

[@texastitan6567]

Just bought a 75 trans am yesterday. Excited as hell to pick it up tonight

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Oh that’s awesome! I saw 75 recently they only had 30,000 original miles on it, the car was beautiful. Congratulations

[@texastitan6567]

@@RudysWorldOfficial that’s awesome! Thank you!

[@jamesadams3476]

Very nice car. Glad your putting the right motor back in it. I have a 76 se 455 4spd. I to am looking for a wx code block.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Thank you, from what I know in 76 this is the only car that motor came out of. Definitely not easy to acquire, I was really lucky. My PHS documentation also says the carburetor on it ends in like a 261 and not the usual 263 I believe? I talked to one of those big Trans Am guys down in Florida and he says that original carb number is so rare you guys be prepared to pay 1500 bucks for that Quadrajet! So I’ll skip that ha ha

[@rw9978]

My first car was a black 79 Firebird Formula 6.6/403 engine. I had it 15 years until I sold it in 2001 and bought a black 98 WS6 Trans Am which I still own today. I love my current Trans Am but I miss my 79 Firebird. The 1970-81 cars are my favorite style Firebird and one day I’ll buy one again.

[@stephenflowers8516]

Love the car. I spent the 70s in all kinds of Trans Ams, including a 76 400 4 speed. But you've got to fix the Shaker hood scoop. That's 1/2 the fun of driving those cars.

[@sierraridgereaper]

That looks to be a really nice TA. Hope you keep it original. Just finished up my 76 formula 400 (installed a 455).

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Thank you, I’m definitely trying to keep it as original as I can. The 455 is almost finished finally and we are getting ready to plan the repaint soon. I even have a NOS hood bird

[@sierraridgereaper]

@@RudysWorldOfficial thats awesome... 😉

[@CrawdaddyCustoms]

Beautiful 76! Since you’re wanting to do it right, here’s a few things I noticed on your car: 1) Decals should be charcoal and red combo- See Ames Perf catalog F26 page 312- there’s a nice picture showing some detail. Your hood bird, front header panel, fenders, and rear spoiler will all be charcoal and red. 2) Fix that shaker! Gotta get a proper air cleaner base and the small, domed inner lid (lids are repop’d) so it sits correctly, and actually shakes w/ the engine. 3) Yes, the B panel birds are the small red and black metal pieces- they’ll match nicely w/ the charcoal/red graphics. 4) My factory in-windshield antenna always worked great- never understood cutting a hole to add a rubber flexible one… I ran an Alpine in my 76 back in the late 80’s/early 90’s- had killer reception. 5) All a factory 76 455 needs is a cam to instantly jump HP into the 300 range… poor things were so undercammed, the lobes were practically round! 😂 I look forward to seeing what you do with it! I’ve always loved the 76’s- my first car was a 76 455/4 speed 😎

[@shanechostetler9997]

That’s my favorite year for the T/A.

[@goodbonezz1289]

‘76..really?...my fav was always the ‘79-81...recently changed to the 77/78..I can see how the ‘76 could grow on me too though. Really catches the time period.

[@danabeckham7461]

Mine too....

[@Brian.8272]

very nice

[@Brian.8272]

i just bought an 81 turbo mint condition with 45k original miles, just started driving it , lots of fun, yours looks great

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

My stop dad had a turbo 81! back in 83. These are so fun to drive and they drive really nice. Im glad I found this car, yours has low miles, that is awesome

[@marcathens2951]

Beautiful car . Must be nice to have the money to be able to do all that.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

It’s gotten so expensive to do things to cars that sometimes you guys stretch it out for two or three years! Back when my dad used to do this hardly cost anything. Parts used to be so cheap.

[@marcathens2951]

@@RudysWorldOfficial Yea everything has gone up allot especially since covid. Even lumber. Its crazy.

[@NissanN12Dude]

Car looks fantastic! Didn’t expect to see one in this good condition 👍 Aluminum starts oxidizing when it is in direct contact with oxygen. After a while the aluminum starts looking darker and the shine will slowly disappear. This is why the dash panels were clear coated from factory. It’s your car but I’d strongly recommend clear coating that dash panel if you want to preserve the original shine 👍 Really nice looking T/A, thanks for the show-and-tell 👍 keep ’em coming!

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

thank you! and that does make sense. I will be taking the cluster out again down the road so I can clear it when I do. i love this car, especially because its so clean!

[@armandopatane5343]

Omg it’s beautiful 😍 leave it alone

[@lennademaris1183]

Thanks for the info. I have mid 70's Formula steering wheel for sale on eBay. Top of the heap.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Thank you, is it the NOS one that’s for sale?

[@lennademaris1183]

Yes, I revised the ad to include a nice horn button cap.

[@psp1921tsmg]

You need the original style shaker. That mounts to the engine not the hood. Nothing like hitting the gas and watching the shaker torque to the side

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Yes, if you notice my open the hood, the top of the shaker is bolted to the hood. The engine has the wrong carburetor on it right now, I have the original Quadra jet but it’s going to get rebuilt. Shaker bases are pricey and tough to find so I’m waiting to find the right one so I can get everything back to normal. I had one but it was actually free 77/78, they’re actually a little different than the 76!

[@2rueblue]

Stunning car buddy I am so jealous, im a new subscriber, you can buy a module that as long as the radio has car stereo has fm and an antenna you can connect a Bluetooth device through an empty frequency. It won't he hifi but equally as good sounding as a cassette so you can keep the car origional but still play music from your phone. I'm looking forward to see how this beautiful car turns out I honestly love these, over here in Scotland you tend to see many if any, but never any in this condition most are rusted to hell. Anyway looking forward to see how she turns out.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Hey there! Thank you so much, I do have on of those modules on my other car, but I wanted the nostalgia of playing cassettes in a 70.s car, and I want my 10 year old daughter to experience that as well. Glad you subscribes and are following here on the TA.

[@2rueblue]

@@RudysWorldOfficial I hope you teach her how to rewind the cassette with a bic biro. I've manage to keep hold f my old stereo I bought when I was 18 its now 35 years old everything is good on it except the turntable, its got twin cassettes and I keep meaning to go through the old cassettes I have from my earlier cars, it would good to hear the difference in quality and to bring back some memories from younger days. My 2 oldest kids have had cassette experience and my youngest has bought a turntable so she is going real old-school. I'm glad i found your channel its going to be pretty good watching that beauty get going again.

[@geirmyklebust]

I painted the dash panel on my Firebird black, and I'm really happy with the results.

[@Rev22-21]

I had a 78 T Top TA back in the day.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

I was looking at a beautiful 78 for sale, black with red interior and red bird on the hood! It looked amazing

[@patricklaughrey8727]

You're missing the shaker aircleaner setup too

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Yes I know that, that’s why the previous owner bolted the scoop to the hood.

[@raymondlugo9960]

I thought Limited Edition had a faux gold turned dash that sometimes fades in the sun. You've got Limited Edition decals on the car.

[@richardmorris7063]

He explained that,he said it had been repainted & wrong decals were put on..Those go w/ the gold pinstripe,gold wheels car.

[@armandopatane5343]

Omg it’s beautiful 😍

[@Zelaznogsiul-63]

Formula 409 and a plastic bag takes the window tint right out. Cut the bag to the size of the window spray formula 409 on the inside place the plastic bag over it let it sit out in the sun for about an hour an the tint peels off, it it doesn’t repeat again. It works great I done it and no damage to the defrost.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

I tried a similar way, wish I tried the 409. I have a new glass but will still try to save the original

[@1979Camaro]

That's an awesome year!! It was always fancy how the 76 had the sloped bumper single headlamp inducted in 74 to 76!!....You have a 455 4 speed!? that's in the super duty performance zone!!....I could be wrong but i thought 455 was discontinued in 76 or maybe 77 it was!!....Or like limited models it might've been limited for a few birds that year!!.....I'm not sure but will you please fill me in about what year 455 was no longer avzilable in trans am's!!

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Thank you and yes I’m pretty sure this is the last year for the 455. Back in 76 it was only 200 hp from the factory for about 220 hp. The new motor should be around 500 I’m thinking. Maybe less, it really is a fun car and I really love it

[@stuartb9323]

1976 was the last year for the 455 option. 7099 units were built that year with the 455, and they only came with a 4 speed as well. Best of luck with your project

[@chutoparadinni5474]

Not in SD performance Zone!

[@davebarron5939]

As of today May 8, 2021, i still have a week before I can get my wife's 77 TA out (They are saying maybe mid 50's next week) because it is 32 degrees this AM and I drove in snow flurries yesterday here in the frozen wasteland of MI. Sure like to know where that "Global Warming" is cause I would move there. Nice ride, enjoy.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

I know this weather is driving me crazy! It’s been so cold here in Indiana as well, at least the sun is out today. Haven’t seen any global warming around here!

[@PyrosPelagics]

i'll take the motor and put it in my 74 firebird esprit lol, have you sold the motor trans yet??

[@1979Camaro]

What i hate about the wheel trim rings,they're like reliability they always pop off or can scratch up!!

[@brianlee6849]

That is a beauty. I would love to have a 455 4sp TA. If you don't mind me asking what did you pay for this? I'm just trying to get an idea of what I need to spend for a car of this quality with the 455 4 speed. Thank you

[@JimS870]

No trickle charger and she fires up still after 5 months??? Damn, I'm jealous. Modern cars start struggling after a couple weeks.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

haha I was very surprised at that too, it is a pretty new battery though. This thing always starts up well after sitting. My new motor is almost done now so I should be doing a update soon.

[@1979Camaro]

It sounds like you don't want to reclear the dash trim because it'll only be an extra headache later down the road,i really don't see why GM clearcoated that to begin with!!

[@sierraridgereaper]

Because aluminum oxidizes when exposed to air over a period of time. It needs to be coated or it will literally eat it self away with oxidation and looks like crap.

[@samuraijutsu8876]

the speedo only read up 100mph. I thought that 74 was the last yr for the 455, guess i was wrong....However if the motor you have came from a 73 , it should be rated at 310hp. capable of 13.7 in the qm

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

From what I found out 76 was the last of the 455 and single headlights. With that 73 motor it has some decent power right now but nothing crazy. Definitely a nice cruiser, the new motor is going to be pretty sweet, excited to do some new footage on it soon

[@chutoparadinni5474]

1973 rating was 250hp for Y code, and 290HP for X code 455. and 76 was last year for 455

[@samuraijutsu8876]

@@chutoparadinni5474 yeah but the SD motor was 310.

[@thud9797]

​@@samuraijutsu8876 290hp net was the SD rating.

[@shannonshepard5047]

The 76 455 had only 200 HP. Is he going to hop it up? He is a protectionist, right?

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

It now has 6X heads and a 468 stroker rotating assembly.

[@fieldinglover]

they were easy to wake up , recurve the distributor , headers , tune the carb and they ran much better without putting too much money into one without getting into the motor , they were a good start to build into a fast car

[@andrewjazdzyk1215]

@@fieldinglover I need to learn how to do little things like that. We've had a '76 400 sitting in the garage for years and I'd like her to be a beast again.

[@fieldinglover]

@@andrewjazdzyk1215 you can do a lot without a lot of money , you can recurve a distributor for around 50.00 and put headers on yourself, you may need someone to do the exhaust if you can't do it yourself, then I would have someone who knows what they are doing tune the carb , other things like a shift kit makes the car a blast to drive and then do your research and change the gearing in the rear end , join a car club and get out and drive your car and do a little at a time but mostly drive it and share your passion with others , I have talked to some old friends from high school and we are going to cruise our cars in a couple of weeks and we are helping each other get our cars ready and I have spring fever and need to drive mine ! Drive your 76 ! I love seeing them on the road where they are meant to be

[@andrewjazdzyk1215]

@@fieldinglover yeah I don't mind if it's not sitting at the total hp potential, but a lot of those little things sound useful (and I wonder how much you get for that) She's also a bit rusty on the hood and needs a little bit of love and attention in a few aesthetic areas, but dang I think with a new paint job she could look sexy as hell again. I've always loved the look of the black and gold '76.

[@zrriff6348]

Not all LE's are T top.

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Thank you, I thought they were. What would be the difference between a LE/SE for 76? If both were just hard tops.

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

I had a 76 in orange with black 4 speed got it with 52,000 do it was clean no t top

[@robertmccully2792]

And it’s got the wrong shaker confirmation, looks like yours is glued to the hood.

[@TaylorLombardi]

missed the shop that did the grille resto, what was their name??

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

fchester@ vacuumorna-metal.com contact Frank at that email (vacuum orna-metal.com )

[@toddc.2029]

Looks like mine

[@patricklaughrey8727]

Theres a place in Ohio called cam-bird if they're still in business that has a very extensive collection of parts for your car try googling them

[@armandopatane5343]

Who cares it’s absolutely beautiful leave it alone

[@RunninRich428]

If you’re interested in selling the 73 455 I’d be interested, I’m looking for one for my formula

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

I will be down the road for sure, I’ll get the code off of it again soon and let you know exactly where it is. I’m pretty sure it’s a 73, 455 for an automatic car.

[@2rueblue]

Is that a cuda under wraps?

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

you have a good eye !!

[@2rueblue]

@@RudysWorldOfficial I thought I had recognised the shape and it was more hope than a guess, another car I've admired from a far, when I actually got a chance to see one when I went to Kissimmee in forida to the classic and muscle car weekend I was amazed by them, my youngest took to them straight away she loves them too. Have you been to the Kissimmee weekends before?

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

@@2rueblue I hope to make it down there one day, especially for the big auction. Pretty soon I’ll be doing a video on that car I think you’re going to like it. It’s definitely the best car I have here in the garage

[@2rueblue]

@@RudysWorldOfficial outstanding looking forward to the video I love all the stories and nuts and bolts stuff you guys are so lucky over there.

[@2rueblue]

@@RudysWorldOfficial I forgot to ask do you have an Instagram account for the channel brother

[@lacolello6644]

Beast yay!!

[@2ndsspz]

ok, so who did your grille's? please

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

it should show up on the screen below, it was vacuum orna metal in Michigan

[@Brian.8272]

where did you get the steering wheel

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

I believe F Body warehouse ... on ebay

[@thud9797]

All 455 cars in 75 and 76 are 4-speed only.

[@TheRQpaints]

Should I send the link to Jill King?

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Haha i’m sure she misses me

[@patricklaughrey8727]

Your hood scoop is the wrong year too !

[@RudysWorldOfficial]

Scoopers corrected surrounded want it does not have the crease going down the center like the 77 and up would have

[@patricklaughrey8727]

@@RudysWorldOfficial you're wrong sir the inlet on the 76 is open from the factory with no holes for knockoffs like yours has I suggest you do your homework

[@patricklaughrey8727]

@@RudysWorldOfficial I had a numbers matching carousel red 400/400 automatic and and the scoop is not like yours

[@thud9797]

​@@patricklaughrey8727 The inlet on the 76 shaker is NOT open from the factory. The only years for a functional shaker which really wasn't open but had a flapper that would open under acceleration was 70 thru 72.

[@patricklaughrey8727]

@@thud9797 then mine was wrong from the factory??

[@eldorado1830]

I had a '76 455 cu.in., 4spd, posi fun car but wasn't the fastest got stomped on by some mean machines.

[@Ontariosound]

4 speed car ? Interesting Automatic car ? Not interesting