We Buy A FLOODED 1973 Pontiac Trans AM from HURRICANE Ian, this thing was DEEP!! Will It Run Again?

We LOVE buying flood cars. Weve been doing this for over 15 years. Not many times do we get some old classic flood cars in to work on. This car was bought from the salvage auction it was flooded during hurricane Ian. We usually fix flood cars to sell, but this one isn't going anywhere!
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[@capitalcontracting]

I saw that car on Alligator Alley on the side of the road with the flat tire. It was towed backwards on the claw of a flat bed.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

That’s what we thought happened to it. Tow truck driver must have just kept going after one flat.

[@trishbrad00]

What a shame to tow that beautiful car in that way.

[@theeducatedredneck4144]

Tow truck driver is apparently an idiot with no respect for a classic car !🙄

[@bigbluezo6]

@@HorsepowerDepot how much are you asking for it

[@Mrdiver001]

The tow truck Driver should’ve been pulled out of his truck and punched in the head several times!

[@keithn9590]

My car! It was a nice non SD Trans Am I restored in the 1990's till Ian and the salvage guys got it! Won a few awards at Pontiac shows back in the day. Good to see it getting some attention. After loosing 3 cars and house flooded with salt water I just did not have the time to re restore it and let the insurance company have it. Had a good chat with Terry about the car.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

Glad you found us! You did an amazing job on the restoration. Never would have guessed it was done in the 90s! It’s clean enough to be a recently restored car! We will get her going again!

[@runninerrinds]

Nice!! Great restore job

[@jamessharp9790]

Is the engine an SD engine or at least round port heads ??

[@jimmccune568]

What is the VIN to this car?

[@yokoshemp]

I was about ready to cry thinking that car was somebody's baby. Even dirty you can see it was loved on. Hopefully the new owner keeps the mice away and the block warm on winter days... and smokes the tires now and then just for old times.

[@alimorris2002]

Whenever I see a second generation Trans Am and Firebird, I am reminded of that The Rockford Files TV series!

[@keithphillips6111]

Man....even though I'm a Corvette guy and I love 70 chevelles, I really love those old T/A's. Felt so bad seeing that car. It was obviously restored to a high level. I'm so glad you guys are getting it fixed! Please keep us updated!!!!

[@theeducatedredneck4144]

I had a '71 Trans Am clone that I sold in 2019. I replaced it with a '08, 3LT, Z51 Corvette. I love the Corvette, but, I do miss that T/A clone. 😢

[@johnwebb167]

The 70-73 Formula Firebirds are my favorites with the dual snorkel hoods. Did I mention I have a 73 Brewster Green Formula that was a barn find 4 yrs ago. The 2nd Gen are rare to see at Cruise ins and car shows, people love them and they are very sought after.

[@tomupchurch4911]

No you didn't mention that.

[@84C10JEFF]

Should acid dip the body to eliminate the the salt where you can’t see it . After painting oil (Fluidflim) every hole and crevice you can find .

[@stevecanyon23]

Oh yeah, that T/A is a keeper. I'm more into all black interiors but this one is really a nice car. Obviously the PO('s) put a lot of work in it. Your work is a big motivation for me to restore my '73 1/2 Formula 400 that has been sitting in my garage patiently for 20+ years. Will watch your further progress on this icon of the muscle car era. Thanks for sharing!

[@ryanthibeaux]

Being from Louisiana, once it hits saltwater it’s done. It will take a few months but it will Rot from the inside out, I buy dumpsters that are in gulf from republic waste and if you don’t blast them asap it will rot them insanely fast once out water

[@HastyRhombus760]

You got a super bad ass car there. Flood car or no, someone spent a lot of time and money restoring it before the water hit it. Lucky grab man!

[@3613jeremy]

Florida flood cars are cleaner then most of our Michigan cars after one winter season

[@289dual4s]

Dragging it backwards is probably how the chin spoiler got broken after the tires blew. That car was somebodies baby. Definitely worth saving.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

She will be fixed and in a good home!

[@b.c4066]

Insurance wrecker drivers are idiots, they treat everything like it's junk.

[@Toxic2T]

@@b.c4066 Theyre sad people

[@CarsAndZebras]

You should really run with this type of video. You’ve already got the skills and charisma, and this stuff loves to go viral. 👍Make a few videos like this and 100k subs will happen in the blink of an eye.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

If they add in some flatulence I'm sure it'll be a big hit😁

[@QS-si3cq]

Charisma 😄

[@HorsepowerDepot]

A flooded Z06 corvette is actually what started our KZbin channel. Covid hit and we stopped buying cars for the car lot, so I started filming other stuff.

[@paulb4uk]

Great to see it being brought back to life a great car that deserves to be saved.

[@erictate8986]

I would do everything possible to clean that car from all the salt water by rust prevention and cleaning that car as good as possible plus fixing any damages !! Definitely a beautiful Pontiac T/A worth saving 💪💪😀😀🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@mykilfremn26]

thank you so much. I've been the edge of my seat waiting for the first KZbinr that would be the first to do a flood car! nice choice.

[@JoeR203]

Those 70-73 Firebirds/Trans Ams have my favorite front end of any muscle car.

[@stevenbatt7355]

Would love to see this as a series on the progress to the finish. What a beautiful car, and it sounds like you are gonna do it right.

[@tronixfix]

My experience is that if the fluids are drained and replaced and filters get replaced you can crank it without the plugs inside until the cylinders are cleared of water. Just put the plugs back and drive for at least 100 miles around your neighborhood. Like a few hours should be good. Then drain all the fluids from the drivetrain and engine and replace again together with the filters. After that you should be good. Fluids should be clear and any remaining moisture should be out of the engine from the long drive.

[@dgiorgi1725]

I agree this car is exceptionally nice and the clean up was unbelievable. It was great to see you breath life back into this ol gal. My shirts and hat are on there way here now, yeahhhhhhh

[@bobbyviti7794]

Can't wait to see the progress on this one...keep the videos coming!

[@beatglauser9444]

One of the very last beautiful classic Pontiacs ever built!

[@bernardowens1648]

The window on the driver's door was left open and taped by the salvage yard to give air a chance to get inside and dry out the interior. It helps prevent mold from spreading throughout the inside.

[@flea4061]

I had one of those. Same color/year. I bought it in 1988 for 5k. It had 45,000 miles on it. A UPS truck totaled it. I wish I still had that car.

[@soteful9949]

11:46 me in the morning right after I have woken up.

[@chrisv6008]

That's an awesome grab 👍 Looks spotless other than the stuff done by towing it

[@ztwntyn8]

That’s an amazing find. I hope it doesn’t cause you too many extra problems. I have a red 73 as well and it’s beautiful buddy. You’ll love it.

[@shawnhollern]

I got one of these. Glad to see you saving her. Yeah that harness is super easy. should just be one internal, from the fusebox, and then 2 outers from the fuse box, sandwiched between the firewall with one bolt on the engine bay side. (its easier to get to if you remove the hood and hood hinge on the drivers side. even more easier if you just pull the driver side fender. lol)

[@bengone3349]

Buying a flood car is the same as rolling the dice, and remember, rust never sleeps.

[@DanEBoyd]

Strip everything out, up to the water level, interior and drive train, and then dip the car in a solution which will neutralize the salt. It can be done without messing with the headliner, since the water didn't reach the top of the dash.

[@billpope2111]

Awesome car. Glad you are saving it.

[@jeffdyer8541]

Nice car sad it got flooded. If it is an SD 455 it will have # 16 round exhaust ports. The block rods and pistons are all different from regular 455. Forged pistons and 7/16 rods. Should have a cast intake with LS 2 cast by the thermostat housing.

[@runninerrinds]

Not an SD owner commented on this thread

[@z512345]

The SD 455 in 73 and 74 where all hand assembled from the factory.

[@SaneCayne]

Have to disagree on the trim rings. In most cases, I'd agree. (I've never run trim rings on my Chevy Rallys.) But with all the graphics, spoilers, wings and such, the TA is a very flashy car everywhere you look. Looks naked without the flashy rings to finish the wheels off.

[@DanEBoyd]

Certain Pontiacs were sold that way, most notably the '69 Judge.

[@liquidalloy]

That car is in perfect condition. No rot or rust. Incredible.

[@mrmiscast]

It's gonna be nice.. I didn't know that was what you guys did for a living. I've got to find and rebuild a recent truck. Just not going to pay new truck money, or even used prices in this market. Thanks for all the videos..

[@HorsepowerDepot]

Not a market for buying thats for sure. The rebuilt title prices are through the roof too. Now days rebuilt title cars and trucks are bringing what pre covid clean title vehicles sold for.

[@onebadapple83]

Ya know…..The first thing I think I would do is to submerge it again in clean fresh water then let it drain then do it again and maybe again! Any damage from water has been done and you gotta get ALL the salt out. I’ve owned two 70s cars that had rolled into a lake. Drained and refilled everything, lotta fan action, seats out and dried and new rugs. Drove ‘em for years after!

[@carlinshowalter1806]

Fresh water flood cars can be fixed,salt water cars will rust from the inside out no matter what you do. The damage is already done while it sits in the insurance salvage pool for that month or three before the sale! I've seen it time and again living in Florida.

[@ssonondaga]

@@carlinshowalter1806 I agree, the only way to save that car is to totally disassemble it and as previously mentioned submerge it in a pool of fresh water. These cars always had a reputation for rusting without being submerged so take it apart or it'll turn into someone's nightmare.

[@fredeconomou3155]

@@ssonondaga I had a '73 and rear quarters rusted out. They also rusted around front and rear windshields as well. Still a blast to drive.

[@spic0li]

Ughhhh thats such a nightmare salt water flood

[@terra2805]

That is one beautiful Trans Am!! I can imagine how it looked before Ian. So happy it's getting a second lease on life. That car is WAY too nice not to save!!

[@RearEngineShop]

It’s a cool car. It’s good to see it get saved. 👍

[@marktemplin1159]

Nice to see the previous owner speak out,, I was going to say that is a garage kept show car,,, 73 firebird the big 455, yeah thats a car only needs a driver,,, so glad you saved it, i had a 71 ,RS split bumper camaro,, and that is one beautiful car

[@vrm86gt]

going ot be sweet when your done with it, it looks pretty dang good already!

[@puddleduckist]

Cool poncho! Luv me some pontiacs, have owned a 69 gto 30 yrs! Looks like it'll clean up great, luckily not much damage. That water comin out looks exactly like taco bell aftermath!!!! Poor poncho! Can't wait to see it once its all cleaned up!! I like the factory appearing stock cars that scream, always fun to watch! Bought a custom driveshaft loop from Caruso racing that was designed for the f.a.s.t cars.. Quailty part!!!!

[@donwilbanks2226]

My Brewster Green 4-speed '73 TA was locked up in my Chalmette, LA garage during Hurricane Katrina. It got wet again a few weeks later during Hurricane Rita. It was flooded to the top of the dash. I took the insurance money, kept the car and sold it to a guy in Houston who was going to restore it. I wonder what happened to it. I cried over that car.

[@jaydaug2008]

she is clean..so happy it is being looked at

[@nativestacker4185]

It's ok to buy flood cars if you go into it with the understanding that the vehicle will need to be completely dis-assembled and gone threw , in my 35 years of re-building cars I will tell ya it doesn't matter if it's salt or fresh water the body , engine and transmission will need to be gone through. even if you get the car to run and drive , the seals will need to be replaced throughout the whole car because they will get rotten . the body panels will start to rust within a few months and the electrical will begin to have issues within weeks to months . But if done properly flood cars can be saved . This car would be worth saving .

[@HorsepowerDepot]

I will have to disagree. We’ve done 1000+ salt and fresh water cars. We’ve never had rust issues, or wiring issues down the road, or seals go bad. My wife drives a flood car every day. It had water over the seat bottoms. All it needed was taken apart to dry and an air bag module. We’ve kept saltwater flood cars from sandy 10 years ago. They’re not showing any signs your saying they will.

[@CR-vu1rt]

The orientation of the firing order of the distributor is counterclockwise on Pontiacs because the gear is on the opposite side of the camshaft.

[@greggkerber3215]

Sweet car! Can’t wait to see it when you’re done with it.

[@mriwiz]

Thank you for saving that old bird !!!!

[@toml665]

That car is more desirable right now than most of the c3 corvettes

[@jamessharp9790]

Actually the 73-74 Super Duty Cars were rated at 310hp but since they weighed about 4000lbs and ran low 13s with Auto trans and moderate gearing - it’s clear that they made over 400hp .

[@MBailey1977]

The last real muscle car!

[@jonathanlawson4667]

It's not a super duty car!!!!! The owner is in the comments and he said it's not a super duty

[@jamessharp9790]

@@jonathanlawson4667 ok ok , sheesh it’s a clone or something. Got it. Damn dude . Zoom out look at the picture. I’m a Pontiac guy and you’re a Pontiac guy but the Penningtons are not . Try to understand educating them about the 73-74 SD cars . Ok ? Is it a round port head engine even ?

[@genefogarty5395]

About 4k lbs? No. My 70 GTO is 3745 lbs. with me in it and a half tank of fuel and that has a full frame.

[@jamessharp9790]

@@genefogarty5395 considering a base weight of 3500 lbs for a 6 cylinder base model I don’t think assuming a TH400 455 A/C car being 3700 plus lbs is not hyperbole.

[@jims2286]

Porblem with salt water it will keep oxidizing till you nutralize the salt water evereywhere. electrical ? It wil be interesting!

[@pameladunn7346]

on the block casting near the motor mounts it will have the engine cubic inch 455 - great score 😁

[@stephanouellet3673]

You have the fastest car in 73.i got one 73 455 4 speeds Brewster green with interior,3.42, big bird on hood ❤️ but i sold it 🤦

[@shawnbeck2303]

Wow, Brewster Green. What a great color. Shawn.

[@PCgonerogue820]

My favorite style 2nd gen T/A it's a nice car

[@willreichert6973]

Hey. Nice. Score. Most. People. Run. From. These. Cars. Not. You. Guys. I know. You. Guys. Will. Make. That. Ta. Flippen. Awesome. Love. U guys. Keep. Grinden.

[@runninerrinds]

Beautiful score!! I had a 73 455 SD

[@Tealmoney8571]

That car was obviously restored. VERY nice car!

[@randyjones7818]

Like the video..learned a lot..can't believe. You got it to run..I would pull the motor to save it..salt water deadly..it's a great car to save..

[@rickyduncan9844]

Wow nice car. Glad people like yall are getting her back on the road. Thanks for saving America's history

[@58sportsuburban]

I have a ‘70 lemans sport that went under water last year. After drawing 4 1/2 GALLONS of water from the engine, blowing it out with compressed air, and draining the transmission and differential, it drives again.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

Water isn't as bad as most people think!

[@rustyaxelrod]

Nice car! I’ve had two as well as a non-sport ‘70 and a ‘70 GTO. I owned a ‘70 T37 convertible but it was rough and I never got to drive it before someone made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Great looking cars!

[@brianhamilton9392]

Every fluid needs to be drained and refilled on the car, engine, trans, diff, gas tank flushed out. Probably a good idea on the harnesses as the salt water will corrode anything electrical eventually. Obviouslt the interior will need to be removed to replace the carpet and wash down the floor, likely the door cards removed as well, cause the doors are likely full of salt and sand. At least no major electronics to deal with. Up here in Canada a flood car can never be put back on the road once its written off, strictly for parts only. It can never be recertified as a legal road car..

[@travishackney7771]

My favorite year for the Pontiac firebrand rd Trans am

[@MultiMacnasty]

I had a 70 1/2 firdbird. All you had to, to crack the paint on the nose of the car was lean on it. The nose piece on the 70-73 were known for that.

[@anthonypforr6463]

Fluid film works wonders for anti corrosion

[@amac9085]

BOY THATS A GREAT ONE NICE FIND BE COOL TO SEE IT RUNNING GREAT JOB GUYS THANKS FOR SHARING

[@rdecoster1]

That Trans Am is a really NICE car!!! If you wash 100% of the areas where the salt water was it should be just fine. I bet you could have an upholstery shop remove the seat covers and then just wash the foam and covers. Maybe soak them in the bathtub??? It sure looks COOL with original tires!!!! Cool video!!!

[@truthserum5310]

I toured the Clewiston Copart lot a few weeks ago, and this is one of the cars I looked at, as well as 68', 74', and 79' T/A's. I took a few pics of this car, and was admiring how nice it was. I could tell it was a very nice car pre-storm. I saw the front end all jacked up, and knew that was caused by the tow truck, fork lifts. Every time I go to the Copart lot, I witness a fork lift mess up some car. Those guys just don't care. As much as I wanted this 73 T/A, I ended up passing on it. I ended up buying a 6K mile 2004 CE Z16 Z06 Corvette that was out at that Clewiston lot. It's been back at my shop here in Miami for about 2 weeks now. Hope to have it up and running soon. Luckily it was a fresh water flood car.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

I had that car z06 on my watch list! Glad it turned out nice. How did the 74 firebird look?

[@truthserum5310]

@@HorsepowerDepot The Z06 is mint cosmetically, after I cleaned it out. The 74 looked decent, not as nice as the 73' I've got some pics of the 74 I took as well.

[@gertraba9806]

Flush rockers fenders quarters with fresh waterl

[@woodchucksgarage1517]

I was in the builder business for about a decade ...was surprised to see a commenter here claim it was his !! Yeh Buccaneer Red on White ...sharp combo .

[@kevins4426]

that makes me happy you saved it!

[@corvette7784]

It would be funner for us guys if we knew what you have to give for a flood car like this? Someday my Son's and I want to get one and bring her back to life. We're in Georgia so they are never far away each year.

[@jimbiasella3693]

Get a hose on that thing. Hose down EVERYTHING dash behind the dash down the carb, pull the plugs. I pickle marine engines when they sink. But freshwater must flush out every inch

[@tonyrosbough8665]

What about electricity and future rust?

[@wendellrountree4899]

I'd love to have this one..I got a 79 and love it.

[@rwright3395]

I wish I had that beautiful car . Just to have a 70 - 73 T/A is a dream

[@user-zl1bh2gk1b]

Hope you used a TON of salt neutralizer. Just water is not enough

[@Firebird400]

M&h makes a really nice harness for those cars if your redoing the wiring. Not the cheapest in the world be it looks oem and fits properly

[@nealdunleavy8267]

Good Words Bones

[@davefiess6698]

You have to keep this car guys and race it in F.A.S.T!!!! Show everyone what they are capable of. Awesome cars!👍

[@xminusone1]

I had one exactly like this in the 90's with the manual 4 speeds. I would be devastated if it was my car.

[@ajmiami9990]

I believe that’s a super duty. Worth some money.

[@Hoggdoc1946]

How do they plan to stop all the corrosition that the salt water will continue to cause?

[@forterierocks]

What a score👍 I'd be all over fixing that up, I'm a huge Pontiac fan grew up to Smokey and the Bandit I know this is a few years older then the Bandit T/A but damn she's sweet.

[@edwinfeldman8231]

BITCHIN' T/A!! What a shame what that car went through. The only thing that could make it better is a 4spd. Have fun with that one (I'm actually jealous this time).

[@googleusergp]

It's easy to decode this, even without the VIN we win: 2 for Pontiac, V for Trans Am, 87 for two door coupe, Y for 455 V8 with four barrel, non-Super Duty, 3 for 1973 model year, N for Norwood, OH assembly and the rest is the production sequence. Off the top of my head, no tag, can't brag, but easy to figure out, no doubt: ST73 for 1973 model year, 2FS87 for Pontiac Firebird, N for Norwood, OH assembly, A51 for bucket seats, 242 for White Morrokide deluxe interior trim, 75 75 for Buccaneer Red upper and lower exterior paint, WS4 for Trans Am, and then a two digit month code and a letter (A, B, C, D, etc.) for the number of the week of that month. So, 03A would be the first week of March 1973 production. The Norwood plant closed in August of 1987.

[@michaelvarble4392]

I would think that removing the ENTIRE interior door panels headliner and dash to remove the salt would be a good start otherwise in a few years itl be junk

[@ssonondaga]

yup, no doubt

[@vampiremuffinman7183]

Makes me want to love on my '74 T/A...

[@vampiremuffinman7183]

​@UCKyqHrofNDSfec9jyRqqHaw​ idk... I'm really shy. 😳

[@johncannet2098]

Just subscribed enjoyed your garage video keep them coming

[@rajcam80]

Nice TA!

[@jeffcarlson911]

Beautiful car! Nice score!

[@terryjackybishop8995]

It will be a rusty piece of crap in a few years rusting from the inside out unfortunately. You won’t be able to save it unless you completely disassembled it and dip every part.

[@jaystrock613]

The electricals are the problem. Do not buy a flood vehicle unless you get it very, very cheap and realize it was sitting in 3 foot of water. Those electricles can catch up to you later with corsion.

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

That car is in really good shape so good even if you were building a car the body alone is great starting point …the Taco Bell comment was brilliant when it was spitting out sxxt 🤣🤣🤣 nice job guys well done for saving it it’s gonna be nice 👍

[@scott70707]

Too bad it got swamped but its a beauty,,,wouldnt mind having that one!

[@rogerharrelljr1935]

Absolutely amazing car!!

[@makaylasdad1486]

Drain fluids dehumidifiers galore SEND IT!!!

[@joemay2640]

Yep I'm pretty sure if that was my car and was floating in water I would be very upset it's a beauty 👌

[@danhoyland142]

That was a very expensive frame off restoration that was done on this car, you can tell bc they took the time to spray the red oxide primer on the underside like it would of came from the factory. Any car I seen like that was a nut and bolt frame off resto. Also, that is 55-70k car before the flood. You made out like bandits….pun intended.

[@allanstephenson9336]

Salt water scares the hell out of me. But 1 hell of a nice car. The salt water ruined the engine I bet.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

It will be ok! Weve done a few salt water floods. Fresh water is for sure better, but this car will be fixed and going in no time!

[@rockeroller]

You have a beautiful car there. Congratulations .

[@backachershomestead]

So do you warranty the vehicles for items that fail due to flood damage later on down the road? My son bought a truck from dealer. Clear title 1 owner traded to New dealer. After having truck for 3 months "diesel " it started having every kind of electrical issue possible. Computer failed. He was not told it was flooded. And after finding out nothing could be done because he bought it as is. He later found out the original owner had vehicle detailed and fluids all changed traded off. Never turned it into insurance. So no record of damage. Only found out when taken into get work done on it did he find out.

[@HorsepowerDepot]

I’ll say this. We’ve been in business since 1989. If you don’t take care of your customers your not in business for that long. But yes our customer knows of the rebuilt titles we sell.

[@backachershomestead]

@Horsepower Depot You guys sound like a very honest business. If I would've asked many others this question here on the tube they would never respond. I wish you many more great years in business.

[@TexasGolfer]

Super clean car, even if you have to tear down the motor, trans and fix wiring it can be worth the effort.