Sweet ‘70 Trans Am Has Laid Rubber with the Same Owner for 44 Years

For the 1970 model year, Pontiac unleashed the second generation of its Firebird pony car. Pontiac’s famed engines carried over to new, swoopy, European-styling, and sportscar-like handling became the mantra. And although they shared the F-body platform with their Chevy Camaro cousin, models like the understated Formula 400 and the dynamic Trans Am were very unique animals.

Allegiance to the Arrowhead

There are Pontiac fans and then there are the real Pontiac die-hards—Jimmy Prudente is most certainly the latter. Growing up in Queens, New York, Jimmy recalls Poncho iron ruling the streets, and his frequent bike rides to the Pontiac dealer to gawk at the new models and dream of one day having his own. But more than anything, it was a 1967 Firebird 400 that ignited his passion and left a lifelong impression.

Between 1969 and 1973, the story of the Prudente’s Firebird 400 read like a great saga. Jimmy’s uncle Bob—a card-carrying member of the Pontiac tribe, bought the Coronado Gold ‘bird, brand new. A couple of years later, Jimmy’s older brother Frank took possession and relegated the Poncho pony to full-time racing duty both on the street and strip. 

In 1970, Frank joined the Marine Corps Reserves and was often away from home. Ten-year-old Jimmy became the Firebird ‘s de facto caretaker, keeping it clean and sitting behind the wheel, fantasizing that it was his. It was not to be—by 1971 Frank had little time for drag racing and sold the Firebird 400, disappointing Jimmy beyond words.

By 1972, Frank regretted parting with the Firebird, as he and uncle Bob missed drag racing. They went to the Firebird’s new owner and coaxed him into selling it back to them. The next year, while Frank was away training, uncle Bob sold the Firebird 400 yet again, this time for good. Needless to say, Frank was surprised, but Jimmy was devastated—he always thought the car would eventually be his. 

Overruled

Fast forward to 1980–Jimmy was twenty years old, attending Long Island University and working for his father’s trucking company. Now with some cash flow, Jimmy sought to feed the Pontiac fire smoldering within him. But instead of a Firebird, Jimmy had now decided a 1969 GTO Judge in Carousel Red was what he was after, and he began scouring the papers. 

By this time, Jimmy’s brother Frank had become sales manager at South Shore Pontiac in Valley Stream, New York. Frank had also been perusing the auto classifieds, and found a car he felt suited his brother more than a Goat. It was a 1970 Trans Am in Polar White with blue guts. Frank pitched Jimmy: a ’69 GTO was not known for its handling, and the ’70 Trans Am did everything better. Frank persisted and the brothers Prudente went to see the TA.

Jimmy was sticking to his guns, so Frank took the ‘bird for a test flight. Upon his return, he rose from the blue cockpit all smiles and said, “Jimmy, you gotta buy this thing, it sounds just like my old ’67 Firebird 400.” So, there it was, hitting Jimmy like a lightning bolt, the reminder of his first automotive crush and the car that started it all. Jimmy suddenly felt a connection to the decade-old Trans Am, and after a brief negotiation, he bought it on the spot for $2,500.

Phase 1: As-is

The previous owner had altered the Trans Am from factory stock by replacing its four-speed manual transmission with a Turbo 350 automatic. It rolled on snowflake wheels, which were not available until 1977—Jimmy immediately replaced them with a set of Rally IIs. The T/A’s blue stripe, which ran the length of the hood, roof and trunk was missing. The important thing—the 400-cid Ram Air III V-8—was still present and accounted for, though, and Jimmy had every intention of exercising its prowess.

And exercise it he did. Jimmy tells tales of street racing in Queens and Brooklyn, on Francis Lewis Boulevard and Fountain Avenue, where he lined up against all competition and it was “run what you brung.” He also drove out to West Hampton Raceway on occasion, recreating the days of his youth, when he went with his brother Frank to the drag strip—only now, he was in the driver’s seat. At both venues the classic Trans Am brought the excitement and Jimmy grew to love it more with every tire-burning pass.

In 1983, while soaring down the 1320-ft at West Hampton, Jimmy heard a disconcerting “pop” come from the engine. He continued racing, but the long drive back to Queens revealed a wounded bird. Once home, Jimmy noticed exhaust escaping through the valve cover breathers, not–good. The mechanic took one look and diagnosed a blown compression ring on at least one piston. There was talk of re-sleeving the bores, but this was ultimately not to be.

Phase 2: Down but Not Out

Jimmy pulled the motor and the car sat, occasionally transported back and forth (sometimes towed by rope) between his father’s warehouse and multiple home garages for more than a decade. Around 1994, Jimmy sourced a 1971 Pontiac 400-cid block and had PG Automotive in Brooklyn NY rebuild the motor. This was a step in the right direction, but with money and time in short supply, the Pontiac mill sat on an engine stand for a further two years.

Phase 3: Phoenix Risen

As the 1990’s drew to a close, Jimmy’s wife Luann asked him his plans for the Trans Am. Jimmy said that he wanted to fix it and Luann responded in very direct fashion saying, “well, fix it or get rid of it.” Jimmy was now an accomplished accountant with the means, so he embarked on restoring his Trans Am to its original form.

First, with Luann’s help, Jimmy tackled the drivetrain. He married the rebuilt motor to a Muncie M21 four-speed manual transmission, just like it had from the factory and attached the driveshaft to the stock 12-bolt Safe-T-Track rear differential with 3.73 gears. He then brought the Trans Am and all its pieces to a body shop. The owner told Jimmy “I’ll do the work in my spare time.” Jimmy says after hearing that he had a bad feeling. Jimmy checked on progress—or the lack thereof—every few weeks as the Trans Am sat in disrepair for two years. Eventually the bird was painted, but the job was subpar on every level.

Jimmy was frustrated to the point of depression and sought help from his brother. Frank was now the co-owner of multiple GM dealerships and urged Jimmy to bring the Trans Am to the body shop at his Saturn dealer in Long Island City. Once there, the head body man recoiled from the previous shop’s shoddy work, but took on the job at Franks’ command. After two more months, the Trans Am finally had a straight body and a fresh Polar White coat. Jimmy took the ‘Bird home and finished the interior himself, with new carpet, recovered seats and a fresh engine-turned gauge cluster backing.

Jimmy was so intent on getting the car back, with good reason, he never let the body shop reinstall the stripes. Instead, Luann made a call to her former employer, a sign shop called Mr. Sign, and Jimmy brought the stripes and a die cast model of the Trans Am to them for use as reference. 

Jimmy wasted little time getting his Trans Am back to its natural habitat, the drag strip, but in 2006 he blew the Muncie four-speed and had to have it rebuilt. The next year Jimmy sourced a set of hard-to-find “JW” 15-inch Rally II rims to replace the non-correct rollers he had on the car since 1980.

Phase 4: Rebuilt and Hopped-Up 

Jimmy cruised and raced his Trans Am another decade before deciding to address its most vital element–the engine once more. Although it wouldn’t be numbers-matching, Jimmy wanted everything to be as correct as possible. So, he sourced a 1970 “WS” 400-cid block to replace the 1971 mill powering the car since the ‘90s.

This time, Jimmy recruited the best, none other than Pontiac engine master Richie Hoffman to do the work. Jimmy then broke down his motor, brought its components and the WS block to Richie, who totally rebuilt Jimmy’s new engine to Ram Air III specifications and added a Ram Air IV bump stick for a little more grunt.

44 years and Counting

Jimmy still drag races his iconic Trans Am and frequents shows and goes to cars and coffee gatherings where the rare bird draws masses of wide-eyed onlookers who appreciate the coolest of cool cars. For nearly half a century, Jimmy’s Trans Am has been part of his life and wonderful family. It was the first of his now impressive collection of multiple Pontiac machines, and will always be a keeper.