TTA Restoration Project

[Zink57]

Attached is a link that I found regarding a 89 TTA that was fully restored professionally. It's good to see someone who recognizes the historical (in addition to the perf potential) of this unique and rare car.

http://la.rsson.com/tta1078resto/

 

[j13smiley]

he posts here

 

[Jan Larsson]

Yep, I'm right here! Thanks for the heads up.

Alot of planning and time went in to the project. A couple of years of buying all the parts I needed and most of them hand carried accross the pond (I live in the UK). I've done everything my self except for the paint job. I'm very pleased with the result and everyone that seen the car been very impressed as well. So it really payed off in the end.

Currently I'm having some sub frame connectors on the list being installed before the end of the year, this coming week a custom strut tower brace is being fabricated and installed and we will look at a custom "wonderbar" / steering brace as well.

Once this is done I will do the front end suspension and have all parts powdercoated incuding the engine cross member and trans cross member. Then new poly bushings, new stainless steel brake (hard) lines. And at the same time I will do my engine rear seals and detail the engine and engine bay.

I'm updatint the web page as the project moves on.

 

[mr.turbota]

So Jan,
Who's making the new wonderbar? Lon seemed to give up, after trying over 3 different times on my car!
I guess you don't want your car stock, huh?
Are there places near you to race?
How's the rain over this so far??
We got snow last week! Over 3 inches! Was pretty cool to see 7 of our vehicles all white, without counting the 20th TTA in the garage! Ha! Only lasted for one day though!
Get good at doing the rear main, then when you come out to visit, you can help me!

Later,

George

 

[Jan Larsson]

George,

I got a local company specialising in custom bike frames (really nice harley stuff) doing the strut tower brace, sub frame connectors and we are looking at the steering box brace / wonderbar as well. Will take my TTA to them this week to get the strut tower brace done so hopefully we can do the wonderbar next.

Having all this stuff shipped (or hand carried) from the US does not make sense as these guys can bend and fabricate anything and are certified welders and TIG weld everything (the stuff they do look really good), also got all the machines for bending the pipes etc. The material is not very expensive for any of the parts we are looking at so it's only the labor but the rate is good. So all in all this will be cheaper and I will know that the stuff they fabricate will fit 110%

Anyway, I spoke to Lon and seems like he put the wonderbar for the TTA on ice for a while. He redesigne the brackets for his wonderbar and liekd to carry that design over to the TTA wonderbar as well. But sounds like that project might take time ....

Anyway, if my wonderbar turns out as I expect it too then I will be able to offer them for the TTA in the near future


Reason for stiffening the TTA is mostly that I realised what a weak design the t-top cars are when I drove my 84 hardtop before I sold it a couple of month ago. That was when I decided to move forward with this, initially I had no intention of doing this but to be able to use the car and not having all the creacks etc from the body twsisting and moving during somehwat normal driving this is the only way to go. And yes if I decide to race this will help

The parts will be easy to remove except for the SFC's but this will be professionaly done and will not look bad at all after these guys are done with it.

I'll make sure to take plenty of pictures for everyone, and as I said if the parts turn out like I expect there might be a possibility for others to order them as well .... we will see.

Rain ... lets see .... yes it's still raining No snow yet, but we usually only get a couple of days worth per year anyway .....

Have a good one

 

[Zink57]

Jan
What you have done is impressive...especially considering your location. Some of your fellow TTA enthusiasts in the States are challenged enuf with finding parts for this vehicle..without the geographical obsticle.

I am wondering what reception this "Yank Tank" with the unique 6 cylinder engine, that runs like a bat out of hell, will have with your fellow countryman? There are even professional mechanics in the States that are confused by the Buick 6 cylinder in a Pontiac Trans Am. I know....I had to argue the point for 10 minutes with the smog inspection station when it was time to renew my tags.

Keep up the impressive work and will be looking forward to updates on your site.