INSPECTION REPORT

 

 

 

Date:  1/3/07

 

 

Year, Make & Model:                                           1976 Pontiac Trans Am

Dealership (if any)                                               ______________

Contact:                                                                

Address:                                                                                ______________

City/State/Zip:                                                       Neosho, MO

Phone:                                                                  

 

Instructions:                                          This is a pre-purchase inspection.  Our client is the buyer.

He has the following concerns:

1.       Is the car really a strong No. 3 condition car?

2.       Seller claims that the paint is a 7 out of 10

3.       Runs strong? Tight? Appear to be show quality?

 

Photos –                      Please take digital photos of all four corners of the exterior of the car, the frame rails, floor pan, oil pan, interior seats and dashboard, gauges, steering wheel, odometer, headliner, carpeting, trunk, back seat, windows, chrome bezels and door handles, metal panels, door panels inside, door jambs, rockers, quarters, engine compartment both sides, etc. Also take photo of trim tag and VIN tag if available. Take photos of anything that is not right on the car.

 

 

 

Test Drive:

Does the vehicle drive straight? Y or N

Yes

Steering Performance? Tight or Sloppy

Appears Tight

Brake Performance? Good or Needs Work

Fair, may need flush, excessive peddle

Suspension Noise? Comment

None

Bounce Test? Comment

Passed

Comments:         

 

Engine:


Engine Size:

455

Designation: (SS)

None

Performance

Strong

Oil Level / Quality

Full/clean

Carburetor (Make/Model)

Quadjet

 

 

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

None

 

 

Comments:   Very strong engine, sounds great has aftermarket cam. Possible bad battery required a jump to start and upon return from test drive required jump to start again, to test hot starts. Engine will not idle until warmed up, choke needs adjustment. Compartment and engine need minor cleaning and detail work. All required components are present and functioning correctly (except air conditioning compressor lines and condenser have been moved). Engine is modified with Edelbrock intake that is painted to match engine (to appear stock) also seller states that 4V carburetor is not original but off another 455 equipped Pontiac vehicle. Engine also has an aftermarket cam and valve train (I found receipts in glove box) HEI ignition and headers. I noted no leaks on top of engine, but oil pan had visible oil with a few drops on it during inspection, but no leaks noted during test drive, good belts and hoses. Non functional shaker hood scoop has been modified into full time ram air system. Alternator appears new and cables appear in very good condition. Coolant level appeared low but in good condition and rest of coolant system appeared also in good condition, during the test drive the water temp stayed below 190 and oil pressure was 65 cold and 45 hot at idle, appears choke and high idle needs adjustment. Seller has original heads and intake to go with vehicle.

 

Transmission:

Transmission Type:

4-speed

FWD / RWD

RWD

Fluid Level / Quality

Unknown

Clutch Operation

Correct

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

None

Miss Shifts

None

Performance

Very good

 

 

Comments: Has Hurst 4-speed shifter installed. Shifts firmly with no clutch slippage, no noises or missed shifts during test drive.

 

 

 

Steering:              

Steering Type

Power

Performance

Very Good

Fluid Level/Quality

Correct

 

 

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

None

 

 

Comments:

 

 

                Brakes:

Brake Type:

Pwr front disc, rear drum

Performance:

Good

Fluid Level / quality

Not checked

Noises

None

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

none

 

 

Comments:  During the test drive, owner noted he thought braking required excessive peddle, possibly needing flushed, brakes passed panic stop from 35mph. Emergency brakes worked very well, will stop rolling vehicle and will hold vehicle while trying to move forward.

 

 

 

Rear End:             

U-Joints:

Good

Performance:

Good

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

None

Noises

none

Comments:

 

Air Conditioning:

Air Conditioning:

N/A

Operation / Noises

N/A

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

None

 

 

Temperature Control:

N/A

 

 

Comments: Air conditioning compressor removed, defrost and heater systems still work

 

Suspension:

Suspension Type

Stock

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

None

Operation / Noise

None

 

 

Drive Train Type

RWD

Operation / Noise

None

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

none

 

 

Comments: Vehicle has welded on sub frame connectors.

 

Cooling System: Radiator

Temperature / Fan

190 hot / good

 

Performance / Noise:

Good / none

 

Signs/Evidence of Leaks

none

 

Comments:

 

Wheels / Tires Type:

Type (Manufacturer/Factory):

Wheels; stock honey comb

Tires; BF Goodrich Radial TA

Tire Size:

Front – 245/60R15

Rear – 245/60R15

 

Tread Depth:

New

 

Comments: Excellent condition. Excellent original poly cast honey comb wheels with new Goodrich radial TA tires installed.

 

Exhaust:

Type

Custom duals

 

Mufflers:

Turbos

 

Headers:

Long tube headers

 

Accessories (i.e. chrome tips, etc)

Quad chrome tips

 

 

Comments: No leaks, 2 ½ pipe to mufflers then 2 inch over rear axle to tips. Exhaust is equipped with large tube headers that are rusty but are not leaking.

 

 

 

 (OP – Operational        INOP – Inoperable     or        N/A)

Exterior Lighting

OP

Interior Lighting

OP

Horn

OP

Turn Signals

OP

Power Windows

OP

Power Locks

N/A

Power Seats

N/A

Gauges

OP

Power Mirrors

N/A

Clock

INOP

Trunk Release

N/A

Wipers

OP

Security System

N/A

Fuel Door

N/A

Hood Release

N/A

Power Antenna

N/A

Radio

INOP

Rear Defrost

N/A

Cruise Control

N/a

Heater

OP

Convertible Top

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments:  Interior dome light INOP, other interior lighting working. Seller states aftermarket AM/FM/CD player has fuse removed in amp to keep battery from discharging. Interior lighting works in foot wells under dash.

 

 

Interior:

Interior:

Black / stock original very good

Seat Color:

Black

Seat Cover Material

Vinyl

Seat Cover Condition

Very good except drivers seat has 4 ½ long rip

Headliner/Dash/Carpet

Carpet excellent, headliner good, but possibly incorrect

Trunk Area, Under Carpet

Very good

Comments: Very nice bucket seats (drivers side has 4.5” rip) with black carpet showing NO wear. Beautiful stock dash with dash pad with an excellent factory gauge cluster, all gauges are operable, excellent center consul with Hurst shifter. Rear buckets also has rear consul. AM/FM/CD head unit is installed in stock location (seller has original 8 track system to go with vehicle), seller stated “Aftermarket system had fuse removed to keep battery from draining out”. Stock door panels, and door controls are very good condition except driver’s door pull straps are missing covers, safety belts are showing minor fading but are still serviceable. Headliner may not be original fabric, is cardboard? Sunvisors, rear view mirror very good condition. Ash trays are clean having been used in the past for smoking but now are used for loose change. Also, you must but vehicle in reverse to remove key from ignition.

 

 

BODY & PAINT

Exterior

Excellent

Quality of Paint

Excellent

Body Straight? Waves?

No waves

Any scratches, orange peel? (please comment)

None

Color

Black

Collision Damage –

None

Sports Options

Equipped as 50 LE Trans AM

Glass Condition –

Very good

Any Signs of Bondo?

None

 

 

Rust anywhere?

(please be specific)

None

Condition of chrome -

Very good

Comments: 50th Limited Edition markings, Trans Am spoilers ground effects. Beautiful black re-finish. Body lines are super straight, body panel fit is almost factory perfect, (passenger door to fender may need minor adjustment) and all weather striping appears new. Bumpers are painted body color, grill, trim and light assemblies are in excellent condition. Trunk houses stereo system AMP under mat on right side of vehicle, no spare tire, jack is with vehicle, but needing to be stowed correctly. All window glass is very good, rear window has aftermarket louvers installed and power windows roll up and down without assistance. Passenger doors, hood, trunk lid open and close correctly. I did note that with door windows down, glass is loose. I found possible spider cracks under paint on drivers front fender scoop, but they did not show in imagery and I also found a small chip of white paint on passenger door, (possibly from Boss 302 parked next to it) I believe that it will rub out and will not leave ding.

 

UNDERCARRIAGE                                                                                FRAME

Front End Type:

Stock

Condition?

Original

Floor Pan: rust, soft?

Solid

Any rust?

Minor surface

Trunk Pan: rust, soft?

solid

 

 

Comments:  dirty chassis but very solid

 

Vehicle Modifications:

Has Edelbrock intake, headers with custom dual exhaust, high performance cam and valve train. Non-functional

Shaker modified into full time functional.

Afermarket stereo AMP and speakers installed (Amp in trunk with speakers in rear package tray)

 

Comments: 

               

 

IS THE TITLE AVAILABLE?

 

WHAT IS THE VIN NUMBER ON THE TITLE?   

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE VIN # ON THE DASH PAD?      2W87W6N594094

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE BLOCK NUMBER ON THE ENGINE (IF ACCESSIBLE)?    Not accessible

 

RECORD PLATE INFO (all info on firewall tag, fender tag, door tag or dash tag depending on the car):

 

 

 

 

 

ARE THE ODOMETER TUMBLERS ALIGNED?  YES

 

CURRENT MILEAGE:   5,179.2    (Seller states 105,179.2)

 

IS THERE MUCH BRAKE PEDAL WEAR?     Some but clutch pedal shows more

 

CONDITION:                                                         +3  (High Three)

(See attached breakdown of Classes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVERALL COMMENTS:     

I really liked this car, requiring some minor work but performance is outstanding, engine sounds great!! 50th LE 455 Trans Am black and gold exterior is so cool – no wonder the Bandit liked it so much. During test drive vehicle performance is very impressive, no smoke noted. Starts easy cold and hot with charger connected to battery. Does not require high octane fuel and uses 10-40W oil. Oil was clean and full on dip stick.

No major rust or impact damage, some very minor surface rust on chassis, showing signs of being driven, suspension appears to be original to vehicle needing cleaning and in good condition.

This vehicle has lead a very well cared for existence, with just over 100,000 miles on the clock, it still drives and rides excellent, engine with its modifications, extrude very impressive performance, able to cook the tires at will. Seller stated this car has embarrassed his ’87 Twin Turbo Callaway Corvette at the drag strip. I loved the big block with large cam idle exhaust sound.

 

 

 

PHOTOS

 

 

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10        11        12

 

13        14        15        16        17        18        19        20        21        22        23        24

 

25        26        27        28        29        30        31        32        33        34        35        36

 

37        38        39        40        41        42        43        44        45        46        47        48

 

49        50        51        52        53        54        55        56        57        58        59        60

 

61        62        63        64        65        66        67        68        69        70        71        72

 

73        74        75        76        77        78        79        80        81        82        83        84

 

85        86        87        88        89        90        91        92        93        94        95        96

 

97        98        99        100     101     102     103     104     105     106     107     108

 

109     110     111     112     113

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: By accepting this report, the consumer acknowledges that Cars On Line cannot be held responsible for any and all alleged vehicle defects, and further, the consumer releases and holds Cars On Line harmless from any and all further claims on this vehicle. No warranty for this vehicle is implied or given by Cars On Line or its inspectors. In each case, the owner has the opportunity to see the car in person before he or she buys the car. Buying this car based on this report alone is completely at the consumers’ own risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDITION CLASSES

 

Class One (Excellent):

Almost always a “body off” restoration, or an untouched, factory-perfect, piece that is very close to perfect. All components are either original or appear as new and are fully operational. This car is a top show winner and is not driven, but transported to shows by trailer. This car is almost “one of a kind”. This particular class of vehicle is very rare. The vehicle is completely detailed, including the engine compartment, interior trim, wiring, suspension, paint, and frame. Ideally, this vehicle has been judged with other vehicles in its class and achieved the highest point ratings.

 

Class Two (Very Good):

This car is well restored with an eye for detail. The interior and exterior show minimal wear, and it runs and rides smoothly. The car is driven very little (maybe 800 to 1,000 miles per year). This class is a slight grade below Class One. A Class Two has not been detailed to the extent that a Class One has been. This class (Class Two) has some evidence of use and wear, although not very much. It is considered “cherry” or “mint”. This vehicle might appear as a Class One until judged against one. It would not qualify as a 95, or better, “point” vehicle. (This class should have no rust on the undercarriage, not even surface rust.)

 

Class Three (Good):

This is a functional, drivable vehicle in good overall condition needing no, or only minor work. Most vehicles at car shows reflect this condition. This car is what is termed a “20 footer”. From 20 feet, it may look very good. Close inspection, however, would reveal some worn interior trim, and less than perfect paint (worn, and perhaps faded). You may even see some early evidence that surface rust is beginning in the body panels. This car is completely operational and is an “older restoration”. It is driven fairly often, runs great, and is enjoyed by its owner. It is probably a candidate for a full restoration. The undercarriage may display surface rust, and may be in need of detailing. Chrome and trim may exhibit limited pitting.

 

Class Four (Fair):

This type of car is a fun “driver” with a solid frame and is structurally sound. This car is in need of considerable work. It needs work in and out. Cosmetics, body, and mechanical components all need work, to some degree. It is not a serious collector candidate. Soft floors, isolated areas where rust has eaten through (but not structural), excessive use of Bondo, lots of pitted chrome, glass repairs are symptoms of this condition. Badly soiled headliners, badly soiled and ripped upholstery, rusted out trunks are also signs.

 

Class Five (Poor):

This type of car is in need of complete restoration and may, or may not, be able to be driven. The exterior body panels have significant areas of rust-through. The floor and structural components may, or may not, be intact. This car is usually the first project for layman’s attempt at restoration.

 

Class Six (Parts Car):

This type of car is good for parts only.