World’S Largest, Running, Firebird Trans Am Collection; Fourscore Pontiacs In Addition To Counting

Meet the Bird Man. Indiana’s Steve Hamilton owns the world’s largest, running, Pontiac Firebird Trans Am collection. The semi-retired electrician is non an automotive speculator, he simply likes Firebirds. Hamilton bought his start Firebird inward 1969. He liked the style, size, as well as the way the automobile handled. The adjacent 100-or-so Firebirds as well as Trans Ams simply happened. Hamilton’s automotive passion combined, amongst astute purchases made during several decades of automobile hunting, gave nativity to a collection of about of the most prized Pontiacs ever built.
  Arrowhead emblem enthusiasts know that a Super Duty, or First-Gen Trans Am is a rare bird. Hamilton bought them inward multiples, when their values were low. He was non content to stick amongst 1 generation of Firebird. All 4 generations of Firebird, from its debut inward 1967 through the destination of the model’s production inward 2002, are represented. 
  Follow along every bit nosotros consider the collection as well as run across the human behind the wheel. 

Hamilton wheels his 1979 Pontiac Redbird to a automobile demo inward Louisville.

First meeting
  Steve Hamilton arrived at the Louisville Expo Center driving a 4-speed 1979 Firebird “Redbird” edition. Windows down, armed amongst his signature cigar, he had the aspect of a human who has been to to a greater extent than than his part of these Pontiac rodeos. Hamilton pulled his all-original, console-delete Redbird into the giant edifice for the annual POCI convention. Although, the understated Redbird was the only 1 of its sort at the Pontiac-Oakland show, it hardly suggested that the 70-year-old possessor was the titleholder to the largest, running, Trans Am collection inward the world.
  Lucky for us, nosotros knew that where there’s smoke, there’s Firebirds. The wheels were inward motion for Junkyard Life, amongst assist from fellow ’Bird lover, Scott Scheel, to see Hamilton’s ultimate Trans Am demo inward Indiana. Let’s go!

All generations of Pontiac’s Firebirds are represented inward Hamilton’s collection. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 flock of Second Generation (1970-1981 models) surround a super rare 1969 Trans Am convertible.

100 miles to Trans Am-ville 
  Junkyard Life hitting the highway northbound to a cornfield inward Indiana. Hamilton’s huge stash of fine feathered Birds volition forever survive our Firebird ‘Field of Dreams’ moment. Eighty Firebirds/Trans Ams. Housed inward 4 buildings. All surrounded past times corn.
   The doors swung opened upward to Hamilton’s “Bird’s nests” as well as a flock of fourth dimension capsules sat earlier us. Hamilton, a gracious host later a long 24-hour interval as well as a 100-plus mile route trip, guided us on a fantabulous tour as well as answered hours of questions most Trans Ams as well as collecting. 
  Where to begin? There were nine Super Duty T/As. Nine! Nine of the most sought-after, as well as valuable Trans Ams inward existence. That’s non to say nosotros scoffed at Hamilton’s 3 first-year 1969 Trans Ams coupes. Did nosotros cite at that spot was a ’69 T/A convertible clone inward the mix, too? Restored to perfection inward 1985 amongst right T/A parts. We were blown away!
  So much to see. Every inch of the buildings were packed amongst cars as well as parts. There were Trans Ams inward every color imaginable, Anniversary Editions on racks, a one-of-146 Brewster Green ’73 T/A. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 one-of-17, 6-speed, solid roof (non t-top) 1994 25th Anniversary T/A. Bandit car, yes! Don’t trip over that 4-speed W50 Formula inward Goldenrod Yellow. We didn’t desire to lady friend anything. It was overload!

Super Duty optioned 1974 Pontiac Trans Am inward Buccaneer Red.

Wheels of fortune
   “I’ve owned Firebirds since 1969,” Hamilton said every bit he chewed on his cigar. “I started collecting inward the mid-to-late 70’s as well as continued through the 1980s.”
  Hamilton bought most of his collection when the marketplace position was ripe as well as used Birds were plentiful. During those decades, onetime Trans Ams were simply viewed every bit used cars. Nobody wanted the early on models. It’s simply the contrary now. Those low-production 1969-1973 Trans Ams larn all the attention, as well as ascendency a premium when a novel possessor takes the keys.
  “I paid $3,000 to $4,000 for them dorsum then.”
  That wasn’t chump change, but Hamilton selected wisely, as well as built his collection on quality. Not junky cars. Some receive got been restored, but many rest consummate as well as manufactory original.
  Word presently spread to would-be sellers that Hamilton was the human to consider if you lot had an onetime Firebird Trans Am. That meant many beat-on, as well as banged-up T/As amongst Keystone mags, fatty tires, as well as louvers over their nurture window also landed at Hamilton’s doorstep. Intent on keeping the desirable ones, he culled the junk to brand room as well as funds for restorations as well as improve purchases. The collection grew.
  “I never intended to receive got this many Firebirds.” With that, Hamilton shrugs, “The collection simply happened.”

So many treasured Pontiacs nether 1 roof. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 silverish tenth Anniversary Trans Am may larn overlooked adjacent to a 1976 Formula in Goldenrod Yellow pigment amongst a 4-speed.

Who’s counting? 
  Hamilton claims lxxx of his cars are “runners” worthy of beingness listed every bit business office of his automobile collection. His Definition of a “runner” agency that the automobile is drive-able as well as presentable at your local automobile show. Not a pile of junk.
  Others may claim to receive got a larger collection of Trans Ams, but are they rust buckets, parts cars, as well as fields total of junk? Hamilton does non count the dozens of parts cars, non-running projects, as well as hulls that he owns every bit business office of his collection. 

Hamilton’s projection cars are non considered business office of his collection. A total of more than 100 Firebirds as well as Trans Ams could survive counted on the property. 

1969 Pontiac Trans Ams are rare, unless you lot are a visitor to Steve Hamilton’s collection. 

Rare Birds
  Rounding upward a list of the rarest of the rare in Hamilton’s collection is no like shooting fish in a barrel task. He owns multiples of Pontiac’s start Trans Am - the iconic 1969 model, of which, only 697 were built (8 convertibles, 689 coupes). Three complete 1969 Trans Am coupes would give interruption to whatever Firebird fan. A fourth ’69 T/A coupe (Ram Air III, 4-speed) is now undergoing restoration. Hamilton was quick to complaint that his 1969 Trans Am convertible “clone” was built inward 1985 using right Trans Am parts. The driblet top gets driven ofttimes as well as causes whiplash at automobile shows.
  “I figured that I would never ain 1 of the original eight, so I built one,” said Hamilton.

Super Duty 455
  Nine Super Duty Trans Ams equipped amongst Pontiac’s fire-breathing 455-cubic-inch engine are also business office of the collection. Some would say these valuable ’Birds are the collection. Only 1,296 Super Duty-equipped Trans Ams as well as Formulas were built during the 1973-1974 model years. With a scant 353 built inward 1973, as well as 943 produced inward 1974. I had never seen 1 of Pontiac’s race-bred engines inward a Second Gen, permit solitary nine, earlier visiting Hamilton’s collection. 
  The Super Duty was built using many forged internals, free-flowing heads, as well as a beefy, reinforced, 4-bolt original block. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 high-pressure crude oil ticker (80-psi) as well as a baffled crude oil pan also provided plenty of lubrication within the race-ready SD-455s. These under-rated, torque monsters (rated at 290hp at 4,000 RPM as well as 395-ft-lbs at 3,600 RPM) were capable of making to a greater extent than than 500hp amongst a few modifications. Pontiac’s flagship engine forged a rigid reputation that pays big dividends when a pristine Super Duty crosses the auction block.
  Note: A express release of Formula SD-455 were produced — 43 in 1973; 57 in 1974. Each SD-455 Formula was equipped amongst a Trans Am shaker set-up. 

 Pontiac, nevertheless beating the drum for the all-but-extinct musculus car, developed their Super Duty 455 engine despite compromised compression ratios, gas wars, as well as ballooning insurance premiums. The detuned engine was the closest affair to the glory days of the musculus car.

Favorites 
  As nosotros stood inward 1 of Hamilton’s 4 “Bird’s Nest” buildings, nosotros asked him to holler his favorite Trans Am.
  “I similar the circular headlight cars,” Hamilton said, referring to the 1976 as well as older models.
  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 quick survey of the collection as well as you lot volition discovery his favorite twelvemonth of the circular headlight ’Birds – 1976.
  “I receive got 12 of the ’76 models,” the collector noted. “But sentimentally, the dark 1977 ‘Bandit’ car, that I bought inward 1977, later seeing “Smokey as well as the Bandit” has to survive upward there.”

Every pigment color offered on 1976 Firebird Trans Ams tin privy survive constitute inward Hamilton’s collection.

1973 Super Duty Formula inward Brewster Green.

Paint past times number
  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 collection of Trans Ams all painted the same color would survive irksome to some. Hamilton does non disappoint. He owns a Trans Am inward each of the vi colors offered past times Pontiac inward 1976. (Cameo White, Sterling Silver, Starlight Black, Firethorn Red, Goldenrod Yellow, as well as Carousel Red, which is genuinely a shade of orange.) Along amongst 8 1975 T/As, vi 1974 models, roofing each of the 3 pigment options offered (Cameo White, Admirality Blue, as well as Buccaneer Red). All 3 1973 Trans Am colors are accounted for, likewise (Cameo White, Brewster Green, as well as Buccaneer Red).
  Based on numbers alone, Hamilton attempted to consummate his collection past times roofing the color palette of all the early on Trans Ams. If I counted correctly, Hamilton owns 29 Firebirds/Trans Ams roofing 1973 through the 1976 models. That’s simply over 36 per centum of the lxxx total “runners” inward the collection.
  The first-year Trans Am, a 1969 model, was only available inward Cameo White. From 1970 until 1972, Trans Ams were offered inward Cameo White or Lucerne Blue. Owning all ingredient color combos was easy until Pontiac started to expand their exterior colors options.

1969 Trans Ams featured painted stripes in Tyrol Blue.

Hamilton has collected a few parts during the final xl years. Ron Kidd has a few questions for Steve Hamilton. 

T/A Nats
  In 1985, Hamilton attended the start Trans Am Nationals inward his 1969 Pontiac Trans Am. That same automobile has been to every Trans Am Nationals since – an astounding 31 consecutive years. Hamilton’s first-year Trans Am (1-of-697 built) was the only ’69 T/A to attend during the show’s start few years at the Dayton Airport Hotel inward Ohio. Each year, to a greater extent than of Hamilton’s cars receive got appeared inward the demo every bit his collection grew. Transporting multiple cars (as many every bit nine) tin privy survive a challenge. Oftentimes, Hamilton has relied on eager members of the Indy Firebird Club to ferry the cars to Ohio, or he secures a automobile hauler to deliver a few of his revered Ponchos to the T/A Nats.

1973 Firebird Formula inward Ascot Silver amongst dark vinyl top.

Drives them, snowfall or shine
  Hamilton believes that his collection should survive driven as well as enjoyed. After a recent trip to a weekend-long automobile demo inward Indianapolis, Hamilton faced a dilemma. Should he drive 1 of his prized 1969 Trans Ams habitation inward three-inches of snow? The unexpected snowstorm had surprised the contingent of automobile owners. Making wimps out of many owners – non Hamilton. He drove the ’69 T/A home, undaunted past times tabular array salt as well as snow. Nothing a careful driver, proficient bath, as well as detailing couldn’t handle.

Driving a rare 1969 Pontiac Trans Am inward 3 inches of snow.

Hamilton steered the 1969 Trans Am habitation safely.

Hood upward on this Lucerne Blue Trans Am for like shooting fish in a barrel battery access. Maintaining a fleet of lxxx ’Birds requires continual attention.

Magazines/publicity
  Hamilton’s collection has been featured inward High Performance Pontiac as well as Pontiac Enthusiast magazines. GM as well as the Pontiac Motor Division also provided a publication to novel buyers inward 2001 that included a characteristic storey on Hamilton’s collection.


Future Plans
  Sharing the collection amongst like-minded enthusiasts has ever been business office of Hamilton’s plan. As the hospitable host to hundreds of guided tours, Hamilton as well as his collection have run a legend inward the Pontiac world. His bluish neckband pattern shows that the average guy, without deep pockets, tin privy create a garage total of dream cars purely on dedication as well as determination.
  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Trans Am museum is the adjacent logical step. Hamilton has bounced that thought around, but that may non hand until he increases the size of the buildings currently storing his collection.
  “The buildings hold shrinking,” Hamilton says wryly. “I’ve added onto 1 of them, 3 times already.”
  In the meantime, this full-time Trans Am collector has no intentions of slowing down.
  My see to Hamilton’s, as well as exploring the 35-year development of the Pontiac Firebird was a process for this Firebird-Trans Am fan. I can’t hold back to run back!

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Anthony Powell, Jody Potter, as well as Ron Kidd amongst Steve Hamilton inward the midst of the world’s largest, running, Firebird-Trans Am collection.

 
Questions?
I’m certain he’s heard them all before, but nosotros had to ask:

Do you lot drive them all?
“Yes. That’s the point. They were meant to survive driven.”

Which one’s the fastest?
“Hate to say it, but it’s the V6. 1989 Anniversary turbo automobile is tops,” said Hamilton.

A notch dorsum optioned 1988 GTA inward red.

This silverish 1973 Formula volition brand you lot forget most the optional torso spoiler. The lines are striking.

Hamilton has plenty parts to create plenty to a greater extent than ’Birds.

Steve Hamilton has cornered the marketplace position on 1970-1981 Pontiac Trans Ams. How many hit you lot have?

1973 Trans Am inward Cameo White — the start twelvemonth for the John Schinella designed giant hood aeroplane decal.

Crestwood Brown Super Duty 455 Firebird Formula, 1-of-57 1974 SD Formulas.

Buccaneer Red 1973 Formula amongst a stack of honeycombs wheels.

Hamilton bought a dark 1977 Bandit Trans Am inward 1977 later watching Burt play the "Bandit.” It was a repo bargain.

Hard to find, Brewster Green 1973 Formula Super Duty 455 inward unopen quarters.

Hood upward item photograph of Pontiac’s Super Duty 455 engine.

Just about other 1974 Super Duty Trans Am.

A Ginger Brown 1975 Firebird Formula amongst stripe.

Hamilton looks over a few Trans Ams as well as 1 that serves every bit a storage shelf for extra parts.

Trans Ams are packed similar sardines inward 1 of Hamilton’s buildings.

Third Gen 1988 Trans Am GTA notchback.

Several original, but worn, vintage projection Firebirds are waiting for restoration inward Hamilton’s shop.

A 2002 Collector Edition Trans Am convertible is perched inward a higher identify thirty-or-so ’Birds.  

Just beyond the solid roof 1994 25th Anniversary T/A sits the vintage firetruck that divided the Firebirds inward Hamilton’s main building.

Know an interesting automobile collector or most a junkyard that nosotros demand to visit? Tips for our projects? 
Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com

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