When we first saw Chris Williams' '75 Trans Am, it hit a nerve. This guy was going fast and looking good while doing it. Even better was the fact that he was doing it on the cheap--well under our $25K limit. Williams' TA was purchased for $1,500, and as a California car, it was rust-free. A quickie Maaco paint job and some interior parts to replace the sun-beaten items got things looking good without breaking the bank. Then in 2002, Chris won Hot Rod's "Win Your Dream Engine" sweepstakes. He spec'd the motor out, Hot Rod built it, and Chris won it. Since we don't expect you to be able to duplicate that feat, we're adding into Williams' total tally the $9,500 cost of the 461ci Pontiac mill. (In fact, Williams has only $11,925 into the car--we know you're not gonna let that slide.) Instead of building a pretty show car, Williams pounds on it every weekend at the track, posting a best ET of 11.52/117--driving it to the track and running on pump gas. Look for the full story in the May 2007 issue.
| 1975 Pontiac Trans Am |
| Owner: | Chris Williams; Sleepy Hollow, IL |
| Engine: | 461ci Pontiac 400 |
| Transmission: | Turbo 350, |
| Rearend: | 12-bolt, 3.73:1 gears |
| Chassis/suspension: | Hotchkis TVS suspension, polygraphite bushings |
| Brakes: | rebuilt stock front & rear |
| Wheels/tires: | used Cragar Superstar Street (15 x 8, front; 15 x 10, rear), M/T ET Street |
| Horsepower: | 563 hp @ 6,000 |
| Best ET: | 11.52 @ 117 |
| Total cost to build: | $22,175 |
| Where The Money Went: |
| Car: | $1,500 |
| Engine (free, won in Hot Rod's "Win Your Dream Engine Sweepstakes"): | $9,500 |
| Trans/converter: | $1,500 |
| Ignition: | $200 |
| Driveshaft: | $300 |
| Rear (12-bolt): | $2,000 |
| Headers: | $450 |
| Exhaust system: | $450 |
| Rims: | $450 |
| Tires: | $250 |
| Quarter-panel repair: | $200 |
| Maaco paint: | $800 |
| Hood decals: | $250 |
| Door panels, head liner, vinyl dye: | $350 |
| Rear window trim pieces (Year One): | $200 |
| Carpet: | $125 |
| Hurst shifter: | $200 |
| Holley Volumax pump, Earl's lines, Qwick Fuel regulator: | $750 |
| Rebuilt stock front calipers, wheel cylinders, new pads & shoes: | $75 |
| Vacuum pump: | $275 |
| Alston 8-pt rollcage & installation: | $750 |
| Hotchkis TVS front suspension: | $1,000 |
| Bushings & front end pieces: | $600 |
| Total: | $22,175 |