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Saw Jim Wangers today.....

M

mr.turbota

Super Moderator
Staff member
Guys,
Today, at the Los Angeles Auto Show (Press day), I ran into Jim Wangers. Most, if not some of you, should know his name! He was the "Ad" guy who helped put the mighty GTO on the map as the greatest muscle car of all time (uh, behind the 20th anniversary Turbo Trans Am that is!!!! HeHe)! He's also known as the "grandfather" of the GTO!
Anyway, we got to talking, and I asked him about his 20th TTA. He doesn't know what his order number it is, but it is a Festival car! Yep, cloth and T-Tops! He bought it with 2,800 miles on it, says now it has 3,400!!!! He's only put 600 miles on it!!! Says it does 13.9's all day long!!!!
I'll talk to him again, and try to get his vin, and see if he wants to list on the Regestry page!!
Anyway, just thought I'd share!!!

Have a good one,

George
cwm11.gif


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TTA #231
'70 Trans Am
2x'74 Trans Am
'79 convertible Trans Am
'81 totally modified
Turbo Trans Am
 
George,
I met up with him at Trans-a-rama in 1999. He was our guest speaker. He is a great guy and knows his GTA and Trans Am stuff really well. He has quite a few Trans Am's (1969, 1974 SD, 1979 10th Anniversary, 1989 20th Anniversary and a 1999 30th Anniversary Convertable. He said his overall favorite is the 20th Anniversary.

He has an open house at his shop ("Tour Du Wangers") in September. You need to check it out sometime. It is a car show on saturday with drag racing on sunday.

Dave
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TTA #90 Festival Car
1989 GTA L98
1979 10th T/A (SD455 eng)
1974 SD 455 T/A
 
George,
Opps had a fat finger attach. I ment he know his GTO and Trans Am stuff really well..

Dave
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TTA #90 Festival Car
1989 GTA L98
1979 10th T/A (SD455 eng)
1974 SD 455 T/A
 
Jim shop is in Vista, Ca. for all that are
interested, after the tour he rents out
Carlsbad Raceway for the day and everyone
races for free. I used to steet race with his nephew Gordon Wangers, he used to bring
out a lot of Jim's cars (back in the fun days) occasionally Jim would ride along.
Once they brought out the 2X Turbo Dodge Stealth before it hit the dealers (they had three they were testing for Dodge, through Jim's Co. AMCI) Got a ride in it, slug after 60 mph, but the 7100rpm clutch drop off the line was neat. Sure do miss those days, just thought I would share.


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Frank Wolinski
TTA #1416
 
Dave,
I met Jim quite a few years ago, racing with the Outlaw Pontiac Racing club, and at the GTO shows (Western Regionals). I think in the early 90's. I agree, a great guy!!!!
Have you guys seen his "Ponte Carlo"???? Goes down the quarter pretty fast, too!!!
I also ran into Pete MacCarthy again. He was with Jim. Pete and John Sawark are the ones who gave me that 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am jacket with the embrodiery. I'll have to get a picture posted for everyone. I was told that it was made just for the races. Pretty "cool" jacket!!!!!! They filmed it as they presented it to me at a GTO Western Regional Show. I never did find out why. I'll have to ask!! Jim told Pete how much fun the 20th is!! I asked Pete if he ever drove one, he said no (but he did drive the 30th Anniversary Trans Am #1. Lucky guy!!!!! I got to sit in #2 (convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1999). Jim was bummed about the 20th's value being low!!!! I think we all agree!!!!!!

Anyway, it was great seeing them all again!!!!

Later,

George
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TTA #231
'70 Trans Am
2x'74 Trans Am
'79 convertible Trans Am
'81 totally modified
Turbo Trans Am
 
George,
I may have purchased the same jacket a few years back. It has the Indy 500 embrodiery on the front (right side?) with the 20th Anniversary Logo/Patch on the other side on the front of the jacket. It is not quite the same as the ones in the original advertisements. It is interesting to hear how they came about. I got mine from a guy in Indy.

I have talked to Pete a few times and I am not suprised he has not driven a 20th. He is really into the Pontiac Powered Birds.

I will give you a call so we can chat about the collectables.

Dave
cwm7.gif


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TTA #90 Festival Car
1989 GTA L98
1979 10th T/A (SD455 eng)
1974 SD 455 T/A
 
Ya dave,
sounds like the same jacket!! Mine also has in black lettering "Offical Pace Car" over the 20th anniversary Logo/Patch. Does yours??
If so, same jacket!!! Pretty "cool"!

Have a good one,

George
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TTA #231
'70 Trans Am
2x'74 Trans Am
'79 convertible Trans Am
'81 totally modified
Turbo Trans Am
 
George,
It sounds like it is the same. Mine has in red lettering "Pontiac" over the embroidered 20th Anniversary Trans Am Logo with "Official Pace Car" under it in black letters. This is on the left fron of the Jacket with the 1989 Official Indy 500 logo emroidered on the right front.

Dave
cwm12.gif


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TTA #90 Festival Car
1989 GTA L98
1979 10th T/A (SD455 eng)
1974 SD 455 T/A
 
This get together he does, sounds awsome! I would make the four hour ride to Vista for sure! George, do you go to this event every year? Give me the exact dates if you know them, be cool to race with all these other Pontiacs at Carlsbad, if we can hook up!
Matt
 
O.K. Matt,
When I find out the dates for the next one (this year-2001), I'll post them on this site!!!

Later,

George
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TTA #231
'70 Trans Am
2x'74 Trans Am
'79 convertible Trans Am
'81 totally modified
Turbo Trans Am
 
Matt,
The event usually takes place in September. Jim does have a web site: www.jimwangers.com

I saw your post on the TTA newlist about the POCI Fresno show, sounds interesting!

The Trans Am Club in Sacramento is having it's all Trans Am, Firebird, GTA, Formula and Firehawk show July 13-15 (Trans-a-rama) here in Sacramento. It will have a Cruse-in, all day carshow and autocrossing activities available.

Dave
cwm7.gif


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TTA #90 Festival Car
1989 GTA L98
1979 10th T/A (SD455 eng)
1974 SD 455 T/A
 
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