New Guy

[455RamAir]

Hey Guys, Just wanted to say "hi". I know a couple of you from the Pontiac community but most I do not. I've spent quite a bit of time on the other Pontiac boards and have enjoyed the huge amount of information shared and really look forward to the exchange here.

Todd

[THOR]

Welcome to the legends forum RA455 Todd,
Wow, a RA455 '70 will fit in our group really well ;)
Our forum may not have as much tech content as the big Pontiac websites but for local info on the GTO scene, we feel this is the place.
If you're local, please consider coming to a club meeting!

[theJUDGE]

Hello Todd & welcome!
Vey nice pair of Pontiacs you have, if you are able to post any pics, we'd love to see them, especially that 455 70! ;D
Anyway, as Bruce stated, the meetings are a great place to put a name to a face, we are able to cone off & fill the parking lot with hot Pontiacs & come April, we all go cruising after the meetings on Saturday evenings.
THe forum board is a great way to keep a pulse on the LOCAL happenings, so we'll see you soon!

[LonnieS]

Welcome aboard Todd, grab a seat and make yourself at home! Some pics of your cars would be most righteous! ;D

If you haven't had a chance to view our online membership roster page on this site, take a look here:
http://www.northwestlegends.com/roster.shtml

We have great people and great activities, so consider this an open invitation. Come to our next meeting and see what all the fuss is about, or we'll spread bad rumors about you! ;D - just kidding about the rumor part ;)

[455RamAir]

Hey everybody, thanks for the big welcome. I miss the weekend shows at the Fred Meyer in Burien and would love to attend one of the Pontiac get togethers. Unfortunately work has me stuck in.... Wyoming! Another 6 months I think and then I'll be able to come home for good and catch the tail end of summer. I'll definately post some pics tommorrow.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Todd

[G6T8O]

Hey Todd .... Were not done welcoming you yet ;D
Wow 455RAIV.. For the longest time I thought those were just a myth.... Or maybe an old benchracers tale...You and your cars will be a great adition to the club, I'm lookin forward to meeting both. If you get time, maybe you could give a little history about your rare Goat!!
Again Welcome...

Bill P. 8)

[455RamAir]

"Hey Todd .... Were not done welcoming you yet"

Thanks G6T8O!

I'm afraid the RA IV 455 is still a myth. My car is the standard HO 455 for 1970 with the #64 D port heads and optional Ram Air induction. The original block is long gone :'

I learned about the car from my brother in law who's friend had it in storage for many years because, in his words "he couldnt drive it without getting a ticket" ;D

Having no idea what it was I wasnt to interested because I already had a 67' GTO and two Firebirds (I coudlnt afford to be interested!) But one unfortunate evening a drunk driver took out my daily driver (67 Camaro :P) and I needed to replace it. "Why not another GTO?" I finally decided to take a look at it and showed up at the storage unit to find a very tired looking, poorly painted red GTO. I took careful stock of the sheet metal, it looked pretty good. Checked the drive train. It had a 4 speed and, hmm, a 12 bolt, that's interesting.. talked to the guy a bit more and he was convinced it originally came with a 455 so I popped the hood and found it had #64 heads but a later model 455 block. I thought the #64's were promising but was disturbed that somebody had cut out the original hood scoops, until I sat in the drivers seat checking out the factory tach and gauges and noticed the RAM AIR button under the dash. Now I was intriqued but had never heard of a 455 RA so I assumed somebody had just added the equipment somewhere along the way. I asked about it and the owner said "ya, I have some other pieces over here on the bench if you want them :o Wow, all the RA pieces present and accounted for.

We struck a deal, I put jumper cables on it, started it up, and drove straight to my friends body shop to put the original hue of palladium silver back on it. It had just over a 100k with the original interior still very presentable.

I sent the info to PHS right away and found out that it was indeed a 455 w/Ram Air (termed "AIR INLET - HD" on the build sheet) with close ratio 4-speed, safe-t-track differential and ride/handling package.

I drove the car for a couple years on sunny days but it has been sitting for quite awhile. About a year back I located a correct code WA 455 short block and have it currently strapped to a pallot for delivery to to SD Performance as soon as I get back home.

Todd

[LonnieS]

Wow, what an awesome story! It would go great on your "BIO" next to your name on our roster page! ;) *hint* *hint*

Congrats, Todd. Cars like that need good owners, and you're the man for the job!

[theJUDGE]

Hey Todd,
I remember seeing your 70 Ram Air running around the South Center Mall area years ago (same car?)
I could never track it down fast enough though, the guy driving was always on the throttle & gone! ;D
Beautiful GTO!
P.S. where'd the 67 go?

[455RamAir]

Hey Lonnie, hint taken. Will do!

Judge; Yep, that was me, on the prowel I'm sure. As for the 67' GTO, I traded my dad for a 68 FB 400 4 sp car. It was subsequently sold to a friend of the family in Montana. The Firebird was also sold to a friend in the Tacoma area. It is currently in the middle of complete frame off resto. He'll get bored with it before it's completely finished or just after. That's when I'll buy it back ;D

Todd

[THOR]

Howdy Todd,
Palladium silver, we love that color !!
;D

Yo Mark aka Judge,
You never cease to amaze with your memory of cars you've seen tooling around local latitudes. This one's funny as Todd seems to have been briskly accelerating away (up to the legal posted limit of course) each time

[LonnieS]

Aye! Mark, you must have a photographic memory. I'm surprised you didn't just recite his license plate number! :)

[theJUDGE]

Ahh yes, this is the stuff I live for you know. Knowing the whereabouts of all local GOATS...
I sure wish I knew where my 68 GTO convertible hideaway 4 speed car went to ???
I sold it in 1994 to Bill's Wheel House when I had no job & it just vanished into the fog... :'(