Jim Wangers' 1969 Trans Am Ram Air III found in Alaska | Barn Find Hunter - Ep. 50
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- čas přidán 19. 02. 2019
- Tom Cotter travels to North Pole, Alaska, where he meets Terry and Preston, a father/son team of muscle-car enthusiasts and fellow barn-find hunters. Just like Tom, Terry and Preston spend their weekends driving around looking for hidden treasures in nearby towns. In their endeavors, they have uncovered many rare and desirable muscle cars, but none as important as a 1969 Trans Am Ram Air III that once belonged to Jim Wangers, the man behind the original Pontiac GTO. Follow along as Tom takes you on a tour of Terry and Preston’s barn-find collection.
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Verry great car
Wow that trans am is a once in a lifetime/one of a kind gem. Piece of history!
Hands down best episode yet great job!!
if i never see a Trans Am again I am thankful that my final memory of one will be this one doing a burnout.
Thank you for the support!
Finally! Collectors who look after, drive, and share their cars instead of letting them rot in forgotten selfish hoarding decrepitude. Respect.
thats what i was thinking, i love old cars cause i had some like these back in the 80's, cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed, not sit and rust and rot.
Yes I see both sides of it love to see them on the road until you get T boned by a texting idiot 😱 that's what happens to me and my 70 440 six pact Daytona charger
I work in Las Vegas and we replaced a broken utility pole in one of the old neighborhoods. Weird place that looked like a bunch of giant tuff-sheds scattered about on an acre of concrete driveway. Turned out to be a car collection distributed among 20 or so buildings. Part of the Maloofs collection. What a shame that most of the cars will never see the light of day again. Including a 16 cylinder Cadillac owned by Tom Mix and a couple of Duesenbergs. One building was nothing but 1941 Cadillacs the next was all 1942 Cadillacs. You get the picture, but they won't ever be appreciated the way they should be. Smelled more like death than life in them buildings. Sad.
@@joelrobinson9570 I call bullshit.
@@joelrobinson9570Really? There's no such thing as a '70 Daytona... Dodge Daytonas were ALL 1969 only. Plymouth Superbirds on the other hand were 1970. And I'm not sure what a six "pact" is but I'm assuming you mean sick pack... Either way, I call bullshit on your imaginary t-boned Daytona charger.
I restored a Pontiac GTO The Judge from 1968 20 years ago. The car was in a garage for over 20 years when we found him, had only a few miles, the car was the only GTO sold in Biel (Switzerland) to a General Motors dealer from Bellach. The car should be in a warehouse somewhere in Bettlach today. I worked on this GTO all summer, it was an honor for me.
I call bullshit, the Judge wasn't available until 69.
My idea of heaven!
I'm from England but grew up reading up on and pawing over photos of American cars in books and magazines. You guys knew how to build cars, and it's easy for people to forget today the influence that American automotive styling had on the products of other countries. Despite Europe having smaller roads and damaged economies after WW1 and 2, I think that the working relationship and ownership that GM, Ford and later and briefly Chrysler had with European operations worked incredibly well. There may be exceptions, but I think overall the balance between the American HQs and the domestic management of Vauxhall, Opel, Ford of Britain and Germany and Rootes and Simca was spot on.
TIME FOR A COFFEE AND A SMOKE SIT BACK AND RELAX !
They have one heck of a collection. Seem like nice people too.
And probably the only people in Alaska who have a car collection.
It's official Tom has the greatest job on the planet
Dang straight, he has! Yes!
That T/A is to die for. Thanks for the trip back to my teen years. Awesome vehicles!
That Trans Am is INCREDIBLE! My God I'd love to own that car. Great collection guys :)
I sure wish he would keep them in a big shop it sure would protect them from the weather
These guys are the perfect custodians for these cars, thanks lads
It's a really good day when we meet people with good attitudes. It's an awesome day when they share their badass cars with us too. :-) thank you Tom
This is probably one of the best episodes of this show! True collectors that actually drive and take care of their cars. Even the ones in the weeds have plans that will most likely happen, not like the hoarders that refuse to sell them and let them rot away til they're worthless. On a side note, I'd love to have Preston's GTO Judge.
I am nearly SPEECHLESS .... What an AMAZING collection !!!! I once owned a 69 GTO Judge myself, ... IF I could only turn back the clock, in life, I would have held on to it AT ALL COSTS !!!!!!! It's hard to believe that these cars survived up in ALASKA .... I never would have imagined that !! "Thank you" for sharing these AWESOME pieces of AMERICAN History :) :) :) :) :)
My jaw just kept hitting the floor as each car was introduced.
You want an extra kick? Pause the video on the wide shot of the "junkyard" and start
identifying other rides they didn't even talk about. Holy cow.
Gotta wonder what folks do for a living that affords them the opportunity to snag such rides!
What an amazing episode. Great stewards of the cars, that father and son team.
Thanks as always Tom and team!
the weeds are growing through the trans hole,fool. look at how clean the car is,it aint rotten that's for sure.@spam lite
I'm happy to see that the guy takes so much pride in his cars and researched the build sheet history of these gems! It was awesome to see him check the transmission fluid and tire pressure of the TA before the test drive! Was that a Green 1970 Chevy Nova hiding in the weeds? I love NOVAs!!! I've been fortunate to ride in some rare cars as well. (e.g., 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396, 1969 YENKO Nova, 1966 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power, 1987 GNX Buick Grand National)
Such a Coooool Collection of Fords and Pontiacs..!! Jim Wangers is a super nice dude. He used to do the Vin search for me at Pontiac back in the 1980s. Jim wanted to purchase my original paint 1969 RA IV GTO.. I would of traded him for his Trans Am...!!
What an amazing collection of cars owned by such gracious and humble people ....I loved that Preston said “Oh do you want to drive it?” Geez. Everyone of their cars are so unique and really such rare vehicles, such a great show, thank you for sharing such a good content for us gear heads!
A 1969, ram air IV trans am owned by Jim is really just priceless
The Ford family had 3 special Mark II's done at the Continental Plant by the Lincoln engineers which qualify them as a Production car from the factory .
Yes you are correct! !!
Jim was a little bit of a sell out to "Chevy".
His "payed endorsement" saying that the Holden GTO was "Every bit a Pontiac GTO" kinda killed off respect for me.
@@soldierski1669 I'm no fan of any thing lanes Pontiac after 1980 myself. Really the golden was a rwd grand am. I still have much respect for what him and John did in the 60s. But I understand that gm beat them down alot over the years for what they did and tried to accomplish. Do I like the later 04-06 gtos no do I think they are a real gto no. I also don't blame Jim for that since even after gm stuck the Chevy engines in them, Pontiac tried to remain there own by trying other things to stand out. The gto really was a last attempt at keeping the old name of Pontiac alive
Dream car...now if it was a convertible...only 8 ever made.
I love seeing the big box of 8 track tapes in the backseat floor of the GTO reminds me of when I was sixteen again when that car was new and my older brothers friend had one new. I always had to ride in the back and dig threw the 8 tracks for what they wanted next when cruising main street.
That guy needs to smile more, he looked so deadpan throughout the video. Owning just one of any of those cars would put a smile on my face, that's for sure.
This is my favorite episode yet. I love seeing owners who understand that while rare, their cars are still meant to be driven.
Barn finds are always the best!
Just to clarify... barn finds that are "muscle" cars are the best barn finds lol
This is the fasted 27 minutes I sat through in a long time, I was hooked on every aspect of this video, great video and well worth the trip to Alaska
My Daddy raised me to be a "gearhead" just like he was. All of these cars bring back such memories!
First car he bought me was a brown Ford Maverick when I first learned to drive in '78. Can't recall what year that car was. He also bought me a sweet Ford "Gran Torino" Same color as the Torino you featured on Preston's episode! The year of that one had to be close to the Torino you featured!
Some years later, I fell in love with and purchased a 76 Firebird which had been transformed into a one of a kind Firebird. 400 automatic, Riverside Red was the color. It had Corvette rims. The "Firebird" on the hood was airbrushed! It featured all kinds of really special details!
I loved that car!!!
I zoomed around in it for a long time!
Then, my dad stored it in his garage for me when I wanted to galavant across the world
After he passed, nobody knew what ever became of that beauty!
Dang what a collection of old muscle cars !! I was a 60s child and remember them well !!
It's going to be a great day anytime there's a new Barn Find Hunter episode. Thanks! I have posted on prior videos, "well you can't top that" then you do it again and again.
Alaska the gift that keeps on giving
So are herpes
The sound of those engines...priceless!
Oh my gawd..... this dude's freaking soooo dang lucky!!!!!!
These cars have so much class compared to the junk on the road now days.. back when cars had style and character!
I fell out of my chair when he asked if you wanted to drive the T/A. Love it!
Thats by far the coolest episode! That is one lucky man. His collection of cars is truly astonishing. The only problem is that u didn't look at the judge i mean come on shiny or not its still a badass car that deserves attention! Hahaha!
I was disappointed that he spent about 2 seconds on the '71 GTO, that car looked real nice. Was it a 400? A 455 H.O., who knows?
So did the black GTO on the street!!!! WTH.
That it was I kept waiting for was the black one on the street. Not clickbait but I guess it's my problem.
These guys deserve to own these jewels.
ALL i can say is wow .And it's nice to see that they drive them..what a collection in Alaska
This has to be one of my favourite episodes by far, some amazing muscle there on show.
These guys are a credit to finding and looking after these rare cars and preserving their history.
OMG. So much sweetness in one place. Just one of these would make my year.......
I never hve liked TA's, but I can truly say this T.A. is the 'Only-One' I hve 'Ever Felt a Desire to Own' !!!
GOD.....THE SOUND OF ALL THOSE TOYS !!!!!!!!!!!AND THE MUSIQUE TOO !!
I lived in Anchorage in the mid 70s and a buddy of mine was a total Mustang freak. We would drive all over Anchorage in his 65 Mustang coup and look for other Mustangs in peoples yards which were everywhere back then along with every other kind of muscle car you can imagine. Most were California cars to boot. This really brought back a lot of good memories.
Those are some great cars! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I see you're here too ;-)
The car hobby needs more people like these people. They have some pretty rare stuff, and they still drive it. Cars are meant to be driven. Thank you for keeping these cars alive and on the road.
you know that has to be one of the best Barn find episodes ever where it's not like you can't touch this you can't do this.. gives ya the keys and saying fire up let's ride.🤗😍
Driving Jim Wangers RA IV 1969 TA? Consider yourself very blessed, Tom. Excellent collect, nice guys, thanks for sharing!
It may have been Jim's car, BUT it's NOT a Ram Air IV, it's only a RA III
great video and what an amazing collection ! Great job Terry and Preston for taking care of these vehicles while also showing them to the world and actually enjoying them as well, that's a rare combo it seems :D
Jim Wangers won Super Stock with a 1960 Pontiac Catalina (or Ventura) at the Nationals in 1960. I think the Nationals were at Detroit Dragway back then. I lived on the west coast to I only saw it in magazines back then. Anyone who remembers more, feel free to comment. I had just started racing back then. What incredible barn finds!
Detroit Dragway was at one time a good track back in the day.
The 80,s and 90,s it was corrupt.
That track has been closed down for a long time.
NHRA would never sanction that track.
Only IHRA would then it was a stand alone track
Awesome 👌 👍 video. I ♥️ old school .I'm going to be 60 in Sept 02 2023 . I grew up with vehicles like this. Back when I was a teen .ager beautiful video 👍
My favorite episode yet! And since i'm a Pontiac fan, and GTO owner, this was a real treat. Just wish you would have given the 67 GTO and Judge a quick look :)
Thank you for the support!
I completely Agree!, I could feel my insides come alive as they started these cars, 'Simply Amazing' 😏 !
Tom has the coolest job! Thank you for sharing, we love it !
Mario - I've said the same thing in the past. I just want to work for the production crew so I can see all these neat cars that Tom and his contacts find. What a job! Chuck in NE Kansas
I ain't really about American cars but I must admit I loved this seeing those old beauties that you got me hooked now. Watching this gave me the tingling feeling of happiness.
As a Pontiac guy who has also met Jim Wagner I am drooling all over my desk. These guys have a great collection! Also at one time my dad had three 428 Pontiac engines, he put one in his 76 LeMans that surprised more than a few people over the years. Thanks for the video!
It's Jim Wangers, not Jim Wagner LOL. And you say you're a Pontiac guy...
Why this video is only 27 minutes 😭 it should be over 5 hours and I will never get bored!
Thank you for your support!
This is so cool. I love car guys like these there ment to be drivin
All those cars are fantastic, but, Wow, that Trans Am is a beauty!
Just gonna walk right past the 67 GTO then? Fine, I see how it is
4 what its worth ... I really liked how yours is turning out.
I'm redoing one right now and she be quite a handful but well worth it.
Best 2 u and that goat !
dude u everywhere
I know, I wanted to see that car!!
I feel ya
Ew
I'm from Indonesian, and I don't even know why I'm watching this show. But I love American Cars! I hope some day I'll drive ones. Or maybe I'm dreaming owning this beauty!
What kinds of American cars are there in Indonesia? What kinds of cars do you have fun with there?
Surapurna because MERUCA 🇺🇸
Awesome!
I agree!!
Perhaps your watching because every normal MAN loves cars.
Nothing wrong with dreaming for it, maybe one day you'll make the dream come true.
I’ve lived here in AK for 40+ years and I’m still amazed at how many cars are stashed away here! I found my 70 GTO a couple of years ago with 21,000 miles on it that sat in a garage since the late 70’s!
Was it by any chance white, brown interior, auto?
No. It was originally Keylime green with Sandlewood interior. The first owner had it repainted in a 1978 Cadillac Coral colour in the late 70’s. otherwise, it’s original in every other way. Absolutely rust free! Pretty unusual for AK.
I would never have guessed you would find cars like this in AK! Would never guess the climate would be dry enough plus I figured muscle cars would have been to impractical to have up there.
Matt Kustom Kostumes You’re right on all counts! But it didn’t stop sales of them to drive the few roads we had back then. Almost all were put away for winters and we drove beater cars. Late April to mid October is the typical driving season. Our one dedicated drag strip opens in mid May and runs until Labor Day. We got a lot more roads paved starting in the 80’s. There are plenty of cars hidden in garages here that haven’t seen the light of day in years!
Bill Ness, cool! I also suppose the limited driving season kept the mileage low in them too.
Just rewatched this episode after at least a years break. I'm still drooling over the Trans-am!! Great watch thank you
That guy has by far my favorite collection of cars I've seen.
I'm a Pontiac man since I'm a kid, my dad had a 65 Catalina, most of the guys around my block had GTOs and Firebirds, but one guy, owned a 1969 Pontiac Bonneville, w a 428, A/C power windows, am/fm, tilt wheel, and Pontiac factory 8 track mounted on the floor, it was black, and only played Frankie Valli and the 4 seasons, now I was 9 yrs old, but I followed these guys, like they were sports stars, that 428 blew the doors off of many a muscle car, in style, I remember being a kid in the back seat, maybe around 1971, we were at a light on a summer night, and a guy in a goat rolled up next to him, I remember he turned off the air conditioner, opened all 4 power windows, and blew this guys doors off, car was rated at 390 hp, it was heavy, but it flew, had factory duals, not real loud, but you heard it, needless to say, I've never owned a full out muscle car, w no amenities, I've always owned big block Luxo cruisers, loaded up, w comfort creatures, but quick enough, I still own a 73 Grand Prix 455, and I've owned Lincoln LSCs etc, I've owned quite a few Benzs w the 550 motor, and I have a E43 AMG now, beautiful ride, fast like a mother, no discomfort at all
keep the old ones alive,Pontiac were a force to be respected and not underestimated.
I currently have a 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville 4 door hardtop with a 455 v8. Pontiac is the way to go
What an amazing 50th episode!
I'm not a car person, but I love this channel.
Wish I hadn't sold my 74 400 4sp Trans Am, I miss it, but I still have my 69 GTO 400 buried in my garage waiting for my retirement to restore a second time. I had a friend, Dave Bigalow, in High School in Kuna Idaho in the late 70's who had a Cobra Torino just like the one in the video. He had the 428 in it, he rolled it and put the 428 motor in a red 64 ford falcon. We had a lot of fun in that car cruising around Boise Idaho, it was a real screamer! Thanks for sharing guys. Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith Noneya
Per Jim Wangers:
1969 Trans Am
"We introduced the Trans Am and The Judge to the media simultaneously at Riverside. After the PR event, the cars went to local dealerships. The Judges disappeared, but we couldn't give the Trans Ams away. The Trans Am didn't really come into its own until the second-generation. And, despite only 697 being built, it's still no more valuable than the 1969 SS 396 Camaro I have on the other side of the room. This car is actually one of those event cars. I didn't buy it until the late '70s, by which time the engine had seized (though the block was repairable). The interior is untouched, but it's been repainted. It's got just 47,000 miles on it."
Having the opportunity to even see some of those cars Here on line is rare. Thanks for sharing, I wish I had one of any of those old projects!
I'm 38 yrs old and I remember riding around with my dad when I was 6 in a 78 Ford station wagon wood grain and all 460bbf 2x4's to raise the suspension to clear the fat tires aluminum slots side pipe's, I don't remember much of anything at that age but, jumping up pointing and saying"cool car dad, look!"and guessing at the year and model of it, never told the story till now, it's just one of the very few memories I've ever had with him. I thought it would be appropriate to share with you all.
The Judge is by far the most impressive
Love how they flogged on the T/A, that's why they were built... Smoke if ya got em :-)
The guy has very nice cars. He drives and enjoy them. Kudos to him!!!
Unreal finds! Such a joy to watch.
the trans am even has polyglass tires. what a gem.
SWEEET!!! That '69 Judge tickles my fancy😎
Vince P Gall. ant i like the judge but honestly the 65 gto is a dream car for me
I think this is the best video of its kind online
Absolutely mind blowing collection. I really like the father and son team and that they have these babies running and can enjoy them. Thanks for sharing these treasures. The T/A is really special.
Absolutely phenomenal collection! WOW! Thank you, Tom!
One of your best episodes I've seen. The Trans Am is legendary but that Torino! That thing is bad ass to the bone!
The 428 Bonneville wagon would make a sweet resto. I didn't even know Pontiac had a 428.
@@if66was99, not many do. Pontiac had it for only three years ('67-'69), and was a full-size only engine that few people ordered.
@@if66was99 Yep ,326.389.400.421.428 and 455
Thank you for this video. Great cars, when I was in high school my father bought a 65 GTO, 4 speed, dual quads, sounded like the Tran Am. I love your shows.
Hearing an old car fire up brings tears to my eyes i love love it!
34 dislikes? Really? really? These are the most beautiful machines ever!
Maybe because there weren't *enough* cars in this back yard? :-)
34 envious locals.
now noticing over 100 NON-musclecar enthusiasts who hit the dislike only because there's no lil' computerized fugly plastic jellybeans parked anywheres near the camera ... oh and ... possibly a few strikes cuz they just kept walkin' past that cool black GTO parked out in the street ... :)
Only dislike I felt was when they decided to do burnouts. No reason for it, not in a rare, maybe quarter million dollar car.
The dislikes are from the previous car owners lol
I hate today's cheaply made disposable cars. Cars & Trucks were so much better looking back then. Chrome vs plastic & paper thin sheet metal. Chrome & thicker gauge sheet metal wins by huge margins in visual appeal & durability!
i lived threw these cars believe me they were unreliable junk and death traps also gas hogs
It also made the cars heavier, which made the engines work harder and used more gas and used more $$$
yeah everything was better except engine performance and durability most people these days wouldnt have a clue how to start a carbed engine on a cold morning LOL
@@GoatedWithTheSause ok lame
@@henrywalker5931 they were easy to fix tho
Preston, your mom (my hair stylist and friend) recommended that I show this video to my favorite gear-head, my hubby Ray. He loved the video and especially the 69 TransAm, the LeMans Sprint, and the 428 wagon. If you are ever in AZ to see your mom, my hubby would love to talk cars and show you his 65 Olds 442 with L69. Good video!
Best episode ever! Cars went to the right people. All covered and turn key runners. Proper maintenance and care. Beautiful just beautiful. Would love that old wagon.
One of my favourite Barnfind episodes as yet, really really nice!!
Mikey - Thank you for watching!
@@Hagerty Me too,hate seeing the hoarders let cool cars rot in the woods or wherever.
Absolutely incredible collection tom. thanks for showing us this. mind blown!!!!
Pure gold this TransAm.
I love all your videos.... you are so knowledgeable about cars....I watch these for hours.
For anyone hunting for hard to find Pontiac parts, including the guy in this episode, try Stovall's body shop and wrecker in Fayetteville TN. Last time I was by there probably had 2-300 1960's Pontiacs. Best of Luck
What a great pair of guys and what a beautiful car collection. So awesome that they offered to get the car out for Tom to drive it. So cool.
You sir, are a blessed man for being able to drive/fly around the world just to look at cars that people like myself will probably never see again. I am 52 and absolutely love all these cars but my favorite is the TA of course.... God bless
Nostalgic walk down memory lane 🤠 Thanks for the memory's! 💖💕💖
Damn!! that guy has a sweet collection my favs is that 69 Torino 428 and that 69 T/A Ram Air 4 and that 71 GTO was sweet too but I would be happy with some of those Pontiac's in the back with the weeds growing around them turning into dust
What a great collection of highly interesting cars
Man - those guys are great! Preserving all that they can - it's good to see that still happening.
True car people who want to share the joy. Great episode and hosts...Tom is always awesome.
It's so great seeing cars on this show actually running and driving. Muscle mania! Nice!
This was a spectacular episode. Just subscribed!! Thank you.
This is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time, I'd just be amazed to be around all that history, such amazing cars and company. Truly jealous but glad someone that appreciates it had the opportunity to share it with all of us, god speed.
That collection is just sick! They say that everyone has their price, but if it was me, that TA would never be sold!
That Torino 428 sounds like a race car engine. Great episode.
One of the best sounding cars I've ever heard
This was awesome! thanks for sharing👍 your face was priceless when he asked you if you wanted to go for a ride on the Trans Am🤣
Not sure if he was going to pass out or poop his pants....
LoL
Thanks to Preston and Terry for saving these cars and sharing them with us all, esp TC himself - truly awesome!
Great finds..you reminded me maaaan..I've been in this country for 40 yrs and always been a fan of old American cars..my 1st car was a 63 Fairlane, then had a 72 Olds cutlass supreme, and a 72 Lincoln contn'ntl mark IV at the same time..and I almost bought a 68 Trans Am for two grand only ..man those were cars!