Jim Wangers' 1969 Trans Am Ram Air III found in Alaska | Barn Find Hunter - Ep. 50
Вставка
- Опубліковано 19 лют 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.
Subscribe to our UA-cam Channel! | bit.ly/2iooBxJ
#BarnFinds #BarnFindHunter #HagertyDriversClub
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: www.hagerty.com/media
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: www.hagerty.com/media/newslet...
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | / hagerty
Instagram | / hagerty
Twitter | / hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: www.hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuild | Engine Time-lapse videos from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Hagerty's Daily Driver | Industry news, buzz, and interviews bit.ly/HagertyDailyDriver
Chip Foose Draws a Car | Reimagining popular cars with new designs bit.ly/HagertyChipFoose
Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - tips@hagerty.com
Press inquiries - press@hagerty.com
Partnership requests - partnerships@hagerty.com - Авто та транспорт
MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE | Get your Barn Find Hunter gear here: barnfindhunter.myspreadshop.com
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.
These guys are the perfect custodians for these cars, thanks lads
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.
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.
Those are some great cars! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I see you're here too ;-)
They have one heck of a collection. Seem like nice people too.
And probably the only people in Alaska who have a car collection.
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
That T/A is to die for. Thanks for the trip back to my teen years. Awesome vehicles!
It's official Tom has the greatest job on the planet
Dang straight, he has! Yes!
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.
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 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
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 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.
This is my favorite episode yet. I love seeing owners who understand that while rare, their cars are still meant to be driven.
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...!!
OMG. So much sweetness in one place. Just one of these would make my year.......
Alaska the gift that keeps on giving
So are herpes
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 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.
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 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
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!
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 :) :) :) :) :)
Barn finds are always the best!
Just to clarify... barn finds that are "muscle" cars are the best barn finds lol
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.
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!
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...
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.
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
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!
Thanks to Preston and Terry for saving these cars and sharing them with us all, esp TC himself - truly awesome!
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 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.
This was a spectacular episode. Just subscribed!! Thank you.
TIME FOR A COFFEE AND A SMOKE SIT BACK AND RELAX !
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.
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)
Just rewatched this episode after at least a years break. I'm still drooling over the Trans-am!! Great watch thank you
As a lifelong Pontiac collector and fan, this episode was priceless.... Thank you.
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
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.
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.
ALL i can say is wow .And it's nice to see that they drive them..what a collection in Alaska
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' 😏 !
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.
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.
the trans am even has polyglass tires. what a gem.
Why this video is only 27 minutes 😭 it should be over 5 hours and I will never get bored!
Thank you for your support!
I fell out of my chair when he asked if you wanted to drive the T/A. Love it!
That guy has by far my favorite collection of cars I've seen.
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
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
Absolutely phenomenal collection! WOW! Thank you, Tom!
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.
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.🤗😍
This is so cool. I love car guys like these there ment to be drivin
What an amazing 50th episode!
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.
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.
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
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!
Nostalgic walk down memory lane 🤠 Thanks for the memory's! 💖💕💖
True car people who want to share the joy. Great episode and hosts...Tom is always awesome.
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."
That Torino 428 sounds like a race car engine. Great episode.
One of the best sounding cars I've ever heard
I so enjoyed this video. I felt like a teenager all over again. Thank you sooo sooo much!
Dang what a collection of old muscle cars !! I was a 60s child and remember them well !!
Absolutely incredible collection tom. thanks for showing us this. mind blown!!!!
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
Man - those guys are great! Preserving all that they can - it's good to see that still happening.
What a great pair of guys, they truly love cars and it shows. This was a great episode.
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.
Love how they flogged on the T/A, that's why they were built... Smoke if ya got em :-)
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.
I literally LOL'd with extreme joy when he lit into the gears, after the opening monologue... running a classic Mustang all-out toward NORTH POLE, ALASKA???? Awesome
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
Fascinating video. I love to see these old cars.
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' !!!
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
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
Such fantastic cars! I'm a huge Pontiac fan and own a 69 gto with a 455 for the last 27 years. My Dad and I owned several Pontiacs over the years and have been to many Pontiac shows. We have met Jim Wangers several times over the years, he autographed the underside of my 69 gto's trunk at the Tiger Run Pontiac show in Bend Oregon years ago. Keep up the hunt for those rare barn finds, classic cars are the best!!
Thanks guys !
And
Many remembers those special rides in certain cars
“.... back in about a month...”. 🤘
Fantastic collection of vehicles, Just absolutely amazing
All I can say is wow. Just wow
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
I remember when these Trans Am Ram Air IV Firebirds hit the show rooms. I was about 10 years old then and already loved car magazines and such. Our local Pontiac dealer had one on a rotating platform at our local shopping mall. I was mesmerized by how cool that car was. White with blue stripes and blue interior.There was nothing like it.
Just about the best show on youtube.
Thanks all the way from Australia!
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
Another great episode. Thanks Tom and THANKS Hagerty!!!
Hearing an old car fire up brings tears to my eyes i love love it!
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
What a great collection of highly interesting cars
You can tell this guy loves his cars, very well kept and passionate about them ya love to see it.
Unreal finds! Such a joy to watch.
It's so great seeing cars on this show actually running and driving. Muscle mania! Nice!
what an absolutely amazing episode.... stunning collection.
Thank the lord you own it and take such great care of it. I had to sell my 1996 Ram Air, one of 200 made with options since 1969 due to family reasons. I miss my car so much! I kept the all the documentation in hopes to get it back some day. I hope I can find it again one day!
This Father & Sons Collection is just amazing. Too Bad I'm way Out in Michigan, That's a Honey hole of Pontiac's!! Man... I'd love to get out there and meet those guys and talk stories for hours.