1980 TURBO INDY PACE CAR
by Mike Zumatto

Here is a picture of my 1980 Turbo Indy Pace Car Trans Am. I purchased it in October 1999 to fill the void created when I sold my `77 T/A.

It has what is believed to be 58,000 original miles and is mostly stock and original save for some performance modifications done by a previous owner.

The body is straight, 99% rust free and has some minor dings and chips. The interior is all original and is clean with very few minor rips and cracks.

So far I have had installed dual Dynomax turbo mufflers with 2 1/4 inch pipes with chrome TA splitters with a Dynomax performance catalytic converter for good measure. I have also replaced all 4 tires with B. F. Goodrich radial T/as with 225-70R15s in front and wide 265-70R15s in the rear. Monroe Sensatracs replaced the 4 leaky shocks. The original radio was long gone, so I installed a high power Pioneer detachable face CD and new speakers all around.

Although many of the interior parts for this car can be swapped from other TAs. Items like door panels and seats are hard to come by. I plan on replacing the carpeting and door panel carpet once I find the right color as well as the headliner. I also plan on replacing the weather stripping and the leaky radiator.

As are all pace cars, the car is loaded - t-tops, A/C (not working), WS-6 performance package and all power, etc. Most of the options are functional or can be easily repaired and will be soon. One problem, the turbo lights on the off set hood bulge are not working and I am not sure why.

The performance modifications - MSD, Accel HEI super coil, mild shift kit and slightly hotter cam have made a nice improvement. Step on the gas and the tranny shifts and the T/A pulls. A Boda Turbo Lube N-8700 by Boda Industries of New Jersey circulates oil thru the turbo unit for 8 to 10 minutes after turning off the engine to keep it lubricated.
I am at least the 4th owner of this vehicle which now resides in upstate Westchester County, New York. After spending most of its life, if not all, on Long Island.

I plan on keeping this car for a while after going through two 1968 Firebird 400s, a gorgeous buccaneer red '77 T/A hard top with a mint black interior and hot red 1993 LT1 T/A with every option, over the last six years. But then again, you never know as I am always on the lookout for something new or better. I hope one day to own my dream car, a 1974 SD455 Trans Am.