Welcome back to My Wheels! The last time we saw you was almost 100 issues ago. How is your 2002 Trans Am?
It’s good to be back, thanks for having me in the magazine again! My pewter-grey Trans Am is doing fine. You remember the black rims it had? Well, I decided to freshen the car up a little and so I replaced them with new five-spoke graphite grey rims, which complement the paintwork really well.
It must look even better than before. But that isn’t the only thing you’ve done to it, right?
I swapped the engine over from the LS1, which had 325bhp, to an LS2. I tested the car on the dyno and it now produces 500bhp. It must be the fastest fourth-gen Trans Am around.
We thought it was also the best looking Trans Am in the UAE, but we were wrong… This 1979 Trans Am wins that award hands down!
By now, your readers probably know that I have a real passion for these cars and I’d been searching for one on the internet for some time. These second-generation models are some of the most iconic and sought-after muscle cars around. I had been scouring US auction websites for my dream car when suddenly, I found it sitting in an auction in Japan! It had been brought from the US to Japan by a Pontiac dealer years ago. I submitted my bid, waited patiently and was fortunate enough to have my offer accepted. It was then shipped across to the UAE but it didn’t look anywhere close to the way it does now…
Why, what was wrong with it?
It basically needed restoring from top to bottom. The paintwork had faded over the years due to the age of the car, while the interior was in need of serious attention as it was totally worn out. The good thing was that there was no rust on the body or chassis, otherwise getting the car in shape would have been a very long and expensive process.
I had the car totally stripped down to the sheet metal. I wanted to restore it from scratch and improve its performance. These 6.6-litre V8s were underpowered due to US emissions laws back in the Seventies.
They were very capable engines but had been suffocated. With a few modifications, horsepower and torque could easily be improved. I installed new intake manifolds, a new carburettor, new headers and exhaust system and a new ignition system. I also changed the suspension and bushes.
Then, it had a full dent removal and paintwork done and I managed to source brand new seats, carpets, a centre console, dashboard and headliner for the interior. I also changed all the rubbers and mouldings on the doors and windows and replaced the headlights and taillights.
Finally, it got a fresh set of Firebird decals to complete the transformation.
How long did the whole process take?
Almost six months. I was keen to get everything done properly and so the time factor was not really an issue. I visited the workshop everyday to check on its progress and to advise the technicians and make sure they didn’t cut any corners! A project such as this requires a lot of personal supervision, but, credit to the guys at 4X4 Motors workshop in Al Quoz. We did
a fine job.
It looks like we’ve gone back in time and this Trans Am has just rolled off the production line! Is there anything left to do?
No, it is absolutely perfect and doesn’t need a thing more doing to it. All I am doing now is enjoying it. I plan to keep hold of it for good and to keep it in original condition. I have seen similar cars that have been modified and though they look and perform great, nothing beats a factory original car.
You can’t miss a stunning black Trans Am rumbling down the road…
No you can’t! It turns heads everywhere I go. People always appreciate the work that has gone into it. Many people stop me and take photos of it and I often get asked if it’s for sale. The answer is always the same: ‘no way’.
But, your son Adnan has his eye on it. Will you pass this on to him when he is older?
That’s the plan. He loves this car and it’ll be his when he is ready. Until then, it’s all mine!
Bio
Name Abdullah Mohammad Al Mulla
Job Admin officer
From Dubai, UAE
Wheels 1979 Pontiac Trans Am
In the UAE Born and raised here
