Episode
Season
Karl Vielbaum
Gassville, AR
This is a Mecham Racing Motorsports Edition Trans Am. Mecham backed the Pontiac Trans Am that won the SCCA Trans Am Championship in 1982. The winning car was driven by Elliot Forbes-Robinson. The other team car was driven by a guy named Steve Saleen. Ever heard of him? Yep, THAT Steve Saleen. Look at the "MSE" rear spoiler. These Trans Ams had it long before a Saleen Mustang. You could order one of these special "MSE" Trans Ams through any participating Pontiac dealer. I bought this car in original condition 20 years ago from the second owner. It only had about 70,000 miles on it and needed a paint job. Within a year I fixed a few things and repainted it. I drove it around and took it to local shows for a few years and then the 305 lost a couple cam lobes. I pulled the engine and tore it down in preparation for a rebuild in a buddy’s shop as I didn't have a shop yet. Then it got shoved off into an unused corner of his shop where he was happy to let me store it until I was ready. Fast forward about 5 years and I had finally finished building my own shop and was ready to start building some workbenches and moving all my stuff from the storage shed into the shop. Well, he had a fire that burned his shop to the ground. My engine and all the parts I removed from my car were ruined. No hard feelings, we're still friends; I didn't lose anything compared to his loss. Fast forward another 5 years and I have procured another correct engine and some of the other parts and I’m finally ready to bring this rare bird back to life! Pics of current condition after sitting in the back yard for over 10 years.
