Glastron Trans Am

Glastron Trans Am 11 years 1 month ago #85689

Nautilus
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We have been asked to convert a Glastron Carlson Intimidator into an aquatic version of a 1979 Pontiac 10th Anniversary Edition Trans Am...or as close as we can get it. On behalf of my staff, I have accepted the challenge. I am to be given free reign to design/execute the conversion. Even the trailer wheels will be vintage Trans Am. This project promises to be the most interesting and challenging we've ever had. I'm happier than a Kardashian with a butt reduction. The Glastron arrives here on November 16th. Stay tuned for nautical history in the making!

Just let me at it!

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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 11 years 1 month ago #85693

MarkS
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The owner is looking forward to it as well Jan;
www.classicglastron.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9579&p=57896#p57896
Evidently the boat looked a lot better in the pics than when he got it home for closer inspection, guess it was a little "harsh reality check"?
www.classicglastron.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=9535&start=20
He's in good hands now though, and I told him so.

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Mark

Re:Glasstron Trans Am 11 years 1 month ago #85696

Chuck in Cincinnati Offline Gold Boarder Posts: 967 Karma: 46 Thank you received: 43	OOOOOOO ! This sounds like it will be fun to watch ? I got the beer and Doritos ready... let me know when I should order the meat lovers pizza ? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 11 years 1 month ago #85705

Waterwings Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4887 Karma: 107 Thank you received: 100	Very cool, can't wait to see that. Are you going to use the "honeycomb" rims on the trailer? Bob Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 11 years 1 month ago #85735

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For 1979 T/A would want the "snowflake" wheels. Honeycombs were 1976 and earlier 2nd gen. I know I'm picky lol.....damn car guys anyway. Would be awesome if you could incorperate the "splitter" exhaust tips and screaming chicken decal. My dad had a 1978 gold edition trans am when I was a kid. Loved that car. Can't wait to see what this looks like!

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Nick

1961 Uniflite 19' Express, Bearcat 55 powered
1975 Chris Craft 25' Tournament Fisherman, Twin 181 FL inboard

Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89711

Glastrontransam Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 6 Karma: 1 Thank you received: 0	These are the wheels that will go on the trailer. Proper for the '79 Silver Anniversary. Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89722

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Glastrontransam wrote:

These are the wheels that will go on the trailer. Proper for the '79 Silver Anniversary.

Am I correct in assuming this is your Glastron that Jan is about to restore?

He does some super awesome work. I live near him and I will be stopping by just to look at this thing first hand when the work gets going on it.

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Andrew Gleason
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89726

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Yes it is mine. I know he does incredible work. That's why I chose him for this project. I only hope I can make the trailer worthy of the boat. I've caught hell from the die hard keep it original klan on other forums for daring to do something different with it. I know there will be nothing else like it.

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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89731

Waterwings Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4887 Karma: 107 Thank you received: 100	Cool, now will you be pulling it with the '79 Silver Anniversary Trans Am? Bob Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89735

Glastrontransam Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 6 Karma: 1 Thank you received: 0	That would be cool. Now accepting donations. lol. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89742

agleason Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 327 Karma: 25 Thank you received: 1	Glastrontransam wrote: I've caught hell from the die hard keep it original klan on other forums for daring to do something different with it. I know there will be nothing else like it. Then we think alike my friend, nothing better than being original AND one of a kind! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 10 months ago #89746

l98tpi Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 223 Karma: 16 Thank you received: 0	You need a car to pull molds off of. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. Boats: 76 Chrysler Conqueror S3, 61 Larson Playmate. Outboards: 76 Chrysler 105, 70 Chrysler 70, 57 Evinrude Bigtwin 35, 80 Johnson 35 looper, 74 Chrysler 45, 67 Mercury 650SS, and others.

Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90348

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We have begun the transformation. First, we stripped the interior and all the fittings from the exterior. Then we cut away the existing dash area in order to incorporate a Trans Am dashboard. To do this, I bought a "junk" dashboard to use as a pattern for cutting the curves and building the sides to curve into each side to blend into the dash. (The boat is 10" wider than a Trans Am.) After the fiberglass sides have been cast, we'll remove the dash and begin the bodywork in preparation for painting. Anyway, here are a few photos that show the stages thus far.

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Mentor to the unenlightened!

"Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley
"Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley
"Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley
"Success makes...

Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90351

1968jetflite Offline Contributing Member Posts: 474 Karma: 24 Thank you received: 4	I am very interested in how you are going to make this all blend together, and look like it belongs. Just wondering, why didn't they just go with the glastron scimitar that came from the factory with T-tops? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90357

Nautilus Topic Author Offline Contributing Member Posts: 1579 Karma: 87 Thank you received: 58	I believe it will all blend together quite well. I've done my homework. As for a Scimitar vs an Intimidator...you'd have to ask the owner. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. Website: NautilusRestorations.com Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes...

Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90367

agleason Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 327 Karma: 25 Thank you received: 1	Jan, are you planning to paint this boat or do gel-coat? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90373

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There are two schools of thought but there are extenuating circumstances to be considered, not the least of which is the fact that the surface of the boat is pebble-grained...a factory screw-up, age or whatever. There's nothing "wrong" with the surface, it's just the way the fiberglass was originally laid down. (You should stop by and take a look at it...interesting but problematic.) So...the client has requested that it be made flat and the severe sanding which will be required will almost certainly mean re-gelcoating. Since I'm also assuming that there's no way I can perform a gelcoat dead-match to the original Silver Anniversary paint (two colors), at this point, I would guess that we'll be doing both gelcoat and painting. Copious experimentation is indicated.

Here is "Step A" in blending the boat bulkheads to the Trans Am dashboard. Step B will look much better...I promise.

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Mentor to the unenlightened!

"Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley
"Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley
"Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley
"Success makes...

Re:Glasstron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90581

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This Intimidator is going to be a priceless original when completed. I am really impressed with how the Trans Am dash is going to look like it was built into the boat.

The sanding is going to be a long arduous process and I do not envy the work it is going to take. Keep it up and I look forward to stopping by again and checking out the progress.

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Andrew Gleason
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Re:Glastron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90591

rip fc3 Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 63 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	very cool, I might have gone all the way with the scrimatar. All I have to say is T-tops on a boat. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glastron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90592

Glastrontransam Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 6 Karma: 1 Thank you received: 0	If the Scimitar were a car, it would be a Berlinetta Camaro. Though it is a very cool boat, It just doesn't scream performance machine like the Intimidator does with the pipes sticking out the back. I think overall, the Intimidator will make a much cooler Trans Am. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glastron Trans Am 10 years 9 months ago #90604

agleason Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 327 Karma: 25 Thank you received: 1	That Scimitar would make a Knight Rider Trans Am... Maybe... The intimidator is bad ass all the way!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glastron Trans Am 10 years 8 months ago #92342

john-gibson Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4014 Karma: 324 Thank you received: 0	jan how is it going so far,its been awhile. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. \"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain

Re:Glastron Trans Am 10 years 8 months ago #92394

Waterwings Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4887 Karma: 107 Thank you received: 100	Yeah what John said! LOL Bob Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glastron Trans Am 10 years 8 months ago #92402

Glastrontransam Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 6 Karma: 1 Thank you received: 0	The engine was shot in the glastron and I've held Jan up a bit. We are getting a new engine in a few days to get back on track. This thing is gonna be incredible. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Glastron Trans Am 7 years 4 months ago #133207

agleason Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 327 Karma: 25 Thank you received: 1	Whats the latest on this TransAm boat??? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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