1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am MSE Edition, Manual Trans, Recaro Seats, LOOK!

1982 Pontiac Trans Am MSE Edition

This 1982 Pontiac Trans Am is #195 of the “Motor Sports Edition” models modifiedby Mecham Racing in 1982. Mecham was known for tuning and racing Firebirds and Trans Ams in the 1970s and 1980s, and the MSE was intendedto improve the track performance of the then-new third generation F-body Trans Am. All MSE edition Trans Ams were equipped with the WS6 suspension package and Mecham added a number of custom parts including the distinctiverear spoiler. The optional “Git Kit” has been installed on this example and consisted of extraperformance parts that were delivered in the cargo area of the car when new. The kit included a Holley carburetor, aluminum intake manifold, Tri-Y headers, and more. This example has 50,565 miles on it and retains many of the custom Mecham modifications. It has a clean Carfax.

The exterior retains its’ original two-tone white over black color scheme with Mecham MSE logos on the B-pillars. There are a number of areas where small surface rust can be seen if you look around for it.

The Mecham rear wing remains in place and has the normal cracking as most of them do. The original blue and red graphics are also still in place. The car appears to have been repainted at least once, and overspray is visible in several areas. The original MSE package Modern brand alloy wheels with Mecham Racing center caps are installed and wear older raised white letter tires.

The interior shows some wear but the Mecham specific components remain intact. The optional cloth Recaro seats arein good condition with no tears or holes, though the driver’s seat needs cleaning. The Mecham 4-spoke leather steering wheel is stillin place, along with the optional Motorola cassette player and Mecham-supplied speakers. The air conditioning has been converted to R134a and is said to blow cold. Electrical accessories are in working order apart from the cruise control, though the power door locks are reported to be sluggish.

The steering wheel is showing some signs of wear and age, but overall the interior isn’t in bad shape considering the age of the car.

The engineappears to have most of the “Git Kit” components installed including the intake manifold, headers, y-pipe, and Holley carburetor. The 4-speed manual transmission shifts welland was recently serviced with a clutch adjustment. The car is occasionally hardto start when warm due to a heat soak issue with the starter. It also has a small oil leak as does any muscle car of this age and older. There is a weird vibration that could possibly be from the flywheel being incorrect or a vibration at the crank. The car received an upgraded 350 V/8 at some point in its life, and does not retain the original 305 that would have come with it when it was sold by Mecham at their stores originally. Most of us would agree, we would rather have the 350 over the 305 any day. Other minor issues include rattles from the exhaust system on occation.

The undercarriage shows some surface rust although over all the frame and floors are solid. Seeing how the car came out of Arizona.

The original owners manual is included in the sale, as well as a copy of a 1982 Hot Rod Magazine article featuring the MSE Trans Am.A Carfax can be viewed online by going to their web page and putting in the VIN. Due tothe car having been kept instorage for many years it has only limitedinformation. These MSE edition Trans Ams are an interesting early tuner version of the 3rd generation F-body. This example has some minor cosmetic issues, but is said todrive well and retains many unique MSE details.

Here is your chance to own a little bit of automotive history without costing you a small fortune. For more questions, you can call our sales manager Gary at 847-774-9855

Below is a little history about these cars and what came on them when they were new...enjoy!

The '82 models came two-tone Red/Charcoal or White/ Charcoal paint scheme that was separated by a wide White & Blue (on Red) or Red & Blue (on White) pinstripe, set just above the bottom of the doors. A large Silver "MSE " medallion with "Motor Sports Edition", underlined by a Red, White, and Blue stripe decal, all placed on the exterior sail panels where the stock "Screaming Eagle" was normally placed. Each car was production sequence-numbered and external numbering was added to the passenger-side of the rear spoiler, on the underside upward curving face and to the front nosecone. A large "MSE" decal was placed proudly on the passenger-side of the rear bumper cover. A unique "Whale Tail" fiberglass rear spoiler replaced the stock "Gull Wing" spoiler and it was designed specifically for down force on the racetrack. Reportedly, it placed 100 lb's of down force onto each rear tire. Up front, Mecham added a fiberglass front spoiler to increase the aerodynamics of Pontiac's already slippery, record-setting 3rd Gen T/A. Early in production, the Charcoal cloth Recaro seats which were found only in the Recaro Edition Trans Am S/E, also became available in the MSE as an $800+ option. Each car was numbered; a special numbered plaque was attached by Torx screws onto the center console. It denoted the "MR" logo in large script on the Driver's side of the plaque, and on the left side "PRODUCED IN THE U.S.A.", followed with "BY MECHAM RACING" below it and below them was the cars two-digit model year and a four-digit sequence number. (ex "82-0000"). A Racing-spec'd, aluminum 4 spoke steering wheel, clad with a leather grip and was topped with a "MSE" horn cap.

The '83, '84, and '85 models were painted somewhat similar to the 1983 Daytona 500 Pace Car Edition Trans Am's two-tone paint scheme, split at the bodyline at the middle of the doors. MSEs got a full width front spoiler, a low resistance "aerotail" rear spoiler, and emblems proclaiming what it was. On the sail panels behind the doors are either MSE emblems, or a big olive branch-wreathed "MR" with "Mecham Racing", "USA", and "SCCA Champions" underneath. There may be additional numbers/emblems on the driver’s side headlight door, fenders, rear spoiler, or rear bumper depending on the year. MSEs also got special MR center caps and a MR hood emblem. 500 were built in '82, 150 in '83, 50 in '84, and only a few in '85.

Rear air dam spoiler, that actually put pressure on rear tires at speeds over 100 mph.

Features:

Standard: The stock LG4 305 ci engine came with a recurved distributor, advanced timing, and a tuned performance E4ME Qjet... all good for about 50 HP over a stock LG4, when combined with the L69, the combo added an extra 25 hp to the HO.

Standard: shift kit added to automatic equipped cars.

Standard: WS6 Suspension

Standard: MSE badging on front light door, hood, sail panels, rear bumper, and interior.

Standard: Custom nose w/ front air dam.

Standard: Whale Tail rear spoiler

Standard: MSE 160+ MPH speedometer, 8000+ RPM tach (both with MR Logos).

Standard: Year-Production Sequence numbered console plaque.

Standard: "Mecham Racing" front windshield tint.

Standard: Mecham 4 spoke, leather-wrapped GT steering wheel with "MSE" horn cap.

Optional: paint-scheme matching "Motor Sports Edition" graphics on side door bottoms.

Optional: "Tallon Suspension": adjustable Koni shocks, urethane bushings, a front crossmember steering brace (forerunner of the "wonderbar"), stiffer front/rear springs, larger than stock front/rear sway bars, urethane sway bar bushings, rear axle droop limiter straps to prevent axle hop, boxed rear contol arms and track bar, and Firestone tires on Modern Wheel 15" x 7" alloys or Pontiac 15" x 7" "Diamond-spoke" alloy rims.

Optional: Lear Siegler or Recaro Seats-cloth only

Optional: "Git-Kit": to prevent lawsuits and Federal Smog issues, the performance parts were placed in rear cargo area: 600cfm Holley carb & either a Holley or Edelbrock non-Egr aluminum intake manifold, Mallory Distributor, Heli-Coil spark plug wires, Champion spark plugs, low restriction air cleaner, Tri-Y headers, and Y-pipe.

Optional: MSE sound system and Motorola 500 radio