I cannot recall at this time of PMD ever referring the 1970 YZ & WS 400's as anything other than simply "Ram Air" engines. I do not mean to nit pick, but I think you are mistaken. I thought the engine we all refer to as "Ram Air III" was actually called the "400HO with Ram Air" during all of the 1969 model run, hence there would be no need for a decal that calls out "Ram Air III". I don't recall the "RA III" designation being used until the 1970 model year. I meant to mention this other point earlier. I like the way they look and it sets it apart from regular 400 cars. My original Ram Air hood is currently in bare metal and there is no evidence of there ever being holes drilled in it.įWIW - I plan on putting decals on my car after it's painted. They were left off to allow the use of the decals, but, obviously not a guarantee to come with them. Any help here?įrom my research, no Ram Air hoods received "400" emblems. I have yet to see an original R/A III car. Has anyone with an original III car looked under their hood to see if the scoops were originally drilled out for badge locating pins? I know the 400 H/O's received the badges, because I've seen at least two of these in person. Again, the manuals show diagrams for placement of the "Ram Air" as well as "Ram Air IV" decals on the scoop. I know you've added a qualifier here, but does anyone know for certain if this is true? There was talk on another board about whether non-IV R/A Firebirds came with decals or 400 badges, but I don't recall the outcome of that debate. The TA and Judge were those cars and IMO its no coincidence they BOTH were developed during the same time period and ultimatly were showcased to the public on the same day at the same location. I think PMD wanted much more 'visible and graphically oriented' flagship cars for the changing public dynamic in 1969. The differing development team make up for the Judge and the TA are really beside the point I was trying to make. Now hyperspace a mere 6-9 months into 1969 and viola we have the bespoilered 69 bright orange judge and the white and blue striped TA! 1968 might as well have been 1868! The new PMD theme for their flagship muscle (Judge) and pony (TA) cars in 1969 was be 'wild bold and crazy'. In fact many came with poverty dog dish caps, bland colors and bench seats to boot. No graphics no stripes no badges, no nothing externally! these were often outfitted for speed and zero else. You had the (wildly powerful but often very subdued looking) RA II Firebird and GTO. Not much wild craziness going on graphically at that time. IN PMD-land take a look at the top of the line performance Fbody and Abody in 1968. To me its amazing how this snapped into place like an off/on switch within the automotive muscle car world in 1969. The 'outlandish and bold visual packages that began to be offered in 1969 were in large response attempts to get into sync with the young (car buying) culture at the time (pyschodelic 60s, colors, 'groovy' etc). The brash 'new' Judges and TAs were right in step with all the other autmakers at that time. However those details are beside the point I was trying to make. And yes the Judge was in response to the Roadrunner. Glenn: Yes, I would agree that the TA and judge were not clones from a development standpoint. Just tells me that Pontiac was sloppy with their assembly manual details! Odd, perhaps but still doesnt change the fact that '69 TAs didnt come with hood decals.
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