Bo Darville
Back in 1977, I was 5 years old, and I
went to a drive in theatre in Miami, Florida with my parents and siblings to
watch a double feature (Star Wars & Smokey and the Bandit). I still remember
being excited as I watched SATB, and I specifically remember jumping out of my
seat as I watched Bandit jump the Mulberry Bridge. I was hooked on Trans Am’s.
We moved to Colorado in 1978, and I remember when I would drive down Broadway
with my parents, I was always scanning the car dealerships for the new Trans
Am’s. The Trans Am was always my dream car.
Fast forward to 2007, I was visiting the Watermelon Festival on Labor Day in
Gaylord, Kansas, and I parked my Ford Explorer on a friend’s yard and as I was
walking into the house, two 16 year olds came pulling up and parked in the yard
as well. They exited their vehicles and walked down Main Street to the Festival.
They both drove Trans Am’s, 1 was a 1999 Gold T-Tops, and the other was a 2001
Green T-Tops model. When I saw these 2 teens and their cars, it gave me pause.
In my mind, I declared “If these two teenagers can have Trans Ams, WHY CAN’T I
HAVE MY DREAM CAR!”
Thus, my journey began. My quest for “the” Trans Am took me to many places.
My first stop was to a dealership in St. Cloud MN. I pricelined a flight out
there, with a rental to travel up to see this car. 5K he wanted for this Trans
Am. A 1977 SE Clone. When I arrived, I realized this was not the one. The floor
boards were rusted out, and I found severe corrosion underneath the quarterpanel.
I declined this vehicle, and made it back to my hotel room in time to watch a
one game playoff between the Colorado Rockies & San Diego Padres.
After weeks of searching, I settled on an ’82 hard top Trans Am, black and gold.
I figured 1 Trans Am was better than no Trans Am’s. I booked a flight to
Cleveland, Ohio to look at the car, paid the man, and had it shipped back to
Burlington CO.
1982 Hard TopTrans Am.
Less than a week later, I found an unmolested red 1978 survivor, rust free in
Boise, Idaho. Away my friend Don and I went to Boise to have a look, and
ultimately purchased it. It was the body style I really wanted all along.
Unmolested Red 1978 Survivor Trans Am.
The 1982 Trans Am was much closer to being finished, so I started to focus on
that one, and ultimately sold the red ’78, and made about 2K on the deal. I soon
realized I wanted T-Tops for my ’82. I purchased an ’83 parts car for $200 and
was going to swap roofs, when it suddenly dawned on me, why don’t I just sell
the ’82 and get another one with T-Tops. Duh! So, I took the snowflakes off, and
put the stock wheels back on it, fixed it up and sold it to a guy in California.
I found an ’83 in Kansas with t-tops, and was in negotiation to purchase that
one when I found a 1980 non turbo Trans Am with T-Tops, still running, and it
was the body style I wanted and right here in Denver! I quickly scrapped my
plans to get the ’83, and purchased the ’80. I was sure I had my Trans Am now!
1980 Non Turbo Trans
Am with T-Tops.
No less than 4 days after I purchased this white Trans Am, I just happened
to be looking in the Kansas City Craigslist, and happened upon my dream. A black
and gold 1977 Trans Am, with Hurst t-tops. DANGIT!, I just bought the 1980 Trans
Am. I couldn’t pass this one up though, so my friend Don and I trekked on out to
Kansas City to pick her up. It was love at first site.
1977 Black and Gold Trans Am with Hurst T-Tops.
Now I had 2 Trans Am’s. I thought about keeping both, but really, the ’77 was my dream car. I eventually sold my ’80, and was left with my ’77 and an ’83 parts car. Over the next year, I dumped money into this vehicle. New motor, new tranny, newly finished wheels, new tires, gutted the interior and installed new vinyl seats with the firebirds custom embroidered. Had the car painted and applied new decals, and there it was, my dream car staring me in the face.
The finished 77 with Fresh Paint and new Decals.
In 2008, I emailed this guy from the Bandit Trans Am Club, and
asked if I could order some XXXL polo club shirts. He responded that I would
have to buy 12 to get that size. Yah Right! I passed. A year later, I met these
Trans Am enthusiasts at the Golden Super Cruise, and George handed me his card,
and I told him I was the guy that tried to order 3XL shirts. He immediately
remembered me from that, and I was instantly tagged with the handle of XXX. We
later discovered that I had worked for him 20 years ago, and that he had worked
with my father as well. What a small world!
Today, I regularly attend car events with George and Kevin, and other club
members here in Denver. I’m so glad I found the club, for this special group of
enthusiasts. Remember, if they give you a rev, give them the BIRD!
Go to YouTube to see all the other episodes of the Bo and George Show.
