Well, it's the 00's now - it's a corporate world.. and Pontiac doesn't make engines.. anymore.. So I'll use an engine that goes in Pontiacs.. The last TA's had LS1's and the the current Roo's have LS6's. FWIW, I think my father in law is on your side though, I think he's gonna try to convince me to keep the 400.

I myself am not a purist. I do think the heritage of the car should be noted and acknowledged (I never understood how Pontiac could lose the Chicken from the hood) But I don't think nearly 30 years of technology should be ignored to keep the car like it was in 1976, either. This particular car is the original precursor to the ever famous "Bandit" model of '77. Black and Gold with all the striping. it's a 50th anniversary edition. All the exterior will be restored pretty much original. I may add a stripe along the sides to break up all the black. As far as teh interior goes, It's will get a complete re-do. The stereo sucks, the comfort is terrible, the seats are a whiplash lawyer's dream, and the creature comforts (cupholders, things of that nature) are.. uhhh.. lacking.

So, I my goal is to modernize her. Mechanically as well as the cockpit. In the cockpit, I want to keep as many of the styling cues as possible, bring in some modern seats with headrests. I do kind of want to stick and 8-track player in her though, she had one originally and I think that's kind of twisted and funny, see how many people go "what's that?" when they see it. Add modern creature comforts, and so forth.

So, cheby or chevy, tomayto or tomahto.. As a middle age guy, I don't see the point in ignoring the advancements of the past 30 years. I don't disagree with the purist point of view, either, I believe there's a place and a strong argument for keeping cars original. It's just not mine.