DKM Macho Trans Ams Lot#8

1984 MR MSE Trans Am #20

owner: Don Towsend

I'm excited to add the first ever '84 MR MSE TA to the site. Don writes:

"Hello, thought I would give you a quick update on one of the cars listed on your web site, lot #6. It is a 1984 MSE Trans Am, #20 of 50. My wife Sue & I purchased this car from Volo Auto Museum in Volo ILL. July 10, 2004. The car has a little over 10,000 miles on her, and she looks great! The car has all the toys and includes the Mecham Git Kit, the Macho 5.7 liter engine, Talon suspension, and the Try-Y headers. We had to replace the Idler arm and Center link and put a new set of tires on her. Now she handles like a dream and is an absolute joy to drive. Would enjoy hearing from other MSE owners. Drop me an email at bi78rd@tds.net."

Best Regards;
Don Townsend
bi78rd@tds.net

1984 MR MSE Trans Am #25

owner: Cameron Holeman

Cameron Holeman owns this ultra rare 440hp MSE Trans Am Cameron writes:

"This is the car how I just got it. Rough yes, but it is what it is. RARE. I have the parts to repair the car and the correct wheels. It has the correct console plate, the special rear spoiler is with the car but not on it. and the car number is barley visible on the left head lamp door. The only piece that is missing that I do not have is a Mecham steering wheel and horn button. Anybody have one? in any shape? the car is currently in Arizona at my brothers house, it will soon come back to Ohio with the rest of my cars: '77 Macho TA #5, '78 Macho TA #202 and 82 MSE #48."

Cameron provided the following extra info on this rare TA:

"I spoke with Dennis about 84 #25. He stated that in '84 less than 6 cars came with the 440 HP 406 small block chevy and the Doug Nash 5 speed fitted to them. This is one of those cars. The Doug Nash 5 speed was rare due to it being a 1:1 5th gear and not an overdrive. the factory five speed was an overdrive transmission. the tranny alone was a $1500.00 option in 84."

1984 MR MSE Trans Am #33

owner: unknown

A site visitor sent me the pics of #33. Its an amazing example of the MSEs offered during the '84 model year but I know very little about this car at this point other than it is reportedly still owned by the original owner and its equipped with a 5-speed. I know one thing, I love the color.

Pics courtesy of Vincent.

1984 MR MSE Trans Am #57

owner: Steve Horzynek

This amazingly rare MSE Trans Am is only the 2nd '84 to find its way onto the site. Steve writes:

"Firebird Gallery. I own a 1984 Mecham Racing Macho Trans-Am (#57). It’s in very good condition, unfortunately I don’t know much about this car or Mecham Racing. I’m sending you six pictures of my car (to do with as you please). I do know the Mecham cars are rare and collectable.
I believe I am the third owner of this car. I purchased the Trans Am from a gentleman in the small town in Oregon in 1993. He had stored the car for eight years accumulating only two thousand miles, in ten years I have added eleven thousand wonderful miles. It has 35,000 original miles, all black paint with gray cloth interior, 5.7L engine, 5 speed transmission, Koni shocks and struts, limiter straps, Tri Y headers, A/C, power everything, T-Tops with trunk storage bags, rear hatch privacy pull down, lockable rear storage trunk compartment, Talon Suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, 16” Ronal Wheels with 225/50R16 front and 245/50R16 rear Goodyear Tires, lots more and is in excellent condition.
I saw this car for sale I could not believe my eyes. I had remembered the early 80’s TV advertisements for Pontiac, comparing the handling difference between the regular Trans Am and the Mecham Racing Trans-Ams. The other part of the advertisement compared the differences in options available with the Mecham Racing package. If you have questions or would like more information please contact me."

Thank you for your time,
Steven Horzynek

1984 MR MSE Trans Am #74

owner: unknown

#74 popped up for sale on Craigs List recently. Car is equipped with the 5.7L V8 and a TH350 transmission. Equipment includes power windows, A/C and T-Tops. Hopefully the new owner will contact us...

1984 MR MSE Trans Am #84

owner: Heath Elmer

This is the highest numbered '84 MR MSE TA we've added. This TA was added recently, just back in Feb and its already changed hands. Heath Elmer recently purchased it to add it to his growing collection of DKM TAs. Until I get a new write-up from Heath here is what the previous owner had to say:

"Here we have a 1984 MSE Trans AM #84 in unrestored condition. I first saw this car in 1985 with 11,500 miles on it, (yes I did drop the "if you ever decide" question at that time). Then in 1996, it happened with 77,000 miles. I have driven it 38,000 more enjoyable miles in the last 12 years. I am legally the 3rd owner of this vehicle. This car was purchased from the Mecham Pontiac used car lot, ( in latter 1984?), I purchased from the individuals that drove it away from Mecham Pontiac that day. They said that this car was the DEMO car that was used in every day sales, but was titled to the "engine builder" that worked in the shop for Dennis Mecham, (that later built Indy car engines for someone else?), so I was told, who knows or really cares.
This car is a blast to drive, and is unique in "sound", and handling to any other 1982-1992 F body vehicle, and really comes to life at 90+ miles per hour. The Tallon Suspension really works with the installation of 16" GTA wheels and a set of Goodyear Eagles. The 5.0L HO warmed over by Mecham, (carb mods, cam+ cam timing, and computer chip), with the 5 speed trans, Make the efi 350 guys come back with that question, "are you sure that is a 305". This vehicle is really unique in 2 ways, first, The number on this car reads "84" outside, and 84-0084, on the console plate, (sorry for the dust in the pic.). Second, this car has not been to a body-paint shop since it left General Motors on 1-16-1984, REAL RARE!! Happy Motoring !! Drop me a line at <dad@commspeed.net> if you have enjoyed this, article and pics as much as I have this MSE."

1997 20th Anniv. Macho Trans Am #001

owner: Rob Thomas

Dennis Mecham began modifying Firebirds again in 1998. Here's the story about how it happened:

Webmaster's Note: The following excerpt was written by Todd Coombes. Although he no longer owns this car, I have kept the following for historical information purposes:

"While I was working on the Macho and MSE book that will be coming out around the first of the year ('99), Dennis Mecham and I started talking about what a fourth generation Macho T/A might include. As we discussed the possibilities, I noticed Dennis was getting enthused about the idea so I continued talking about it. After a while I asked Dennis what he thought about the remote chance of actually building a new Macho - especially since it was the 20th anniversary of the first Macho T/A. He considered the alternatives and said he would think about it. From that point on, enthusiasm grew and the next six months was an exciting time of prototyping, researching, fabricating, turning wrenches, losing sleep, talking to suppliers, dealers, mechanics and racers. Finally, the new Macho was born. It was really all Dennis and Kyle. I provided some research and some financing, but Dennis and Kyle did all of the design and engineering. I spent some time with them during the design phase as a "casual observer" and I can truly say these guys are Motor-head Artists to the nth degree. All of the hood and wing lines seemed to flow naturally from the car itself, but it took Dennis and Kyle to bring it out. After the designing, prototyping and planning phases, actual build time was fast. It had to be ... Hot Rod Magazine was coming out to do a story (October issue) and the cars (the three prototypes) had to be ready. I didn't even see a picture of my car. The first time I saw it was after the Hot Rod
interview, Dennis shipped the car to me and I saw it after it was unloaded from the trailer. Timing again was critical because I was taking it to the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio the NEXT DAY. (Talk about cutting it close!) The first time I saw the car I couldn't believe it. I couldn't take my eyes off of it, but even better was the sound of the engine when I started it up. I have heard a lot and driven a lot of third and fourth generation Firebirds (including three Firehawks I own), but none even comes close in looks, sound and performance of the '97 Macho. Of the three prototypes, my car had the most "goodies" including a 383 stroker motor (472hp dyno), Centerforce clutch, carbon-fiber drive shaft, 3.73 rear gears, custom heavy duty radiator, awesome exhaust by Pro-Dyno and B&B, full suspension treatment, Baer brakes, Simmons wheels and Michelin Pilot tires, and much more! I have not yet taken it to the track, but I can tell you it will do 0-60 in a heartbeat and the Pilots stick like glue (315 35's in the back don't hurt!) A good driver, a good day and reasonable traction would see this car into the 11's without a doubt (I have done some drag racing, so I am fairly certain about this). That's all fun and fine, but I love people's reaction to the car. It is definitely "In your face" and you gotta love it or hate it - No passive responses. The TA Nationals gave me a good opportunity to listen to the comments coming from mostly a Firebird crowd. Everything from, "WOW! I can't believe it ... I want to order one today!", to "That's a BIG WANG, dude.", to "Too bad it hasn't got an SD455 under the hood." The guys from SLP spent a lot of time looking it over and I noticed they have postponed displaying their newest revised Firehawk hood until they figure out how to do heat extractors like the Macho. The best story, though, is what happened when I took the car out for my first ride from the car transporters' office. I got on it a little bit and took a few hard turns, just to get the feel and after five minutes I pulled back into the transporters' place. 30 seconds later, a 30th anniversary Camaro SS pulled in and the driver jumped out and just stood there looking at the Macho for at least a couple of minutes. He finally said, "Whoa! How can I get one of these?"