Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
#1
Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
What's up folks!?
Little bit of a light topic to help you get through your Thursday. I'm just curious as to the specifics of the Trans Ams with the silver GFX. From what I can tell, they were available every year up to 91, when the body changed. Is there any other significance to the body color/silver color on the TA's or was it simply an option that you checked off at time of purchase? Were all the drive-train options available with either option?
The Trans AMs with the silver GFX seem to be a lot less popular, but man I love 'em. I've been saying for awhile that I'd like to pick up another thirdgen, and I think I'm leaning towards these Trans Ams. No plans of heavy mods, just a good driver. Maybe a catback and some K&N's and a few subs in the back! -you know...the basic mods we did in the 80's! LOL
Little bit of a light topic to help you get through your Thursday. I'm just curious as to the specifics of the Trans Ams with the silver GFX. From what I can tell, they were available every year up to 91, when the body changed. Is there any other significance to the body color/silver color on the TA's or was it simply an option that you checked off at time of purchase? Were all the drive-train options available with either option?
The Trans AMs with the silver GFX seem to be a lot less popular, but man I love 'em. I've been saying for awhile that I'd like to pick up another thirdgen, and I think I'm leaning towards these Trans Ams. No plans of heavy mods, just a good driver. Maybe a catback and some K&N's and a few subs in the back! -you know...the basic mods we did in the 80's! LOL
#2
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Two-tones seemed to generally fall out of favor around that time. I think they look great. I especially like when the top part over the silver GFX is dark blue, dark red, or even yellow.
I think it was just a popular option to order. I don't know for sure, someone else will, but it seemed that at one point maybe around 1985-86, all Trans Ams had some sort of two-tone effect with the GFX. A friend had one that was brown over gold, and while people often cringe at "brown," it was a pretty sharp car. It was a very deep brown color, not the lighter tan that you sometimes see.
I think it was just a popular option to order. I don't know for sure, someone else will, but it seemed that at one point maybe around 1985-86, all Trans Ams had some sort of two-tone effect with the GFX. A friend had one that was brown over gold, and while people often cringe at "brown," it was a pretty sharp car. It was a very deep brown color, not the lighter tan that you sometimes see.
Last edited by ksr; 09-23-2021 at 08:21 AM.
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
These are the TAs and Zs I remember when I was a kid and these cars were all over the place. I agree the color scheme on these was cool with the silver, reminded me of the 88’ black and silver Z24 I had in high school…made the Z24 feel like the Z28s little brother.
One thing I have noticed with these 2 tone cars is the ones I have seen and one I almost bought all seemed to have either the LG4 or LB9 and had highway gears/drums so I would be curious if anyone has one with the performance options of the day.
I also ran across this absolute cream puff 86’ TA whose owner is a relative of my wife’s good friend. Car is one owner and I don’t think it’s seen actual rain. Only has 30k mikes or so and is a LG4. Only flaw is the wraparound spoiler is showing its age a bit but is still the nicest original thirdgen I have seen in person.
One thing I have noticed with these 2 tone cars is the ones I have seen and one I almost bought all seemed to have either the LG4 or LB9 and had highway gears/drums so I would be curious if anyone has one with the performance options of the day.
I also ran across this absolute cream puff 86’ TA whose owner is a relative of my wife’s good friend. Car is one owner and I don’t think it’s seen actual rain. Only has 30k mikes or so and is a LG4. Only flaw is the wraparound spoiler is showing its age a bit but is still the nicest original thirdgen I have seen in person.
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
I think that car above it really sharp. That or the dark red were great two-tones.
I don't recall higher performance two-tone T/As. My friends two-tone that I mentioned above was an '86, with a carbureted 5.0. But I have seen some Formulas and Formula 350s in two-tone paint.
I didn't think that two-tone Trans Ams were available as late as '91, as the OP said. I was thinking they were gone by the late '80s.
I don't recall higher performance two-tone T/As. My friends two-tone that I mentioned above was an '86, with a carbureted 5.0. But I have seen some Formulas and Formula 350s in two-tone paint.
I didn't think that two-tone Trans Ams were available as late as '91, as the OP said. I was thinking they were gone by the late '80s.
#5
Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
I especially like when the top part over the silver GFX is dark blue, dark red, or even yellow.
reminded me of the 88’ black and silver Z24 I had in high school…made the Z24 feel like the Z28s little brother.
One thing I have noticed with these 2 tone cars is the ones I have seen and one I almost bought all seemed to have either the LG4 or LB9 and had highway gears/drums so I would be curious if anyone has one with the performance options of the day.
I don't recall higher performance two-tone T/As.
I didn't think that two-tone Trans Ams were available as late as '91, as the OP said. I was thinking they were gone by the late '80s.
Here's that one I posted yesterday. It's the dark blue color, but it looks black in the pic.
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
I love the silver ground FX cars. Its what I seen as a kid going up and down the road
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
What's up folks!?
Little bit of a light topic to help you get through your Thursday. I'm just curious as to the specifics of the Trans Ams with the silver GFX. From what I can tell, they were available every year up to 91, when the body changed. Is there any other significance to the body color/silver color on the TA's or was it simply an option that you checked off at time of purchase? Were all the drive-train options available with either option?
The Trans AMs with the silver GFX seem to be a lot less popular, but man I love 'em. I've been saying for awhile that I'd like to pick up another thirdgen, and I think I'm leaning towards these Trans Ams. No plans of heavy mods, just a good driver. Maybe a catback and some K&N's and a few subs in the back! -you know...the basic mods we did in the 80's! LOL
Little bit of a light topic to help you get through your Thursday. I'm just curious as to the specifics of the Trans Ams with the silver GFX. From what I can tell, they were available every year up to 91, when the body changed. Is there any other significance to the body color/silver color on the TA's or was it simply an option that you checked off at time of purchase? Were all the drive-train options available with either option?
The Trans AMs with the silver GFX seem to be a lot less popular, but man I love 'em. I've been saying for awhile that I'd like to pick up another thirdgen, and I think I'm leaning towards these Trans Ams. No plans of heavy mods, just a good driver. Maybe a catback and some K&N's and a few subs in the back! -you know...the basic mods we did in the 80's! LOL
The 1985-1990 silver aero was WW2 option code. There were a few other option combos - such as the WW5 Champagne aero with the black primary exterior. It was not limited to powertrain options and was simply an appearance option combo.
I always think of these earlier ThirdGens to have more character due in part because of the different accents, and other things like the DX1 hood bird, etc., that was later dropped from the options.
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
I referred to them as two-tone myself but I'm not sure that's completely accurate. D84 was two-tone code but not available for the T/A. However, the sales brochure does state "two-tone", for Trans Am, but is the aero package and not like the D84 on the base Firebird that was much more of a color balance.
The 1985-1990 silver aero was WW2 option code. There were a few other option combos - such as the WW5 Champagne aero with the black primary exterior. It was not limited to powertrain options and was simply an appearance option combo.
I always think of these earlier ThirdGens to have more character due in part because of the different accents, and other things like the DX1 hood bird, etc., that was later dropped from the options.
The 1985-1990 silver aero was WW2 option code. There were a few other option combos - such as the WW5 Champagne aero with the black primary exterior. It was not limited to powertrain options and was simply an appearance option combo.
I always think of these earlier ThirdGens to have more character due in part because of the different accents, and other things like the DX1 hood bird, etc., that was later dropped from the options.
this is a order sheet for 86 Pontiac Firebirds
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#10
Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Nice. Appreciate seeing that document.
...so what year is that for? Some interesting color options. I see silver metallic AND grey metallic aeros. I never realized the difference! ...and it was mentioned earlier, but I don't recall seeing a yellow/Silver TA either. ...and I see the Russet brown as well as brown metallic. Now I'm familiar with both colors, but thought the brown was only a GTA color, and obviously have never seen a TA that color with Champagne aeros.
Huh. ...interesting.
...so what year is that for? Some interesting color options. I see silver metallic AND grey metallic aeros. I never realized the difference! ...and it was mentioned earlier, but I don't recall seeing a yellow/Silver TA either. ...and I see the Russet brown as well as brown metallic. Now I'm familiar with both colors, but thought the brown was only a GTA color, and obviously have never seen a TA that color with Champagne aeros.
Huh. ...interesting.
Last edited by Abubaca; 09-28-2021 at 08:43 PM.
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
My 89' was originally two tone, blue and silver but the previous owner had the GFX color matched, I like both but I like it the way it is now more. However I'm still thinking about either painting the baskets of the wheels silver or a charcoal color.
#14
Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Kincer, I don't dislike the all blue at all. For me, it's kinda a throwback style thing. It LOOKS dated, and I like that. The monochromatic color is more modern, and heck as the owner of multiple Irocs, I can't argue!!! -but there's still something old school thirdgen about those two tone trans am that takes me back.
...and since I did call out those 3 color options.... ...guess I'm on the line to show a photo of brown, not Russet, with champagne aero.
...and since I did call out those 3 color options.... ...guess I'm on the line to show a photo of brown, not Russet, with champagne aero.
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Maybe one of the best looking Thirdgens on the planet. Yea I like the silver GFX
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#17
Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Speaking of fire red metallic!!!!!! This one is actively for sale via the link on FB if anyone is interested. ....I'd need T Tops and a 5 speed, prefer an LB9, but the engine isn't a deal breaker. Appearance wise, this is it. Thirdgen TA's don't get any better looking in my book!
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...8-009e17e50d75
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...8-009e17e50d75
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Nothing beats the Bright Blue Metallic Upper and Silver Metallic Aero!
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
From 1985-1990 Silver was typically used on all other colors except for White, Yellow and Silver upper cars. Charcoal was used on White, Silver and Yellow cars.
It was an option, and some years with some colors it was a mandatory thing, much like there were only Yellow Gold with Charcoal stripe on 87-88 Formulas, same can be said for the Trans Am.
WW1 - White
WW2 - Silver
WW3 - Charcoal
WW4 - Black
WW5 - Chestnut
WW6 - Flame Red Metallic
WW8 - Bright Red
Some interesting factoids...
Silver WW2 lower was a Trans Am only thing from 88-90 (I do not have the numbers for 1987), Even though the GTA got the WW1, WW3, WW4, WW6 & WW8
All Trans Ams and GTA's from 88-90 got a WW() RPO
WW3 (Charcoal) was only used on GTA's from 88-90, no Trans Am got the Charcoal Gray Lower.
1986 - 48,870 Trans Am total
13U - Silver - 3652 (WW3 - Charcoal - ALL)
23U - Bright Blue Met - 4179 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
28U - Midnight Blue Met - 4680 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
40U - White - 7393 (WW1 - White - ALL)
41U - Black - 9883 (WW4 - Black 6584) (WW5 - Chestnut - 3299 )
51U - Yellow - 284 (WW3 - Charcoal - ALL)
68U - Russet Brown - 982 (WW5 - Chestnut - ALL)
74U - Flame Red Met - 6024 (WW8 - Red - ALL)
81U - Red - 11793 (WW8 - Red Met - 6524) (WW2 - Silver 5,269)
1987 - No Data
1988 - 8,794 Trans Ams
13U - Silver - 428 (WW3 - Charcoal - ALL)
23U - Maui Blue - 1420 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
40U - White - 2109 (WW1 White - ALL)
41U - Black - 2046 (WW4 Black - ALL)
81U - Red - 2791 (WW8 Red - 1822) (WW2 - Silver - 969)
1989 - 5,727 Trans Ams
40U - White - 1157 (WW1 - White - ALL)
41U - Black - 1226 (WW4 - Black - ALL)
81U - Red - 1648 (WW8 - Red - 1035) (WW2 - Silver - 613)
87U - Gunmetal - 623 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
98U - Bright Blue Met - 1073 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
1990 - 1,060 Trans Ams
40U - White - 192 (WW1 - White - ALL)
41U - Black - 254 (WW4 - Black - ALL)
75U - Red Met - 174 (WW6 - Red Met - ALL)
81U - Red - 207 (WW8 - Red - ALL)
87U - Gunmetal - 94 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
98U - Bright Blue - 139 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
Enjoy.
John
It was an option, and some years with some colors it was a mandatory thing, much like there were only Yellow Gold with Charcoal stripe on 87-88 Formulas, same can be said for the Trans Am.
WW1 - White
WW2 - Silver
WW3 - Charcoal
WW4 - Black
WW5 - Chestnut
WW6 - Flame Red Metallic
WW8 - Bright Red
Some interesting factoids...
Silver WW2 lower was a Trans Am only thing from 88-90 (I do not have the numbers for 1987), Even though the GTA got the WW1, WW3, WW4, WW6 & WW8
All Trans Ams and GTA's from 88-90 got a WW() RPO
WW3 (Charcoal) was only used on GTA's from 88-90, no Trans Am got the Charcoal Gray Lower.
1986 - 48,870 Trans Am total
13U - Silver - 3652 (WW3 - Charcoal - ALL)
23U - Bright Blue Met - 4179 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
28U - Midnight Blue Met - 4680 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
40U - White - 7393 (WW1 - White - ALL)
41U - Black - 9883 (WW4 - Black 6584) (WW5 - Chestnut - 3299 )
51U - Yellow - 284 (WW3 - Charcoal - ALL)
68U - Russet Brown - 982 (WW5 - Chestnut - ALL)
74U - Flame Red Met - 6024 (WW8 - Red - ALL)
81U - Red - 11793 (WW8 - Red Met - 6524) (WW2 - Silver 5,269)
1987 - No Data
1988 - 8,794 Trans Ams
13U - Silver - 428 (WW3 - Charcoal - ALL)
23U - Maui Blue - 1420 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
40U - White - 2109 (WW1 White - ALL)
41U - Black - 2046 (WW4 Black - ALL)
81U - Red - 2791 (WW8 Red - 1822) (WW2 - Silver - 969)
1989 - 5,727 Trans Ams
40U - White - 1157 (WW1 - White - ALL)
41U - Black - 1226 (WW4 - Black - ALL)
81U - Red - 1648 (WW8 - Red - 1035) (WW2 - Silver - 613)
87U - Gunmetal - 623 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
98U - Bright Blue Met - 1073 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
1990 - 1,060 Trans Ams
40U - White - 192 (WW1 - White - ALL)
41U - Black - 254 (WW4 - Black - ALL)
75U - Red Met - 174 (WW6 - Red Met - ALL)
81U - Red - 207 (WW8 - Red - ALL)
87U - Gunmetal - 94 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
98U - Bright Blue - 139 (WW2 - Silver - ALL)
Enjoy.
John
#20
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Re: Let's talk about 85-90 2 tone Trans Ams with the silver GFX.
Does anyone have a source for the WW2 paint? I need to do some touch-up.
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