Sleeper Z

I've been looking for a Trans Am project and one came up. I found a 1990 GTA for sale and going to look at it tomorrow. I know some what of the values of the 3rd Gens but know little about the GTA, It's a 5.7 TPI but what other options should I be looking for in regards to options. Check out the add link below and pics posted. Let me know your thoughts on it.

https://classifieds.castanet.net/det..._sale/3665029/

mwill316

iTrader: (3)

Well I guess the price isn't too bad but your going to dump money in EVERYTHING. Was the car previously repainted? Sail panel emblems have been moved for sure. Paint, body and interior you are well over 10k in this one. Not sure what your looking to spend but if your looking for a project.. this is for sure it.

Sleeper Z

That's good to know. I'll look for signs that the car has been repainted.. Are there any RPO codes yo look for that will define this car as a true GTA and maybe unique RPO codes which may make this car more desirable? I'm not afraid to dump money into it if it's all there. 10 - 15K is not out of the question if it's all there. I just don't want a clone or a car that's been pieced together to make it into a GTA.

mwill316

iTrader: (3)

Y84 is the RPO for GTA. Per GTA source page your looking at a 1 in less than 183. Dont know the actual break down of ttop equipped 350 GTA's but there were only 884 GTAs produced that year, 595 of the 884 were equipped with the L98 350tpi, 260 of the 884 with CC1 ttops and 183 of the 884 were white. So this could be a pretty low optioned car if it is indeed a GTA. You can see all the production numbers here http://gtasourcepage.com/90RPOFigures.html

Sleeper Z

So then if it is indeed a true GTA it'll be worth saving anyways. Thanks for the info. Going to look at it this afternoon. As long as it runs, the body isn't rusted out and it's a GTA I'll indeed look at purchasing this car.It would be cool to have one of each.

PaulyC

If it hasn't been painted then the emblems were replaced (or added; Y84 mentioned will confirm if they are real) very crappily, these are easy fake and repaint flags to watch. Fenders correct, seats correct, either the hatch was replaced or the correct aero wing was replaced with a basic flat. The 5.7 is very unlikely with the t-tops, probably a 5.0 if its factory, the VIN will verify that with an 8 in the 8th place for an L98. Oh, and the wheels are obviously wrong. You just cant have a GTA without the wheels, its sacrilegious and should be considered a felony. Looks a bit rough but though I've seen worse and it depends on your use. I personally would try to cut that price down closer to 1k if it runs and drives alright.

PaulyC

And do check the GTA source page for tips on what to look at to confirm its a real GTA.

http://www.gtasourcepage.com/newauthentication.html

Sleeper Z

Oh I was intending to head down into the direction of around 1K regardless. It does look rough but as long as the under carriage isn't full of holes I'll be interested. But if he's advertising as a GTA and it's not I'll be walking away.

PaulyC

That is a good plan. One more thing, the ad says it has aluminum heads which would not be factory if they indeed are aluminum. That's not a big issue but it would indicate either a aftermarket head swap or an engine swap most likely from a corvette that would have had aluminum heads on the L98. Let us know what you see!

Big&BadGTA

iTrader: (1)

Sleeper Z

I read that link and it has great info on it. Thanks. I do know that things get replaced over time and by the sounds of it, original GTA parts may be hard to find or expensive to replace. Would not be out of the question that parts such as the rear hatch or the motor needed rebuilding or had been replaced. After all these cars have been known to be abused in their time. The vin and RPO codes are what truly matter to me with a good rust free body. Canadian cars usually follow suite with American builds and in some cases have more restrictions for options so if the 5.7 wasn't avail in the ttop cars then that would probably be the case here as well.

Big&BadGTA

iTrader: (1)

Sleeper Z

Really! well that would be a good thing. Maybe just maybe I may have found a diamond in the rough. I'm getting anxious to see if this is so.

Big&BadGTA

iTrader: (1)

Sleeper Z

Sleeper Z

ksr

What was the different between a Trans Am and and Trans Am GTA?

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

I'm sure you read this on the GTA source page, but the very first thing I look at when I walk up to a 87-90 GTA for sale is the driver's side headlight Pontiac lettering on the plastic shroud. If it's not gold color, I start to get suspicious. The next thing I look at is the rear tail light panel and if the bird is not gold, my silent alarm sounds. This doesn't mean parts weren't replaced (clearly the spoiler has been), but these are details "cloners" seem to miss and I look at this first before going any deeper. Definitely check to see if the RPO sticker is in there, if not, it will be more difficult to verify.

Sleeper Z

Absolutely! The RPO tells all. Not unlikely the car may have been rear ended which would explain the rear hatch and possibly the tail light panel. He said in the add electrical issues with the lights which could also explain the drivers side headlight shroud also being replaced. Common firebird or trans am parts would be the replacement due to availability. If the RPO codes don't match or are not there I won't be interested at all.

Sleeper Z