bungo78

iTrader: (1)

Welcome and good day to all!!!

Here's tha skinny...

I own an '88 Trans Am. It was backed into on the driver side fender... The damage however sight (Very minor) caused the vehicle to be totaled (no surprise there!).

I have completed my claim and received my end of the deal. Yet here's the hard part.... Whut to do next!

I have done many things with my bird.. Here's a list..

350 motor, with all gaskets replaced, heads replace only 30,000 miles
Base plate replaced
New Radiator, switch, thermo, hoses
A/C delete, all equip. eliminated. wires cleaned in bay
Completed tune-up
Replaced sensors
Dyno Don's 9-bolt w/ LS1 rear disks with 3.70 posi
700r4 shift kit, servo etc.. 40,000 miles
Very clean interior

Needs work...
The front driver fender, rear driver quarter panel (T.V. landed on car)
Pan hard bar/rod
Front springs/ struts & suspension

Thats it! So can't figure out if to keep or sell.. So i'm here..
I'll try here an see who wants for a parts car as a whole, or wants to buy it to drive... It will have a salvage title due to the driver fender.. I'll start @ $2000. Who ever wants it can decide for themselves how to proceed with it.. It's garaged currently.. pics below. Thanks!

Adrian

webeeZ28

iTrader: (2)

That looks like very minor damage. Can you clarify this...your insurance company totaled your car and yet you got to keep it??

bungo78

iTrader: (1)

The damage was quoted as $1,600. The wanted to replace the fender/ paint. To repaint the hood, and there was one other thing I can't remember. (Don't have estimate in front of me). The gentleman said the repair has to be insurance quality which is why for the other items to be fixed/repaired/painted .. Hey, i'm jus sharin' the info.. I wish it made more sense..

The adjuster came back with the figure of the value. How much if I gave them the car, and how much to retain ownership.. That value was near the estimate of the repair.. So, totaled was the outcome... One thing I forgot to mention is the driver side door does not open. It goes about 4 inches before it hits the bent in fender.. So I had to hop in thru the passenger side to drive it..

That didn't continue for long.

And here I am!

Adrian

webeeZ28

iTrader: (2)

I would agree that it's a tuff decision. You have done a lot of work to it and I'm guessing it runs good. Are you at a point with this car that you just don't want to put anymore time/money into it? Is it your DD? Could you live with a car with body damage yet, still dependable?

JT

iTrader: (1)

May I ask a question? Are you sure it's a GTA? A few things I noted that stuck out to me.

You have the standard Trans AM/Formula steering wheel. That is not the steering wheel the GTA would have received unless the GTA was a 1989 and ordered with the factory CD player. You should have the radio controls on the steering wheel.

You also have the fender vents, atleast in the driver side picture. GTAs did not have fender vents, however, the Trans AM did.

You also appear to have red PW7 rims. Red PW7 rims were available on the Trans AM, but not GTA as the GTA received the gold PW7 rims.

I realize you have the digital dash and the "ultima" seats, but remember those options were available to the Trans AM as well.

Are you sure it's a GTA and not a well equipped Trans Am?

Rich2279

iTrader: (7)

"The front driver fender, rear driver quarter panel (T.V. landed on car)"

I just have to ask; how did a TV land on the car?

BretD 88GTA

Not to mention, standard Trans Am decals on the fenders. No GTA emblems.

bungo78

iTrader: (1)

Wow! I didn't realize I actually typed that.. Habits are hard to die I guess..

To make a long story short. This was my Uncle's car. He purchased it from the lot when it came out. He wanted a GTA yet there was none to be had. He was a very impulsive shopper. So patience was a word in the dictionary to him. Something not to be applied. So from the age of 10 until I acquired this car after his passing late last year... He spoke of this car as a GTA..

I have owned f-bodies for 10 years now.. And I agree on the merits of what is and is not a such an such car.. When I picked this car up in Wisconsin, my aunt came clean about the story... I of course checked the vin for good measure, the RPO codes etc.... So, I am aware that it is not..

Didn't mean for the confusion, yet it was amusing to see the quick response due to the information (how little a piece) can get the fingers typing.

Thanks for your attention to details guys!

While moving items that belonged to my Uncle.. There was a disagreement, the car was parked in the driveway next to the window, people shoving and T.V. swoosh! Out the window good for 3 points!

Adrian

P.S. Thanks again JT! I do prefer your old avatar pic. It stood out with more presence...

JT

iTrader: (1)

Did the car originally come with the 350 L98? How many miles is on the body?

I must say that car is pretty well equipped for a Trans Am. If it's an original 350 car, that's even better equipped. You don't see too many 87+ ThirdGen Trans Ams with the 350 and "ultima" seats. The 350s were usually going into the GTAs and Formulas.

bungo78

iTrader: (1)

Yes sir! the L98 350 came originally with the car. It has currently 139,000 miles...

I agree with the fact that it's a pretty nice Trans Am. I can see how he got away with his story he told. I also found out he purchased the emblems in the past an had them placed on the car to "fool" folks that it was a GTA.. lol! If you really didn't know the history of the cars, then you had no clue..

Knowing that it's a nice Bird has it's difficulties in which way to go.. There's the sentimental reasons, yet the fact it's now a salvaged vehicle... Yet should that fact matter? Blah, blah, blah.....

Thanks JT!

Adrian

kittca

keep the car, FIX IT ALREADY! : )