When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Auto Detailing and AppearanceShare tips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something tasteful looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.
When I look at this group of nominees (and I am proud to have my Formula included), one thing is very obvious: Third Gens are no longer throwaway cars. See for yourself, world:
It is a 1992 Firebird V6, 48k original miles, first paint, original WA9238 "Dark Bright Teal". It looks really blue on every picture but it is rather green than blue. Car has never seen any winter, I don't even drive when it's raining. Everything original excepted tinted tail lights and I've added 16" Diamond Spokes. It originally came with the 15" Spokes, RPO N90, but the 16" look much better. Hard to get over here in Germany.
Hope you guys will like it. It is a real head-turner over here.
Last edited by J.C. Denton; 11-21-2015 at 02:34 PM.
Hi All, Thanks for the nomination!!!! We see how it all goes! They are some truly exceptional 3rd gens, it's gonna be tough! Good Luck to all!
A little information about my 1985 WS6 5.0 TPI
I have been looking for a 85 WS6 for a long time to complete my 3rd gen collection. This one pretty much fell in my lap out of nowhere. As you all know, I bought it from a member on 3rd gen not too long ago.
After speaking to PurelyPMD (Chris), and looking at the pictures and details he provided me, I decided to buy it in March of this year. It was shipped from Connecticut to Alabama via covered transport.
This car has 100% original paint with 57080 miles & the interior is in STUNNING condition. 1985 was the first year for the new ground effects look and this car is finished in beautiful code 26 Dark Blue enamel paint - WA8596. The dot graphics stripes are in perfect condition, with no cuts, scratches or peeling of any kind and the lower grey accent ground effects are perfect as well.
The car has been garage kept it's whole life. The brand new for 1985 LB9 Tuned Port 305 CID rated at 205 hp & 270 lb feet of torque.. Coupled with the automatic, WS6 handling package, GW6 3:27 performance gears in the J65 Borg Warner 9 Bolt rear axle.
The interior got the AR9 Custom cloth 2-tone grey buckets with split folding rear seats and deluxe luggage compartment trim. The top of the line UQ7 cassette stereo w/EQ found it's way in and works flawlessly with the factory sub woofers. Cruise, tilt, A/C power mirrors, windows, hatch release. The sun visors are tight & nice as is the original headliner and sail panel trims.
Once here, I decided it would be a good idea to go through the car and replace what was needed being that it was all original. I started with a complete brake package with rotors, calipers with the recall kits, brake hoses, ceramic brake pads, and new wheel bearings. The tires that were on the car were "brand new" 10 year old tires that were hard and had some noticeable cracking. I decided I would give the baby some new 245/50/16 BF Goodrich G Force Sport Comp 2 sneakers.
After that was completed, I then moved to the engine where I replaced all the hoses, belts, thermostat, cap and rotor, plugs, wires, and vacuum lines. All these items I replaced had the original date codes on the lines and original GM Packard wires. I retained all the parts removed for the future. Also purchased a new complete AC Delco air conditioning system for the conversion. This will be my winter project along with other little things needing done to my other cars.
The car was originally bought in Pennsylvania and has lived in the northeast all it's life and has of undercoating where I don't want it. A little tar remover and elbow grease took care of the over spray. It was such a sticky job!
I have been driving and really enjoying it regularly and have yet to take it to a car show with my other cars. The big problem we will have is which two to take!
Here are a few picture to enjoy! Thanks once again for the nomination and good luck to all!
1987 IROC-Z with 20k miles. Leather, Bose, TTops, L98 350, fully loaded and all original. National show winner with a best of 996 of 1000 potential points.
Last edited by scottmoyer; 11-21-2015 at 04:10 PM.
Thanks for the nomination, Here are some details about my car:
Bought it in 2012: 86 iroc z28, pretty hacked up, carb'd 350 with 305 heads
Had to make it one color, plastidip
After the interior was restored, she went down for paint in 2014
from 320 to clear coat, I did all the work myself
Did the bmw headlight swap to break up all the bodywork I did to make it look good black
Once paint was done it was on to motor. Scored a 94 z28 m6 for cheap, raped the drivetrain out of it. Bored the block .30 over, flat top pistons, 1.6 rr's, Forged rolling assembly, port and polish on the heads, LE Cam and lunati springs, port and polish intake, full bolt on with dynamax headers into slp loudmouth 2 setup. And just recently a c7 brake kit from bigbrakeupgrade, and dropped it alittle more to make it sit right.
[URL=http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac278/xxxtcr/86%20Camaro/20151114_002753_zpsglmmwizf.mp4][IMG]
Still working on finishing up wiring, so they are everywhere for now haha
pretty intimidating group to be in this month for sure.
i was nominated a couple months ago, and not a whole lot has changed with the car, but i am planning to introduce a new element to the "Formula" before i call it "done" and start working on my '67.
i think i will just cover some of the things that i like about my Formula. #1: its a Formula. i love an IROC, and i love a Trans Am, but to me, when it comes to Third Gens, there is a certain sleek sex appeal that i only find in a Formula.
all of the modifications that i have done - i consider to be upgrades. so, it is fair to say that i have a bit of a hot rodder bent in me, and the spirit of hot rodding is upgrading your car.
as much as i like the look of the factory Formula wheels, 16x8's just weren't cuttin' it. the '96-'01 WS6 wheels (17x9's) open up a lot of rubber and brake options, as well as just a slightly better wheel to body proportion. Plus their clean and simple look (as well as being factory high performance Firebird wheels) is a good fit for a Third Gen Formula IMO. The thick grip leather steering wheel looks and feels nice. the stereo system is sounds clear and powerful, and has modern attachments.
other upgrades that are less visible include:
Hawks fiberglass aerowing
KYB shocks/struts, cut springs (front), Hotchkis 1" drop springs (rear), Hotchkis LCRs, Hotchkis adjustable panhard rod, UMI torque arm, Global West wonderbar, Baer 12" Sport Brake Kit, and probably more
TransGo shift kit, Corvette servo, Vigilante 2800 stall converter, and more
Aluminum Vortec (Fastburn) Heads, ZZ4 cam, forged rods, hyp pistons, ported plenum, AS&M TPI runners, 24lb Injectors, Holley AFPR, Fluidampr, SLP CAI, and much more
coming soon: Forced Induction (thats right folks - i want a Procharger up underneath that power bulge, and i will sell my Mustang to get it.)
It’s an Honor to be alongside these beautiful cars. Mine started out as a wreck on its way to the Crusher. I took a chance and paid $500.00 for it.
It needed a fuel pump ,water pump , power steering unit ,new steering column, VATS module ,intake manifold gasket, front windshield ,new front bumper cover and lower valance, new rear hatch and motor, some of the interior including head liner ,door skins , consol, etc.
Just about every bolt on item on the car including hoses and electrical components. This is my first build ever so I made it into exactly what I wanted it to be with the old school look that I love so much.
Its been my daily driver for close to nine years now and when I clime in it, it becomes my Sanctuary.
It has Custom Rally Red Paint, Custom Back Racing Stripes , both with Crystal Red Pearl added ,Open-air 14 by 3in. Element & Extra Flow Filter Top ,Goodmark Steel Cowl Hood ,3in. American Thunder Flowmaster Cat Back, Magnaflow Cat ,Corvette Servo upgrade, extra Auxiliary Cooling Fan with 180 thermostat, Derale Engine Oil Cooler and Transmission Cooler ,28 spline Eaton Posi, 28 spline Axles & Gear ratio changes to 3.42 with L.P.W. Ultimate 10 Bolt Cover. and replaced the old Cooper Cobras with Mickey Thompson S/T's.
Many other basic upgrades.
I was Honored back in August of 2014 to have been chosen by Goodmark to represent their hoods. They used a photo of mine in there add in theHemmings Muscle Machines Magazine.
I like to use the word Perseverance to describe the work I have put into this and it has become “much more” than just a car to me.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 11-26-2015 at 01:10 AM.
Gotta give this one to havacamaro. I personally like stock cars, but the doing the both the paint and mechanical work yourself with such excellent results gets my vote.
this is really very very hard... Hardest month for voting for me ...ever. I mean that.
I love Bob's TA. He is going to will it to me.. I just know it! I consider him a friend on here. I also know he hasnt had his bird for long and we want to reward those to work on them (he works on his others I know but not much on this bird).
akanitro has a really nice bird. wow. One pic and I am sold..lol
scottmoyer is also a friend who has been helpful but he does have an iroc and I am a TA guy by nature. He also loves his car as so many do but is a bit extreme which is great!
Linson is a great guy and runs the COTM without fail and has a great bird! very deserving. I love his exhaust tips. wonder if he copied mine?
sigh. Hard choice. Let me think a bit before I commit. any thoughts guys?
Last edited by IMissMy86TA; 11-23-2015 at 07:04 AM.
I been thinking about that post also. How does he know how much or how little I work on my cars?
Maybe I got a spy in my garages......hmmmm.
carry on..
LOL yeah I don't do that but you and I discussed the car and how you recently acquired. I think you were going to do some hoses and brakes
anyway I just voted for scott... surprised wince I dont normally vote for irocs.
Last edited by IMissMy86TA; 11-23-2015 at 01:00 PM.
Scott, as much as you & I have had our run-in's here and don't often agree with each other I have to commend you on your car. After being out at the MCACN show this weekend in Chicago your car is what is referred to as a Benchmark Car - a car that is used to compare all others to for originality. You should be very proud of it!
With Bob's approval, I'll fill in the back story on his spectacular 85 TA including some info he may not know.
Bob's car came out of the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, NY. and was part of what ended up being a 2 car purchase from the estate of a collector. The cars had been moved outside and were in a very tight storage lot behind a local bar. When I showed up to pick up the car it was sitting on ice and was impossible to move. While I was pushing the back of the car away from the fence it was parked up against (the seller's agent was trying to drive it) the sideways force tore the meniscus in my right knee!
Loaded, we made our way home but due to it being February & the salt spray I decided to stop first at my local car wash to run the car through to remove the offending spray. Unfortunately the well intentioned worker sprayed wheel cleaner all up & down the driver's side of the car which was immediately obvious upon exiting the wash tunnel. The car was loaded back onto the trailer and then instead of going home went directly to my trusted friend Heraldo's detailing shop where I was assured we would be fine.
Once finished, the newly restored TA was loaded back onto the trailer for it's first trip home on a VERY cold morning! The good thing was I didn't need to worry about salt or snow spray that morning!
Finally home, a few pictures & videos were taken and the TA's new owner was found. Honestly Bob & I think I've said this before - if she'd had t-tops, she'd have never left!
Cars are a collection of stories, this one's got some good ones!
I have logged on several times to vote and still am undecided. This month has probably the best selection of cars since I have been voting.
havacamaro-very impressive work you did yourself
kfsullivan-love the color of your TA
Ron USMC-hard to beleive that Iroc started out as a $500 car
Scottmoyer-what can I say?-extremely clean and detailed-and you drive it!
Bob88GTA-love dk blue and the back story
J.C. Denton-great to see a V6 Bird in the mix. V6'ers dont get much love
Linson-Yes! A Formula 350! 17" 4th gen wheels look really good on it
akanitro- as a TTA owner, a white GTA always gets my attention. Nice!
All the cars are winners and it is great to see 3rd gens being loved and enjoyed. Good luck to everyone!
I have logged on several times to vote and still am undecided. This month has probably the best selection of cars since I have been voting.
havacamaro-very impressive work you did yourself
kfsullivan-love the color of your TA
Ron USMC-hard to beleive that Iroc started out as a $500 car
Scottmoyer-what can I say?-extremely clean and detailed-and you drive it!
Bob88GTA-love dk blue and the back story
J.C. Denton-great to see a V6 Bird in the mix. V6'ers dont get much love
Linson-Yes! A Formula 350! 17" 4th gen wheels look really good on it
akanitro- as a TTA owner, a white GTA always gets my attention. Nice!
All the cars are winners and it is great to see 3rd gens being loved and enjoyed. Good luck to everyone!
Its hard isnt it? the quality of cars is amazing and some of the blood sweat and tears is astounding. I really have to say that I admire all of them. havacamaro is pretty aggressive. Man, the right smoked headlight/turn signal covers would look incredible on that car! Something like this...see?
Its hard isnt it? the quality of cars is amazing and some of the blood sweat and tears is astounding. I really have to say that I admire all of them. havacamaro is pretty aggressive. Man, the right smoked headlight/turn signal covers would look incredible on that car! Something like this...see?
Those look pretty nice, I will definitely be smoking the signals darker eventually, but the headlights will stay where they are because of the halos
Tough choice for sure! But I've gotta vote for JC as his car reminds me of my 92 Formy.
Very limited number of those color birds out there and I never knew what it was called!
coming soon: Forced Induction (thats right folks - i want a Procharger up underneath that power bulge, and i will sell my Mustang to get it.)
The only way I would do a Procharger on a 3rd gen 'bird is with a power bulge hood that's been opened up. It's just perfect with the filter right there.
The only way I would do a Procharger on a 3rd gen 'bird is with a power bulge hood that's been opened up. It's just perfect with the filter right there.
11-21-2015, 01:01 PM
