Stratocaster25

First off, moderators, sorry if this thread belongs in a different section. I looked around and didn't find a place where I thought it would go other than this section.

Anyways, when did most of you guys first start noticing the third gens and really become interested in them?

I was born in '75, so I was around for every year of the third gen's existence. I noticed them from time to time and thought they were nice looking cars, but I really didn't pay much attention to them because during the 80's I couldn't drive therefore I wasn't really a "car guy". Even into the early '90's I didn't really pay them that much attention. I got my license in late '91, so I was regulated to driving my mom's '89 Cavalier.

Then during the summer of '93 my cousin and I started getting into building model cars. Every week we'd go to the hobby store downtown and get a different model car to build. We pretty much got the standard muscle cars, old Mustangs, old Camaros, Vettes. Then one week I noticed a model of a '91 Z28. It was the last one and I picked it up. As I was building that I really started to like the looks of the car. Then I started noticing them more driving around my town. From then on I was hooked. I knew I wanted my first car to be a Camaro.

I saved up the rest of '93 and on into '94 and my very last week of high school I saw an '87 Sport Coupe sitting on a car lot not too far from my house. I begged my dad to take me up there and take it for a test drive. They also had a '92 Z28 there, and I wanted to take that one out too, but my dad told me to "keep dreaming". I ended up getting that '87 with the money I had saved up and my graduation money. I fixed the body up a little bit and had the '85-'90 GFX installed. I kept it for 5 years and eventually had to sell it because it started to nickel and dime me. I still see it driving around from time to time.

I always told myself that I'd get another Camaro. I started looking back in '05 and after a solid year of looking around various internet sites I found a nice '92 Z28 about 75 miles away. I took an afternoon to go and check it out and ended up driving it back home.

Kevin84Z28

iTrader: (3)

I was 24 years-old when these hit the streets. Thought they were cool but I was raising a family so mini-van here I come. When my son turned 15 we went out and were looking for a project car. I knew a 3rd gen would be the car to build, plenty of rolling stock, parts, not crazy fast to make me worry. We found this 84 Z28 that some kid and his dad had stated working on. There was just something about this car that I fell in love with. My son got as far as changing the valve cover gaskets and lost interest, he's just not into cars. So, I kept it and made it what it is today.

Fyrstorm

iTrader: (1)

Mine was a carry over from seeing the 78-79 TransAms/Firebirds. I was only 7/8 when I saw these and I remember telling my Dad I was going to own one one day. I loved the look of the two headlights within the "eye" up front:



So that carried over into the third gens, wasn't much a fan of the 82/83 models but once the fog lights down low were introduced that's when I was hooked. The GTA later on hooked me even more. Would still rather have had a GTA than my 86 but I like the uniqueness of the third brake light up high for this year.

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

I was 18 when the first third gens came out.At that time I wanted an older muscle car....ss chevelle,gto,2nd gen...etc.Didnt really get into the 3rd gens till a few years later.There was a guy where I lived who had a super clean1984? black & gold z28 and used to fly around the neighborhood.I got my first 3rd gen in 1988.It was an 86 Black & Gold Iroc Z 305 TPI car.You should have seen that guys face when he saw me cruising around in that.His jaw was dragging on the ground.The car was just so sweet looking.I only had it for 2 years before some ahole hit and run me totalling the car.I never forgot what it was like driving the iroc.I always wanted another one but my financial situation wasnt that good.Many years later in 2002 I was finally finacially able to afford a 2nd car and I had my mind set on another 3rd gen.Found an 82 that was modded out.Bought that one and then bought an 88 sport coupe.Still yearned for another iroc tpi car so I eventually found an 86 Iroc that I bought.Then last year I bought an 89 Iroc vert and sold the 82 camaro.Currently I have 3 third gens and I drive them all.

punkdude908

i got my 83 bird 4 years ago when i was 16 from my next door neighbor who didn't drive it anymore b/c she had 2 other (newer) cars. never new anything about 3rd gens before i got the car. once i got it, started driving it and working on it, i was hooked. oh, and it makes for a kick a$$ first car, especially when you roll up with it on your first day of high school as a senior.

tpiselli

iTrader: (1)

I was in my early teens when KnightRider came out and was in high school from '84-'87 when the IROCs were released. They were my muscle cars but I couldn't afford one. Did the college thing, got married, bought a house, and started a family which made me wait until 2002 to pick up an '83 Sports Coupe (which is now going to be a donor car). A co-worker gave me an '86 Sports Coupe in 2004 and picked up an '86 IROC and '83 Trans AM this winter.

Gunner823

iTrader: (2)

Knight Rider. I was 8 years old, and completely enthralled with the show. Since 1994 I have owned seven Trans Ams, six of them Thirdgens...in order, an 83, 87, 89, 85, 2000, 87, 88. Never had any interest in Camaros save the 91-92 Z28s, those are sexy.

ad356

you guys are going to laugh but my uncle had a black firebird when it was brand new, i was actually afraid of the car. my family always reminds me that i was afraid it was going to start talking. i really got into it when my stepfather bought his 1984 Z28 305 HO. i was a freshman in high school when he bought that car. i graduated in 1999, so the car was already 10+ years old, but it was so much fun to ride around in. i loved getting picked up with that car when i stayed after school. we also used to take that car out to dinner every friday. my sister and i would squeeze into the back seat, it was tight but i didnt care, it was a blast. my stepfather took his car apart in 2000, he parted out a 1988 iroc that was in a bad accident, he wanted TPI. he also bought a t56 transmission. unfortunately he hasnt/doesnt currently have the money to finish the project so its been sitting for a while. i bought my 89 RS 2-1/2 years ago because i missed ridding around in his 84. i also hoped it would be new motivation for him to finish his car. so far it has been unsuccessful. driving my 89 camaro brought back alot of memories and i have made many new memories my car as well. its a great running car with decent performance and reasonable fuel economy. its loads of fun and the only thing that could replace the car for me would be another 3rd gen. right now i have no future plans for selling the car, but an IROC would be really cool.

ROBERTDMERRILL

iTrader: (1)

On 9/26/82, I was 11 years old. Thats when "Knight Rider" aired and I have been hooked ever since. I also always loved the 77' Trans Am from "Smoking and the Bandit" movie.

ezysk

Back in 88 /89 I used to be into BMX Freestyle, and would spend a lot of times in parking lots, one of the lots I went to was next to a car dealership. After looking through all the different cars at the time, I liked the Trans-Ams the best.
I said to myself, someday I will own one of these.
Years later, around 1996, I needed a car and saw a 2.8L Camaro that needed some work. It was not the best deal, nor the smartest move transportation wise, but I was sick of doing the “Right” thing when it came to buying a car, and decided to go with my heart.

I bought it, got it running and road worthy and enjoyed it, until I was beat in a race by a mini van, and at that point I said that V6 had to go. So I found a 403 Olds Engine in a Station Wagon that was for sale for $50.00, so I bought the Wagon, and did the engine swap.

After that, the Camaro was a lot more fun, and no more issues with Mini Vans.

Since then I have had dozens of Camaros, Firebirds and Trans-Ams. I don’t beat them down then sell them when they are junk; I fix them up, and then buy something that needs some work.

So now, years later, I have an 86 Firebird as a daily driver, rain or snow. I also have a 85 Trans-Am with a 383 in it and like always I have a project car in the works that will replace the one I am currently driving.

I will probably continue to own these cars and fix them up, as long as its still legal to own a vehicle that runs on gas.

cameron7710

iv loved camaos for most of my life (not that long seeing as how im onley 15 and was born the year after they stoped making third gens)but iv loved them since i was 6 or 7 when my mom got this red 89 sc i think it was ,and i loved cars since allways and this camaro was the onley car i had ever real been around the rest of r cars where allway suv or vans. but then we had to sell it when it had really bad wiring problems.and even sence my uncle allways had like 5 third gens so i would love lookin at those and then he got this very very nice dark green rs i never really noticed it to much he had it for a bit then gave it to his parents to drive and they did for years until my sister got her drivers licence so they gave it to her i was about 12 or 13 at this time and thats when i started to learn more and more about theses car and of course i loved this camaro cause ever since the red sc this was the onley car that had been around beside minivans and stuff well then she drove it for a few years than so things on the car started acting up making it hard to drive (bad heater core leaking foging up the windows,window motors goin bad,ect...)so she got a new truck and i got the camaro about 5 months ago i and have fixed the heater core and im workin on the rest waiting to get my licence.and that is what made me love third gens

OTL

When I was a little kid in the late 80's my mom gave me a book she had picked up on her way home from work titled "Sports Cars of The 80's." At the time I was into the Iroc-Z Camaro and 5.0L Mustang, and seeing lots of those rodding around. But nestled in the back of that book behind the exotics, but before the DeLorean, was a beautiful White 1988/89? Trans Am GTA. It was hands down the best looking car in there, and I instantly fell in love with it.

Despite owning a really nice 1991 GTA I still prefer that 85-90 body style...

After driving lots of third and fourth gens I strongly prefer the thirds. I don't think there is anything on the road that looks as good as a well kept Trans Am GTA. The stares and thumbs up I receive when I take mine out are a testament to that.

Oscar

Well, I was born is 67. Like alot of guys, the show, "Nightrider" caught my attention. So for me, it was K.I.T.T. I never really thought anything of the thirdgen Camaros until the IROC came out. That one and the body style for me was love at first sight. Of course I didn't have money since three brothers and college ate up any and all funding. And what I made wasn't much. When things got better was straight out of college, and I had been looking for all those years, by that time, a new IROC/Z28 was in my sights. At the dealer, I remember in 1990, I also saw a Corvette for about $32,000 that tempted me, but in the end I still loved the IROC body style. Now, I had read that the old body style was being discontinued and so now the pressure was on and I knew I had to hurry up to get my car. I had seen pictures of the 4th gens and hated them. I thought they looked like giant Geo Metros. So, in December of 90, I gave my self a 1991 Artic White, 5.7L Z28. I still have it and is in great condition. I have instructed my wife that when I die, I be put in the drivers seat, with my favorite cd playing, and to put me the ground, car and all. I find that even today, I have the same love for my car, and even though there are other newer, nice cars out there that I could buy if I wanted to, I still compare to mine and find that there is no other car out there that lights my fire.

this is nice post to see other people's beginnings, nice memories...

gcgarner

1992. I wanted a Trans Am vert so bad I could taste it. I just turned 15 years old. I decided I would settle for a mid-80s T-Top car, but I made the mistake of "putting the hammer down" on the test-drive of an '87 with my dad. Big mistake! "No Trans Am for you!" So, I ended up with a '92 Lumina w/ a 3.1. Boo. (Well, I can't complain too much ... it lasted me 7 years and didn't cost me a dime.) So, I finally got my '92 T/A vert two years ago.

89PONT_FIREBIRD

Two years ago I was shopping for my first car and looking at something like a Chevy Caprice. When my family mentioned a toyota corolla because of good gas milaege I declined as politely as I could, wanted a car that didnt look like another clone. Then my dad showed some pictures of a car one of his coworkers was selling. It was a 89 Firebird. I fell in love with Firebirds at that point and of course bought it. Its an automatic with only the base model 2.8 engine but I have so much fun driving it. I hope to get a Trans Am at some point (when I can afford it) with a manual and V8 but for now I'll just enjoy having a car that doesent look like every other car on the road. P.S. I call all these japenese cars that look alike the attack of the clones.

Ward

iTrader: (1)

I was in kindergarten in 88-89, and I can still remember seeing all of these cool looking cars rolling around, that for some reason said "IROC" on the door panels. When I was 15 (look at my join date), my dad and I went looking for a project car, that we could fix up to be my first car. We found an 83 Firebird S/E in horrible condition, and picked it up for $1200. After about 6 months we got it running, and repainted, and that became my first car. I drove it until I was 20, it had just become too much work to keep running. I parted it out, and it's been sitting in storage ever since. For the next 4 years, I drove a 95 intrepid, but I always wanted another thirdgen. Now that I'm 24, I have a better paying job, so this february I bought an 88 GTA, which is my current project. I've worked on it every weekend since I got it, and I can't think of any better way to spend saturday and sunday

paul84z

Wow, august 4th 1994 i was junior in high school, just got my license and took every dime i earned from working shitty after school jobs for 3 years to Enfield street auto sales and plunked down 4500 bucks for an 87 with a 305. still have the car to this day. i saw that car for probably a year strait walking from school to work and back. I cant describe the feeling of driving that car off the lot and to school the next day. it sounds cheesy but, the all became right with the world after that. Ive been chasing that feeling since then and every time i get in my third gen i get the same feeling i had on aug 4 1994 when i bought my first one.

IROC212

iTrader: (1)

It was late 87, I was about 11. I saw a brand new Mustang GT get stomped by a 86-87 black IROC-Z from a dig. It was just through the intersection (this was in Brooklyn, no room to go too fast) but I fell in love. I've owned a 74 T/A then a 71 Chevelle, but I finally got my black IROC in 95. I still love it.

Jason E

For me, it was 1985. I was 5. I still remember my first 2 IROC sightings...one was a brand new yellow '85 that was sitting in front of the local Chevy dealer when my dad brought his old '79 Chevette in for service one day. The second sighting was when my parents and I were on vacation that year in Newport RI. We were at the Coast Guard Academy down there and we were walking through the parking lot when a cadet in his dress whites came driving through in a black IROC with the t-tops off. He must've watched me staring in awe at him (I was only 5, after all)...he stopped, saluted me, smiled at my parents and drove away. I was hooked right then and there.

From there on, I've always coveted an IROC, but never owned one. I cried when I was 10 and I got my dad's 3/90 Motor Trend, which announced on the cover that the IROC was dead. When I bought my Z28 in '01, I let my dad talk me into buying a "newer" car, versus buying an IROC. As much as I love my Z, and will likely never sell it (though it has crossed my mind a little lately...), I have thought about selling to buy that illusive IROC. Despite prices climbing, I've decided its wiser to hold out, keep both my cars and add an IROC down the road when the funds allow. I have my show-quality 4th gen and my summer-cruiser third gen...all I need is my show-quality 3rd gen and I'll be complete

As much as I regret sometimes the amount of money spent on my RS ($8,500 so far, including the $1,000 purchase price), its been a blast saving a third gen from the grasp of a kid. It looks like brand new, and takes me back to my college years every time I twist the key, having had an '89 RS 2.8 from '98-'02. The car is what I'd always wanted that car to be...red with an M5, V8 and t-tops. Its definitely on the slow side, but then again, cruisers don't have to be fast

The only thing stopping me from the inevitable IROC purchase is the 5th gen...but so far, I remain a little under-impressed. I saw the concept at NAIAS in '06 on Press Day, as I was invited by GM. It was something I'll never forget. But the retro interior and lack of t-tops currently has me favoring another third gen over a 5th gen for my third (and likely last) addition to the stable....

f1ls1

iTrader: (2)

I bought my first one brand new in 1984 It was a 5.0 H.O Z28 fully loaded with t-tops for $11,264.54 out the door. The salesmen sold it to me for dealer invoice. Wish I still had the car but it was stolen and wrecked by some a**hole. The insurance fixed it but it was never the same so I sold it. It was last seen in San Diego a few years ago. So if any one has it or seen it the plate number is/was 1mwe060 let me know.

RockinGTA89

all of these stories are great! So i'll add mine
From time to time i reflect on how i got this far into being a 3rd gen gear head. History goes as far back in the early 80s of course...i was only a kid, say probably around 5 or 6 when my second cousin bought a black 1984 Trans Am with T-Tops...i remember seeing a picture of it and it was nice, sleek, and aerodynamic. I thought it was a fast looking car but however at that time i wasn't much of a car fan. I was more into cartoons but alot of them had mechanical aspects of what was going to be my future. Shows like Transformers, Turbo Teen, and KnightRider totally got me hooked into cars.
Of course it wasn't until the late 80s and early 90s i started watching nascar racing that really got me into wanting to drive. I remember back in Junior High on the more sunny days i walked to school and i couldn't help notice this 1987 monte carlo ss parked in at this Post Office. God I was so much in love with it...at that time I was like only about 13 or 14 years old. I remember
that awesome black paint with the red lower body stripe...it was sweet! Once again, my second cousin (the same person who had a 1984) end up buying a new white 1989 GTA T/A! Even though I don't remember the details about it, I do remember how wide the nose and body style looked. It was indeed one badass looking vehicle. Another person that got me into these "F-bodies"
is my uncle. In 1992 he bought this 25th anniversary "Heritage" Camaro convertible. Again at that time i didn't think much about the car but when i sat in it i do remember how heavy the doors were and how wide the dash was, i couldn't even see over the hood. But again, these cars kept gracing my life somehow, like it was destiny that i was gonna own one instead of a Monte Carlo SS. Well i was finally 16 years and old enough to drive. My dad was forcing me to buy a vehicle, even though i was saving my money for a new computer! We end up finding a used vehicle and it happen to be an old 78 Monte Carlo! I was like already in awe because it was something that i orginally, wanted, of course it was beat up but it was still cool to have. Unfortunately the car didn't last long and the engine gave up. So about a month before my graduation my mom and i decided to find a vehicle for me. This time we went to a dealer and started walking around, when low and behold i came across a 1987 Trans Am. The wheels in my head started cranking out loud, this would be it! Later that day we talked a deal with that crappy Ford dealership and I became a new owner of my second car. I owned the car for about 7 years and went thur 1 engine. I was hoping to restoring her because the body was starting falling apart with rust forming everywhere. Then the rear end gave and reality struck and I finally gave into the decision of buying another vehicle. I started looking at ads for used vehicles, like a 4 door buick or a 4 door olds...something simple. But then again i said to myself , why not find another trans am!? Say like a GTA?! Getting back to the roots of the past vehicles that i have embraced on several occasions. So i got a personal loan and started looking for one. However this time I was picky for what i was looking for. I wanted a GTA with T-Tops, color really didn't matter, didn't want the digital dash, wanted cloth seats, no leather. Wanted that 350 TPI even though it was only equipped with automatic trans. Wanted the car to be completely stock. Was it possible to find one like that at this point of time with minimum rust if possible? Then one friday afternoon after buying a trader guide i found one. It was a Flame Red Metallic GTA (like my old girl) with T-Tops, 350 and 49,000 original miles!!! Asking for 8 grand obo. I was like that's the car i'm looking for however 8 grand is more then what i wanted to pay. I called up the guy asked him to drop in price. Of course he didn't want to . He explained to me he had all the repair documentations and information sheets, however no owner's manual or window sticker. I drove over there and check the car out. The moment he opened the garage i was in total bliss. The car totally look mint under the sun. However i couldn't say the same for the mechanical point of view. When the car started it hesitated and then at idle it was running rough. Blue smoked putted out for the first couple of minutes. I drove the car and it felt like i was driving my old baby all over again, only with more go! After discussing with the guy i talked him down to go lower in price.. We finally struck a deal at 6 grand. The car was good all around no rust on the chassis but a bubble spot starting to form on the sail panel of the body, which can be fixed. When i brought the car home i decided to do the engine work on my own. I even replace those lousy multech injectors with a set of Bosch style ones

Fast forward to the present...

The car has already gone thur about 30 thousand more miles, a few road trips to Michigan and even did couple of special events like the Hot Rod Power Tour of 05. I also made a trip to a local drag strip for a few runs. Now the car has been stopped for daily use and will become my weekend road warrior. The car has gone thur a new fuel and water pump however the powerplant, transmission, and the rear end are all still original and intact.
Only minor modifications has been made and upgrades as well. Suspension wise i have upgraded to KYB AGX adjustable shocks and struts, Spohn Lower control arms, and a Spohn "Wonderbar". This is my "Operation WS6 enhance." project. I'm a very proud to own such a dream machine that has last 19 years of it's life! To me this is precious metal with a history among Fbodys of the past. Now the time has come for me to make the commitment into restoring her back to her original state, starting with the body and interior. I've already gather several oem/nos and reproduction parts. So hopefully she'll be ready for her 20th birthday next year!

okfoz

THere are several threads similar on this topic. What was your first third Gen, How did you get your car. I just cant see how this relates to Third Gen history... If someone could clue me in I will unlock it, OR if any other Mod or Admin feels that there is relevant information which chould be gathered from this I will re-open it or they can re-open it.

Sorry.

John

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

Re-opened. Nothing wrong with this.

gcgarner

If it weren't for these guys and their stories, there would be no third-gen history.

kizz

iTrader: (1)

my family moved to the U.S. in 1984 when I was 8 years old, and .. you guessed, it, Knight Rider. The show went away and I almost didn't notice, but after high school graduation I was like "hey.. those cars in that show.. I want one" and got my 85 basebird, then the rest is history.

gcgarner

Kizz ...

Couldn't help but notice you're from Fletcher. I used to live in Asheville, and I am now just an hour down the road in Morganton. Some of my good friends live in Fletcher.

Would you be interested in knowing about any Pontiac shows/gatherings in the area? I am a member of Carolina Classic Pontiacs. Most of the stuff that goes on is around the Charlotte area, but they hold some events up this way every now and then.

Didn't mean to hijack, just don't like PM 'cause sometimes I forget to read mine.

On with the falling in love with the third gens ...

Mainehunter

Well it looks like I'm the odd man out here

I was born in '90, so yes the 3rd generation was still being made but I don't remember it. However, the thing that actually got me into the 3rd Generation Trans Am was re-runs of Knight Rider, which I vaguely remember watching when I was 4 or 5 years old. I liked the look of the car but I had no idea what it was, so fast forward about 8 years and my mom's friend was telling me about this car she used to own one time (you guess it, 3rd Gen Firebird, black and gold). My mom and her always told me that I begged my mom's friend for a ride in it but I have no memory of it. Anyway, I started researching and turns out it was the car I loved from when I was a little kid (even though it was before my time even then). Now I'm looking into getting one next spring... The End for now, until theres gonna be a sequel

87 formy

I can't believe how many of you guys got into these cars from nightrider

For me, it was my dad. Back in 1990 he bought an '87 formula, I was two at the time. I don't remember him getting it or anything, but I do remember thinking it was the fastest/most bad *** car ever when I was about four or five. For a long time it was the only car I'd ever seen that vibrated the ground when it pulled up. I loved the t-tops and everything about the car. I used to get mad at him when he would pull off the 16" wheels for 15's in the winter I remember sitting in the back seat pissed off for a car ride

Eventually when I was about eleven so the car was in bad shape, hanging outside during winter and being driven daily took its toll. It had rusty doors and quarter panels, a dent in the fender from a dumb lady in a parking lot, and the interior was a complete mess. My dad talked about junking it and I wouldn't hear it. After a summer of telling him that he he should restore it like the '63 buick special, he finally caved in. Fall of '99 we started restoring it. Took our time, tore it apart, fixed it up (him doing most of the work and me hanging out). I don't know if this was planned or not, but the next year he agreed to give it to me

We continued to work on it slowly, we didn't do much in the winters due to cold, and made some slow progress due to a lack of funds towards it and a couple of problems. Next thing I know I turn 17, get my license on my birthday, and the car isn't quite ready yet So they stuck me with a 95 Dakota that was sitting in the yard, totaled around 2000 with a new engine, frame straightened and body completely repaired/repainted by my dad, I think I've gotten just as many compliments on this thing as my firebird. So, I drove that my junior year of high school (everyone knowing I had a firebird for several years now) while we finished it up.

Summer came and after much anticipation, I got to take it for a ride...While a few stalls made it less fun than expected, I quickly discovered that I could give it a little gas and spin the tires with little to no effort. I was hooked!

I guess I'll wrap it up. I drove it into school the first three days of my senior year loving every second of it, until the third day I noticed the *** next to me opened up a door into mine and dented it due to my molding delete. Got it pushed out and didn't drive it to school again till the last day when I came in late, showed it off, and bailed out before anyone could crash into it (someone already had hit my truck, so I was scared). The car now sits in our garage looking pretty. We both drive it around and mess around with it on nice weekend days now. I don't know if I'd get another one, but I'll have this one forever, assuming I can talk my dad into fixing it if something bad were to happen

IROCZ28KevinZ

iTrader: (2)

When I was younger, I remember these folks up the road had a blue and silver Trans Am, unsure of year but it was an 85-90. I used to love watching that car fly up and down the street.

Fast forward to high school. Dude in my senior class got a early-80s Firebird coupe, 2.8 and all. It had t-tops. I decided then and there the car must have t-tops everything else was not important.

When my time came to get a car, I had done more looking, and decided I wanted a Camaro, with the 85-90 Z28 gfx, and a 305 TPI with t tops. I found an 88 SC that the guy had put a 1985 305 TPI in. Boy that car was nice but the wiring was a mess. Cost nearly $1000 to fix but when it was done, that thing ran liked a raped ape. It's too bad it came from MA where I grew up, the body might have been in better shape. I'm currently getting ready to part it out.

When I found out that there was a Camaro vert from 87-92, I wanted one. Never realized that I would get one eventually. Found my 1991 Z28 convertible about 50 or so miles from me on this site. Looked at it in person, fell in love, and drove it home. I find that chics tend to like my car.

Just this past monday, I bought a 1987 Trans Am GTA with a 350 that needs some work. It runs and drives though, so I plan on enjoying the crap outta that 350 and fixing it up as time goes on.

I LOVE THIRDGENS!!!

WarlordATF

I have pictures of me in 1972-3 as a toddler playing in my Moms 57 Chevy and 65 Mustang, My Grandfather had a awsome 68 Corvette and my uncles had a 67 GTO and a 70 Nova. My family introduced me to Muscle Cars at a young age.

I was a teenager in the 80s, one buddy had an IROC and another had a Firebird, I spent alot of time riding around with them and I thought both were pretty cool, Smokey and the Bandit and Knight Rider were childhood favorites so i've always loved both bodystyles.

I was into Mustangs, My first car was a 74 Mustang II 4 banger, then a 79 6-cyl Mustang and when that died i was given a 79 Thunderbird with a 302.

The bug bit me this year, a couple months ago i bought a 87 Sport Coupe with a 305 and i love this car. The more i drive it the more i find it to be a better designed car than the Stang in so many ways. I love the sound, the look and here in Florida its drivable weather all year.

Forgive me but i am still in the early stages of addiction, tinkering every chance i get, Staying up half the night reading thirdgen.org and other f-body sites. I have alot of work ahead of me, So many things i want to do, but this car offers so much more potential, its true love.

VAN454

1982, Knight Rider I was 6 at the time and I have wanted a third-gen Trans Am ever since. But here in Australia they are rare and not cheap, but 3 March 2007 I got my first Trans Am, an 88 GTA LB9. I love it and it turns heads like you can't imagine here. It was worth the 25 year wait for me

Stratocaster25

I was thinking the same thing. I was old enough to watch the show when it was on, but for some reason I never got into it. I was all about Voltron and Transformers at that age.

Anyways, keep these stories coming. I love reading about how everybody got into these cars. Each one takes me back to when I first fell in love with them!

Gunner823

iTrader: (2)

Voltron and Transformers were all I cared about back then, except for the talking near-indestructible black Trans Am that could do 200mph and jump. I mean, come on....it was right up most kids' alleys! Robots transforming into cars, Lion Robots transofrming into giant sword-wielding robots, talking, superfast invincible cars....Ahhh, the 80s were a great time to be a kid.

1991Formula350

I was at a stop light with my late brother back in '88 and a black '88 or '89 Pontiac Formula pulled up next to us and it caught my attention. My brother told me he just rec'd a magazine with that car and the Camaro and when we got home he gave it to me. I still have it and that is how I got caught on on the third gens. Andrew

Spitzfiya

AHHHH you didnt just say that about Thirdgens?

Still faster then probly %70 of mainstream cars today (I made that up)

Spitzfiya

I must say I used to love Third Gen Camaro's alot more because of the headlights and hood louvers but ever since i got my GTA I honestly belive I could not own a better looking third gen, I've hit the wall with this one

Everything from the body kit, low stance to the emblems and the name...just shaaaweet.

Pyroviking

iTrader: (4)

My senior year in high school ('90-'91), I talked my parents into letting me buy a brown 2-tone '85 T/A WS6 T-top 5-speed that a friend had for sale. I was pretty heavily into Mustangs prior to that, but I had ridden in the T/A a bunch of times and loved it. I got a killer deal on it, too.

Anyway, I drove that car from when I was 17-21. I have so many great memories from that time period with that car. Sadly, I was too young to really respect it and drove it into the ground I was lucky to get $1,000 for her when I traded her in on a '94 Mustang GT conv. The Mustang was fun, but never gave me the same satisfaction that I had with my old 3rd-gen.

I started looking for another 3rd-gen around '99, but didn't find the perfect one until '01. Aside from a few minor drivetrain/suspension mods, she was perfectly stock with 70K original miles and in near perfect shape. My favorite thing about driving her around my home town is that it triggers so many great memories that I may have never thought of again. I have a huge grin on my face right now just writing about it.

ccook-92-305

in the early 00's when i was 12-13 one of my friends brothers had a red thirdgen and i loved it. then i saw the movie Black Dog with Partick Swayze and Randy Travis and after watchin that blue thirdgen slide all over the place, jump, and beat the crap out of that monte, i wanted one.

When I was 14 I found my 1992. It was '03 and cars like mine were goin for 6,500-7k (RS, T-tops, red on black, 305, auto, Z28 wheels, all the power options except the seat, 100% stock 42,000 miles. The thing had never been out in the snow or rain 0 body rust and the old guy only wanted 6k for it! I was the fifth person to get there in the first week it was on the market and me and my dad and i bought it that nite.

The the never ending journey of "need more power" began...

Spitzfiya

Cool stories

rockit

iTrader: (3)

love the thread guys

dunno how old i was, but when i was a little kid my dad always tried to get me into cars, he was more successful at making me stubborn like himself, and i hated cars for a long time. after endless car shows that i really hated, i saw a commercial for sears tools, saw this guy working on a car that was yellow with black stripes, so i asked my dad what kind of car it was, and it was 69 camaro SS. This was the first car i ever liked on sight, probably alot of people out there that feel the same way about the 1st gens.So in anycase, i'm 16 years old helping my dad haul some scrap metal out of this guys barn, and sitting in the field and behind the barn is a 92 camaro rs heritage edition. That car ended up being the first car i bought and the first car i did alot of bad and good things to, i still own it to this day 5 yrs later, but i've had ten other thirdgens in that time, including the 87 gta 350 i own now, and the 85 t/a i'm about to put on the road!
A lil oldschool, a lil new school, still sharp looking with good potential and great personality, perfect cars for me, i'm in for life. though i do want to build a fiero some day.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

It was 1982. I'd just laid my eyes on the brand new, third generation Z28. Its styling swept me away! I knew I had to have one, so I got one!

It was black and silver. And at $13,000, my dad was like, "that cost more than my first house!"

I only had it that one year, but I have a pic of it in "My Garage."

TurbomanKnight

Well, I grew up seeing these cars all around New York City. I'm 17 right now, so I cant tell you about the 80s. Back when I was younger these cars never appealed to me. I was just a kid that knew a lot of car names, but I dont remember ever pointing out a Camaro or a Trans Am. I was 5 when I was turned on to "Knight Rider" reruns. I was in love with that show. For some reason, the show was taken off the air. Fast Forward to 2002. I was 11 going on to 12 and I was flipping through the channels and I saw "Knight Rider" on the listing. I immediately flipped to SciFi and watched it. From then, I was hooked... again. And I looked up Knight Rider on the internet a few weeks after that and found a whole online community dedicated to the show. I joined. I then found out that there were people replicating the car.

From then on, I looked further and further into it. I was really planning on making a replica. I read about the 82 Trans Am. I then begged my dad to let me buy a Firebird. But of course, I got the "you're too young to have a car" speech. I was still 14 at the time. By then, I was still reading about Third Gens. I spent most of my free time researching. I even collected parts for the replica. Then, slowly I started to favor the later Third Gens specially the GTA. The sleek lines, the GFX, the digital dash and the look of that TPI. Searched and searched for a GTA, but they were too expensive and I was still too young to even have a car. Afterwards, I started to get into Camaros. By then I was 15 going on 16 dying for a Camaro. I still couldnt get one since I was too young and my dad had his POS Wrangler sitting in the backyard. When I convinced him to sell it again. We put it up on Craigslist. I even said, "Let's put; Willing to Trade for Camaro or Firebird in the listing." He shrugged it off and said whatever. So I did that. Then one day, he gets a call. I had just woke up and was so out of it. I heard him ask if it was a V8 and thats all that told me "F**K yeah! I'm getting a Camaro" He told me someone called him about a 4Runner to trade. I knew it was BS since I didnt put trades for anything else.

That following Saturday January 7, 2007. A guy named John came in his 92 Camaro RS to look at my dad's Wrangler. He checked it out. He liked what he saw. Then I looked at the Camaro. I fell in love with it. It was a Camaro with a V8 and it looked great! Before I recieved the car, the starter went as he claimed. After some bs with the deal, I took posession of it on January 31st, 2007. It was still too cold to wash it. So it sat in my Garage with roadsalt still on it until March. Changed the starter, the flywheel and the ignition module and she was running great after that.

I wanted an IROC or a GTA with TPI so by the middle of May 07 I put the car up for sale. Sold it on July 06,2007, a day before my 17th Birthday. With cash in my hand, I looked desperately for an IROC or GTA. I missed out on a few cars due to me selling the car a tad too late. (by a week!) So I searched and kept on searching for a car with TPI. Then I remembered one day that Long Island has their own Craigslist. I checked it out and saw a 95 Trans Am 'Vert listed that needed a clutch for $1500. I called verified that the price was correct. Then, made some arrangements to go look at the car. The next day had my dad drive me out 75 miles into Long Island to look at it. It was an LT1/T56/3:42 G80. Left a deposit and came back 2 days later on a Friday to pick it up. I was happy with the price I got it for. However, It was just never right. The car felt really odd to me. I'm a big guy with long hair so the thought of me in a 'Vert just didnt fit with me. Clutch was toast so all I did was just get it into my garage and thats where it sat from, July to Nov. I did absolutely nothing to the car. I spent all my money buying it. And had nothing let over to fix it. I was too busy with school to have a job. So it sat. I put it up for sale Aug 07. My dad was pissed at me for wanting to sell it. Since it was newer and it was more good looking to him. Well, I didnt care. My true love is Third Gens. So, I entertained some offers. And finally let it go for $2500 in Nov 07. I made $1000 on the deal. Pretty good for a car I didnt so squat to.

After that, it was settled. IROC or GTA! I spent about a month looking and didnt find anything. So, I decided to go back to my first love.. The MKIII Toyota Supra! I looked and found one that needed work. It appealed to me the most because this specific car was a 89 with Targa Top, had a metal headgasket installed and had a Upgraded Turbo. Of course it was a 5 speed. So I was set. I was gonna spend $1200 on it. Well... the day I was gonna leave the house to go buy it, I checked craigslist one last time. Looked up "IROC" instead of "Camaro" in the search bar. And there it was... an 1988 IROC-Z listed for $1000 that same day. I called the guy immediately. And it was still there. I begged my dad to take me but it was int he Bronx so my dad didnt want to drive that far. Pissed me off. That whole week I was calling the guy. By then, he changed the listing to "1988 Camaro IROC-Z" so people were seeing it. He also lowered it to $900. I said "F**K THIS!" and made sure my dad was taking me first thing Saturday morning. We went. Looked at it. Needed work. Took it for a test drive and the torque it had! Oh man... I had to have it. 350 TPI with HEaders and 3" Exhaust! I was comfortable spending $900 on it, but my dad asked the guy for his best price and he said "$800". And I just screamed "DEAL!" I was thrilled as hell. I still cant believe the price I got.


Oh, and my dad owned a few 2nd gens in the 80s. He also had a 87 Z28 back in '89. So it's kinda nostalgic for him.

oldtimer

1982! I was still in high school and used to read all the car magazines I could get my hands on. I remember Motor Trend making it Car of the Year, and other flattering articles on the intro of the 3rd gen. I still have the magazines. I bought a new 82 Z in late September of 82. White with maroon interior, 4 speed manual and t tops. Like an idiot, I sold it in 84. I never stopped missing the car, however. Over the years, I had several near misses with other 3rd gens--new and used. I even ran across my old car in 89, but didn't have the cash to buy it back. I finally bought a decent 88 IROC last summer. It is white also, with the gray interior, tpi 305, auto, and 160k miles. I love this old junker! Even though its been way over 20 years, the car is instantly familiar, and seems like I've had it all along. Let me note that I have also had 2 LS1 4th gen cars (98 and 00 models) and sold both of them. Great cars, for sure, but somehow lacking in soul compared to the outgoing 3rd gen cars. Oldtimer.

87IROCZCamro

I was born in '92 and I fell in love with these cars about 4 years ago... so when I was 11. I had a lot of opportunity's to get other cars but declined all of them, even a corvette to have my camaro. Call me crazy but I did

Cadillac

Dated a gal named Julia in college who had a second gen "Esprit". Many years and a family later, I see this base Firebird convertible and the name came to mind.

She's come a long way since.

kizz

iTrader: (1)

I'd be interested in knowing (about Pontiac events in Western NC), but I'm rarely there. I drive 18-wheeler all over the country I'm home less than a week every couple months lately.

GT

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Bought my first Trans AM in September 1982. It was a white WS7 T-top car with the 305 4 barrel, manual trans. It was silver with a black interior. Had 7 miles on the odometer. Knight Rider was on the tube, and a female co-worker, freshly divoriced, had just bought a new 82 T/A, black, T-tops, with the bowling ball hub caps. She let me drive it one day, and I was hooked. We had two kids at the time and already owned a custom van as our primary vehicle, so I was able to con the wife into a "small car", well it was 1982! The new T/A lasted one week. It drowned in a flood. Got washed down the river, and ended up upside down in 30 feet of water. The t-tops save me, as I popped the driver's top and bailed off the car just before it sank. I used the insurance pay-off to buy number two, also a WS7, t-top, but this time an automatic. What a pile of junk! It stayed in the shop more then we had it, and in September I traded for a new Ramcharger SUV. A month later I could not stand not having a thirdgen, so I bought number 3. It was also new, also an 83, Got it in October 83 during the year-end clearence sale. It was a standard model with t-tops, and it lived in my garage until 2003. Like a dummy, I sold it in 2003 with 41K actual miles on it, and have been sorry ever since. Number 4 came along last year for my 51st birthday. I had lucked onto an 86 WS6, T-top car, one owner, garage kept car with 27K on the clock. I kept talking about it, and the wife bought it for me. Thirdgens forever, or until I die!

Spitzfiya

Haha stories like this make me grin...nice score

hotrodder89

Well the first time I can remember seeing an f body was watching smokey and the bandit and i wanted it well I was about 5-6 was it was just a dream
when I turned 14 I started looking for a car a friend gave me 1984 ford van that i had until I was 17 when I got my 79 f250 it was a good pickup but not a looker if ya know what I mean. I drove it till November 2007 when my girlfriend said she thought this red car by a truck lot/auto shop looked good
well a couple weeks later we broke up and she was telling me how her new boyfriend was so much better and that he was buying that red car for her well I had 2500 I had saved and since she was trying so hard to **** me off I should return the favor by buying the car out from under them so I went to talk to the guy I asked how much he wanted for the Camaro outside (hoping that I didn't look stupid if it turned out to be a Firebird) he said 2000 so I asked to look at it, it turned out to be a 1988 Camaro Iroc-Z28 I said I'd give him 1800 cash and he said deal and gave me the keys and told me to take it out for a test drive and do some dough nuts before we made it final (I remember thinking yeah like this pos can even do a burnout) it was cold out so I babied it down the highway to see how it handled and to get it warmed up well it got warm so I turned around to go back to and I decided to try to do a doughnut the pavement was dry and I cranked the wheels and laid it to the floor well it threw me back in the seat and broke out a 360 I pulled off the road thinkin HOLY SH*T I took it back and gave the 1800 for it and as I was leaving my ex and her boyfriend were pullin in so I honked and waved as I powerslid around the corner. The look on her face was worth every penny of that 1800-lol Well I parked the car at my dads because it didn't have tags or insurance and was useless on ice and snow in the mean time I just read alot about the car and tried to learn as much as possible about third gens then when gas went to 4.15 a gallon last may I decided to start driving it well since then I decide to get it painted put a new interior in it, my 5000watt stereo, a new 350 crate engine, and either a t5 or a t56 so far I've bought the stuff for a t5 swap and have the interior about half finished and the new engine and paint will be here by spring it will be painted the stock red with the lower trim in silver with 2 silver strips going down the middle and a black interior, as far as engine bay it will be cleaned up and done in metalic red (block, valve covers, inner fenders, firewall, the 650cfm holly double pumper, and anything else that isn't chrome) with steel braided lines on everything and then to top it all off a set of chrome iroc rims wrapped in goodyear eagle F1 245/50/r16's still a long ways to go but as much as I love this car it will be worth it the only thing I'd trade it for is a really nice smokey and the bandit replica trans-am and maybe not even then, so what do ya think of my vision for the camaro?

Sully89Firebird

i was born in 92 so i am a bit young but my uncle had a 1989 trans am when i was a kid and i always loved how fast and how much class it had. so when i turned 16 this summer i looked for the perfect tirdgen. i worked all summer and saved 2,000 so i bought a bueatiful 1989 firebird formula 305 TPI, from a guy. i love it and it is the only one around for miles. PERFECT FIRST CAR