I've seen this car driving around locally. It looks like it's in good condition! Hopefully someone here is interested in it. http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/981907136.html

that is a very rare color! Jamaica Yellow!

I like that color! Is it Trans Am or Formula? I thought Trans Ams had leather seats and power driver's seats.

Is this a 305 or 350 car?

It's a 350. Looks like a good deal to me.

Interesting that the ad states GTA, it is actually a Trans Am. Being a T/A makes it more rare than if it was a GTA with the L98 (350)...

I would be interested if I lived closer... Love yellow

Don't let distance keep you from a rare toy!!

I found a 69 Z28 in Sacramento, CA in 1999 and shipped it to MN. I also found an 86 Olds 442 in York, PA, but I decided to drive that one home.

now only if it had a stick and a T roof I would fly from where I am in KS and drive it back for another car. Mom wouldn't be too happy though. We already have enough cars in the driveway. Though some we are going to get rid of.

Scott,
I drove from MI to Asheville NC to get my Formula 350 Vert, I know about going out of my way for getting that dream car. I would like a Yellow Trans Am, GTA or Formula 350 with T-tops, BUt I doubt it will ever happen. Dreaming is tons cheaper than doing, I already have to get my wife's Yellow Formula LB9/M5 car running...

L965speed,
You will never find that car with a Stick and T-tops and an L98.

in 1991 & 1992 only the Formula was available with T-tops and a 350, and there was never an L98 F-body with a Stick. (not new unchanged from the factory)

You and a thousand other people.

JOhn

Nope. My 1992 Trans AM convertible with the factory 305TPI/5speed came with cloth interior. So did my '88 Trans AM.

JT,

Thanks for the clarification.

Looks like its in prettty good shape and unmolested (except for aftermarket CD) for 144K. If it were a real GTA, it would be tempting but more miles than I would like.

ONLY the GTA got one seat, to the best of my recolection all other models had two seat options.

John

Okfoz
I already know I can't get the L98 with a stick LOL i read the sticky. But one can only hope that maybe a back door copy left the factory with one. Not. LOL. There are times when I wish that GM was not so insistent that the Corvette must be top dog.......among other reasons for why they didn't do it. Maybe they were scared by the TTA as well.....

I knew it was wistful thinking on my part. As for T-tops only Formulas had them in 92? That doesn't seem to click.

John meant only the Formula (no GTA or Trans AM) could get the 350 with T-tops in 1992.

It was one of those bizar things, and really not bizar once you start thinking about options and doing research. So many times I have read where people assumed that the reason why T-tops and the L98 were so uncommon was the structural integrity of the car. As it turned out the limitations put on the L98 was not the structural integrity of the car, it actually had to do with Fuel economy. The confusion comes in with the M5 transmission, there the torque of the L98 exceeded the limitations that Borg & Warner placed on the transmission therefore they opted not to install a Manual Trans with it. Other things like Convertible engine limitations were not due to structural integrity but with fuel efficency. THUS why Pontiac did not offer a convertible thru RPO's like Chevrolet, the Trans Am is a heavier car than an IROC... Pure & simple...

Therefore in 1991 & 1992 since the Formula was the lightest of the cars when you paired it with the black cross laced wheels, it ended up being the only car to actually get the L98 & T-top combo...

John

If I had the cash I would be on my way to get her !!!

Why was a 1992 Trans Am heavier than a 1992 IROC?

More luxury I believe and different end pieces. I know the Pop ups add weight. Beyond that I am not really sure. Options make all the difference I've seen Irocs weighing more than Trans Ams so I don't know.

I had not thought about the pop up lights.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/hi...m-service.html

Yea theres more to it than the Pop ups though. I was looking at Curb weights and it seems the Firebird was heavier overall. An example that I came across was the 88 Iroc being lighter than a Formula with a 5.0 and a 5 speed. That could be a misprint because the Iroc had a 5.7 and an auto.

hmmm, may be taking a little road trip to complete the collection! Need Yellow...

your assuming the GTAs will be more valuable than a Trans Am. I'm thinking out loud here, but who is to say the TA will become more valuable than a GTA.
Not sure what the numbers are, but i'm curious on production numbers on the two models between 1987-1992.

Plus, the TA came with all the hi-po engines without the added weight of the GTA.

Looks like it could be a one owner car.

The license plate frames are from a local Pontiac dealer that shut down last year and the car has its original license plates.

I've driven by that dealer a few times but I haven't seen the car in the lot. Maybe I'll stop by and take a look at it. I've seen the car driving around locally a few times over the past few years and couldn't believe there was a yellow '92 driving around.

1) there was no 1992 IROC, there was a Z28, but I assume it was a typo.
2) The Trans Am or GTA had more options typically than an IROC, or Z28, The Pontiac's were a slight step up from a Chevy. A long time ago Harley Earl (not sure his exact spelling) but he was the President of GM. The way they positioned the cars was "Chevrolet was for the Poor, Pontiac was for the Poor but proud" So typically Pontiacs were slightly nicer because they were slightly more expensive. In the end Trans Am's, GTA's, Formulas etc, even if the cars appeared to be identical, even if all they did was re-badge the cars one for Chevy, one for Pontiac, the Pontiac would still be heavier, even with the same options. As it turns out Pontiacs get more sound insulation.

1992 Camaro 3105#, Vert 3220#
1992 Firebird 3146#, Vert 3280#

1992 Cavalier 2-Door 2509# Vert 2617#
1992 Sunbird 2-door 2519# Vert 2694#

1992 Beretta 2649#
1992 Gran Am (2 Door) 2727#

Year for year this is almost always the case... The Cavalier & Sunbird is actually be best example for 1992 IIRC they were identical, I think they used the same panels, hood, doors, bumpers, Glass, even the headlights this year was the same, or very close to being the same. This was a true rebadge. The Sunbird GT however did have pop up headlights... But these weights are for the base car.

John

Pontiac Trans Am and esp. the GTAs were not just heaver and more expensive, they were designed for upper income males with college degrees. These folks, Pontiac claimed, wanted a more sophisticated interior (upscale gauges)...better seats (GTA seats) and a softer ride. The same white collar buyer wanted a mono color scheme and less flashy spoilers.

I say this based on a old magazine article i have which breaks down the average age, income and education level of buyers for Trans Ams and IROC-Zs. I believe the article was published in 1987.

If you think about it, the IROC and GTA are quite different and designed for two market pools.

Case in Point I remember the Music Director of my High School drove a White GTA. He was in his 40's or 50's... He was also my JV Golf Coach.

John

Unless I'm mistaken, it actually IS a Firebird. Trans Ams have the air vents in the fender.

Actually, the Trans Am started out as an option package way back in 1969. It became a model in it's own right starting in 1970. And it is more than just vents in the fenders. lol. I believe the last time that it was actually a model with a separate vin code and etc was sometime during the third gen run. I remember reading something someplace about the fact that the Trans Am went back into an option package style deal somewhere along the line. Somebody correct me if I am wrong but I do recall reading something about the Trans Am fading back into an option for the Firebird. This might be my last post for about two weeks so I might not be able to back it up. Travelling to Egypt, hmm I wonder if I will see a third gen there.........

Well, I know that wasn't the ONLY thing separating them... That's just the most obvious...

this is true. I was just pointing out a brief BS history of it

You're mistaken. Starting with the 'new' body style in 1991 (nose, gfx, etc) the fender vents went away.

Not to mention that the RPO sticker for this Trans AM was posted here:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/hi...m-service.html

And it does have the WS4 RPO

All Trans Am's from 1982 to 2002 had a different VIN, they used the Serial number from the Firebird, BUT they were all "W", Firebirds were all "S"

IE from 1987+ 1G2FS for Firebirds & Formulas, 1G2FW for Trans Am's and GTA's

I just learned however that starting in 1993 the Formula and Trans Am were FV cars and the Firebird was FS... Therefore there was nothing discriminating the TA from a Formula on the VIN...

John

Look at my sig pic. Mine is a '92 T/A.

The car looks clean enough....

Heck, $5k for what looks like a clean body w/ no rust and a fair interior? ...not to mention an L98 car.

I'd think that's a steal!?! Esp for some planning to keep the car long term.

In a couple years this will be "the one that got away."

I stand corrected! Thank you very much!

(Learn somethin' new every day! )

Ok, who purchased the car? Apprently someone just drove off the lot.

I'm a little miffed......I put a deposit on the car first thing this morning and have been working on shipping and price all day.

It's a one owner original paint car.

Oh well, not like I really need another one....Hopefully it went to a good home!!! Sure would have looked good next to the yellow Formy.

t-towner,

How can they sell the car to someone else when you put a deposit on the car? A deposit should hold the car for you.

You'd think they wouldn't and that's what the guy told me..... but hey, what are they going to do.... a guy walks in with cash and a guy half way across the country has a deposit on the car, of which he's never seen? They were guaranteed a no trouble sale with cash in hand. Didn't matter what I said it was still a greater risk.

I've bought several cars that already had a deposit place on 'em. It's just a game. Win some, loose some. There's always another around the corner.

I just hope it goes to a good home. Whoever bought it....good job and please identify yourself.

T-Towner...wow...

I'm sad and happy to announce that I bought that car! They told me no deal was finalized. I wired them the money and they said it's mine. Happened just a few hours ago.

I'm sorry that I "snatched" it so to say from you but rest assured it is defintely going to a good home.

Wow what a coincedence! Once again, I did not know you were trying to get it, they said it was still for sale. Hope there's no hard feelings.

A big thanks to 82FirebirdTA for posting this thread.

Mark

Can we gather a breakdown for production numbers again on JY cars for 92.
As per our last thread we had a number of 26, but were not sure if those were Formulas or all Firebirds.
I personally have never seen a JY 92 TA that was not a GTA, and especially an L98 car. The only other one is Leo's but that is a GTA isn't it?

John???

Congrats on the purchase! I'm glad someone who knows what it is purchased it! Please post some pictures when it is in your possession.

More than happy to oblige. I plan on some real nice shots in the Spring with all 3 cars in the "Stoplight" Formation. That would be Red, Yellow, Green...now that I finally have a Yellow car to add the to Red 92 and the Green 91.

And maybe someday I'll have almost as many as Greg... (t-towner)

Mark, as I think they say on B-J, "well bought". Looks like it was in good condition. It's good that someone here on TGO did end up with the car. After Greg's (t_towner) comment about it getting driven off the lot, I thought someone local bought the car for a driver not knowing what it was.

Congratulations on the purchase.

Thanks JT. Like Greg said, it is a one-owner, local car. The husband died and the wife put it on consignment. I am planning on contacting her through the dealer and see what paperwork if any I can get from her. I have not seen the car in person but I swear it does not look like 144K miles! It just doesn't.

It's funny what you say about it being driven off the lot, as per Greg. I had the same thoughts all day long today, I just imagined a kid buying it because it's cool looking and wanting to modify it. Don't get me wrong, I am all about modified cars, but not for this car. There are many more common colors and cars out there to modify. There were only 190 L98 non-GTA Trans Ams built in 1992, and I just realized that I own 2 of them...wow

Mark, first off....Congrats! It couldn't go to a better home and I feel much better about the situation.

This is so funny! Yesterday morning, against my better judgment, I called and inquired about the car, just for the heck of it. Like Mark, I found out it was a one owner car that was very clean and original. After learning the story I just couldn't let some kid take it off the lot and tear it up.

My mistake...the initial offer was a tad too low, even with a deposit. Yesterday afternoon he called and asked if I was going to purchase it today....I told him "yes" and if he needed payment right now he could just put it on the credit card. I now smelled another deal and told him I wanted it regardless. It's kind of funny.... I wouldn't take "no" until I spoke to the owner of the dealership about the situation. After putting that much effort into the deal I was bent on owning the car unless it was physically gone off the lot. The guy finally said, I'm sorry but the car is not here anymore.

You have a great story to go with a great car. Can't wait for a full shot of pictures. The internet is amazing.

Greg, this is what I love about this hobby, the people and the stories. You're right, this car now has a story to go along with it on top of the fact that it is an ultra rare ultra clean car and a one owner to boot.

I like how we all had the same thought, we needed to preserve this car.

I spoke with 3 different people yesterday and they all promised to call me back very soon but didn't so I kept thinking about the car and decided to keep raising my offer. I, just like Greg, started low hoping that they didn't know what they had, but the concept of losing this car over a couple hundred bucks was just unacceptable, so by late afternoon I just called them and said give me the car and that's it.

What a small world.

Congrats Mark,

It will definatately make a nice addition to your collection...

I find it really interesting how already people are almost FIGHTING over 3rd Gens, and then you have people make comments that they will never be worth anything...

I was REALLY close to calling on it too... Glad you got it, at least I know where it is...

John

congrats on the purchase