History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
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The idea first started with the 2nd gens, a prototype made, but never produced for the public. 3rd gens got the idea again, but again, it never made it past the prototype stage & was never sold to the public. There was even a 4th gen Kammback built for the Hot Rod Power Tour one year.
They would be fairly simple to make, since it is merely the hatch that was changed. I'm almost surprised no place has ever stepped up & made those hatches, for public sale.
Very cool car.... I got to sit in it once at Road Atlanta. Started life as an '85 Trans Am; the interior is all '85 with the optional RECARO seats. Converted to "GTA" status at some point after the GTAs were introduced in '87.... but the T/A fenders with vents remain. There is a B/W photo of the car with the GTA appearance but still sporting the original N90 Hi-Tech 16-inch rims.
I haven't been able to find out when the car was converted so far or if it is the same one that was featured on the cover of Motor Trend in '85. I really doubt it was, as that car was blue/silver and I don't necessarily see a car like that as having a beige interior. But who knows? There were two examples built for prospective production and for the press coverage, but only the "GTA" remains.
As I recall, the hatch was a bolt-on deal. There was a "beauty molding" around it as well. Personally, I always liked it.
__________________ Frankie Rider, 2 The GTA Source Page
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I still think that car is awesome. I too am surprised it hasn't been made yet. Maybe someone should contact LEER and let them know they need to start making it. If not, I'll probably end up doing it myself one day...
Mods so far: MSD Cap and rotor, MSD ignition coil, Accel 8.8mm ignition wires, Hooker Super Comp Shortie Headers, Flowmaster 3in catback, underdrive crank pulley, custom cold air intake, NOS wet 125 shot, air foil and a lead foot! no E/T's yet. ...TURBO COMING SOON...Other mods include keyless entry and remote start, and Sequential Turn Signals.
It's a definite business opportunity for a supplier who's already tooled up for such things, such as Leer. There are still quite a lot of 3gens out there on the streets. Plus it would be good if it had a CHMSL and a little wiper option.
Wouldn't it be cool to have a wagon hatch and also a notch hatch to go along with the glass, that way you could switch to a different one every couple months and have a new looking car every time you switch. Later.
I never liked the hurst hauler as much as the GTA Kamback. The Hauler's hatch seems to not fit it well, its too "square" for the 4th gen... The Kamback can get away with OEM, the Hauler cannot...
Mods so far: MSD Cap and rotor, MSD ignition coil, Accel 8.8mm ignition wires, Hooker Super Comp Shortie Headers, Flowmaster 3in catback, underdrive crank pulley, custom cold air intake, NOS wet 125 shot, air foil and a lead foot! no E/T's yet. ...TURBO COMING SOON...Other mods include keyless entry and remote start, and Sequential Turn Signals.
I think I have photos somewhere of both 2nd and third gen Kammbacks. All four versions. The 78, which was then converted to a 79 front clip. And the 85 TA which was then converted to the GTA spec. If people are interested I can scan and post them.
I for one would like to see more details or larger pictures if he has them.
Don't know if there are detail shots...don't remember. But the car I'm talking about might be the same one as above. Or it could be a different one all together. All I know is there were at least two versions of the third gen Kammback. One is all red like the one in the first post. The other is Black or Dark Blue with silver or white GFX. If I recall there may have been another one that was white. My laptop just got put back into commission maybe I'll see if I can find the photos and scan them in.
Reminds me of a 1987 Nissan Pulsar NX I had - they had an optional wagon hatch you could get. It was a T-Top car, and it was also designed to remove the hatch easily for a daily drive - remove the hatch and the T-tops, and you had an "almost convertible". But I never had a garage, and I only did it once - was a real PITA getting that hatch up the stairs and in the door of my 3rd story apartment!
I like them too. Then I would be able to use my bird as a work vehicle if needed. Or as mentioned before... Road trips, or trips to the Pick N Pull. This could be very handy.
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88 Firebird Formula 350 89k miles 13.1 @ 105... 1.8 60ft W/ low compression in 2 cylinders and smaller cam... Superram- Trickflow AL Heads- 268XFI *3290 LBS*
To Do List: Tranny (#3), Rearend (#3), Paint... Then DONE!!!
The Kammback idea has been around since the 70's. Pictures are as close as google.
Actually they are closer. Look for Heritage Center Visit by me on this board. There are two photos or three of the car in that thread I think. Along with the Banshee.
I can't believe anyone would want these. I wouldn't want to use my third gens for hauling crap around in the first place. It's cool as a one off type of car/concept vehicle but I'd hate to see these things driving around in mass. It flat out goes against what the F-Body was designed to be. (Sports coupe for those who seem to have forgotten that.) F-Body cars are not about hauling cargo, or towing things, or working like a Eltruckminobird or whatever the hell some people try to turn them into. It's a car designed to look good, handle well, and offer excellent performance for their time. If you need your third gen car to carry that much crap, you should probably look into something more practical and versatile rather than turn a Firebird or Camaro into a station wagon.
Black_knight, I agree with you. I find it interesting that GM researched, marketed and built some. It reminds me of the mistubishi brat. Trying to fit too many functions into one vehicle. Why would somebody buy an F-body wagon? Even with that said, I think GM made the TA wagon look pretty good. Not sure a Camaro wagon would be as easy on the eyes.