Philly89Iroc

I just bought a 1982 MSE Trans Am, which I think is #55 of 300 according to the plate in the center console from my next door neighbor, the car's original owner. It is in excellent condition since it has been sitting in a garage most of its life and it only has 27,000 miles on it. Original paint looks like showroom quality, interior isn't worn and under the hood is very clean. However, the last time it was running was 5-7 years ago when my neighbor moved in and drove it into the garage. The last time it was on the road was the year 2000 according to my neighbor, the inspection stickers are from 1999 as well. Nothing mechanically or cosmetically wrong with it, the previous owner only drove it sporadically since purchasing it new in 1982 and when he moved in next door he never drove it again.

Today I cleaned it up and got it running, which was a challenge since it was covered in dust/dirt and had a ton of leaves in it. The original 305 runs excellent, it started immediately with fresh gas, oil, and a tune-up, idling glass smooth around 800 rpms. Trans engages all gears and it moves easily. A belt squeals if you turn on the headlights or the AC but other than that its seems to run just fine. I haven't driven it on the street, its not legal and I don't have faith in the original brakes on the car. I found all the original paperwork from the car plus the previous owner gave me the complete "Git Kit", including all the gaskets, hardware, and accessories still in the original boxes. They were never installed on the car because it would have voided the warranty. My question is what is the best course of action for this car? I would just drive it but I've been offered already three times what I paid for it before I even pushed it into my driveway. I took a fair amount of pictures so maybe someone else will know more about the history or value of this car. I have some more pictures of paperwork and the interior but I'm maxed out on pictures. Thanks for your help.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Before you do anything else, decode the VIN. If you post it in the right place here, someone could help you do that. You really should figure out exactly what you have before you do much else. Some of the mods might be aware of any special edition cars, as this appears it could be.

BTW, welcome to TGO!

JT

iTrader: (1)

Below is some, external, information on the MSE. I don't know what is fact, fiction and I can't add anything:
http://www.firebirdfever.com/firebirdfever/mseta.html

There's a few MSE owners around here that I'm sure will chime in with much more experience and knowledge.

oldtimer

Congrats on the purchase! That is a very special car, and you are fortunate to own it. It is your car, and you can do whatever you want to with it. However, in my opinion, it would be best served by leaving it just as it is. The fact that you have the entire kit and paperwork is fantastic. I would imagine that only a very few of these cars still exist at all, much less in the form of your car. It is special. Now, you have the burden of deciding what to do with it. In the third gen world, it is clearly a superstar, especially amongst the early cars, which are often overshadowed by the later models. Thanks, Rudy.

sloick

that car is pretty awesome. congrats on the purchase. so how much did you give for it?

Mongoose

iTrader: (2)

I'd fix that crooked antenna, detail that engine bay...perhaps the whole car depending, install the git kit unless emissions are an issue and enjoy the car. Car is definitely EXTRA special, congrats on the purchase.

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

That is a very nice car!!!!What part of philly are you located in?There are quite a few of us 3rd gen owners in the philly area.Im in rhawnhurst by Northeast High School.Would love to see this car at some local meets.If you get a chance check out our PA fbody board at www.epfba.org

92RS(real slow)

wow awesome find I love the mecham's

Philly89Iroc

Thanks for the compliments, it was definitely a rare find. I paid $2000 for it, which seemed fair judging by the overall condition for the car. My father thinks it had "barrett-jackson" potential but I'm happy with it even if its not. Hopefully I can enjoy and drive this car for a few years, it is the first cool car I've ever owned and it took until I finished college and found a decent job to afford this one lol. I look forward to owning this car so far and being part of the 3rd gen community as well.

82iroc, I'm in Rhawnhurst in well actually a few blocks from Northeast High School too. You might have known my father, he owned a 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro, white with a 350TPI and might have purchased some parts as well. I'll have to check out some of the local meets as well thanks.

92GTA

iTrader: (11)

Holy wow that is AWESOME! Major congrats!

92RS(real slow)

2000 omg that's is you got a deal and a half there

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

The only white Iroc in this area was owned by a guy named Mark who I met awhile back when he came over my place to buy some parts.His Iroc was very nice and Im assuming that he is your dad.Would like to check that car out one day.Keep us posted on your progress

86TA4SALE

That car is worth almost 10 times what you paid for it. Nicely done. Keep it all original and get it on the road! You have to at least drive it a few miles before you sell it.

~Matt

DeathStarr89

iTrader: (1)

I'd just detail it and sell it. That's too rare of a car to drive around town.

TAdan

Congratulations! That is a fantastic find. You got a killer deal on it too. It is pretty rare to find one with all of that documentation and a complete Git-Kit.

I'd say detail it and use it as a sunny day driver. IMO I'd leave the Git-Kit uninstalled.

87_Injected

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Yes, please don't f-up this car. I'll start crying if you do!

86TA4SALE

Check this out:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...g-transam.html


I don't know if they mean the number on the outside of the car or the manufacturing order.

~Matt

okfoz

Sweet find, I would have bought it for that without hesitation...

That's a little different car than what he has, The car in your link is a all out race car... Can't really compare the two.

86TA4SALE

Ok yea I wasn't sure if it meant production number 55.

~Matt

aaron7

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, I'd just clean it up and sell it. Probably get $15,000 for the thing at auction!

meangreen92

iTrader: (1)

damn nice find, i found one, an 82, in need of resto, been sitting, and has the driver side window open, so the int is trashed, but it is a 4 speed car, and the axle straps are still there and all badges but one... hidden away, thinkin of trying to get it, but i have a 92 GTA to redo, and my wife is having a baby, i think she would deliver early if i dragged another one home!!!

screeminchicken

iTrader: (2)

Hope you save the car and history for future people to enjoy and appriciate. Welcome to the elite club. I would detail it, find out as much history as you can and sell it to a good collector and get a head start on your college fund.
good luck

edpontiac91

iTrader: (2)

Your NEVER going to have to worry about getting your MONEY BACK on this ride. The original owner had NO IDEA of what that car was worth. If people are offering you 3X what you paid for it, they are still trying to steal it away from you. That car was an AMAZING FIND. I would keep the car and enjoy it the way it was meant to be. Go to car shows and see how many people will swarm over it. Keep it super clean and INSTALL the Git-Kit. Yeah it's cool that you have all the original boxes, but a HUGE part of that car was the extra performance. If it was installed before you bought it, it would still be worth the same because that's the way it should have been built. If you can keep it out of the really crap weather (and buy a cheap DD) and if there is a garage, you can enjoy your new toy and not worry about losing hardly any of its value. It is only going to go UP in resale. When will you EVER find another special 3rd Gen like this again. NEVER!!!

iroc stangs

wow great find and great car! i think unless you really really need the money i say to keep the car and detail and if you plan on keeping the car for generations to install the git-kit or if to sell sometime in the future probarly keep stock. totally up to you though. good luck!

Philly89Iroc

I've talked to an appraiser and a restoration shop, it needs at least another $3 grand worth of detailing and general work to be worth around $16k at an auction. I've decided I'm just going to keep the car as I have loved old muscle cars ever since I was 6-7 years old and this will probably be my only chance to own one. I used to be that 7 year old kid at car shows telling my dad about the specs of a 1969 RS/SS camaro, often much to the amazement of the car's owner and my father. I know if I fix it up to sell it, I will never drive it and somehow that $16k will end up towards a "family car" or other expenses if you catch my drift.

I can pretty easily keep the car in pristine condition since I have a good job now, no kids, and minimal student loan debt since I've paid for a good chunk of my education working 2 retail jobs through college. My daily driver is an old f150 with the 4.9 I6/5 speed combo thats in great condition so I don't have to worry about driving the trans am to work. Right now I just have the same high quality car cover from my father's Iroc over the car but I plan on garaging it shortly. I'm definitely going to install the "git kit" because I figured it just make the car much cooler with the parts installed, plus I wouldn't have to worry about someone walking off with the parts at a car show lol. Hopefully I can enjoy this car for many years to come and enjoy it even more than the previous owner did.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

I absolutly agree with you Philly. Keep it and enjoy it. Yes, you could get money out of it, but if its something you enjoy, the money can't replace that. Its good to see someone who is passionate enough about their car to want to enjoy it rather than just sell it.

You sir, deserve this car. Drive it, love it, enjoy it.

86TA4SALE

If you install that kit please take it down the quarter mile and let us know how she does!

~Matt

83mse66

Thank you for not selling your car. Don't listen to anyone that says sell it to a collector so they can seal it up for people to just look at. These cars were made to be driven and they are a straight blast to drive. They are super hard to find because they are very low production numbers. install the Git kit and GIT!!!!
I love mine and I take it out as often as I can. I'm new to the site and will post pictures of mine soon.
Welcome to the MSE family