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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!
This is kinda neat. Would make a hell of a parts car too, just look at those seats! I like the part about being brand new, never registered, never ridden in, but has 7xx miles. Based on all the stuff in the back, I'd say it gets driven to car shows on a dealer plate.. which translated to being ridden in I'd say
It's fascinating to me how TTAs seem to have been saved at a much higher rate versus the average thirdgen. Was there some pervasive thought in the 80's that these were future collectibles?
It's fascinating to me how TTAs seem to have been saved at a much higher rate versus the average thirdgen. Was there some pervasive thought in the 80's that these were future collectibles?
It's fascinating to me how TTAs seem to have been saved at a much higher rate versus the average thirdgen. Was there some pervasive thought in the 80's that these were future collectibles?
Absolutely. 1,555 built. A car that could break 5 seconds 0-60, quite a rarity in 1989. These were collectible the moment they rolled off the line. I remember that being discussed back when these were new.
Absolutely. 1,555 built. A car that could break 5 seconds 0-60, quite a rarity in 1989. These were collectible the moment they rolled off the line. I remember that being discussed back when these were new.
Thanks, makes sense, I wasn't aware production was that low. I wasn't old enough in 1989 to be attuned to the atmosphere on the TTA's release. But having followed thirdgens for a long time, the TTA never caught my attention or interested me even though it put up the best 0-60 times. Maybe it's my pro-V8 and anti-automatic transmission bias. However, I think the Grand National is an awesome car, but it has an aura to it that the TTA doesn't have.
The Window Sticker on this Car has an MSRP of $31,323.00.
TTA #1015
A lot of money in 1989. You could buy a well equipped TPI Formula or TA for a lot less.
Funny thing about the TTA is that, if I remember correctly, the engines were rated at only 250HP. At the end, 3rd gens had 245HP out of the 5.7, but the performance couldn't touch the TTA even with an engine that claimed to be nearly as powerful. Magazines at the time pretty much laughed off the "250 HP" claim, saying that the power was very understated. I know back in the 1950s and 60s, claiming lower HP from an engine was often done, I think to hide it from the government and even from GM brass who were against the company building high performance cars. I don't know what the reasoning was in 1989. Hide it from the EPA? Help with insurance?
A lot of money in 1989. You could buy a well equipped TPI Formula or TA for a lot less.
Funny thing about the TTA is that, if I remember correctly, the engines were rated at only 250HP. At the end, 3rd gens had 245HP out of the 5.7, but the performance couldn't touch the TTA even with an engine that claimed to be nearly as powerful. Magazines at the time pretty much laughed off the "250 HP" claim, saying that the power was very understated. I know back in the 1950s and 60s, claiming lower HP from an engine was often done, I think to hide it from the government and even from GM brass who were against the company building high performance cars. I don't know what the reasoning was in 1989. Hide it from the EPA? Help with insurance?
The Corvette is the reason why. GM brass won't allow any car to challenge the Corvette so the TTA, and GNX for that matter, had to be underrated to even be allowed to exist. This goes back to the 60's even with only special models being able to even match the Corvettes specs and still holds true even today.
It's fascinating to me how TTAs seem to have been saved at a much higher rate versus the average thirdgen. Was there some pervasive thought in the 80's that these were future collectibles?
These were largely bought by people thinking they would buy the "next big collectible". For too many were built to really matter in the "big dollar" range. But overall, they have certainly held more value than average 3rd gens.
That said, having held two for awhile, I would never buy one to keep. Too crude of an integration on the powertrain. How this thing ever passed GM's NVH tests, that's beyond me. Probably didn't, since it was built by an outside suppler (PAS), and did not have to conform to the NVH standards.
The Corvette is the reason why. GM brass won't allow any car to challenge the Corvette so the TTA, and GNX for that matter, had to be underrated to even be allowed to exist. This goes back to the 60's even with only special models being able to even match the Corvettes specs and still holds true even today.
I know that's been true. Although I thought it was regarding actual performance and not just published horsepower numbers, which were very similar between Corvettes and 3rd gens in the later years.
I may be wrong, but the TTA was faster than the 1989 Corvette, wasn't it?
I know that's been true. Although I thought it was regarding actual performance and not just published horsepower numbers, which were very similar between Corvettes and 3rd gens in the later years.
I may be wrong, but the TTA was faster than the 1989 Corvette, wasn't it?
Nope. There were faster (and quicker) Corvettes in 1989.
One key thing which is overlooked, is that the 1989 TTA was not the quickest or fastest in the GM fleet. The RPO B2K Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was the performance powerhouse in 1989. High 12 second quarter mile times, plus a top speed just 9 miles per hour shy of 200, it reigned.
Another Corvette model "almost" hit production in 1989, furthering the Corvette line's intent to move the performance needle. The 1989 Corvette ZR-1 was supposed to debut that year, and while around 80 pre-production models were built, none were sold to the public in that run. Actual release was postponed until 1990.
Funny thing about the TTA is that, if I remember correctly, the engines were rated at only 250HP. At the end, 3rd gens had 245HP out of the 5.7, but the performance couldn't touch the TTA even with an engine that claimed to be nearly as powerful. Magazines at the time pretty much laughed off the "250 HP" claim, saying that the power was very understated.
I think the biggest performance advantage is the weight that’s not on the nose of the car. A 455 Buick only weighs about 25 lbs more than a SBC. A 350 Buick weighs about 100 lbs less than a SBC. Not sure what the 231 weighs off hand but given the weights of the other two even with turbo and piping I’d guess it’s still considerably lower than the small block with TPI with near the same power level. Something you can certainly feel in the seat of the pants
I think the biggest performance advantage is the weight that’s not on the nose of the car. A 455 Buick only weighs about 25 lbs more than a SBC. A 350 Buick weighs about 100 lbs less than a SBC. Not sure what the 231 weighs off hand but given the weights of the other two even with turbo and piping I’d guess it’s still considerably lower than the small block with TPI with near the same power level. Something you can certainly feel in the seat of the pants
This got me to reading some old reviews. Supposedly the 3.8 was over 300HP in GM's internal dyno testing. 4.6 seconds to 60 in Car & Driver. Faster and more fuel efficient that Ferraris and Lambos of the time. Love to have one of these. There is mention of the NVH problems, but the reviews really were glowing.
I guess I never though of Callaway Corvettes as being GM cars and considered this the fastest GM car of 1989. Probably because they were always called "Callaway Corvettes" while this was just a Pontiac Trans Am. But of course this car had final assembly by PAS. The TTA just seemed like more of a GM effort, with GM directing the outsourcing of some of the engineering and assembly. Callaway is more of an independent specialty maker. I guess it's really kind of the same thing.
This got me to reading some old reviews. Supposedly the 3.8 was over 300HP in GM's internal dyno testing. 4.6 seconds to 60 in Car & Driver. Faster and more fuel efficient that Ferraris and Lambos of the time. Love to have one of these. There is mention of the NVH problems, but the reviews really were glowing.
I guess I never though of Callaway Corvettes as being GM cars and considered this the fastest GM car of 1989. Probably because they were always called "Callaway Corvettes" while this was just a Pontiac Trans Am. But of course this car had final assembly by PAS. The TTA just seemed like more of a GM effort, with GM directing the outsourcing of some of the engineering and assembly. Callaway is more of an independent specialty maker. I guess it's really kind of the same thing.
I think the engines in these cars and the GN’s were way ahead of their time. A turbocharged V6 making well over 300hp and good economy? No one is doing that in 2020
I think the engines in these cars and the GN’s were way ahead of their time. A turbocharged V6 making well over 300hp and good economy? No one is doing that in 2020
That 3.8 was one of the all-time great engines. Basic design went back to 1962. That was Buick's baby and they constantly made upgrades and refinements, and the division was justifiably proud of it. Even into the 2000s, it was making Ward's list of best engines. The HP doesn't sound like anything special now, but in non-blown form it was good for it's time. The 3.8 was a nice base engine in the 4th gens. The turbo and supercharged versions were great.
I had a 2002 Monte Carlo SS with the 3.8. It was only 205 HP but it was quick enough, smooth, efficient. I took a trip from Pittsburgh to Cooperstown, NY. Well into the trip my gas gauge was still showing a lot of gas in the tank. I've had a lot of GM gas gauges that stay about 1/2 a tank for a long time, but then drop quickly. But in this case, I was logging a lot of miles. I actually started tapping on the dash, thinking the gauge was stuck. It wasn't stuck. I pulled over to get gas and didn't need all that much. I was getting over 38 mpg, pretty amazing.
This is definitely a bucket list car for me. When I bought my 88 I always yearned for one of these cars. I’ve loved all the years of birds in one way or another, but the 85-90 T/A styling they had right. With this power plant, instant classic.
This got me to reading some old reviews. Supposedly the 3.8 was over 300HP in GM's internal dyno testing. 4.6 seconds to 60 in Car & Driver. Faster and more fuel efficient that Ferraris and Lambos of the time. Love to have one of these. There is mention of the NVH problems, but the reviews really were glowing.
I guess I never though of Callaway Corvettes as being GM cars and considered this the fastest GM car of 1989. Probably because they were always called "Callaway Corvettes" while this was just a Pontiac Trans Am. But of course this car had final assembly by PAS. The TTA just seemed like more of a GM effort, with GM directing the outsourcing of some of the engineering and assembly. Callaway is more of an independent specialty maker. I guess it's really kind of the same thing.
The TTA was built by PAS. The B2K was built by Callaway. So much the same in that sense, only the Callaway was a bunch quicker & faster.
I think the engines in these cars and the GN’s were way ahead of their time. A turbocharged V6 making well over 300hp and good economy? No one is doing that in 2020
The engine was/is amazing. But only in the Regal. In the TTA, it was crudely adapted, and if engineered in normal ways, the NVH standard would have been better than what they were in that chassis. It was rough.
The engine was/is amazing. But only in the Regal. In the TTA, it was crudely adapted, and if engineered in normal ways, the NVH standard would have been better than what they were in that chassis. It was rough.
I'll take a little "crudity" in exchange for the improved performance.
My L03 is buttery smooth, but I don't brag about it!
The crazy thing was some dealers had a hard time moving them, I remember hearing dealers had them in showrooms into 1990...
If I could have afforded one in 1989, I've have been all over it. And of course by now, that car would be a fading memory.
It surprises me how many of these are available. On just about any given day if you hit eBay, you'll find several. Often they're Gateway Classic cars, so massively overpriced. But if you want one, you can find one. And mostly they seem to be low to very-low mileage. I guess the people who bought these cars back in 1989-90 considered them collectible right away.
The crazy thing was some dealers had a hard time moving them, I remember hearing dealers had them in showrooms into 1990...
Well only it came in white with a tan interior and the only two options were t-tops and leather, so if that wasn't your thing then I guess you were screwed lol!
Tried really hard to buy a higher mile bard find within the last year at auction, but the SOBs pulled it without notice and I never found out if it sold or to whom. Still pisses me off when I think about it since I was the high bidder at the end...
they were the fastest production car in 1989 (500 plus cars) this includes Corvettes, Ferraris, Porsche, Lambo etc.. they were a 13.2 1/4 mile and ran 160 plus out of the showroom and easily modified to be much quicker...
I have owned 4 thirdgens, I have TTA #312, it took me years to find one in the condition I wanted, low mileage, near stock to desirable mods. The fun factor is ridiculous with just a few bolt on mods
In case some of you haven't seen these pics, I'll post them. This is an 89 TTA with 7k miles. This car was CHERRY. I know the owner and he would tape off the edges of the wheel wells when it got driven, and would recline the seat all the way down before he would get in so his *** wouldn't wear on the leather bolster, etc. He had it in his storage garage with two super low mile 1982 Corvettes and he lost them all in a fire
Its definitely a reminder to have good insurance, tho it's not going to bring these cars back. I was watching that YouTube vid, of the last camaro made down at Van's, and looking in the background there are 1000s of parts. Every part you could ever want. What happened to all those parts?? My old man collects and restores WWII trucks and there was this place in Hopkins MN that had a crap load of new oe parts still wrapped in cosmoline. He musta asked a hundred times wondering what they were going to do w them. One day he noticed 5, 30yd dumpsters there and they were filling em up. So he and his friend went dumpster diving. A very fun, enjoyable experience by the way, that is till the cops show up. So yeah, they threw all that stuff away. Long story longer, they camped out and waited for the truck drivers to show up and paid them 100 bucks a truck to bring them to his shop and just dump them. Can you imagine how big this pile was? Took years to go through it all but I'll tell ya what, my dad and his friend have a horde of WWII parts. I soon will have it... not sure what I'm going to do with it all... 30+ trucks.. gd hoarders.
05-29-2020, 03:05 PM
