History / RestorationGot a question about Third Gen (1982-1992) Camaro or Firebird history? Where can I find these original parts? What is this option or RPO code? Those questions, answers, and more!
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I want to know how rare is my car? I know its not worth mutch but its nice to know how many twins it got.The car was bought brand new buy my father 23 years ago. So here are the details:
1987 Trans am GTA
Lb9 with T5 manual trans.
Factory a/c less
No t-top
ws6 suspension
Electric seats, windows and mirrors
White with gold interior
Thanks
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I made a mistake i dont have power windows to..my dad order it even without a radio from the factory the dealer installed one at the delevery..i even remeber that i was like 4 lol
There was 9,481 GTAs in 1987. To know exactly how many cars came equipped like yours is information that currently is not available.
1987, which was the first year for the GTA, was a strange year for the GTA due to the way one could be ordered. You could actually get a "stripper" GTA in 1987 by having few options. But in 1988, and up through 1992, the GTA came with many features as standard equipped. So 1987 is a bit unique in that way.
You may have an usual GTA, even for 1987, as it doesn't have factory A/C. But I'm not an expert. I personally have not seen any GTA without A/C, but I know Frankie said it could be done in 1987.
Thanks that's what I wanted to know. I also found that they made 3,280 lb9/t5 in 1987. I have looked a the sales contract but could not find to option code. My father is a bit purist he always orders his car free off the most options...not For money but he like simplicity a bit like me =)
Well, I'll step up to the plate and say.... your GTA is pretty rare if it's equipped as you state.
The '87 GTA was an odd bird so to speak because as JT stated it could be dressed up or dressed down depending on the buyer's wishes. The actual option package included the following for 1987 only:
AQ9 Ultima seats - GTA Exterior Ornamentation - DD9 Power Paddle Mirrors (DG7 Mirrors After 01/26/87) - NP5 Leather Appt. Group - B2L 5.7 V8 - PW7 Gold Rims - QDZ 16" Tires - WS6 Special Performance Package - KC4 Engine Oil Cooler - J65 4 Wheel Disc Brakes (Except 5.0L/AOD Cars) - G80 Limited Slip Axle - B34 Front And Rear Floor Mats
And that's it.
Most popular options (and later standard equipment) were grouped into two separate packages - W61 and W63. But the car could be ordered without either one.
Certain codes had to be selected to get the vehicle you describe. C41 would have delivered the car sans A/C, while B6W and B6V would have dropped the PW and PDL respectively. UL5 would cause the car to be produced without a radio. The power mirrors would have come from the substitution of the DG7 mirrors after the DD9 paddle mirrors were dropped from production in January 1987.
Then there were Order Processing Options that could be selected as well: D60 Color And Trim Incompatibility Override - ZV1 Manufacturer Statement Of Origin - VC8 Substitution Or Deletion Authorization
I recently talked with Lou Wassel about these "stripper" cars just this past week.... and he expressed surprise that any of them survived all these years. But they are out there.... and definitely in the minority.
As for exact rarity of your car, it is impossible to tell at this point. GTA option production numbers were not kept separately for 1987 as they were for each succeeding year; the first year showed the numbers combined with regular Trans Am option production numbers.
__________________ Frankie Rider, 2 The GTA Source Page
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Last edited by FrankieRider2; 07-13-2009 at 01:47 AM.
il take better pics off the option thats on the car...and the car is bone stock never been tuched so i know its the way it was from the factory..i went to picked up with my father in oshawa (ontario).
All you should have to do is open the console lid and look for a label. But in addition to the RPO sheet in the console, there may be a build sheet under the carpeting or under a seat cushion under the springs.
il take better pics off the option thats on the car...and the car is bone stock never been tuched so i know its the way it was from the factory..i went to picked up with my father in oshawa (ontario).
If your GTA is an original Canadian car, I'm starting to believe that just about anything was possible on those.
__________________ Frankie Rider, 2 The GTA Source Page
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I have seen a nearly identical Canadian GTA to yours (including white). I don't know about the radio part of it, but it was featureless. Uncommon yes, but missing options generally won't add to the value of the car.
__________________
1982 Trans Am | 1984 Trans Am | 1986 IROC-Z | 1988 Trans Am | 1989 Firebird x 2 | 1990 Firebird x 2 | 1991 Trans Am GTA | 2000 Trans Am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim Reaper
it kills performance similar to visualizing a picture of Rosey O'Donnell nude.
If it didn't have AC on it wouldn't it be a 1LE GTA?
__________________ -Patrick GTA: Grand Turismo Americano (Grand Touring America) 1988 Pontiac Trans AM GTA...yeah...not stock anymore. 1 of 930 1988 Gunmetal Metallic GTAs produced (87U) See my CarDomain site:Code name: Vaderor myTGO vBGarage Built byZeus Performanceand tuned by Alvin atPCMforLess
1LE wasn't an option code for Firebirds like it was for Camaros, you had to know what option codes to order/use in order for a bird to be a 1LE. An article in the 4/90 or 6/90 High Performance Pontiac magazine explained it all in detail.
Actually according to Frankie's information on the GTA Source Page there were 1LE equipped GTAs from 1990-1992.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTA Source Page 1990 RPO Codes
GTA production numbers were down severely for 1990, due in part to the introduction of the face-lifted 1991 models in the spring of 1990. The ever-escalating price tag could have had some effect on sales as well. Still, the GTAs came fully equipped for battle again for 1990, and represented the ultimate Firebird model.
In a side note, although no GTAs were so equipped, there were a total of 3 1LE Trans Ams produced in 1990. Below are the production option breakdowns for 1990*
Originally Posted by GTA Source Page 1991 RPO Codes
GTA production took an upturn in 1991, due mainly to the extended period of time the cars were offered for sale. The newly-styled front and rear fascias surely did not hurt either; this was the car's first dramatic freshening since 1985, and buyers seemed to respond.
In a side note, although no GTAs were so equipped, there were a total of 64 1LE Trans Ams produced in 1991. Below are the production option breakdowns for 1991*
Originally Posted by GTA Source Page 1992 RPO Codes
For its final season, the GTAs again took a serious downward spiral in the number of cars produced. In fact, it has been stated that GTA models were only built on an "as-ordered" basis, and were not to be shipped for dealer stock. Again, the price took an upward charge; this no doubt helped to ensure that few cars would be moving out of the showrooms.
In a side note, although no GTAs were so equipped, there were a total of 25 1LE Trans Ams produced in 1992. Below are the production option breakdowns for 1992*
I'm not saying there weren't official 1LE T/As, just that there wasn't a dedicated "1LE" box on the order form when you wanted to special order a Firebird like there was on the Camaro order form. When ordering a Firebird if you checked the correct options on the form that began the process for a 1LE Firebird build and it did receive the 1LE on the RPO sticker to designate it so. But you had to know what to order to get to the 1LE.
I was bored, so I plugged your RPO numbers into the decoder. I didnt see anything about power window/lock delete. And there are several codes referencing the radio equipment.
I put it into a PDF...check it out if you want. There were a few codes that didnt show up...just do a search on here and you'll probably find what you want.
I wanna see more pics of that thing! Current and past!
Justin
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
Thanks that's nice. I see the radio but as you said can't see about the windows..Maybe because the car is for Canadian market..dunno..I do know that I have manual windows and no door locks LOL
I don't have any good pics..The car is in pieces for now I am restoring it cause its been sitting in our drive way for 16years..Lots off work ahead off me.
I know the speedometer and wheels are not the original ones..My father change it with its 1992 trans am convertible. I will get them back eventually lol
Who knows man... I dont know how accurate the decoder is. Im not sure if the same RPO code would mean different things throughout the years. Someone like frankie could tell you that better than me. I just plugged em in and thats what it spat out.
That is def an interesting car either way. Has some neat options/combos. My 86 is kinda weird. Its just a Trans AM. Has power windows and a/c, but no power mirrors or locks. I guess you could mix and match back then though more than you can now?
Cool pictures! If the drivers side looks like the passenger side, you have a straight car to work with! Looks to be fairly clean too. How much work do you have to do to it?? Like what all is wrong with her?
J.
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
But just about all other X?? RPO's indicate something for Front tires... The earlier book has the X26 China reference but the later book does not.
Ultimately I suspect it is for misc Canadian eqipment.
John
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
