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Well, after being without an F-body for almost 3 years, I'm happy to say I just took delivery of a 87 Trans Am. I found it on Craigslist for $600. Honestly, the best deal I've ever had on one of these cars (had 2 others already). The engine's toast, but there's no rust and only 77k on the odometer. Have some big plans in store and will do my best to keep posting updates
Got your PM, but I'm sure you already know that. This car was just perfect timing. Apparently the car has been in a garage for the last 10 years, so none of the usual New England rust/rot anywhere. Since the garage it was being kept as was being sold, the owner had to move it quick. After a quick inspection, the title was in hand and a flatbed was on the way.
Future plans: 5.3L / 4L60E swap, 4th gen console (gotta have a cupholder, my GTP has spoiled me now), possible interior color swap.
very up in the air, but to get things going, I think I'm going to just swap in a basic sbc. Really would like to try driving this thing sometimes before the summer ends
Nice find! Thats how I got my 89 iroc, same price too.. mine had a running engine that at first seemed ok but the trans slipped horribly, so I swapped in a spare tranny I had laying around only to have the engine start knocking a few days later.. now after the engine swap I'm chasing down a problem with my cts.. only have around $900 invested so far with a new engine/used tranny so I'm happy..
I have a feeling I'll be chasing down a few gremlins in this car; sitting for 10 year straight can't be good for gas, tranny fluid, or gear oil. I may swap out the tank and lines as well since the previous owner thinks there may be a full tank of gas....
Thanks for all the views guys. The paint, definitely needs some work. Apparently before it sat in a garage, it sat for a while in direct sunlight. Hood, roof, and hatch are pretty sunbleached and the clear's gone. Not a deal breaker by any means.
Gave it a wash yesterday to get all the dust and dirt off of it and found I need some new weatherstripping. Will be doing new hatch and t-top seals minimum. Also scrubbed down all the plastic in vinyl inside. This thing was COVERED with mold. Still really smells bad in there, so giving me more reason to replace the seats and carpet.
Talking to a couple of people I found on craigslist for a motor. Really looking for something cheap so I can get it driving this summer. Also gave a quick once over and saw there's drums in the back. Guess a 4th gen rear is even closer than I expected.
Quick question: does anyone know if you can get an RPO code sheet reprinted? Mine's long gone and I'd like to know a bit more about what I've got before I start throwing new parts at it.
That's a nice looking T/A for $600, even though it doesn't run.
Are you going to keep the stock color combo? I've always liked the silver gfx with either burgundy or blue body color. The stock rims look okay too as long as there are clean white letter tires on them.
The color I'm really going back and forth on, but I think to keep costs down (at least for now) I'll keep the stock colors. I do agree the blue/silver looks amazing too. No damage on the rims, will leave those on for now, but definitely have to replace the dry rot tires before I get this thing moving
The color I'm really going back and forth on, but I think to keep costs down (at least for now) I'll keep the stock colors. I do agree the blue/silver looks amazing too. No damage on the rims, will leave those on for now, but definitely have to replace the dry rot tires before I get this thing moving
Yeah, the blue and silver is my favorite, but the burgundy and silver looks good too when it has a shine.
Here's a blue/silver '87 with the stock rims and white letter tires. This was my Mom's friend's car and it was my favorite as a kid. I took this picture back in '89 with a Polaroid camera.
Small update with things. As I posted elsewhere, I picked up a LT1 camaro center console and failed at installation, so I've got a 'bird console that should be waiting for me when I get back to work on tuesdays.
engine was just delivered a couple hours ago as well. found a co-worker with a 350 waiting to be installed somewhere, so I made sure it had a good home. should be getting to work on stripping it down and cleaning it up over the next week or two. Leaving internal parts as-is, just want something I can drive around while I save up for the 5.3L swap.
cannot forget the seat belts. apparently one of the previous owners had cut the passenger side seat belt, big no-no for inspections around here. lucked out and saw thirdgen ranch had set on special, arrived at work and are now waiting to be installed (only needed the front ones, the rears won't work due to the belt style and I knew that going into the purchase).
Quick question: does anyone know if you can get an RPO code sheet reprinted? Mine's long gone and I'd like to know a bit more about what I've got before I start throwing new parts at it.
The '88 Notchback I just bought a few weeks ago came with a printout of the build sheet incl. all RPO codes. The previous owner said he got it from a dealer.
My Dad's '86 is the Blue/Silver combo and it is a very pretty car (even though it is in rough shape). He paid $600 two years ago but his was/is running. Have fun with your project!
guess its time to add another "toy" to the driveway. The GTP had an unexpected turn of events and I needed to find a new daily driver. Enter a the 2008 G8. No v8, but plenty fun for a 6. More pictures!
Oh my, those are slick looking cars. Did you know the G8 is being rebadged into a Chevy? At least GM is keeping the best pontiac around!
Thanks! It seems as though GM is having a hard time sticking to that notion, but I really hope they do. The G8 is way too nice of a car to let die after only 2 years. I love mine and its only the base version. I can't imagine how the GT or GXP models feel.
Today was a semi-eventful day for 2 of the 3 cars. The G8 will be shining a new set of HIDs as of this afternoon. Never worked on a car that required removing the tires to install a set of headlight bulbs, but go figure.
The TA's new-to-me motor came together a bit more; oil pan installed and drying. Also (nearly) completed removing the computer wire harness. The car will be strictly carbed for the mean time while I save for the genIV swap. The more I clean up now, the less I have when that time comes. Plus it will make removing the 305 a bit easier.
That G8 is a rebadged Holden Commodore from Australia. Different treatment on the grille and body but definately the same car. Trust me on this one - they will continue making them, they have for years. Whether they convert them to LHD and ship them over there though - who knows.
Good find on that Trans Am, I got my Camaro for a steal (same colour combo as yours actually) and those pics just reminded me off when mine was unloaded off the tow truck. That was a good day!
This car was just perfect timing. Apparently the car has been in a garage for the last 10 years, so none of the usual New England rust/rot anywhere. Since the garage it was being kept as was being sold, the owner had to move it quick. After a quick inspection, the title was in hand and a flatbed was on the way.
