Took the GTA out for a spin last night just for kicks. One of the clamps on the intercooler piping has popped off a few times under boost, so I replaced it with a T-clamp and went for a spin to make sure it stays on, it does. So I was enjoying a quick cruise in the nice cold air and made a turn onto Sunrise. Didn't take long till myself and a black 4th gen SS saw each other. Caught a red light in traffic where he said he ran high 12's and I said I'm about the same. We both had the same M/T drag radials on. I'll spare the details, but we parked and chatted at a gas station after several fun runs down a quiet strip where his buddy and him were like, dude, you run better than high 12's to which I declared 12.6-12.8 was what I averaged recently. He then confessed to running aftermarket heads/cam/LT's/tune and was last trapping 119-120 with low 12's/high 11's I believe he said. Definitely faster on the top end than mine, which was obvious from a roll. Real nice younger dude that is on the 4th gen boards. Anyways, they were complimentary on the GTA and I'm sure very surprised I jumped out ahead from every green and kept it that way for the most part. His SS sounded great and I'm sure would've reeled me in if we went 100+. No point to this story, other than I love 3rd gens and it always feels good to give them a good name, again.

Nice, it's rare to find a healthy, clean, well taken care of thirdgen like yours, it's still my wifes favorite, mine too. It definately sounds meaner now, lumpy cam, s/c whine.

I rolled mine out today into the sun and put the stealthram on and washed all the dust off. Can't wait to drive it again. Would have been done if we hadn't just bought the house and the turbo went on the car. I have had it for 2 1/2 years and drove it for a week before the motor went.

Thanks buddy.
Yours was meant to be down for a reason and it will get back on the road when it's ready. Take your time, don't rush it.

Thought she changed it to my car... women

She likes yours too but Dels will always be her favorite. She says it's "pretty". She loves that color. I think she might be wanting mine now, she said it was hers earlier.

lol

psh...Looks slow... You do have one of the nicest thirdgens, I will agree. Clean and Simple... Wheels fit it perfectly. I need more track time.

You can keep dancing the jig Del, I prefer "menacing" to "pretty" anyday

As far as Camaros, Vin's and Bennie's have always been a fav of mine.

word. My pretty lines can't be compared to the aggressive looks of the Camaro, but when you're next to me at WOT and the Procharger is screaming, there's a bit of menacing there I promise ya.

From an obvious outsider, (Southern Cal member - and I don't know you guys), while reading this thread 2 things jumped out at me; first of all the main point of the thread, "Giving 3rd gens a good name..." I try to do that whenever I'm out in the IROC by waving at or talking to other 3rd, 4th and 5th gen drivers that I see out on the streets and highways; that's always fun.

The second thing that I noticed was the camaraderie between you folks, (you know who you are). It is always nice to see buddies and friends here on the public boards... good stuff!

I agree and that's a great compliment coming from a So-Cal'er.

You folks down there have an established, long-timer core group, which is evident in the good organization of your events, which I have yet to attend.

We have some savages here that I think are in it for the long haul and will get only better over time.

I work hard to give 3rd gens a good name and surprise a few people, I agree with you both!

I bet that thing is menacing now, just playing on your Firebird bias as always

lol, I am biased towards Firebirds, but I love everybody's mom, especially yours Vin.

You also love cops del... Your a lovey dovey fruity guy aren't you...

Hmm, not sure how to take that one, but I can tell ya that I don't love the Power Rangers son.

Haha... power rangers are the **** son!

Pretty sure I have some in their packages at my parents house from when I was like 12 (circa 1992).

Prob be worth something had I not taken them out at the time. 40-year old virgin anyone? lol.

They were really a rip off of my favorite, Voltron, the truly awesome Japanese spin-off cartoon from the 80's.

You watched Power Rangers when you were 12? You are wierd... I stopped when I was like 6... in 1997. haha

And to keep it on topic. Del, I don't think your GTA could get anymore sexier... The wheels, Color and ride height are perfect.

You sure you stopped? We won't catch it on your DVR will we?
I think I watched ninja turtles till I was 10-12 as well.

Thanks buddy. I'm getting closer to matching the looks with the speed.
Keep in mind I have 1 of the heaviest 3rd gens, using TPI with all accessories, including a/c, some smog stuff (albeit not used) & the majority of the aftermarket parts are 50 state/CARB legal. No long tubes, etc.

i lovved Voltron! My favorite was Mask, i think there was an iroc in it. Youtube or google it and you will see it, red one. I'm on my phone so i can't. It was an 80 cartoon for sure. Btw, the pink ranger was hot.

Is this mod pick on your avatar day?

Haha. Just becase I'm a mod, doesn't mean I can't dish it out / take it as well.

I didn't say you couldn't, I'm not the mod Nazi here

...and if I was you would all be

<---- is not a mod

I give you ladies plenty of slack around here.

Sorry to jump in on this one late, but I just had to say something. Mask was one of my favorite shows as a kid, and that was an early thirdgen in there. A buddy of mine who is an avid toy collecter gave me a nearly mint toy of that car for a birthday a year or so back. That thing is very cool and brings back a lot of childhood memories.

word.

Don't know how I missed this thread, but I like this quote, I hope I was one of those people in your mind when you wrote that, I have a lifetime of dedication towards this project and community, many years without anything to show for it, Although my life was almost cut short, I still have plenty of time to make something of it to show for.

You betcha.

I know I am in it for the long haul. I will never be able to sell my car. I have plans to keep my car forever. I don't want to regret selling my first car, and it has been pretty good to me, so I may as well keep her.

says the man with two for sale threads.

It was one thread... And I don't think I would have been able to sell it anyways. I am too attached unfortunately... This thing is a never ending money pit. My father and I have over 13k in receipts for this sucker... Not really worth selling now.

no car is once you dump money into it, they are not investments!

I just want my 9C1 Caprice DD back. Then I won't mind working on the bird. I hate being rushed working on it because of it being my DD.

I am als in it for the long haul, hell, i have had 6 3rdgen birds, 1 camaro, 4 since signing up. My 84 was the 1st car i had that was fun to drive. I love the look of the powerbuldge hood with the headlights up. Since i got rid of that one it's just been trying to find the right one. I love the formula and still really want a black 91-92 z28. Wife says if I get one, she gets the formula but i must get it running 1st. I have thought about selling it, even right now but i can't seem to do it. Seems more worth it to build an older muscle car but these are just so sleek and aggressive looking.

Take it from somebody who's been there Bully. ..

My first car was an '88 Firebird when I was 17. Sold it after 6 years of endless sweat piecing it back together after a couple minor wrecks and a couple paint jobs, engine/trans rebuild and lots more $$ in parts & maintenance and learning experiences.

I'm thankful I got the opportunity to get it back 5 years later, albeit a big project mess now. We all know a V6 Firebird is not worth much and not considered an investment, however it's not a "money pit", just a hobby. Someday I'll be able to invest the time, $$ and patience into it. Just another reason to keep me hangin' around this place.

Having a DD makes all the difference in the world to enjoy this hobby. Hopefully it works out for you once you return from your time away from it.

I was a late bloomer, but Im here to stay also.. The folks here in Nor Cal are all respectable and seem to cherish their 3rds better than alot of other regions Ive checked out.. as a truck driver who sees the western 11 states regularly, I know what Im talkin about.. So Cal has longevity over us, but I have seen real 3rd Gen brotherhood here and it makes it harder not to stay around and enjoy my car with those who feel the same bout theirs..

PS.. Voltron (the original 5 lions) was and forever will be the ISH!!

I'm in it for the long haul too.

I haven't posted in a while but really like stories like the one at the top of this thread. Not just that you gave him a run for his $, but that you guys were able to talk positive about cars. We need to foster that kind of relationship with younger drivers if we want this hobby/lifestyle to continue. I hope that my son and I have the chance to build a "hot rod" or Chevy truck before this "global warming" or "climate change" garbage brainwashes innocent people. I love my carbon foot print! Back on topic, Kudos to giving 3rdgens a good name!

Remember, when it goes for sale I have dibs on right of first refusal.