89junkyardgta

Hi all,

Ok, I'm just looking for some opinions here from other Thirdgen guys, as I'm in a bit of a pickle. I have finally got my car (true '89 GTA, t-tops, 5.7L auto, beachwood interior complete less seats, WS6, 125K) into the garage to start the build. I gutted the interior and got a real good look at the car, looked at panel fit, etc. Saw some things I didn't like, so I had a local body guy come by. Seems as though the car got rolled HARD in a past life. Its been driven around since then, but the pass. side windshield post and quarter are low and back (about 1/8th of an inch) compared to where they should be. As well, the panel behind the rear seats was kinked and has had the creases hammered out of it as well. You could eat off the floors on the inside, and they are just a little flaky on the bottom. Also has a dent in the drivers quarter. I was quoted $300-1000 to straighten the post, sailpanel and rear roof bar, $4000 to paint and repair the whole thing. Seems nuts when there are original paint cars around for $6000. I have another parts car and was going to end up with a 350/5 speed white on grey leather GTA if I put all the parts together. So now I have a whole bunch of great parts, and a so-so car to put them in. I have $575 in the 89 and $400 into my other parts car, a 91 305/5spd GTA with grey leather, which is very bent and not saveable. My options are:

1. part out all my cars, take the money and buy another car
2. find another shell and build what I originally planned
3. try to fix what I've got, as it is apparently rare (how many 89 GTA's in Canada?)

Any and all constructive comments are appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

tanager11

Its hard to say what you "should" do...but a buddy of mine just picked up a black 89 GTA (350) ....Great shape, 110Kms....1 owner since 1991 for $4500. It needed injectors and a tune up and suffers from the typical rear hatch spoiler going all "fugly" and drivers seat needs repair, but all in all its in great shape and about 1500 away from being Awsome.

Seeing what he picked up after looking for about 4 months, I would say scrap what you have and look for something similar to what my buddy found...they are still out there if you look around and have the time to look.

LowRyder

well Paul I would agree with the above statement but also would say you should get your *** in gear and get me a black carpet hahahahahaha

6SIX6

Sounds like alot to do but then again Im making my 85 Camaro a full frame car and thats alot of work. If I didnt have so much invested in it. It would be on a scrap pile for sure. I say look for a clean body as this is only what you can see its what you cant see thats scary.

89junkyardgta

HA! I'll get back to you on that. I think I know where one is.

89junkyardgta

Thanks for the replies all. I'm looking into a few donor bodies currently, though I am still weighing my options.

stuv024

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Gnarley_Boarder

Get a solid firebird or another trans am then swap over all the parts. The GTA T/A's are really just a badge anyway.

89junkyardgta

Absolutely. However, there seems to be a scarcity of cheap (under $1000) bodies available in the area.