Ever since I have bought my first car, my '83 TA I have noticed so many strange things about it. I always looked at it and wondered why it looked so much different from other '83 TA's. I finally found out what these reasons were. I think that my car has the front end of an '86 on it. The reason is because I have lower ground effex on my front and back bumpers and nose, but not on the sides underneath my doors. The nose has the two spots for the fog lights, and not those grill cover thingy's like I have seen. Also my tailights are the grid style from an '88 TA. Another thing i noticed was that my hatch has a third brake light. Are these all normal on an '83? My nose looks identical to pics of '86 and '87's. It doesnt look like the nose that came stock. I think this is a possibility due to the fact that my car has had a lot of mods done to it by the previous owner. It now has a 350 4 bolt main, instead of the stock 305. Can somebody please post pics of the front, side and back views of '83 and '86-'89 TA's. Thanks.

 

Here is a comparison picture that should answer most of your questions. As for the ones is doesn't, there was no third brake light in 83 and the tail lights in 83 were "3 dimensional" meaning there were 1" wide little ridges or shelves that stuck out from the lense that ran the length of the tail lights, horizontaly, covering the entire tail light section, where as the later years are smooth pieces of plastic with the designs "inside" the lenses.
So from your descriptions and previous posts, you have an 83 which the previous owner installed an 85-90 nose and 85 to 90 rear bumper, but from what I understand NO 85-90 door or ground effects. I hope this helps.

The blue TA should say 1986 in the upper left hand corner and excuse my spelling of ground. The top photo says no ground effects.

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1983 T/A LG4 w/T-tops
Rebuilt/Modified E Q-jet
Custom Dual Ram-Air
Self painted cherry red w/ restored black/grey interior
Welded Comp Eng SFC
Tokico Struts/Shocks
Hotchkis LCAs and Panhard Bar
Energy Suspension bushings all around

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited March 09, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited June 05, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited June 05, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited June 05, 2001).]

 

Thank you so much. My TA definitely has the nose from an '86. I thought so. Also I have the same exact gfx on my car, but the only problem is that they are missing under the doors. I will look around at some junk yards for them. Do you know of any places to get either pieces of gfx....or a whole set of gfx for pretty cheap? Also I have the power bulge hood on my car now. Do you think I should get the one with the louvers like on the pic of the '86 you posted? I had a pait scheme that I was planning on having done on my car in a year. Tell me what you think. On the bulge I was going to have a small bird painted on it with flames fading down the scoop. I didnt know how this would look. Has anybody ever seen this done before? Thanks.

 

No Problem. I would keep the power bulge hood. Pontiac actually has a bird on the bulge for some special edition. I'll see if I can get pics. As for where to get the parts. Try www.thirdgenresource.com or www.tacreationsusa.com
I know clssic industires has the exact piece you need but it is not cheap and to see them you have to buy their catalog. Unless of course I can scan them. I'll see what I can do.

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited March 10, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited March 10, 2001).]

 

Here you go Jim83TA.


[This message has been edited by Nightcruzer (edited June 05, 2001).]

 

Thanks Nightcruzer. I might end up just looking around in some junk yards here on Long Island. If not, then I will end up getting them new. I appreciate your help.