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View Poll Results: January 2018 Car of the Month
rarebmx
5
7.14%
Dee100
5
7.14%
fast lenny
10
14.29%
Big&BadGTA
24
34.29%
Chazman
26
37.14%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

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Old 12-17-2017, 07:32 PM
  #1  
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January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Apparently, a lot of us are dreaming about warmer, "top down" weather...



rarebmx*****1989 GTA 5.7 liter ASC Convertible



Dee100*****1987 Z28




fast lenny*****1985 IROC



Big&BadGTA*****1989 GTA 5.7 liter ASC Convertible



Chazman*****1989 IROC Convertible 5-Speed
Old 12-17-2017, 10:02 PM
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Car: Silver 1985 Iroc
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Thanks for nominating my car. It is a 1985 Iroc with 52k on it. This is the only year in silver for the Iroc and makes the car pretty rare. Car is very clean inside and out but a driver which I try to enjoy often so it is not perfect.

Besides a cat back exhaust the suspension has been my main focus for modification using Founders and Moog parts. Too help improve the handling I added 18x10.5 inch wheels with 285-35-18s all the way around. I also included a pic of it with the stock wheels.

I plan to continue improving the suspension and then doing a big brake kit. This is my 5th Camaro, I went over 10 years without one until I obtained this one last year. It is my first Camaro without T-Tops.


















Last edited by fast lenny; 12-19-2017 at 09:18 PM.
Old 12-17-2017, 11:43 PM
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Thank you for the nomination for COTM, as it's an honor to be a part of the judging.

This is my 2nd 1989 Gunmetal GTA, and I have a soft spot for these cars. I bought the first one, a T-Top 5.7L car, back in the summer of 1991 and kept it until spring 2005. Always wished I had kept it...

Anyways, other vehicles came and went, but the GTA stayed on my mind. I thought, if I got another, it would be the pinnacle of 3rd Gens - a convertible.

So to get a 5.7L GTA Convertible, it had to be an 89. I was on the hunt...

I travelled over 2,200 miles to look at one, and passed on another, but this one I found and bought, was a 4 year process. Allow me to explain...

Early Beginnings:
In 1991, I bought my first GTA. A 1989 Gunmetal Gray 5.7L T-Top car. It had 52k mi, and was parked on a hill of a farm w/ a 4x8 plywood sign, listing it for sale. As the car was under warranty until 75k mi, and the original owner had it, I rolled the dice and bought it. I had a Corvette at the time, which with two seats, wasn't very practical. So the GTA filled a nice void in my life. It turned out to be a wonderful car.

In 1993, I met the lady who would become my wife. We went on our first date in the GTA, and later in life, many more firsts... It remained a memorable car, and pretty practical, all thing considered. Fast-forward to 2005, I had just bought another Corvette, so the GTA was sold. I was pretty bummed, watching as the taillights disappeared. I haven't seen that car since...

Since selling the car, I have thought about 3rd Gens. Watched the market closely, and decided, if I got another, which would it be?
Another 1989 5.7L car, as the engines are awesome, and IMO, the best of any TPI. I figured a Convertible would be unique, and the ASC cars being legitimate in their place of Pontiac history, would be a good option. But it would have to be Gunmetal Gray.

The Search For Gray:
Finding a Gunmetal Gray GTA which isn't a roach, is a tall order. Finding an ASC Convertible, even tougher... I could find Flame Red ones and white ones, all day long, but when it came to finding Gray, forget it... None seem to be out there... I was beginning to think these cars didn't exist in Gunmetal Gray!!

I looked online, and saw the silver car in Hawaii which based on the Gunmetal emblems, must've been gray at some point. I figured, based on the low production numbers and percentages of which Gunmetal makes-up overall 1989 GTA production, it was the proverbial needle-in-the-haystack. But I was determined...

I found a Gunmetal 1989 ASC 5.7L car in Nevada, looked at it, and found it was too much of a project. While the car was okay from a distance, two of the four windows were missing, the dash was a mess, and rear quarter panel damaged and repaired in haste. It was a cloth interior car, and 1 owner. It'll be a good car for someone who has time, but for the money, I kept looking...

Found a Gunmetal 1988 ASC Convertible in Harrisburg at the Mecum Auction, but it was a 5.0L/Auto w/ woodgrain dash, and other mods. Car sold for $11.5k, and while low mileage, the small engine wasn't for me. I kept looking...

Life Happens:
As they say, life happens... About 4.5 years ago, I had come across an ad for a Gunmetal 1989 ASC 5.7L car. I reached-out to the seller, and because of the distance, had it inspected. All this took time, and for whatever reason, maybe I was the only one looking at the time, but things were going in my favor. The life happens...

Right about that time, my father had gotten sick. He had been ill for some time, but things got bad with his health. Right when I was ready to buy, I pulled back from the deal. I needed to focus on family. My dad passed away not long after.

As if that wasn't enough, as things cleared-up from that, my wife got sick. Really ill. I felt like history was repeating itself. She's fine now, thankfully. But it took two years to get to the point of relief. Life continues...

The Accident:
This summer, as I'd been riding a bike for fitness, I had my own ordeal, as the whole "health" thing tried to kill me. I had an accident. It left me a mess on the side of the road, and thankful good samaratins stopped.

If you grew up in my era, one didn't wear a bicycle helmet. That's something I wish I had considered, as I went head first into the pavement. Anyways, sometime between thinking I might never recover, to where I am today, I decided to reach-out to the seller from years ago, on the chance they might still have the GTA. They not only owned the car still, but would consider selling. We struck a deal, and the rest is now history...

If you read this far, I hope you found the story of interest. It's the "Cliff notes" version, and while there is much more, it's probably a good summary of how we ended up with the car. My wife can't wait to go on a "date" in the GTA again, and wind-back the clock nearly 25 years.
Since buying the car, I've been slammed with work and haven't been able to do much aside from removal of the gold pin striping and replace the 17 year old tires. Driving the car is like a trip down memory lane, and it's an awesome feeling.

The car is 100% stock, with an added alarm system only. It has some rare Pontiac options, and quite possibly, a One-of-One, as built.

Thank you again for the nomination, and hopefully for your vote.













Addl. Pics:











Last edited by Big&BadGTA; 12-25-2017 at 07:01 PM.
Old 12-18-2017, 09:44 AM
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Wow, thanks so much for the nomination guys! Every car is topnotch this month, as usual.


This is my 7800 mile, 1989 IROC-Z with an LB9 and 5 speed.

It was originally bought new by a little, old, lady from Santa Rosa, California. She wasn't really old, I just added that for effect. . But she was a little lady. Her friends convinced her that she REALLY needed a convertible after her divorce. Apparently she was an Asian woman with short legs (not making that up!) and had a hard time reaching the clutch pedal. So from 1989 through 2004 it was only driven about 6300 miles. The car was maintained, started and driven occasionally by a relative however.

In 2004, a car collector from Wisconsin bought it and only put on about 26 miles during the 9 years he owned it. The rest of the time he had it on display in the "showroom" area of his garage. He told me he never even washed it during that period and in fact, never even titled it!. Those 26 miles were driven to and from a local Chevy dealer when it was displayed for the 2010 intro of the 5th gen Camaro. The dealer wanted one Camaro from each generation.

Here was his ad on eBay in 2013 when he sold it:

1989 Camaro IROC-Z Convertible with only 6390 miles and a 5 speed stick-not many around as nice as this one.Built at the Van Nuys plant in sunny California and delivered to Biddulph Chevrolet in Santa Rosa.
This car stayed in California in Castro Valley until November 8 2004...That's when I purchased it with 6362 miles showing on the odometer all put on by it's very first and only owner on dry California roads.
The odometer now reads 6390 miles ...So in the last 9 years this IROC has covered all of 26 miles....some of those were from the transporter to my home....The remainder were to my local chevy dealer in 2010 for the introduction of the new Camaro-they wanted one Camaro from each generation on the showroom floor and they felt this was the perfect car to represent the Gen 3 cars.
If you wanted an IROC convertible and didn't pull the trigger-here is your second chance... it has all the usual IROC options -with a window sticker of $21,543.00 you could say this one is loaded-everything works as it should and the little bit I have driven this car there were no issues. Oil has always been changed and Sta-bil in the gas tank and very secure dry storage.
It's getting tougher to find IROC's that have not been cut up or have 150,000 miles on them. This car is just as it was delivered with the exception of the battery and fluids-window sticker included....check the pictures it even has the rubber bumps on the doors from delivery.
Check out the pictures and let me know if you have any questions.....I can help line up a transporter if needed.
Thanks For Looking............................
In 2013 he sold it to someone in the Miami area and that's who I bought it from almost a couple of years ago. Up until then the car had been pickled pretty much as it left the factory, but the previous owner had started making some changes I considered dubious and have been trying to undo them ever since getting the car.

The car drives and feels like a new car. Lots of fun to drive! Interior is virtually factory fresh perfect. The bottom is as clean as the top. I'm currently waiting for a correct Delco Remy alternator to be delivered to replace the one that just went south.

I've got a thread going on it. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...e-89-iroc.html

Here are some pics:































Last edited by chazman; 12-18-2017 at 01:35 PM.
Old 12-18-2017, 11:41 PM
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Car: 89 IROC/89 Vert/87 Vert/89 GTA Vert
Engine: 5.7/5.0/5.0/5.7
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9" 2.77/9" 3:23/9" 3:42
Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**


Wow. What a surprise & honor to be nominated. Thank you & I'm in very good company.

About 4 years ago I started my hunt for a 5.7 GTA Convertible. I had no idea that I was hunting a car that so few were made. I came across several but most had some rust issues & with me being in Missouri, the cars were not going to be in a worse place for more rust. I never drive the cars in rain or weather of any type but once a car has rust it usually continues.


I had talked with several members who had leads on others GTA Convertibles but color combinations or location of the cars were not West Coast cars.

I found the car actually right here on TGO. It was posted by a member who had owned it the last 12 years but had only posted maybe 5 or 6 times in the 6 or 7 years he was a member. He didn't have a tremendous amount of details on the for sale post but enough to peak my interest. I sent a PM, PM lead to phone calls & eventually a deposit to buy the car. On November 1st 2016 I boarded a planefrom St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA along with a buddy that I paid his say for the ride along to pick up the GTA & drive back to St. Louis.

Arrived in Ontario, CA & rented a car, drove 1 hr to Riverside. Met seller, car was in very good company at his warehouse (Gembella Porsche & GT3RS Porsche). Paid the man his money, returned the rental car & started our 3 day drive back to Missouri.

This car was bought originally in California & spent it's whole life there. Was originally purchase by a gynecologist (who else can say there car was owned by a gynecologist?) then sold years later to a lieutenant in the military. The man I purchased the car from was the 3rd owner & took great car if it but rarely drove the car until the last year he owned it.

By far this GTA probably has the highest mileage out of these cars 101,500 however with it being 100% unmoleated and everythig working, I'd put it up against cars with 50,000 miles. PLUS - I wanted a car i vould drive & enjoy. There isn't even rust on the exhaust manifolds. This car retains every original piece it left the factory with except tires & K & N air filter. Nothing has been cut or spliced or molested.

Pic in the garage next to my IROC
It made the journey from Riverside, CA to Missouri without 1 issue. It took a solid 3 days & didn't even hit rain.

This year I did replace the carpet, rebuilt the headlight motors, put back in the original stereo (was in the trunk when purchased), cleandd & detailed & put about 1500 miles on the car.

Added a PONTIAC script on the windshield just for a little advertising for Pontiac
I did take it to one show this year & placed second - I lost out to a 2017 Yenko Camaro in the stock original class.
I added Indy 500 decal on the rocker just as a reminder on the next car I'm hunting.


Thank you for the nomination. I talk to Big&BadGTA as well as Chazman & both are great guys. I actually voted already & not for myself.
These 3rd gens are awesome cars & let keep them going & get them out on the road!

Last edited by rarebmx; 12-19-2017 at 12:21 AM.
Old 12-19-2017, 09:38 AM
  #6  
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Originally Posted by rarebmx
I talk to Big&BadGTA as well as Chazman & both are great guys. I actually voted already & not for myself.
These 3rd gens are awesome cars & let keep them going & get them out on the road!
Thanks! Love, love your car!
Old 12-19-2017, 10:08 AM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

would love to see more photos/info of Dees 87 !
Old 12-24-2017, 12:42 PM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY THIRDGEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!
Old 12-24-2017, 06:02 PM
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Originally Posted by chazman
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY THIRDGEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!
Old 12-25-2017, 03:01 PM
  #10  
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Chazmans car is absolutely mint, I wouldn't be surprised if theres not a single defect throughout the whole car lol
Old 12-25-2017, 07:03 PM
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Added some pics taken today at a quiet parking garage on Christmas Day.

Thank you for checking out the post, and thank you for your vote.







Last edited by Big&BadGTA; 12-25-2017 at 08:47 PM.
Old 12-26-2017, 12:05 AM
  #12  
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Originally Posted by TylerSteez
Chazmans car is absolutely mint, I wouldn't be surprised if theres not a single defect throughout the whole car lol

Thanks Tyler, but I wish! The last owner may not have been as nice to the car as some of us would have been, so those issues needed to be sorted.

I've never seen a car without some defects, though! Even new.

Last edited by chazman; 12-26-2017 at 10:05 AM.
Old 12-26-2017, 10:06 AM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Originally Posted by IROCZman15
would love to see more photos/info of Dees 87 !

Me too, but I don't think he's been on the site in a while.
Old 12-27-2017, 08:21 AM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Wow some gorgeous cars!
Old 12-27-2017, 08:28 AM
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Engine: 5.7L TPI L98 350
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Great cars this month! All are deserving of the first COTM of 2018!!! Congrats to all!!!
Old 12-27-2017, 12:04 PM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Hope you guys had good Christmas holidays and some downtime to give the third gens some love! Great month of cars here.. The Verts are outstanding specimens and that silver IROC is gorgeous! Not sure why they didn’t continue that color! Good luck to you all and good luck in the new year!
Old 12-27-2017, 01:39 PM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Wow, another tough decision this month, all great great cars again!
Old 12-29-2017, 12:25 PM
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Really nice examples again this month. A few stand out to me as I remember reading about them in the past. Chazman's car, with the engine bay detailing and perfect exhaust manifold. Wow! And rarebmx's story about driving the car back from Cali after purchase. Thought that was pretty ballzy! Good luck to all the nominees!!
Old 12-30-2017, 08:38 PM
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Congrats to the winner.
Old 12-31-2017, 10:38 AM
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Transmission: World Class T-5
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Re: January 2018 COTM**Voting Thread**

Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
Congrats to the winner.

Thanks!


Linson usually puts up another thread after the voting.
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