How Rare?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
How Rare?
Was at a local u pull it today when I found an 87 GTA.As I walked over to it I noticed it had a set of paddle mirrors.How rare are these?I know they were only used on 1987 GTA`s
Last edited by my82roc; Mar 12, 2008 at 03:53 PM.
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From: Sacramento
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 350 TBI
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi
Re: How Rare?
I'm pretty sure that in the UK folding mirrors are mandatory, perhaps you are looking at a set of these mirrors that were installed on certain exports?
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From: Alamogordo, NM
Car: 88 Formula 350
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.89
Re: How Rare?
Cool find, but they aren't worth much unless someone is trying to find paddle mirrors to restore an 87 with paddle mirror. They didn't make too many though. Pretty sure it is a very low #. Someone will come in and shed some more light for you though.
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From: Guilford, Connecticut
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: How Rare?
in auto trader I saw a GTA with those, they claimed there were only 50 made with those mirrors. its probably wrong though.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 83
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From: Manitoba, Canada
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt/3.27 Posi
Re: How Rare?
From gtasourcepage.com
Why do some GTAs have those ugly, "Porsche" style mirrors?"
Initially, the 1987 GTA was introduced as a kind of upscale "euro" sports coupe; that was its real marketing target. The "paddle" mirrors were a direct reference to the GTA's supposed "euro" predilections. That style was quite common on many European sports coupes of the day, including those made by Porsche and BMW.
Purportedly, the mirrors were discontinued becasue they were prone to being knocked off the cars rather easily, but it is a fact that only a very few early model 1987 GTAs have them. At some point early in production, Pontiac reverted to using the standard Firebird aero mirror on the GTA. I have seen two different numbers quoted as to the total number of cars built with the unusual mirrors: either fifty (50) or two hundred (200). Either way, it is certainly a rare option on any 1987 GTA.
Why do some GTAs have those ugly, "Porsche" style mirrors?"
Initially, the 1987 GTA was introduced as a kind of upscale "euro" sports coupe; that was its real marketing target. The "paddle" mirrors were a direct reference to the GTA's supposed "euro" predilections. That style was quite common on many European sports coupes of the day, including those made by Porsche and BMW.
Purportedly, the mirrors were discontinued becasue they were prone to being knocked off the cars rather easily, but it is a fact that only a very few early model 1987 GTAs have them. At some point early in production, Pontiac reverted to using the standard Firebird aero mirror on the GTA. I have seen two different numbers quoted as to the total number of cars built with the unusual mirrors: either fifty (50) or two hundred (200). Either way, it is certainly a rare option on any 1987 GTA.
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From: Guilford, Connecticut
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: How Rare?
heres a old ebay link I found in a quick search. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-...QQcmdZViewItem
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: How Rare?
How bad a shape is the car? Do some more research, if the car isn't too bad, a restore on that would definetly be worth something down the road.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 30
From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: How Rare?
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
Car: '86 Trans Am and '03 S-10
Engine: 355ci and 4.3l
Transmission: 700R4 and NV3500
Axle/Gears: 7.625/3.42 Auburn and 8.5/3.08 Gov-
Re: How Rare?
Ive seen them B4 but only in a Goodyear AD with a GTA and in a resto catalog I used to have. Both on a car. Rare they are. Pontiac Historical Society might know. Check the RPO decal for the specific code. It would be nice to know. Just snag the whole decal if the cars about to go to the crusher or get a good pic of it to cross-reference later.
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: How Rare?
ALL export 87s got them, but only the first half of domestic sold GTAs got them. It is my undertanding, they were used on exports, all the way through later years, not just 87.
The question is, ya wanna sell them? I've got a 87 GTA, so I've thought about getting a set, along with the 87 correct crosslace wheels. My wheels are 88-up ones.
The question is, ya wanna sell them? I've got a 87 GTA, so I've thought about getting a set, along with the 87 correct crosslace wheels. My wheels are 88-up ones.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 30
From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: How Rare?
I really havent figured out what Im doing with them as of yet.I might be convinced to sell them if the price is right although I have no idea what the market value is for a set of these mirrors
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