Reddragon88gta

I am getting serious about getting my bright red 88' GTA repainted soon so I need a quality set of emblems as I am missing the sail panel birds and a PO installed white GTA fender emblems for whatever reason. During my research I have seen Hawks has a "GM licensed" kit available for around $150 for 91-92, an ebay set at $168, and lastly what looks like a real quality set from Phoenix for like $250. I have seen a lot of IROC guys have had problems with Hawks emblems clouding up in no time but no info on the GTA stuff. I am leaning with Phoenix as they have a great reputation but I can't find any reviews on them for these emblems. Any insights from the GTA crowd on this would be appreciated.

soarestransam

Classic industries sell these nice reproduction pieces too

Reddragon88gta

I looked on there and all I could find was grey fender emblems, I think those are the same as hawks GM licensed emblems. Have you used them?

J.C. Denton

iTrader: (1)

Where to get quality aftermarket GTA emblem set? My personal opinion: Nowhere. I've tried a few aftermarket sets and all of them were garbage. Look at my thread I started a while ago: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...nt-emblem.html

My advice: Search for NOS original GM emblems on ebay or here in the classified boards.

Reddragon88gta

I did not find that thread when I searched before, that is really lousy especially for the bumper piece…luckily mine is still in semi acceptable condition but I need the rest and would prefer a new one. I will reach out to Phoenix and see what they say.

Your thread really nailed it though about how lousy our aftermarket stuff is, but hopefully that begins to change as the values are starting to climb on the 3rd gens.

Reddragon88gta

I got ahold of Phoenix graphix and they no longer carry the GTA badges at all. The guy I spoke to did mention they used to get them from carmotorsports who is one of the eBay sellers. I placed an order and will see how the quality is myself.

FrankieRider2

The CAR Motorsports stuff is quality all the way; I've never heard any bad reviews of any of their emblems. I loaned them several of my NOS emblems for color samples when they were getting into their repro emblem business.

Reddragon88gta

That's good to hear! There are so many mixed reviews on quality of reproduction parts for third gens. I think after the emblems I only have a few more parts to collect to have what I need for the re-paint. I still need to check out a few more shops this spring/summer.

Reddragon88gta

I received the new emblems yesterday and I immediately noticed there are a lot of black specs in the bright red paint on the fender badges which is unacceptable. The rest look pretty good other than possibly the lack of a curve in the bumper emblem ,which I was pretty much expecting, but on my next days off I will compare them both. I reached out to CAR motorsports last night requesting a new set so we shall see what they say hopefully by Monday.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

I've NEVER understood this lack of detail. The manufacturer made it 95% of the way down the field, then stopped and sat down at the 5 yard line. And it's no small detail...and a curved mounting surface with a (now) flat emblem. I love those enameled GTA badges, but in this case I think I'm glad my T/A only came with decals.

Reddragon88gta

It makes no sense to me either, I just hope they send me new badges without defects. My original front bumper emblem is not in bad shape at least.

Reddragon88gta

I took some pics of the black spots in the red paint. They would not clean up and I didn’t want to try any harsh chemicals that could damage them.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Oh yeah, that's not acceptable.

mmadden55

I would go with Ohoenix I have used them before with good results.

mmadden55

Try using dish soap mixed with baking soda and a soft bristle tooth brush to clean them.

Reddragon88gta

Phoenix no longer sells them, where I ordered them is where Phoenix sourced them according to the guy I talked to on the phone last week.

Reddragon88gta

I would try something like that but they are already in the box ready to go back. I gently tried to clean them but the black specs look like it’s really imbedded in the paint. CAR motorsports agreed to send me a new set and for what they cost we shouldn’t have to do that. Hopefully the new set is good to go but if not this just further shows the lack of quality the aftermarket shows third gens.

Reddragon88gta

Just wanted to update the thread, after receiving the defective emblems CAR motorsports informed me they are low in stock of the bright red and could not guarantee that the current stock was not the same as the ones I sent back. They refunded my money and at this point I will likely just try to keep an eye out for NOS or a really nice used set. I appreciate their honesty in being up front about the quality but it is lousy that it is such an ordeal to find good reproduction parts.

J.C. Denton

iTrader: (1)

Thats what I did, too. I found a NOS front bumper emblem on ebay after 2 years of searching and waiting. All reproductions are just pure junk.

Reddragon88gta

Just wanted to update this thread in case anyone is still looking for aftermarket badges, I finally found a place that sells good quality fender badges. The GM parts place on eBay really has some nice quality. I tried Carmotorsports again and the quality was still garbage, paint looked dull and full of black specs so I immediately returned them.

The parts place product game in high quality packaging with the GM mark of excellence and they truly were a cut above and looked great with no flaws.



Sorry about the picture but these really look great.


I have not seen their sail panel emblems or the often wrong bumper emblem but if I wanted new ones this is the place I would go. I actually found NOS sail panels which were in great shape.

Blackgta88

I know i am kinda responding to an older message but wanted to ask your advice. I have a 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA and just got it painted. I got new original metal emblems and am having problems finding new NOS quality Sail emblems in black. Anyone know a good place ? I spoke to Hawkmotorsports and they say their emblems are plastic.

Reddragon88gta

The sail panel bird emblems on eBay that were sold by Carmotorsports were good quality when I got a complete set, the issue I had with them was the fender emblems in bright red had black spots in the red. They were not plastic, I’m also confused why Hawks said theirs were? They sure look metal. Might be worth a shot to give Carmotorsports a try on the sail panel emblems, the price wasn’t bad either IIRC.

Also if you dig around on eBay you can find NOS emblems, I found some last summer. Also Firebirddude142 had some NOS emblems awhile back so he may be an option too.

Blackgta88

Thanks a lot Reddragon. Appreciate the quick response. In light of this response, i might call hawks back again tomorrow and see if maybe just some new guy telling me they are plastic. I called last week. Bear there told me they can get almost anything so i might hunt him down. Would love if firebirddude might have a pair of the black and gold for a new guy trying to restore his gta. Thanks again bud for the response and help. Sure do apperciate it.

Reddragon88gta

Another eBay store that might have something is GMpartsplace, they had really nice fender emblems and may have more. They are also responsive when messaging and have some stuff not listed on eBay.

Reddragon88gta

That last eBay store is actually called the parts place inc. I got the name wrong earlier.