I found this online. It says its a 1988 GTA 'vert. I thought Firebirds (transam) offered verts 91-92 for 3rd gens. Can someone clear this up. Heres the pic.

 

OK, got the vin number and heres what the decoder says:
Made in: United States
Manufacturer: General Motors
Make: Pontiac
Carline Code: F-Body
Carline Series: Trans Am, Formula
Body Type: 2 door coupe (hatchback)
Restraint System: Manual belts
Engine Code: 305 ci V8 LB9 (1987-1992)
1 is the CHECK DIGIT
Model Year: 1988
Assembly Plant: Van Nuys
Production Sequence: 245157

Now, could it have been converted??? And would GTA show up on the carline series or just transam/ formula???

 

There were conversions done to late model trans ams and GTA's to make them convertibles. Dealer ordered I believe.

And no it doesn't say gta from the vin, just t/a/formula.

BUT, that Trans Am shown is not a GTA.
Somebody did a bad job of trying to make it one.
It doesn't have the front badge, and only regular trans ams have the fender scoops that i see on the pic.

Hope that made sense.

 

Yea, I agree thats a TA not a GTA. Unless someone tried to make it look like a TA... ummm I think not.

Theres conversions floating around on various Firebirds made before 1991. A converted TA is actually a bit more unusual than a GTA, most of the cars that were converted were GTA's. The good thing is thats an ASC conversion, its just not 100% factory since the factory didnt authorize it.

 

Well, I went to look at the car .... heres a few things I noticed.

Has all the digital displays, cd player (stock) and the other goodies, but no steering wheel controls.

The rear speakers are located lower, so its not like it was cut and had a top thrown on it (unless the whole back sail panels were replaced for it

No leather interior (unless it was a option)

And theres 2 rectangluar vents on hood near the windhield on the sides (unless that was atandard for GTA's)

With a few exhaust leaks and 39,000 miles, how much is it worth??? Everything is clean, and mint

~Tim

 

"Has all the digital displays, cd player (stock) and the other goodies, but no steering wheel controls. "

Regular trans ams had the digi dash too, if it has a stock GM cd player, that is rare. Only GTA's had steering wheel controls, further proof.

"No leather interior (unless it was a option)"

Only GTA's had leather stock.

"And theres 2 rectangluar vents on hood near the windhield on the sides (unless that was atandard for GTA's)"

All Trans am hoods and GTA have the same hood with 4 vents total.

With a few exhaust leaks and 39,000 miles, how much is it worth??? Everything is clean, and mint

With 39k orig. miles, it's still a sweet ride, just lame when somebody tries to pull it off as what it's not. I'd pay anywhere between 6-8, but remove the GTA emblems.

how much does he want?

 

If there really is only 39k miles on it, then it might be worth 6-8k, but I wonder if thats really the mileage? Better check that closely and check the car itself to see if it seems legit.

The car was chopped and a top thrown on it, thats what ASC did to them. It was originally a t-top car, they all were.

Pretty sure leather seats were optional.

 

"Pretty sure leather seats were optional."

Sorry, I meant to say ONLY an option for a GTA.

And yes of course i'd say it's worth 6-8 ONLY based on the fact that it has that low of miles, you say the car is mint, so i'd say it's a good sign. But I'd definitely inspect it to make sure it's the original mileage, (instrument cluster could have swapped from an analog where the mileage might have been altered afterwards) Doubt they put that much effort though.

As for the cd player, i'd like to see a pic of that, wonder if it's just an aftermarket gm cd player, not one of the originals.

 

Well, to answer the question the dealer wanted 8 for it. But, my friend isn't going to buy it.

Instead he bought a 83 Z28 that had a 350 dropped into it to replace the LG4. Just needs some TLC and it will be decent, and performance mods are definetly going on it.

Thanx for the replies though. I wouldn't buy a car like the "GTA" if its untrustworthy. I knew I could count on you guys ......

~Tim

 

I saved some info on an 88 a while back, here is what the seller sez, I make no claims to the truth of the statements, the fact that he mentions Recaro Power seats makes me wonder, they could have been added as there were no Recaros in T/A's after 86.

Don


1988 TRANS AM GTA CONVERTABLE!!! This car was origionally owned by John Hine, Owner of John Hine Pontiac in San Diego California. John put approx. 8800 miles on this beauty before selling it in 1989 as a demo car. The second owners, the Eggeraat family purchased the car in 1989. They had all services including oil changes done exclusively through John Hine Pontiac. This GTA is documented as an origional through ASC, American Sunroof Corp., and through PHS, Pontiac Historical Services. I couldn't get any information on how many were produced in 1988 but PHS told me one of fewer than 5. Since the convertable option wasn't available through Pontiac untill 1991 this car is very rare. Pontiac offered a convertable option on Trans Am and GTA's in 1991-92 ASC did the conversions for GM. ASC also did the Camaro convertables for GM from 1987 to 1992. The GTA option was all about performance and creature-comforts; radio steering wheel controlls, Recaro power seats with lumbar, WS6 suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, sporty gold alloy wheels and many other options standard on the GTA. This Trans AM GTA is in great condition and would be great for a collection or just a great TOY!

 

:hail:

 

Including that car, I have pictures of 4 88 GTA ASC convertibles.
5 total? I think not.

Theres an 89 for sale here locally. Guy wants 15k for it. I think thats a bit high.

Mine:

 

I've seen 2 on Ebay in just the last couple months. Sure they are rare, but not near that rare.

Madmax the white one is yours??
Isn't the fender emblem on it in the wrong place??

 

Yep, emblem was in the wrong place. I took them off, havent put them where they belong yet. I still cant find evidence of a fender repaint, so I dunno what the emblems were doing there.

 

I just read an ad for an 89 GTA 'vert.

"1 of 350 made"

 

I don't know who owns this--but it's an 88 'vert--beautiful ride!:hail: :hail: :hail:

 

I'm not sure if this is the same car as 85 T/A WS6 posted--but it's an 89 'vert--and it's hot!!
:hail: :hail: :hail:

 

Tony, get those off my website? The maroon one was for sale about 6 months ago, it was in Colorado. The black one I dont remember the details offhand.

 

I don't remember where I found those pics--but they were damn sweet cars. Sure wish I had one!

 

It's kinda funny this particular question has arisen here regarding wether ASC conversions are factory authorized. I own an '87 GTA convertible that I ordered myself in Feb. of '87. I never thought that the issue of its' authenticity would arise. However, after a week of research, mostly due to activity across other forums, I have in fact uncovered the ill fated RPO code for this conversion.

I talked to Michael Deluca today from General Motors Division and he told me that the RPO code was (Y81). If this information is correct then I guess there is not doubt that it is infact a factory authorized conversion. There was never a doubt in my mind since I am the original owner and ordered the car myself, but I have noticed it is what proof you can show versus what info you can offer.

Once again, I hope this code is correct and hopefullly it will be helpful for all f-body owners with pre '91 convertibles.

 

Y81 - MERCHANDISED PACKAGE, FIREBIRD
y82 formula
y83 trans am
y84 gta

that's what comes up in the `ol RPO decoder

 

I appreciate the code history but all I said is that GM used the Y81 (as you stated, mechandise package) code for their ASC conversion on their paperwork from '87 to '90. Feel free to call GM at 1-800-762-2737 and ask for Michael Deluca. If you can't reach him just ask them to do a look up on this info. It may take a day or two but they will call back with this info. I am going to try to locate the build sheet under my drivers' seat today on my '87 GTA vert to verify this myself. Thanks, Joe