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If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by PROSTREET91
HELLO, IM NEW TO THIS BOARD BUT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I ACQUIRED A CAR THAT I SEE WAS DISCUSSED ON THIS BOARD A FEW YEARS AGO. THE CLAIM WAS THAT IT IS THE #33 EDDIE MECUM FIREHAWK CAMARO. I CANT SAY YES OR NO. IT DOES HAVE SOME SIGNS OF BEING A FIREHAWK CAR BESIDES THE BEAT TO DEATH SHEETMETAL. IT HAS THE 1LE OPTION, A ROLLCAGE THAT IS WITHIN THE IMSA SPEC, OLD FIREHAWK TIRES ALL THE WAY AROUND, EXHAUST THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED AND APPEARS THE SAME AS PICTURES IVE SEEN, AND A FEW OTHER MINOR THINGS. BUT THE ONLY THING I KNOW 100% IS IS THE LAST EIGHT OF THE VIN FROM THE FRAME UNDER THE RIGHT FENDER WHICK IS KL129489. I PUT TOGETHER ONLY ONE VIN THAT WORKED AT ALL AND THAT WAS WITH AN 8 ENGINE AND X FOR NINTH DIGIT. BUT FOR THE MOST PART SEEMS LIKE THE CAR DOESNT EXIST. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT.
I checked it against my Player's Vins ... doesn't fall in the range. STill could be a USA raced car.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by callmemister
Hey guys longtime no talk. Sorry! I now have 5 players cars 3 of which raced in the series. 1 which was a promotional vehicle from 1991 and 1 which was the pace car from the eastern series in 1992 sponsored by moosehead. I will try to post some pictures of them so that you can appreciate them as much as I do. Kelvin
Seems Players car owners are horders! :-) I know a few folks that have a collection. Hot Wheels for us older guys!
Cool cars!
I'm finally getting back into my cars ... been busy. Hoping to pull out the code on my Players Race prom and see what they did back in the day. I'm a newb on Prom stuff.
Glad to see the Players cars are still out there and been preserved!
87 is a while Camaro with black interior ... and a Player's car. 6th made out of the 53 made in 87.
88 is white camaro with black interior ... and a Player's car. 17th made out of the 71 made in 88.
Both cars were ordered with the X06 option group which included PW/PL.
White cars were popular colors as they were a blank canvas.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Hi guys.
I have a reproduced Players Challenge roll cage for sale from CSC. The cage is currently here in Calgary. It was installed in my 1987 A4U car but I found the original cage and installed that one. I had CSC reproduced to exact specs which I think would work and look great in the 1986-1990 cars as the front bars go into the dash pad. The bolt holes almost lined up perfect when I had it in the car.
I paid $1150 plus shipping of $400 and all taxes. I would be happy to get the $1150 out of it. Anyone interested let me know.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
just out of curiousity, does CSC still make the same kinda reproduction roll cages? i went to their website and don't see any for the thirdgens....is it possible i missed it?
I've been kicking the idea of making a replica player's car and would like to make a car to similar specs. Especially in the roll cage area....
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Just call them and ask Ralph. Be advised they have recently moved down the street and sold a few shop items so it is possible that they are just selling product now and not dong any car work or fabrications.
FWIW, there is nothing particularly special about the cage. A decent shop can make on for you tighter and safer than the original cage.
My 85 had a Players cage and needed to be upgraded in the door bars and the mounting areas to meet current CASC race rules. Because it was designed for a full interior car I found it tight around the head area getting in and out.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
I can imagine, i've seen where they build the roll cage going downward on the door area. I'm sure they made that more higher then what it originally built with.
doug do you have any pics of your rollcage? if so can you post them up?
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Well got the car today...After years searching and researching here is my 1986 GM/Players Trans AM....Needs a restoration but with only 3800 KM and so many spare parts I think I should be in good shape. Has original engine, original race engine, roll cage, brembo brakes, original race seat, bill of sale etc etc... Should have some good left over parts if anyone out there is in need of some stuff. I will take lots of pictures to document stuff so anything specific you need send me an e-mail. Here are pictures of the car on the trailer, and a photo of it back when it was new.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Hey way to go mister, I hope you get it back to it's former glory. I could have bought that car from Rick a few years ago but I'm not a Trans-am guy! I did buy his two camaros though. Ricks a wealth of knowledge and a great guy.Good luck Kelvin
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Callmemister...I have a few items that belong to your cars, give me a few days to get everything sorted and Ill PM you!! Rick and Glenn were there to help load and yes great people.
The car is going to be restored back to original with just a few minor decal changes to promote my business....
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by Munyguy
Well got the car today...After years searching and researching here is my 1986 GM/Players Trans AM....Needs a restoration but with only 3800 KM and so many spare parts I think I should be in good shape. Has original engine, original race engine, roll cage, brembo brakes, original race seat, bill of sale etc etc... Should have some good left over parts if anyone out there is in need of some stuff. I will take lots of pictures to document stuff so anything specific you need send me an e-mail. Here are pictures of the car on the trailer, and a photo of it back when it was new.
Finally a 1986! This has to be the most significant Thirdgen. The reason why 1LE become a package! Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday campaign. "drive" the race car on the street (had to be driven to the track, not trailered).
And this car has it's "supposed to be returned to GM" race car parts! Very cool. Awesome find!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Very nice. Not many of the 86-88 cars made it out intact. Were you able to find the front brakes? Looks like your car did some more racing after the series.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
No I didn't find the Brembo calipers but it does have 1LE brakes at all 4 corners as well as an aluminum drive shaft and a Players exhaust with no cat. It is still street legal and I drive it in summer. It has not been raced in the last 18 years. Can you send me pics of your Players cars. Thanks, Mark.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Guys in the process of restoring my 1992 R7U players challenge camaro, my front springs went missing. They are part #14029396 with CDB as the 3 letters. Fortunately I also had a 1991 players car that had the original springs in it.
I took the springs to a local spring shop, McAllister springs and after about 3 weeks they were able to create 2 sets of replica springs for me. I paid $1400 cdn for it but at least I know I have as close to original in there as I'm gonna find.
Anyways I had an extra set made so if anyone out there is in the same situation I'll let the second set go for $500!
I have the receipts as well as a guarantee from them that they will be exactly the same as what came out of the 1991 car. Mind you the 1991 car has 35000miles on it so there might be some settling.
Regardless I'm happy and hopefully I can save someone the headache I went through.
If you;re interested feel free to call me @ 604-729-2446
Can anyone give me some additional information about this car? I bought it second hand back in 1994. Ex girlfriend took it into the ditch, some front end damage. It was parked for 10 years, but I recently brought it home to see if it can be restored. Any help is appreciated.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Wow looks like a barn find.
What side of Canada are you on? East or West?
First thing ... check to see if the car was raced. Look for signs of a rollbar installed, side exhaust, and the fronts are usually moved and have markings on them. Some wear and tear is normal.
I'll check the VIN and see if I have come across it before.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
I'm in Spruce Grove AB. The car did have a roll cage at one time. Does it affect the value if it was raced or street only?
It's not really a barn find, I drove the car years ago but my EX girlfriend drove it into the ditch and it's been parked/neglected ever since. I really never knew what I had until recently.
Originally Posted by Mark_ZZ3
Wow looks like a barn find.
What side of Canada are you on? East or West?
First thing ... check to see if the car was raced. Look for signs of a rollbar installed, side exhaust, and the fronts are usually moved and have markings on them. Some wear and tear is normal.
I'll check the VIN and see if I have come across it before.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
There are burn marks under the drivers door, looks like exhaust came out there, plus the holes for the roll cage. How do I go about finding more info? How do we know if it's been raced?
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
I can confirm it WAS NOT raced in 1992 out West. It does not show up in the VIN list (but I have one entry without a VIN).
First step in owning a players car ... contact GM Vintage Services and ask for a package on your car. A fellow by the name of George Zappora is the guy you want as he has done many Player's cars. What you will receive are papers that identify your car, the options, what dealership sold it, and of course how many made. Once you have the dealership, then you can use the racers lists to narrow down which dealerships sponsored what drivers.
Out West there were only a few Trans Am's raced. If you have car-fax on your car ... confirm it was only a West car. My 88 TA came from out East ... as did my 1987.
Behind the AC idler pulley is a pad on the engine where the VIN will be stamped. Best to check that out and make sure it matches the car. Original engine is best ... but GM Player's crate engine is second best.
When you get around to pulling the ECM out ... open the PROM and see if the prom has a numbered decal on it or yellowish paint. The paint is race.
If you take a front wheel off .. take a close look at the markings on the inside. There were rumours of a CPC casting ... light weight version of the GTA wheels only used in racing.
Examine the paint for re-paint. If you can see any colors, then it will help find the car in pictures.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Mark_ZZ3: I've obtained a Carfax report on the car, it's been registered in Alberta since 1993, I'm the second owner. nothing has ever been reported on it as far as accidents or damage. The guy that owned it prior to me worked at Kal Tire in West Edmonton, on Yellowhead trail.
I've wrote to GM historical services, asking for any info. Will keep you guys updated. I'm learning as I go. I'm not a terribly mechanical guy, while restoring the car I can't do most of the work myself as I'm gimped up. it's going to take time.
TTOP350 I see you would like more pictures, anything in particular?
yes if you can help with finding a front bumper that would be AWESOME. one's I've seen are badly damaged from front end collisions.
Thanks for all your help guys. It's encouraging to see the amount of interest there is in my car.
Last edited by xdarkhorsex; 05-18-2015 at 09:10 PM.
Reason: added info
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by xdarkhorsex
Mark_ZZ3: I've obtained a Carfax report on the car, it's been registered in Alberta since 1993, I'm the second owner. nothing has ever been reported on it as far as accidents or damage. The guy that owned it prior to me worked at Kal Tire in West Edmonton, on Yellowhead trail.
I've wrote to GM historical services, asking for any info. Will keep you guys updated. I'm learning as I go. I'm not a terribly mechanical guy, while restoring the car I can't do most of the work myself as I'm gimped up. it's going to take time.
TTOP350 I see you would like more pictures, anything in particular?
yes if you can help with finding a front bumper that would be AWESOME. one's I've seen are badly damaged from front end collisions.
Thanks for all your help guys. It's encouraging to see the amount of interest there is in my car.
See what Gm Vintage comes back with. I have not seen that VIN before. And it wasn't registered in 1992. So it may have been raced in 1990 and possible in 1991. Check VIN on the block to ensure it's original block. If it was replaced, it may have been raced for two season.
I'll grab the list of TA's in West for 1990 and 1991.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
In 1990 WEST there was only ONE Trans Am ordered. 6 out East. 6 Spares and 1 marketing car.
GM Vintage will list the dealership and then we can see. If out West ... then we may be able to hook you up with the original driver.
My race history shows more cars that raced out west than were ordered. So some of the spares made it to drivers. Of the three, one in BC, two in Edmonton Area. Two Edmonton cars look to be white cars with paint schemes on it. The BC car looks black. Check the rear quarter for Yellow paint.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by xdarkhorsex
Received this info today
Your car was raced by Carl Harr or Todd Nichols both of who are still in St. Albert last I checked. I'll see if I still have Todd or Carl's email and pm you with it.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
not sure what year your car is but I had the 92 Carl Harr car which I sold to a guy in alberta a couple years ago. It had the cage etc! Ironically the interior components didnt match the car. The rear glove box RPO codes vin was different that the dash! they had removed the panels from a previous car so they didnt have to cut the holes again! If yours is a 91 check and see, perhaps you have the panels from the 92 I sold!
12-21-2013, 08:55 PM
Will you be sharing any of the restoration? Be neat to see what nuances an early Player's car is hiding.
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