i got this trans am and im trying to figure out if its a GTA or not.

leans towards GTA:
-GTA stiched on the interior map pocket
-GTA rims
-white GTA emblems on the car (original color was white, it wasrepainted hunter green)
-VIN decoder shows original engine was a 5.7 liter L98

leans against GTA:
-Silver birds on the sail panels and rear tail lights
-no firebird emblen on fron bumper cover
-seats are the stock GTA seats (but previous owner said these seats arent factory seats)

-pictures-
exterior:
http://www.wolfyserver.org/jake/car/trans.html
interior:
http://www.wolfyserver.org/jake/car/interior/


what do you guys think? there are no pro codes in the console, theres no sticker there

 

Check the rear hatch for the RPO sticker. I got burned on my car, thought it was a gta but wasn't. So check it out closely.

 

Those are standard base model seats. Shouldn't a GTA have the "Ultima" seats? It seems to have the GTA door panels though. Or were they available on T/A's too?

 

no fender vents, so it looks legit. check in the rear locking storage compartment in the trunk to see if there's RPO codes there, i can't remember if they put them there in '88.

looks like you need some body work, huh

 

OK, i really am sceptical about this car.
First- it is missing the gta badge on the nose and on the sail panels(not to big a deal, maybe the car was repainted)
Second- I checked gtasourcepage and found that that green color is not offered on gtas(then again maybe it was repainted, unlikely)
Third- Those aren't GTA seats.
Fourth- I really hope that you can find the RPO codes, thats the only way you really know if it is a GTA. Maybe someone took it out so you couldn't find it. Its possible.
Check out gtasourcepage.com, that site has a lot of useful information about authentifying a GTA. I used that site to check my car. Has the car been repainted, can you tell. Does it look like it was wrecked? Does it have the quick ratio steering? Just a few guestions to ask yourself. I got burned on my car, I just don't want it to happen to anyone else.

 

You can get your RPO codes from a GM dealer. All they need is the VIN.

And yes, the car was repainted and the seats were replaced. At least the fist post says so.

 

the car WAS repainted. it was originally white...the seats were replaced...so the ones pictured are NOT the ones that came with the car. maybe ill stop by a GM dealer sometime. lol, but everyone i talk to, theyre totally confused by my car heh.

anyone know where theres a GM dealer in north jersey?

 

There are a lot of clues leaning toward it being a real GTA. The door panels are legit, as well as the lack of fender vents. The nose has probably been replaced and the emblem never made it back on. Most of those things are overlooked with people make false claims. If the 8th digit of the VIN is 8, then that helps too since there were very few regular T/A's with 350's. It seems to have all of the other options standard with the GTA package. Finding the RPO codes would help, but chances are yours is legit.

 

Have you tried to contact PHS (pontiac historical society) When I first got my gta I could'nt find the y-84 code anywhere .So I got the phs kit and it confirmed that my bird was indeed a true gta.good luck dude......

 

i looked everywhere for the PRO codes, but i cant find them

how can i contact them? thanks...

 

http://www.phs-online.com/

Pontiac Historic Services
P.O. Box 884
Sterling Heights, MI 48311-0884

 

I would check under the front seats for the power hook ups for the ultima seats. The cloth seats in my old GTA were always wearing out on the bolsters. My guess is the seats in yours looked like azz and whoever owned it stuck a set of regular T/A or formula seats in it. Also I think the GTAs actually had a different texture when it came to cloth as opposed to the regular firebirds and t/as . Check the backseats door panels and front seats to see if the cloth texture is different.

 

Had this same dilema with mine. There should be a y84? code in center console rpo sticker (mine was missing) the glove pouch should have GTA but I don't think it was stitched, you should have a gold pontiac emblem in drivers side headlight, the inlaid bird at center of brake light cluster should be gold, no fender vents, The silver birds on sail panels means its a standard TA, the GTA had firebird emblems not decals, Outside of the badging, seats and fenders all GTA options were available on a regular TA, including the radio controls on steering wheel, 5.7L motor, rims. WS6 package, digital dash etc.

 

umm gta's had a 305 5 speed combo too

 

If you read it correctly you'll see the 5.7 motor was stated as an option also available for the standard TA not mentioned as the only motor available for the GTA Heres your flame back