I'm going to germany to buy a Car next week, a 1992 Trans Am GTA, I've seen pics and that makes me wonder, there's no GTA badge on the front from what I can see, the interior does look like a GTA, and it does seem to have gold Firebird emblems on the side, which I believe GTA's have.

Some images:

 

Hmmmmm... Two points to note... A GTA is a Trans Am... Those are base model firebird taillights (can't imagine why someone would change from the 91-92 t/a lights).. Another thing (and I can't see 100% from the picture): Is the steering wheel leather wrapped?? It doesn't look like it, but then again the picture is too small.. If its a GTA, it will have a leather wrapped steering wheel, shifter handle, and parking brake lever... Do you have any more pictures of it??

At this point (without additional pictures) I would be skeptical as to whether its a true GTA or not... If the RPO sticker says Y84, that is the code for the GTA package, so that would be a good thing to confirm... Post more/bigger pictures if you have them...

 

Also, it looks like its missing the nose badge and the fender badges (can't tell if the sail panel bird badge is there), so it looks like its been repainted (not necessarily a bad thing)...

 

Okay, little things keep jumping out at me here... The external mirrors can't be original to the car... I've only seen those mirrors on a limited number of '87 GTA's.. Perhaps there are different options for cars that were sold in different countries?? I dunno but I don't think those mirrors came with the car...

 

they are euro style mirrors
well it's sometimes the choice of ruining the GTA lights or getting the lights with a yellow turn signal which is required in Europe
If I were you I'd go for RPO sticker
92 GTA gotta be TPI this one is automatic so probably it's L98 too so maybe check casting #s.
these pictures are small but overall the car looks nice on them

 

The ad says it's got 246HP's so I assume it's the biggest model engine in it as well as IIRC those where rated at 240HP's.

Where exactly is the RPO sticker?

 

Should be behind the rear close-out panel in the trunk.
Also, under the driver seat in the cushion, there should be a build sheet.

 

How do you mean in the cushion? Sorry, english is not my first language, so some more elaborate explanation would be appreciated

 

Well the seller(a cal dealership, not private seller) says it's never been in an accident, and in Germany the law says you have to disclose any prior accidents with the car, so that might be probable.

 

Shouldn't the RPO sticker (lists the car's options) be stuck the the bottom of the center console lid?

Or is that just a domestic car thing?

 

91-92 GTA and T/A Taillights have amber turn signals already...

EDIT: By the way, I'm not trying to say the car isn't worth anything... I'm just saying that I might be a little skeptical if I was counting on a true GTA.. Looks like a nice car whether its a GTA or a regular T/A or whatever..

 

Here's a pic... Amber turn signals.. These are the best taillights that came on 82-92 taillights... Can't imagine why someone would change them out (unless maybe it got wrecked and repaired and repainted!)..

 

On a 92, it should be on the driver side rear compartment lid..

EDIT: Doh! already covered, sorry...

 

Do the fenders have fender vents under the GTA symbols? If so that is a dead give-a-way. I can't tell from the pics so that is why I ask. No GTA had fender vents from the factory.

 

Well, I'll be checking the RPO sticker anyway, it's confounding though...

 

What and where should I look?

 

You got the VIN #. You can use the VIN decoder from the this site to see what the car came w/ from the factory.

Also what is the 8th digit in the VIN if you have it. If its an "8" then its a 350 car.

 

They were usually on the bottom of the seat trapped against the foam material by the "springs" that go across the seat on the underside. The Build sheet that is.

In the late 80's they started switching the location of the RPO sheet from the center glovebox to the rear trunk panel.

 

well the best taillights are these just my opinion
anyway as they said check VIN for 8th digit - should be 8
and you might want to look in here
oh yeah taillights

 

my 91 GTA has the rpo sheet in the center counsel...
there are not fender vents on that ride..and there are sail panel emblems...

 

I can't see if the rims are gold, no badges on the fenders, nothing on the nose (not even the mounting hole), did 92 have the center piece in the rear lights? If so gold bird back there too. What's the dash panel say on the pocket? Should be a gold chicken or GTA stitched in gold. It has GTA seats (or 4th gen seats). My bet is it is not a real GTA.
To note only 226 GTA's were made in 1992, only 38 black ones.

 

You can tell that it has GTA seats in it from the headrests (which were unique to the GTA's and dropped in subsequent 4th gen models)... I agree too that it is more likely to NOT be a GTA than it is to actually be one...

 

Hmm, well, the steeringwheel seems to be authentic according to this:

"The UT4 stereo cassette unit was standard until 1990, when the first use of Supplemental Inflatable Restraints, or "airbags" required the deletion of the steering wheel radio controls in order to make room for the airbag, and the stereo was discontinued."
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/ModelFe...990GTADash.jpg

Thanks for the link to that GTA authentication page, it'll come in handy.

I'll be keeping you up-to-date on this, next tuesday I'm going there, if it's not a GTA, it's probably a Trans Am atleast, as I believe that ordinary f-birds and formulas did not have the intakes on the hood, so I'll probably buy it, though for less money.

 

Got this pic from straight on, is it a trick of light or is that a sort of hole or something there right on the front close to where the GTA tag should be?



EDIT:
I am looking through the gallery at www.transamgta.com, so far several of the 91-92 GTA's seem to lack the front emblem?

 

just an FYI the 91-92 nose badges are stick on..unlike the 87-90 which are drilled into the nose..so there wont be any holes there

 

If you are gonna buy it anyway please, please make sure that it is at least 5.7
I've bought my car as 5.7l TPI auto and it's only 5.0l

 

I understand the feeling buddy!!! Trust me. Mine was badged as a GTA, and I was told it was a 350 car. I got it I was 19 and had no clue on what a GTA was. Luckily they came down to a reasonable price, one that I have heard was a great deal for the shape my car was in.

Needless to say that I stress people to be vary careful about checking everything before they buy. That way they won't end up w/ a 305 TA when they are told it is a 350 GTA!!!



Guess you learn from your mistakes...

 

I heard the total build was 508.
I have a true 92 GTA. There are too many differences with that car for me to believe it is a GTA.
It's nice, regardless.

 

So.. whats off with this car in total then?

Front GTA sticker - none, though I've seen many of those without so far.

Taillights - standard firebird lights instead of GTA's

Mirrors - replaced with euro style mirrors, weird overall.

It seems to have tailside GTA stickers

Rims - unknown as of yet

RPO sticker - unknown as of yet

Interior - seems to conform fully with other pictures I've seen of 91/92 GTA's with airbags, though I've been unable to see it in full.


I must say though, I have a hard time believing that an auto-firm would do this on purpose, if it was a private seller I'd sure be alot more wary.
I'm really hoping I'm finding the Y84 on the RPO though

 

Oh well, personally I wonder if it might not be a GTA after all, because if it's a fake, it's a very weird one, the interior seems fine, but the exterior doesn't even have a front GTA sign.
I don't see why one would go to all that trouble on the inside but forget such relatively minor, yet important points on the outside.
Seems more to me like it's a GTA that had some work done on it rather than vice versa.

Or maybe I'm just being hopefull

 

Gold lace rims with little divots at the outer edges are also part of a GTA.
Black lace rims were on the TA's.

 

my opinion....
It is a GTA, jujst an export style. All the same things you are noting i have on my export rpo (EXP) T/A. It is not fashionable, but the japanese car dealer ordered it this way, ver-batum. I have all the rpos's and the car has only 19,000 miles on it. Drive it LOVE IT !!!! shawn

 

my opinion....
It is a GTA, jujst an export style. All the same things you are noting i have on my export rpo (EXP) T/A. It is not fashionable, but the japanese car dealer ordered it this way, ver-batum. I have all the rpos's and the car has only 19,000 miles on it. Drive it LOVE IT !!!! shawn

 

Hi,

I'm living in Essen, Germany, 25 miles away from this dealer.

To make it short: I was taking a look on this car this afternoon...

It is an export version with the km/h speedometer and oil pressure gauge and the export Euro style mirrors. The VIN shows it's a 91 model.

It has the gold lace rims, the nose emblem and the fender emblems are missing...
The RPO sticker is not in the center glovebox or in the rear trunk panel.

It is a two owners car, the last owner (born in 1939) was having this car for 10 years.

Hope it helps

Jens

 

Ok, the car is now confirmed, it is indeed a GTA

 

well go get it now!

 

Oh I am, by tuesday it's mine.

 

good stuff...is a very nice car

 

Did the dealership have a printout of the RPO codes??? It states that you could not find the SPID label with RPO codes in the vehicle correct??? So how were you able to determine that the car was an export GTA???

 

If you do have access to the RPO codes you should post them. It would be interesting to see all the RPO codes for the car. It has features that you would never see on a 1991 GTA in North America. The European paddle mirrors are very interesting as Pontiac supposedly only used them on North American GTA's in 1987. Did they keep stock to put on European export cars 5 production years later??? All in all its very interesting. Any info you can share would be awsome!

 

Does anyone know offhand why Pontiac put those disgusting mirrors on that car (or any 1987 GTA's for that matter)?? They're ugly as sin, and I was just wondering if there's some regulation or something (I should hope so)...

 

I know for a fact that here in japan, law states mirrors must have a uniform and fluid appearance. Also do to the fact streets are narrow, and parking on streets is common, fold in mirrors give you an extra 6 inches closer to a wall or building.
My T/A came from the factory with paddle mirrors. My car is a japanese dealership ordered car. They were imported just like that. Good news i am scrapping an '89 IROC i just found, and the mirrors are going on the T/A after the registration inspection.
"soon to be 1 less thirdgen on okinawa"
shawn

 

I had some help from some people on a german pontiac forum(www.bandit-online.de), using the VIN number they where able to get the RPO codes from the GM registries.

EDIT, oh yes, the RPO codes:

VIN: 1G2FW2388ML201417
1: U.S. Built
G: General Motors
2: Pontiac
FW: Firebird Trans Am
2: two-door hatchback/liftback
3: active (manuel) belts w/driver inflatable
8: L98 - 5,7 V8
8: check digit
M: 1991 model year (the ad said 92, but the car wasn't used until 1992)
L: van nuys ca
201417: production sequence

RPO-Codes:
AAA AJ3 AU3 A31 A90 BC8 B2L B84 C49 C60 DC4 DD9 D42 D5X D8F D81 EXP E5Z E9Z FE2 GU5 G80 IL2 JG1 J65 KC4 K34 K68 L98 MAE MD8 MX0 NA5 N10 N64 PW7 QLC T96 UB3 UL2 UQ1 UX1 U19 U62 U75 VAN VC5 VK3 V78 WS4 WS6 Y84 19I 19Q 192 199 41U 52P 6ZX 7ZX 8NL 9NL

 

You have some very unique RPO codes. Its nice to get some info on these export vehicles. AAA : 4-WAY MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTER
AJ3 : RESTRAINT SYSTEM, FRT SEAT, INFLATABLE, DRIVER
AU3 : LOCK CONTROL, SIDE DR, ELEC
A31 : WINDOW, POWER OPERATED, SIDE
A90 : LOCK CONTROL, RR COMPT LID, REM CONT ELEC RELEASE
BC8 : ORNAMENTATION, INTR, DR MAP POCKETS
Unable to locate code BL2 in our database!
B84 : ORNAMENTATION, EXTR MLDG, B0DY SIDE
C49 : DEFOGGER, RR WINDOW, ELECTRIC
C60 : HVAC SYSTEM, AIR CONDITIONER FRT MAN CONTROLS
DC4 : MIRROR I/S, R/V, TILT, DUAL READING LAMPS
DD9 : MIRROR O/S, LH & RH, RE4 CONT, ELEC, 8REAKAWAY,
D42 : SHADE, RR COMPT SECURITY
D5X : GEAR, SPEEDO DRIVEN
D8F : SENSOR, VEH SPD
D81 : SPOILER, RR, AERO WING
Unable to locate code EXP in our database!
E5Z : SPEEDOMETER ADAPTER (DELETE)
E9Z : SPEEDOMETER KEY (DELETE)
FE2 : SUSPENSION SYSTEM, RIDE HANDLING
GU5 : AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
G80 : AXLE POSITRACTION, LIMITED SLIP
IL2 : TRIM- INTERIOR DESIGN
JG1 : SHAFT, PROP, ALUMINUM
J65 : BRAKE SYSTEM, PWR, FRT & RR DISC
KC4 : COOLING SYSTEM, ENG OIL
K34 : CRUISE CONTROL, AUT0MATIC, ELECTRONIC
K68 : GENERATOR,105 AMP
L98 : 5.7 LITER V8 TPI ENGINE
MAE : MARKETING AREA, EUROPE MD8 : TRANSMISSION, AUTO 4 SPD, THM 700 R4
Unable to locate code MX0 in our database!
NA5 : EMISSION SYSTEM, FEDERAL, TIER O
N10 : EXHAUST SYSTEM DUAL
N64 : WHEEL & TIRE,SPARE, SPACE SAVER, ALUMINUM
PW7 : WHEEL, 16 X 8, ALUMINUM, DIAMOND SPOKE
QLC : TIRE ALL, P245/50ZR16/N BL R/PE ST TL HW4
T96 : LAMP, FOG
UB3 : CLUSTER, INST, OIL, COOL TEMP, VOLTS, TRIP ODOM, TACH
UL2 : FREQUENCIES, EUROPEAN RADIO
UQ1 : RADIO PROVISIONS, FOR STEREO
UX1 : RADIO, AM/FM STEREO CASSETTE EQUALIZER
U19 : SPEEDOMETER,INST, KILO & MILES KILO ODOMETER
U62 : SPEAKER SYSTEM, DUAL COAXIAL
U75 : ANTENNA, POWER, RADIO
VAN : ASSEMBLY PLANT, VAN NUYS, CA
Unable to locate code VC5 in our database!
VK3 : LICENSE PLATE, FRT MOUNTING PKG
V78 : VEHICLE STATEMENT DELETE
WS4 : MODEL CONVERSION, TRANS AM
WS6 : PERFORMANCE PACKAGE, SPECIAL
Y84 : MERCHANDISED PKG, GTA, TRANS AM
19I : INTERIOR TRIM, BLACK (I) (91)
19Q : MOLDING COLOR (BLACK)
192 : TRIM COMBINATION, LEATHER, BLACK (2) (91 )
199 : SEAT BELT COLOR, BLACK (91)
41U : PRIMARY COLOR, EXTERIOR, BLACK
52P : WHEEL COLOR, GOLD MET (91)
6ZX : SPRING, COMPUTER SELECTED, FRONT, LEFT HAND
7ZX : SPRING, COMPUTER SELECTED, FRONT, RIGHT HAND8NL : COMPUTER SELECTED REAR LEFTHAND SPRING
9NL : SPRING, COMPUTER SELECTED, REAR, RIGHT HAND

 

i see no reason to believe its not a GTA,

the GTA would be cali produced, so would almost cirtainly have been repainted by now.

the mirrors are indeed euro spec, as are the tail lights, despite the fact that the GTA lights would also be euro legal, they would need to be type aproved for sale in Europe, due to the small numbers the car sold in, it would not be economical to type aprove two types of tail light, so all thirdgen birdies came with those lights.

The nose badge may have been deleated to pass TuV legislation, it doesn't allow protruding edges.

 

looking at the RPO's that is a car well worth buying, ali driveshaft, posi, 350, handling pack, etc...

even if it isn't a GTA (I'm sure it is) buy it.

 

The car also has something called a glass-pack? I am not entierly familiar with that word, has something todo with the exhaust and it gives it more noise(a good thing ), going by it's name I'm figuring it's made from glassfiber.

EDIT:
Howcome? Is there something about California? I know they got harsh sun and that can't be too good for the paint, I remember when I saw my cousins -76 Corvette that he got from California, that paintjob's only purpose in life would have been to make money for a bodyshop, except for the fact that he got rid of it himself

 

The Y84 RPO clearly defines the car as a GTA. It is without doubt an authentic export GTA.

 

you may know glass pack silencers as 'cherry bombs'

louder, more raspy noise, can sound very good an a trans am.

 

the van vuys cars SUCKED as far as the paint..it wasnt the sun..the plant just used crappy materials