Okay...well I was walking down my block today and I noticed that somebody had a white t-top trans am...that would be great for parts. It had one headlight up...one down...and the white paint in the front was chipped and there was yellow on it. Well...when I got closer I noticed a gold badge...so right away I thought GTA. Then as I got to the window sticker...in NY State...it said the car was an '86. But the sticker was peeled...so maybe it wasnt the right sticker for the car...since the car hasnt moved since I saw it a month ago. Well...he had a bunch of junk in the inside...with seat covers...so I couldnt tell the color of the interior. Then as I walked to the back to check out the tail lights...I noticed something really odd. It had a white center bird....just like the red one I bought from a GTA...and it said TURBO underneath. Now...could this be a TTA?...How would I tell if it was the 3.8 Turbo...could he have just taken the tail light center piece and front end from a TTA? It also had the gold GTA rims. I was very confused. I went to the door pretending not to know anything about the car...just in case he didnt know. The guy was getting ready to leave for vacation...so he couldnt talk. But he didnt even know what was in the car. He said well I think it is a 350...then I asked if it was a TPI...and he didnt know what I was talkin about. Well...I dont really know how to tell if it is or not. Should I go get the VIN number from that black square on our windshields? Can somebody help me? How much would this car be worth?...it would definitely need to be restored. Did they make a t-top TTA? I am so confused....but no matter if it is or not I am going to buy it. How much could I get for the 3.8 Turbo engine? Would I be better off restoring this car....even though it would be my first. I need help ASAP. He said come back on Monday to talk about it. He is thinking of a price...and I know I can talk him down since he doesnt know a thing about TA'...and b/c it is pretty beat up. I couldnt believe that he didnt try bull shyting me since I am only 16. Maybe it is a TTA and it is my lucky day...or maybe it isnt...either way I would be happy. Thanks.

 

There is a VIN decoder on this site, it should tell you everything you need to know. Other than popping the hood(out of the question I assume) you could maybe try and get a look under it to see how the exhaust is routed? I'd go with the VIN approach, and hope that someone hasn't hacked it already. Good luck.

 

Yes they made T-Top TTA's (most were), and yes someone could have swapped the tailights. The GTA wheels are correct but to be a TTA it must have brown interior, either leather or cloth, and it should have the TTA badging. Check the VIN from "that black square on our windshields" and check it agianst the VIN decoder on this site and look under the hood. If it's that beat up and being that you are only 16, I say leave it alone no matter what it is, especailly if it's a TTA because it will take ALOT of money to bring it back. If it is a real TTA, in the condition that it is in, I'd say it only worth about $4-6K depending on the actual condition which I cannot see for myself...

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[This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited August 09, 2001).]

 

Some more clues to whether it's a real TTA
1. TTA came with am/fm stereo cassette only with controls in the steering wheel
2.Boost gage in the tach face
3.20th Anniversary logo on map pocket
4.20th anniversary badges on nose and B pillar
5.Winged tire emblem onf front GFX aft of front tire
6.White with gold trim saddle(tan) interior
7.200r4 trans
8.1LE brakes
The only 2 options on the car were t tops and leather interior (the most common combo)
1555 were produced in good shape price can be from $14.000-$20,000 depending on mileage.
Be careful with this car if the seller is passing off as a TTA, all the stuff I mentioned above can be added (even the turbo motor) the only way to tell for sure is with the VIN # and original window sticker.
BTW if it's an 86 Definatly not a TTA made in 89 only.
HTH

 

Back seats, those are different... they have headrests. The exhaust also has different tips, there are chrome tips that have 2 outlets on each side.

92GTA no offense, but your sig sucks. Most of the time the image you have in there doesnt load and the page (I use netcrash) just sits there forever trying to download something it cant for whatever reason. Makes it difficult to read. Maybe you could try a different location for the image or better yet not use it at all?

 

Well...thanks for all the help. He didnt try passing the car as a TTA. He actually didnt even know what kind of engine he had in the car. It had the badging on the front nose...but it didnt notice the headrests on the back seats. Also, I didnt get to see the color of the interior since it had covers. I am going to buy the car...b/c I need the hatch, the spoiler, the gfx, the back bumper, the t-tops, and some other misc. interior pieces. I was just wondering if it really was a TTA or not...it would definitely need a headlight motor, and a good paintjob and body work to get the exterior to look good. The t-tops were mint, there were no major dents...it just needed a good wash. The rims are mint, there are no cracks in the rear spoiler. I will let you know what I do...but I doubt it will be that expensive.

 

Oh yea...if it is a real TTA...how much could I get for the engine and the tail lights? So...if I bought the car for under a grand...it would be worth 3 grand? Then maybe it would be smart to make a profit off of it....hmmm. Let me think...maybe I will just use the parts I need then sell the rest of it whole for parts...since I cant have another TA layin around.

 

If it's a real TTA, I think you should consider either restoring it, or if you're not up to the task, sell it (at a fat profit) to somebody that will. That is a rare and special car and it would be a real shame to part it out.


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Well, I would love to restore it if it really is a TTA. It is just the fact that I dont have the money. Well, I will see. Maybe I will just sell it for a profit...that is if it is really a TTA. Well, I will keep you guys posted, and thanks for the replies.

James

 

Well, I went to check out the VIN #...and it was missing. The car has the back seats with the headrests...it has tan leather interior...and I finally realized that those stickers that said '86 were wrong...since the car has the shoulder seatbelts. It doesnt have the badges on the side of the car...but it does have the taillight section..and the front emblem which says 20th anniversary trans am. I dont know how many miles it has...I will find out tomorrow...I was actually thinking about restoring it...but it has rust. The paint if alright...besides the front nose. The side door has a long indentation sort of like a scratch that made an indent. It is missing the side view mirror. It has some nice parts. I think I am just going to buy it and take parts. If anybody needs parts let me know. Also....can somebody give me estimates on how much I can get for parts from it. How much can I get for the set of tan leather seats...which are in decent condition(they have the headrests on the back seats)...how much can I get for the center taillight peace that says TURBO on it? Please give me estimates on prices for parts. If I bought the car...I would probably either junk it...or sell the rest whole, with the engine. Or is it worth rebuilding the 3.8 turbo???? Please let me know what I should do. From one side the car looks pretty mint...and from the other side it is in pretty bad condition. Thanks.

 

Well, this is a difficult situation. It sounds like the car is a real TTA (seats,front badge/ rear emblem, etc...).
It does sound like a real project too. It sounds like it would cost a good some of $ to restore it. Because of that I would recommend that you forget about getting it as a first car. If you have the space and resources I would suggest buying the car (for a low low price) and selling it for a profit to an enthusiest with the $ to restore or fix up the car. Parting out a car is a pain especially a rare one like this.
If you have to pass it up I suggest you point it out to someone that can give it a good home. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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83 T/A, 84 T/A, 94 T/A, 94 25th anniv T/A, & Some fords.

 

I already have a first car...I am not worrying about it anymore. I would like to make a profit off of it...but who would want to buy it? I would need to get rid of it ASAP. Well, if anybody has the side gfx...and rear aerospoiler...I will sell them the car for cash + those parts. Let me know. Thanks.

 

Email me when you come up with a price, and if it sounds like something I may take a drive down to see it.

------------------

The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
Custom Thirdgen Subwoofer Enclosures
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

I own a TTA, if you buy it I can and will set you up with abuyer for 10% of the selling price, I will have a buyer for you in less than 30days.

Why do you open the hood and look for the turbo V6??????

the vin is all over the car, door, engine compartment, windshield,

DO NOT part the car out!!!!!!!!!

Phil

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1986 Grand National
Big fuel pump w/ hot wire kit
30lb injectors
Custom Street Chip
Underdrive Pulley, 160 therm, K&N,Mass air pipe
Adj Fuel Reg.
2800 Stall convertor
3" single exhaust
Air Bags
13.30@103.2 on the radials(2.004 60 ft) and 17#'s of boost

 

I didnt look at the engine because of the fact that the guy is on vacation. The car appears to need some work. I was thinking if I bought the car cheap, that I would sell it for like $2 grand. It would need some work...maybe more than I think. I have no idea if the interior is ripped, or anything like that. I really need gfx for a cheap price, along with an aerospoiler. This car has a lot of parts that I need, and I was thinking of what to do. I will talk to the guy to find out a price...and I will let you know tomorrow. It was such a shame to see this car in the kind of condition it was in. The passenger side needs repair...and there is a bunch of rust on the car. Thanks.

James

 

10% of the selling price??.. Who would go for that?

 

He probably meant 10% over the selling price.

 

HELLO

I noticed you said the VIN was missing, but I had to mention this since nobody else mentioned it, surprisingly: ALL TTA VIN's start with 1G5 (BUICK), NOT 1G2 (PONTIAC) as all other F-body's do. 1G5 denotes Buick, and that's because the engine is by Buick.

ALL TTA VIN's are in this format: 1G5FW217-KL2----- where the first dash is a check digit, the other 5 dashes are the sequence number.

Hope this helps

GT

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1982 Recaro Trans Am LU5/WS6/Y84, lowest mileage '82 T/A yet! - http://ohok.com/82recaro
1985 basic Firebird, LB8/F41/GU6/DE1, '82 T/A wheels, CB, 128k - Get JPG picture here

 

Well...it ends up it isnt a TTA. I went to look at it today...it is a 5.0 TPI '86 TA. They said that the previous owner wanted to make it look like the '89 TTA. He did a good job of it too, besides the steering wheel and the side emblems on the gfx. The car has the complete interior from a TTA...including the rear shoulder seatbelts and the tan leather seats(even the rears w/the headrests) and the door panels. Thanks for all your help..and well I guess I am kind of happy to see that that wasnt a TTA in such bad condition.

James

 

If you still buy this car, I would be interested in getting both front seats if they are in good shape. Let me know.

Pete

 

Well, they want to sell the car whole...and want at least $1500 for it. It isnt worth it at all. I would personally only buy the car for a max of $600. The back seats are mint...but the fronts are ripped. If they decide on parting the car out...which I am trying to make the do...I will let you know.

James