I recently bought a 92 Firebird Trans am. It has 7 out of the 8 options that would make it a GTA. It's missing the badges. I ran the vin # and every where I run it, it comes up as a trans am gta. So I'm just curious if it is or if it isn't. Either way it's pretty rare to me. Just want to know what I'm driving. Thanks for any help.

 

Is the RPO list still in the car? On a Camaro, its on the underside of the center console lid, I'm not sure if Firebirds are the same?

IIRC, the RPO that would make it a GTA is 'Y84'

If that is there, and the VIN on that sheet matches the VIN tag on the car, then you do in fact have a GTA. Post a pic or list all the RPOs and we can tell you almost everything about the car.

 

In 1992, the RPO codes should be in the rear hatch, on the locking storage compartment lid.

Try this:

1987-92 Trans Am GTA Authentication Tips


Laters,
Conrad

 

the VIN # has nothing to do with telling if it is a GTA i have a GTA i have ran the VIN dozens of times. the VIN tells you the motor size, where it was built, if it has air bag stuff like that. the only to tell if it is a GTA is the Y84 in the RPO codes. you can buy bagdes i have seen it done. Later Daniel

 

He never said the VIN would. He said to check the VIN on the RPO sheet to make sure the VIN matches up with the car. Could be possible to end up with the wrong RPO sheet in a car after 15 years.

If it is indeed a GTA thats pretty sweet, 92 GTAs are rare cars. I considered buying one once when I found one for sale up here because next year I'd be able to get collectors plates for it since the 92 GTA had such a limited production run.

I love n hate the GTA badges. Love em because they're some of the nicest badges you'll find on cars, hate em cuz they're so expensive.

 

Well I check the RPO codes and didn't see a Y84, so I guess it's not a GTA, but it still looks good. I love it. Thanks for the help

 

im pretty sure im reading what he wrote and it says "I ran the vin # and everywhere i run it, it comes up as a trans am gta" or maybe im just seeing stuff i'll set up an appointment to my eye doctor Later Daniel

 

Most RPO decoders are going to show every possible option that the vin might indicate. Since there is no character in the VIN to distinguish between a Trans Am, or GTA it lists both assuming the reader will know it might be either or both. The same thing happens when you run a base Firebird vin, it'll show Firebird Formula because there's no character in the VIN to distinguish between the two.

Trans Am VS GTA gets fun in the later years since just about every single option available on the GTA was also available on the Trans Am.

 

I can't remember, but do the 91-92 Trans Ams have Fender Vents in them?

 

Negative

 

Sounds like you found out with the all important Y84 RPO.
Like Drew said, once you get to 91-92's, hard to tell without it.

It's usually easy to weed out the fakes from 87-90 by the exterior.
One easy way is to check the color of the "PONTIAC" emblem under the driver headlight.
Gold accents are one thing that set GTA's apart from the Trans Ams.
If you have a silver emblem under that pop-up, you have a Trans Am.
The 91-92 GTA's had flush headlights though, so that is no help.

 

OUTATIMEGTA-
that gold headlight badge thing is a good one, i have YET to see a fake GTA that has gold "pontiac" badging on the headlight. unfortunatly my legit GTA (phs confirmed) has silver due to somones garage collision repair.

 

Also, the bird in the back, center tail light, should be goldish.
Not white/blue/red as Trans Ams were.

The headlight badging always works.
Gold accents baby, nobody would know but a true fan.
Chances are they have not done their research 100%.

 

Actually in 1991 & 1992 one of the differentiating things between a Trans Am and a GTA is the GTA was "suposed to" have the Performance Gear ratio. IE 3.23 with 350 & 3.42 with the LB9/M5. The T/A optioned with a 350 the 3.23 was suposed to be "Standard" and the LB9/M5 it was an option. From the information I have the 2.73 gear was always equiped with the LB9/A4 for the Formula, GTA & T/A, no option available.

Hope that helps.

John

 

When it comes to 91-92, the GTA and T/A both had the same exact body. Only the badges were different. No 'Pontiac' badge on the headlight, no emblems on the taillights (except 'Pontiac' in red/orange), etc...

The gear ratio distinction won't apply to the L98, since in 1991-92 the L98 required R6P which included 3.23 posi STANDARD.

It all comes back to basics... RPO's are king. The first thing I look for after giving a prospective car a quick once over is the SPID. If it's not there, then there is no easy way to verify what you're dealing with. No spid is as bad as massive rust, a missing title, no motor, a bad transmission, etc...

 

Drew,
a list of RPO's are available through Pontiac, I think starting in 1990 or 1991 & UP.

JOhn

 

What happened to the RPO decoder on the home page? I sure could use it right now.

 

"

Quote:

there is no easy way to verify what you're dealing with. No spid is as bad as massive rust, a missing title, no motor, a bad transmission, etc...

Sorta like reading the terms & conditions of Credit Cards

but I love the "No Motor' part

 

The availability of an RPO printout at the dealer can vary... I've personally never had the need to try it. However, from discussions with my parts guy at the local Pontiac dealer, sometimes the computer draws a blank, sometimes it pulls up a list. The story I was given was that the information is kept in the system for 10 years. It's worth a shot if you don't have the SPID, but it's not a fool-proof answer.

The RPO decoder sort of went the way of the do-do, so it would seem, about the time of the change of ownership of the site. Hard to say exactly what happened there, but it's definitely a strike against the site since it was probably the most helpful tool here.

 

I think the Chevy guys are more able to aquire the information as it seems that Pontiac was behind on keeping computer records for some unknown reason...

It is kind of like finding production records of 1991 Engines for Pontiac... I have every year EXCEPT 1991 :gofig:

John