I have a 1989 Trans AM GTA.... That's what the title says anyways. It's blue with silver trim on the bottom, no emblems (i know that it was re-painted) and I don't have the original wheels. I've never seen a GTA that is blue with silver bottom trim, and I don't understand why someone would paint and not give it back its badges? It also has very basic interior. No radio controls on steering (actually I don't even have the radio) no leather seats, no fancy anything really... I'm very confused... on a vin report i got it claims it had the badges and GOLD wheels. What color badges would come on a blue GTA and why GOLD wheels on a BLUE car? If anyone knows of a source that I can retrieve this kind of information please let me know. If you're in the same situation and have found answers also please let me know. The car had most everything claimed "installed" on the vin check, although there were some other confusing things. I'm piecing the TPI back together on it and just want to get ready for the body issues so thanks in advance if anyone can help.

 

The GTA, produced from 1987-1992, was only available in solid colors.

In 1989, unless the GTA came with the optional CD player, the GTA would have came with the steering wheel controls. If the GTA had the optional CD player, the GTA would have received the same steering wheel as the Trans AM as the CD player was not compatible with the steering wheel controls.

Titles will often say "Trans Am / GTA" or "Firebird / Formula" as each group shares the same VIN prefix. The Trans Am and GTA both share the same 1G2FW VIN prefix while the Firebird and Formula share the same 1G2FS VIN prefix. There is no way the DMV will know if you have a GTA or not. They will just know, based on VIN prefix, if it's a Trans AM or GTA, or Firebird or Formula.

I also have to ask, what type of VIN report would show Gold wheels and other such details as the badges? Unless you ran the VIN through a GM database, you won't get detailed information like that.

Blue was not an option color on the GTA until 1992.

Gold wheels were reserved for the GTA until 1991/1992 when it was made available to the Trans AM Convertible on certain trim colors. It's not uncommon to see a Trans AM with Gold wheels as they are easily interchanged.

Bottom line is if you have Y84 RPO code, you have a GTA. If you don't have a Y84 RPO code, you don't have a GTA.

 

You can run your VIN trough compnine.com & look for the RPO code Y84. No guarantees that compnine.com will have your VIN on record though. 89 is a very hit & miss year for VIN numbers, but it is worth a try.

 

ok so what is RPO code Y84? the site i used was decodethis.com. What about the gold wheels on the TTA in 1989? before 91/92.

 

ALL the production TTAs were white with gold wheels. There are 5 pre-production TTAs that were not white, but all 5 are in 1 collection, guy named Rich.

Y84 is Y84 -- GTA Option Package -- 8,470 built

GTAs can easily be duplicated, except for the Y84 RPO code. Without Y84, it is just a built up TA. Use compnine.com. I've never heard of decodethis.com.

 

Yeah I tried that website and got nothing. I'm pretty convinced that it's just a Trans am with the 3.27 axle and that great performance stuff. I've never seen a two tone GTAs so them only coming in solid colors makes sense. I know there were less Trans AMs than GTAs... I appreciate the quick responses and info, this site is awesome. I've been trying to figure this out way too long and basically got it resolved in twenty minutes.

 

Stephen is correct.

Y84 code is the key to being a GTA. Y84 triggers the GTA package.

As to asking about a TTA and them using gold wheels, the TTA is technically a GTA as well. Look at a build sheet for a TTA and it will show the Y84 GTA package.

 

Do you not have the SPID sticker in the center console? Open the center console lid, remove the cassette holder (if equipped) and you should see a black/white sticker with several lines of 3 character codes on the inside wall of the center console. If the sticker is there, look for the Y84 code.

If you really want an answer and are willing to pay, you can order an invoice for your car from GM Archives and it will tell you if it's a GTA or not. As Stephen said, 1989 is a hit and miss with finding the VIN for free in a GM database. However, you can order an invoice to get the answer.

 

Post up some pics, inside & out. We might be able to point out some things that steer the ID one way or the other. Gold wheels on a blue 89 GTA would be correct. It may be a GTA, but until the VIN is run & the RPO codes are checked, there is no way to be certain.

But you say silver trim. You mean the ground fx? Blue & silver I could see on a TA. But you said it's been repainted, so who knows? Maybe somebody had a GTA & wanted it 2-tone?

 

Do you have any idea how much an invoice would cost me to order? I'm curious but I'm pretty sure it's just a trans am.

 

Just to make it clear, a blue 1989 GTA with gold wheels would not be correct as blue was not offered on the GTA until 1992. We know it's been repainted, and changing wheels is certainly easier than a repaint.

 

Yeah that is true about the repainting but hmm... when I can try and get some pics. The car does not have the gold wheels on it, that's just what that report said it came with. But did the GTA ever come in blue anyways? that's the original color, its in the door jams and under the hood. I've never been able to find a solid blue GTA but that's just me.

 

I think we can pretty much conclude that it's just a Trans AM right?

 

i can still get pics... not that its needed

 

SPID sheet, usually in the center console (mine was stuck to the bottom of the lid) or under the carpet.


GM Media Archives to run your VIN..... http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/#

 

You can order an invoice from gmmediaarchive.com for $50

It will not include every single RPO code that would have been on your SPID sticker in the center console, however, it will show the Y84 code if it's a GTA.

A few other things to mention. Do you have the fender vents in front fenders? Those were not available on the GTA, however, as the car has been repainted the fenders could have been replaced.

You said the car as no leather, which a GTA could have cloth seating or leather. Do you have the adjustable headrests that move forward and tilt, in addition to moving up and down? Those seats were standard on the GTA and optional on the Trans Am.

With a repaint, and the car being as old as it is, it's usually a guess as to what it is as parts are easily swapped and it's not uncommon to find someone selling or cloning a GTA for whatever reason.

 

Here ya go......
http://gtasourcepage.com/89RPOFigures.html

 

No, blue was not an optional color on the GTA until 1992.

These were the only optional colors on the GTA for the 1989 model year, as provided by GTASourcepage.com:

40U -- Exterior Color, White -- 2,961
41U -- Exterior Color, Black -- 1,659
74U -- Exterior Color, Flame Red Metallic -- 1,731
81U -- Exterior Color, Bright Red -- 1,475
87U -- Exterior Color, Gunmetal Metallic -- 644

 

Well I don't think this car has been tampered with knowing the previous owners. Yes it has the fender vents and no it does not have the adjustable head rests. I honestly don't think the people that had this would have done anything to the car, and probably don't even know what a GTA is, also probably wouldn't care to make it a GTA because they were ripping the car apart to build a Jeep or something with the engine.