kymmee

My husband bought his 1982 Z28 new in August of 1982. We actually met because of the car, but that is another story for another day. The car was a 4 speed, and IIRC it had manual windows and locks. But the T tops were so cool! I only have a few pictures, wish I had taken more. He kept it for 2 years and then sold it and bought a Harley. He always regrets selling it and has looked on and off for another just like it. Came close a few times but nothing exact.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

It's great to read these stories of how an automobile - the American symbol of freedom and liberty - binds husbands & wives, fathers & sons together over the years!

IMissMy86TA

It is I love this thread!
like Kymee I wish I had taken more pics of my originals. I was in photography class in HS so that is why I took B&W of my TA. I have a few color of my 83 camaro somewhere wish I could find them!

eseibel67

No dealerships stocked anything close to what I wanted, so I factory ordered a 1992 Formula hardtop, TPI, 5 speed, 3.42 posi in dark green with tan interior.

Picked in up on Feb 17th, 1992. I have a VHS video tape of me spinning the tires 20 feet outside the dealership's garage. Would post the video if I knew how.

My son was born in 1994. That Formula made quite an impression on that little toddler. A week after he turned 16 he bought his first car - A 1988 GTA with a 5 speed.

alan91z28

I was lucky enough to have bought two third gens new.

My first one was in spring of 1988. It was a 1988 Sport Coupe Hard Top with the 2.8 V6 auto. I was only 20 and in college and spent all the money i had saved from summer jobs etc to be able to get it.

It didn't go that fast of course, but it looked sharp in its dark red metallic and silver gfx and custom cloth black interior... i didn't care it was only a v6, i was on top of the world just having one!

when i graduated from college in May 1990, i went down and ordered a new 1991 Z28 vert in dark red metallic with black top / interior and 5 speed manual the day i started working at GE.

It arrived in August 1990 from the factory and i traded my 1988 in on it. What a day that was when i got the call at work it was here! I think I stayed up all night just staring at it as it looked so sharp to me!

My '91 vert i still have (almost sold when i got married in '94 but scraped enough money together for the mortgage so got to keep it) and it has only < 7K miles on it and is still the head turner it was when i got it back in 1990 (pic in my signature)...

About 10 years ago i started intermittedly re-looking for my original 1988. Long story short i found it in the junk yard in the fall of 2012... i hadn't seen it since the fall of 1990 and it was pretty rough!

However, I immediately bought it back and it is under full restoration in my garage as noted in the thread below... I will have way more into it than i paid new, but it is now a great father - son project

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...inal-88-a.html

IMissMy86TA

nice to pass them to the next generation if they appreciate it.

3rdgenstm

Senior year in high school, I bought a 1992 RS (in Nov 1991) for $17K. Dk teal, med grey deluxe interior, 16" wheels, 305, auto, power everything, t-tops. Loved that car. Kept it until 1998 when I needed cash. Last time I pulled a carfax on it, it said it had been exported to Mexico. Wish I had it back. Went through a few sets of tires while I had it, haha. Test drove a black 92 RS when I bought mine and I remember a 91 or 92 white Z28 vert sitting in the showroom, tan leather, auto. Sticker was $22-something. Should have gotten that one!

IMissMy86TA

any pics?

71nova

I did not buy one new. I am the second owner. The original owner bought my 1990 IROC Z new from Fox Chevrolet in Baltimore, Maryland on May 19, 1990. Total price was $19,185.50 including taxes tags and title. He traded his 1984 Camaro Z28 for $5500 put $2000 down and GM gave him $1250 for something dealer related. He got a 60 month loan for the remaining 10,447.50 with 5,470.50 in finance charges. Total cost of car and loan $24,731. The original owner was a Viet Nam veteran, owned Dens Auto Service in Baltimore and was obviously a Thirdgen Z28 enthusiast. He hung on to the IROC until the day he died despite bad health and financial problems. I bought the car from an estate sale for $1200 in 2009 even though I really wasn't in the market for a car and didn't really know much about it except it would be a good platform for drag racing and wasn't rotted anywhere.

scottmoyer

No offense, but why did you post about this in a thread about buying the car new in the day? You bought the car when it was already 19 years old!! There are many here that could say the same thing. I bought mine when it was 13. I guess I qualify to tell the story about my car in this thread also and totally derail the purpose of the thread.

71nova

Sorry Scott, I was just trying to provide some valuable historical information on the day the car was bought new from the original owner's perspective and sales contract. I am grateful to have this information and it gives me great insight as to what it would have been like to buy my car new back in the day. I'll try to do a better job in future staying on topic.

scottmoyer

71Nova, sorry about my attitude. I was tired, as you can see by the time I posted that. no excuses.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

yes i did buy one new. back in the Day (fall of 1992) had it for about 2 months... then sent her away. to have her worked over.(stage 5 383) by LPE. took almost 2 months before she came back home...better stronger...yes faster.
just take her to the strip..and stomp on it...so easy

what she looked like for years...below




what she looks like now....pics ..soon
All Blown Fuel Injected Throttle & The Bottle!
<<<---

IMissMy86TA

In this thread, as the OP I am really interested in the buying experience. What happened at the dealer and your first few days. Your story of putting her off to a rod shop is part of her history I can appreciate since it was within your first few months. But what I REALLY want to hear about when you first saw your car when you bought it new.. about dealer prep (if you had similar issues as I did) Did you see a car in a brochure and got one just like it.. how did you manage waiting when you ordered it.. it was killing me..lol. Did you order special options? if you ordered an 86 were you disappointed with the third brake light on the glass? Did you get a great deal? Did you buy one off the showroom floor? were there dealer add-ons? How did you feel about those? I just want to know that historic moment as someone may have your car... or you may still have it. these memories I think are tied to that car and those that will be restoring some of these may want to know about that moment and how the original owner had the experience of seeing your baby come off that truck... I hope this clarifies and keeps with the spirit of the original HISTORY part of our cars.

IMissMy86TA

no one else?

GCrites80s

What dealer did you get your 86 at, Imissmy86?

90 GTA Black

I ordered a red/black interior 84 TA in the fall of 1984. I was still in school and had just test drove an 83 that was still on the lot. It had a 5 speed. Drove nice but I wanted more power so I checked off the L69 HO/5 speed combo with WS6 and 4 wheel disc brakes. I then checked off all the power options except A/C (too heavy). I even checked off the rear wiper option - the salesman looked at me like I had 3 heads and said "You don't want that on a Trans Am". I pointed out that the louvers would cover it up and that it rains a lot here in Vancouver. Total cost was around $17,000.
After months of the car not showing up I couldn't wait any longer and I "settled" for a 1970 TA that showed up one day. Lots of power and only $2000.
Sorry, I guess that's a tried to buy story. I never did find out if that particular car was built with those options as I moved right after school was over.

IMissMy86TA

Haydocy!

IMissMy86TA

did they send you the build info after it was built?

90 GTA Black

Unfortunately I don't have any info on that car. I had a copy of the original order and sales agreement but lost it after my parents moved a few times while I was away at University.
I went back to the dealership a year later but all the 84 cars were sold so I don't even know if it was made. I still keep hoping it was and is around somewhere.

oldtimer

By the Fall of 1982, our weekends usually transpired the same way, week after week. The guys in our group were all of driving age, but still borrowing the family cars to make our rounds about the midsized town we lived in. We'd hit the local mall, skating rink, and car lots before going to the movies. Not old enough to get into the bars and clubs, we'd cruise the weekends away, then head on home before curfew. I'd been lusting after cars for years, but, now, I was 16 and getting serious. I had every car magazine available since 1980 or so. The 3rd gen release was BIG news, and the run up to it was awesome. I REALLY liked the 82 Z28, but had others on my radar, also. I had entertained, with various degrees of seriousness, the Porsche 944, Peugeot 505, Audi Coupe, and Dodge Mirada, as if I had the funds to buy anything! The local Dodge store had a beautiful Mirada, but it had the slant 6, so I quit chasing it. In September of 82, I ran across a beautiful 82 Z28 in white while on another evening run. It had the 4 speed manual, t tops, ac, cassette, floor mats, and maroon cloth upgraded interior. It was the same as the car in my avatar, which is off of the 83 factory brochure. I was in love. I begged, pled, and promised the old man that this should be the one. He had none of it. The folks were smack in the middle of building a new home, and I was told that "we" wouldn't be getting crap until that was complete. Still, I stayed on the old man's *** to move on this Camaro, but it was not to be. Or was it? I came back from high school one day, and proposed that we drive to town to check out this Z. My father had none of it. In fact, he tossed me the keys to our 82 Dodge truck, and told me to move it from the carport to the garage, right now. I raised the garage door to park the RAM, and there it was! The white 82 from the weekend before! Like an idiot, I asked him "who the Hell is that for?!". He told me that he and mom had decided to by it for me, and that he'd bought it that day after I left for school on the bus! I kept the car until 84, and sold it after it had been damaged by a drunk while parked. I regretted it ever since. I have had many cars since, but still love the 3rd gens. I have a 92 Z car now, and it is still one of my favorites. It is not an overstatement to say that this 82 car, way back then, established my entire life's direction. It solidified my love of cars, and has been a cornerstone of my love of the car parts, collision repair, and, now, sales businesses that I have made my living with since those days over 30 years ago!

IMissMy86TA

Wow! great story! The joy of seeing that Z in the garage is real and etched in your memory I am sure. I am glad it guided you in your career. I wanted to be a car salesman due to my love of my thirdgen. I ended up doing it for a month and finding it was not for me. I am now a professional in Information Tech (IT) and love it and could afford to buy what I want. I do with I could have my 86 back. I am going to start searching for it soon.

IMissMy86TA

more?

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

Well, after reading all the great stories. I figured I would tell the stories of my purchase's. The first one was in May of 1985. I was 23 and stationed at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas as a single E-4 Airman living in the dorm. I really NEEDED a new 1985 Trans Am, Electric blue was my choice of color, with the Aero Wing. I went to Premier Pontiac in down Little Rock and drove the new 85's and loved it. They didn't have the color on the lot so I was asked if they could order me one. I said sure, how long will it take? Joe Gray the salesman, told me about 6-8 weeks. I said "wow, that's along time, but lets do it. I ordered the 305HO,AUTO,AM/FM/CASSETTE,T-TOPS,Aero Wing, Luxury/Lighting package, 15" Aluminum Wheels, and in Electric Blue with Grey Cloth Interior. The deal was done. All I had to do was put the 2k down and order. Total was $16,450.
Well the wait was on......Fast forward 8 weeks later, the phone rings and it's Joe from Premier Pontiac. He said, "Hey Bob, your car came in!" I said great! He said, "but we have a problem." I asked what it was. He told me they delivered my car to the wrong dealership, in Oxford Mississippi and it would be another week before I get it. I was really bummed, but what could we do. So I waited another week and he called once again and said to come down and pick it up. I grabbed my friend Ruben and we hitailed it to dealership. It was a Friday afternoon around 5. We pulled into the lot by the new car delivery area and to my delight, there IT was. Sparkling so blue! I could not believe my eyes that this was MY car! I looked around,up,down,inside, and all over, it was downright beautiful. We went inside and completed all the paperwork and within about an hour, we were done. It was time to leave and I was shown how t remove the tops and secure them in their respected pouch in the rear. "Easy does it, don't drop em", Joe says.
I shook his hand,thanked him and off I went back to base. I was one happy camper. All my friends loved the car. I also loved it and cleaned it always.
Fast forward to April 1987. I got orders to California. I loaded up a 5x7 U-Haul trailer and hooked it up to the TA, and off I went to California.
Shortly after getting there, my TA started having issues with the transmission and I think it was related to the towing of the trailer, still am not convinced. I was getting very unhappy with the service I was receiving at this particular Pontiac dealer and them not being able to fix it, so in April of 88, I had Pontiac repurchase the car under California's Lemon Law. I really hated to do it, I still miss it.
AND THEN...April 18, I borrowed my friends car and went to Valencia California to Canyon Pontiac and test drove a 1988 Metallic Grey GTA 5.7, WS6, Digital dash, LOADED. What a ride. I could not believe how fast the digital speedo went to 100, just amazing. Anyway, I bought the car for a little over 24k been loving it ever since. 190K miles. still looks brand new. Just a fantastic and beautiful car. I am so happy that I was able to actually purchase TWO NEW Third generations. You just can't forget that New Car Smell!

Since then i ordered a 2000 Ram Air WS6, fully loaded, 12 pack disc, Traction Control, Hurst Short Throw, 6 Speed in September 1999 and it came in in March of 2000. My Plate should of read "1LNGW8T". I still have it too.

Gotta love them Birds!
Trying to upload pics.....

oldtimer

Great stories! I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised to see so many EARLY 3rd gen buyers posting here! Generally, the later cars seem to get more attention, due to the age differences, if nothing else, than the early cars. These early buyers all clearly remember just how special these cars were when they were new. Due to the long production run, plenty of the luster had worn off of the car as it neared its end in 92. I have owned tons of cars since, but only my new Vipers have received the kind of love that that first Z28 did, way back when. I still get protective of the cars everytime some jackass refers to the 3rd gen run as something like "those cars." As if a new, performance model and some clapped out junker piece of crap were the same car. As if a used up v6 driver and a new 5.0 HO stick car, or TPI whatever were all of the same breed. Those who owned them new know better. I was blessed to put my hands on one myself, so long ago. Other cars always appear strange, old, and not quite how I remembered them when I run across them these days. Not so with the 3rd gen. Instantly familiar, just like I knew them back in the day, still modern, fun, etc. Takes me back to when I was 16 everytime!

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Anyone remember the December 1981 issue of Hot Rod Magazine? I do! When it came in the mail with that drop dead gorgeous red '82 Z/28 on the cover, I nearly freaked. I carried that issue around with me for days, showing it to all my friends. That's what we did before the internet.

It wasn't until 1988, after finishing school and becoming gainfully employed as a young, white collar professional, where I could actually afford such things. So what did I order? An '88, Corvette, Z52, 4+3, convertible. Unfortunately it was damaged in shipping, and the dealer, Rizza Chevrolet, were such complete and absolute ***** heads about repairing it properly, that I ended up not accepting delivery.

So, it took me about one year to cool down after that, really, not kidding. At that point, I started to look at 3rd gens again. I had initially considered ordering an LB9/T5 Formula but later reconsidered. My intentions were to order an IROC-Z 1LE. Mine would have been number 112. But my then current car, didn't have AC, and I was getting tired of showing up to work sweaty every day, my girlfriend, (now my wife), whined about no AC as well, so I decided AC was a must. There went the 1LE idea, but I carefully made sure every desirable component available was on my car. Big cam LB9. Check. MK6 T5. Check. N10 dual cats. Check. BW 9 bolt 3.45 gears. Check. DX3 decal delete. Check.

The car took forever to get to me. The EPA put my car on "hold" and kept it at Van Nuys until the N10s could get final EPA certification. Scoundrels! Thankfully, I found a Van Nuys employee who I would call several times a week in order to give me updates. Poor guy, I made him go out to the holding lot, just to make sure my car was okay.

So it finally arrived in June, (May 1989 production) and I drove it for a summer - not to work mind you, I still showed up there sweaty with my non-AC old car - then I realized that I was in NO WAY going to drive my IROC-Z through the salt and snow of winter or park it somewhere where door dings could happen. My old car had to soldier on another couple of years. Had I known 25 years later that it would never be my daily driver and it would only have 11K miles, I certainly would have gone with the 1LE!

cs2000

I bought 2 new 3rd generation Camaros, my first Camaro was a new '89 RS coupe and I traded it for a new '91 RS coupe. My first one I actually starting looking in the summer of '88, I looked at a '88 Sport coupe, I liked it, but I held out untill the '89's came out.. at first I wanted the new for '89 bright blue metallic color, around Christmas time 1988 I remember looking at a magazine ad that showed a White RS with color keyed White wheels... That was the car I wanted. so I went into a local Chevrolet dealer to order one, and they told me the RS only came with the silver 15x7 wheel, I also wanted to order my car with the IROC steering wheel, which was also a no.. So I decided I'd go with the bright Blue one, I bought one off the lot. I also got the V6 and I kicked myself for not spending the extra $400 for The L03 V8.. but it was a nice car. as for flaws from the factory it had a couple, a chip out of the dashboard by the upper vents, a run in the paint on the lf fender and a rear side marker light that was never plugged in at Van Nuys or the dealer. after I bought the car in January of 89 I starting seeing the RS's come through with color keyed rims.. My '91 was loaded and had all the options you could get, including t-tops, L03, 5-speed, leather, factory cd player and rear louvers (which according to the dealer were never put on the car from the factory even though the window sticker showed them) I actually was looking at a leftover '90 Mustang GT convertible, but I couldn't afford the $375 a month payment or the insurance, so I went with the loaded RS instead

Van Nuys born

Great stories.... It's interesting hearing the details from years ago. Details that all too often are lost.

IMissMy86TA

poor guy! LOL how did you find him? He must of thought you were crazy asking him to check the lot to make sure your baby was OK! LOL that sounds like something I would have done if I could have!

also I wanted to say that I got a job as a car lot boy for a local chevy dealership while in college (89 I think) and at lunch I used to take out a T-top black RS with 305 carb and 5 speed. it was so much fun when I took it to my future wifes place where she was baby sitting and told her "look what I got!"
I didnt buy it but was pulling her leg. When I found my current 5 speed GTA with TPI I remembered back as to how much fun the RS was and now I have a TPI totally different car... not smooth but rough and ready to rumble with its better cam/rear gears and rower

Van Nuys born

Rower .... I don't think I've heard that one before.... must come from a part of the country with alot of lakes ?

IMissMy86TA

well I have heard it in many magazines that they like to be able to row their own gears.. I thought.. what rows? and made it up... super genius LOL

I could have referred to it as a Oar

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I can't really remember how I found him. I think that I just kept calling until I found someone willing to work with me. After that.....he was my connection!


I wish I could remember his name.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Speaking of stick shift 3rd gens...

Unlike going to your Ford dealer, where 5.0 manual trans Mustangs were plentiful, stick 3rd gens were rare. Usually, if one was at a dealer, it was because it was a special order.

Eventhough I had already driven dozens of 3rd gens by the time my '89 got to me, it was only the third stick 3rd gen I had driven. The first was an '82 Indy Pace Car, LG4 4 speed. The salesman got into trouble for that test drive, because that was a special order customer's car. I guess I took it for a spin before it's owner.

The second one was a no options, '83 Z/28 with the new T-5. There was a story behind that car. Cancelled customer order? Something like that.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

There is just no way you could ever forget those memories and details. As I was typing my story, I slipped back 25 plus years and remembered like it was yesterday! Simply amazing how some things affect people.

IMissMy86TA

Agreed. some of the best memories of before I met my wife were with the TA and the Camaro SC. Beating a new vette in a srteet race with a V6 camaro sc and Jagger singing on the radio "to live in this town you must be tough,tough,tough,tough,tough,tough,tough!" I will never forget... I out drove him and boxed him in.

IMissMy86TA

ttt

kae450

I remember back in 1991 my friends parents won over 5 million dollars in the lottery. We were both 16 years old and just got our licenses. Him and both of his brothers got brand new 1991 Gta's for Christmas that year. We drove the hell out of all of them. They were delivered xmas morning to their house each on it's own flatbed tow truck with bows on the hoods. Best years of my life lol. They had an open account at the Pontiac dealer for any and all maintenance and tires. Drag raced every 5.0 Mustang we could find! The cars got us laid constantly lol! The high school teachers hated us (jealous). Ahhhh the memories. Now, I'm older, got a god job (train engineer), have money, and have decided to buy a 1991 or 1992 gta to re-live my youth. I wonder if the car would help me get laid still lol!?! (kinda fat now!)

backtothe80s

I didn't, but my dad did. He bought a 1986 Trans AM off the showroom floor. It was a white with 305 TPI, gold decals and 16" turbo wheels and just about every option imaginable (?), except for T-Tops, large hood bird, and overhead console (if you could even get it). As a kid, I though it was the coolest car in the world. While all my friends lusted after exotics that most of them could never afford, I knew better. He definitely had his fun with it, but never put a lot of miles. By the time he sold it in 1996, it had around 55k miles. It was troublesome as a snake bite, but was an absolute blast to drive in High School. It still smelled new when he sold it. I have photos somewhere that I'll scan. So here I am back for more pain...

IMissMy86TA

Maybe not at this point in our lives...
are the family still millionaires?

IMissMy86TA

ahhh 86 TA.. loved mine and well I miss it.

Gtaguy17

My first car was a 1969 Dodge Charger RT Hemi, although someone had removed the Hemi and put a 440 magnum in its place. Had lots of fun with that car in High School. One year after High School, I purchase my first new 3rd gen. It was a blue 1982 Trans Am, I purchased it off the showroom floor from my local Pontiac dealer. It was an automatic with a 305 engine. The car had pretty much all the options available at the time including T-Tops. I added louvers to the back window and fog lights behind the front bumper grill panels, mainly due to the Knight Rider show.

After a few years I thought the car was a little on the plain side and wanted something a bit more flashy. So back to the dealer I went to find my second 3rd gen dream car. The dealer didn't have what I wanted so I had them place a special order for my 1985 Trans Am which was black and gold, fully loaded with everything I could put in it including T-Tops again. This one came with a 305 as the largest v-8 available for the car. I ordered it with an automatic. It seemed like forever waiting for it to be built, then I got the call and my car had been delivered to the dealer. So I rushed right down to pick it up only to find that it didn't have an automatic transmission. I was so disappointed as I didn't know how to drive a 5 speed manual transmission. I was 23 years old at the time, so I had to decide to take it and learn how to drive it or order another one. I decided to take it and learned how to drive it that night. I had lots of fun with that car. I had great luck with both my new 3rd gen's and had no issue with T-TOPS. I kept that car for about 9 years and decided to trade it in for something that was going to be more family oriented. Now that my kids are getting older I have really missed my 3rd gen. So I started looking at the different models in the later 3rd gens and last October I went out and found a nice 1989 Trans Am GTA with a 350 and T-Tops with just over 39,000 miles. So that's what I have now and I'm really looking forward to enjoying it going forward.

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

Bought my 84 TA in 86, had 12K miles on it, bought from dealer, greatest coolest purchase I ever made as a young person, I was like 21.

Car was mint. Notice the knee rest on the console, don't see many of those, only had in the early years. Then snow came and the TA didn't do well - 25 mile ride to work ... had to get a truck.

IMissMy86TA

I bet the 5 speed was a dealer problem where they didnt place the order right. did the stuff they mailed to you when the car was built ( I think it was similar to build sheet) have that option on it? did they end up crediting it to you in the sale?

backtothe80s

Found the stash of photos. More pics to come! Taken in northeast Tucson sometime around May of 1996. My dad had the dealership, Quebedeaux Pontiac, add the second row of stripes to the door and pinstripes along the inner curves of the hood. It had around 50k miles when he sold it. It looked great, but wouldn't run right no matter what we did. If I knew then what I know now...

Further down the very long driveway was my first car, a 1986 Buick Park Avenue. Miss that car, too, but I found a very clean 1983 Ninety-Eight which made up for that.

Gtaguy17

I don't recall getting anything on the build description. I believe I did negotiate a price difference.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

My first new car. 1991 Camaro RS, L03 / 5 spd.

DAVEZ IROC

In 1989 I bought a blue IROC-Z 5.0 TPI with a 5speed. I originally had an 86 IROC in high school. The lowered truck phase was huge here in Central Florida so in Dec of 88 I traded my beloved IROC for a 89 S10 Blazer(I know what the heck was I thinking). It was good for business but after I completed the new image for the truck I just couldn't love it like the IROC. After all I met my wife now of 23 plus years in that car. In March of 89 I couldn't take it no more so I ate the Blazer and traded it back in on a 89 blue IROC. My payments were $402.95 a month(ouch). My wife and I got married in this car in Sept of 1990 and brought our first child home in the back seat of that car in 1991. Funny story our 2nd child came home for the hospital in a 2000 Z28 6spped in 2003. To this day I still have an obsession with Camaros! I have to try and load some photos of those cars on my PC so I can proudly display them. Thanks.

JonM

in 1986 i had been driving a 1984 ford escort exp for two years. i started working at 16 and saving money my dad did the downpayment and put me on his insurance i took care of my portion of the insurance, car payments and all its maintenance and gas expense. i worked my butt off.

in 86 the timing belt popped taking the head with it exactly one week after paying it off. i repaired it enough to get it running and do a trade in.

with the trade in i was able to justttttt barely afford a brand new 1987 model year formula 305 with t-tops bright red in october of 86. time passed and between working 60+ hours a week and 32 hours of college i fell asleep driving and hit a phone pole at 55mph. that big V8 saved me. the insurance company asked if i wanted it repaired or the money to get a different car as the estimate came in at 500$ less than the value.

was it any choice?? FIX IT!! THATS MY BABY!!

local shop pulled out a miracle and after 4 months i had her back looking brand new.

shortly after gulf war 1 was kicking off with operation desert shield. my wreck had left me with memmory issues which at the time was pretty harsh and has gotten better since. but that is neither here nor there. i got tired of the anti-america rants coming out of my proffessors and joined the army.

i gave the keys to my momm for safe keeping while i was away in basic/ait. 4 months go by and i complete training and get orders for hawaii of all places. all i could think about for the last two weeks was how to get my baby to the port of new orleans for shipping to hawaii.

i arrived home on leave and sitting in front of the house was my baby... bent in a giant U. the headlights were almost touching her tail.

my mom hand given my brother the keys and he had been using stoplights as drag lights. he had stomped on it as it went from red to green not looking and got hit by a semi. for the second time my baby saved a life but there was no coming back from this one.

my dreams were haunted by my red formula for the next 18 years

fast forward to 2009 when i found a black formula 350 in very good condition. i had her stripped to bare metal and repainted i restored a lot of the interior with an eye to originality.

since there was no possibility of getting my original car back i found her big sister.

Lab Rat

I ordered a 1987 GTA with the flame red paint, tan interior, high performance sound system, 305 with 5 speed manual transmission. As much as I liked that car, someone else must have likes it more. I only owned it about a year before it was stolen. The female cop that took the report told me someone stole her 3rd gen Camaro. To make matters worse I also owned a 74 Corvette at the time. I decided to sell the Vette and just keep the GTA but ended up with neither.

IMissMy86TA

ouch! sorry to hear!