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What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
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Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Mine would be a really odd one. 1987 Z28 Dk. Brown with the gold rocker panels, wheels, and stripes. LB9/5spd, hardtop with tan custom cloth interior. Manual windows and locks. B48 dlx luggage compartment trim, DK6 roof console, and T96 fog lamps. And yes it would be a Norwood built car. 1 of 1 I'm sure.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
I'm a Formula man, through and through.
Holy Grail?
1 of 1, 1989 Carroll supercharged Formula 350. Black.
And it was for sale on this board, dammit!!! And at an unbelievably fair price! It was for sale on here for quite a while, actually. Several price drops too. I SO could have had it. But by the time I finally realized what it was, somebody (who isn't even a member here) had scooped it up. It was nicely restored even. I think it went from 17k, to 15k, to like around 12k. I don't like thinking about it.
If this doesn't qualify, and falls into the category of "prototype", then I apologize, and strike my answer from the record.
Dammit though! Its like the one that got away because was sleeping.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Sounds like an interesting car, but a prototype for whom? GM? Under contract? If not, it's just a Paxton Supercharger on a Formula, which was not out of place in the era.
Looks like Carroll built 4 (an 87, two 88s, and the 89) of these V H O cars for a Pontiac dealer in NJ who assumed the warranty, so definitely not factory.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Oddly enough, I am not a huge third gen Camaro fan, between the two I would rather have a nice fox Mustang. But I really like the styling of the Third Gen Firebird Formulas and Trans Ams. I have a mental block against the base cars. For me if I was to order one it would a 1990 Firebird Formula 350, gunmetal grey with a light grey interior.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
I have several picks.
My Unicorn that I Never see: 1992 Trans Am GTA - 5.7L/350 TPI Auto
Black on Black Deluxe Leather interior Hardtop.
I'd probably have all the gold GTA badges changed to red or burgundy for that 92 so it'd be unique. Nobody else would have red. Just gold.
(According to gtasourcepage.com) Only 226 GTA were made for '92.
38 came in Black ext. 46 Had black Leather. Only 144 were 5.7 TPI.
2. I'd also Order the same black on black & gold badges for the 1990 GTA 5.7 Last year before the Facelift.
3. The 92 Firehawk has always been The Ultimate Example of what the 3rd gen Firebird was capable of when it reached it's pinnacle performance on the track.
I wish that YouTubevideo of the 1992 Hawk training video hadn't been taken down, the car was sliding around willow springs with cool noir theme background music and the narrator got you pumped up.
6 speed ZF, 3.45 gears, (I'd order 3.73 posi and Black Leather GTA Seats with Red Firehawk handwriting stitched into the headrests. Dana 44 axle and 17" Ronals. Forged 355, Brembo Brakes. And at the time $40,000 was a Bargain for that type performance that you'd pay triple for a Ferrari or Porsche that could do the same. It'd be Black hardtop with red Firehawk emblems insyead of yellow. And it'd be stitched on the passenger side dash Car #23 because car #23 was ordered and never made and it was going to be a Black T-Top. The only Black T-Top. But I'd keep it hardtop. Also 23 is my Birthday in August.
The '89 Turbo Trans Am is on my list of must have 3rd gens but it's not that hard to find like a Firehawk or 92 5.7 GTA because 1,555 were made, it's not hard to find somebody willing to sell their well taken care of one for under 30 grand.
Except I would have the only one in the world painted Black instead of white, if I could go back and order it new, I would have ordered it to be Black.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by ray jr
if i was going back in time and walked into a dealership to buy a daily driver type third gen it would be a 92 black z28 with gray leather 5.7 auto or 5.0 5 speed with ice cold ac ..
Nice. As for why I didn't pick the 1992 Z28 5.7, it's because I already own it. It's my Rock, and it keeps me sane.
Not Black, it's Dark Teal Metallic. But if I was going to get one in Black, I'd go the extra mile and get the Heritage car with the red stripes on it. That's Badass.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
The 87 350 IROC-Z that I own, an 89 1LE IROC-Z maybe with the 305/M5, and an 83 Z28 H.O. M5. I'd probably take a 350 or 305/M5 Formula and GTA too, both G92, but that's down the list some.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
It would be the exact car I bought this past weekend. It's a black '91 Trans-Am GTA, 5.7L TPI, black leather interior. The only option I would have changed is to get the factory CD player instead of a tape deck.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by ClaudeB
It would be the exact car I bought this past weekend. It's a black '91 Trans-Am GTA, 5.7L TPI, black leather interior. The only option I would have changed is to get the factory CD player instead of a tape deck.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by ClaudeB
It would be the exact car I bought this past weekend. It's a black '91 Trans-Am GTA, 5.7L TPI, black leather interior. The only option I would have changed is to get the factory CD player instead of a tape deck.
Nice looking car. Looks like what my GTA was when it came off the line before a previous owner installed C&C T-tops and I swapped out the rims. Oh, and I installed a Momo steering wheel and gauge bezel rings to spice it up.
Last edited by blacksunshine'91; 12-03-2017 at 10:48 PM.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
I can honestly say, after owning my Formula for almost 30 years, that I'd still go back in time and order the same car. The only thing I might change -- and I've been known to admit this from time to time -- was the color. Love the Silver Blue Metallic I've got, and it always gets compliments. But I've always thought the Formula's best color was the Yellow (I think it was officially called "Yellow Gold") offered in 1987-88. By '89 it was gone, so I had to settle for my second color choice...
So I guess my "unicorn" is actually an '89 LB9/N10/MM5/G80/GM3 Formula, factory painted in Yellow Gold... And I'd probably go with a Black interior on that one -- and maybe even keep the Medium Gray lower trim stripe... But like unicorns, that car only exists in fables...
Now, all of that being said -- and with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight about the residual values of various Third Generation F-Bodies -- I'd be sorely tempted to squirrel away an '89 Turbo Trans Am.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
I ordered a '92 formula. It was a 5 speed, with everything but T tops and a rear window defroster. Red body, grey interior with CD player and black cross lace wheels. I remember ordering the articulating seats that I saw in the dealer publications but for some reason when the car arrived the dealer told me that the option was removed for the formula, T/A only.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
Any other "Holy Grail" cars out there in the New Year.?
I'm very excited that I was just able to purchase one of mine. It's on its way from the original owner in CA to MA now. 92 Z28 1LE/G92/N10/LB9/MK6, black custom cloth, factory CD player, in teal. 8k miles since new, lady owned with a great history and story. I have found that it's getting tough to find performance optioned low mile thirdgens offered by their original owners these days so I had to do it. I can't wait for it to arrive! I'll post more pics in a separate thread.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Mine would be a 305 tpi/t5 manual iroc z convertible in blue with black cloth interior.why? Because California baby! lol,we get sun all year.i would choose cloth over leather because the leather wouldn't last over summers and I don't like burnt butt cheeks.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Nice buy ev305tpi.
When I was buying my first new car, I could not decide between Arctic White or teal. Looked at a lot of brochures, pictures, cars before going white. But I loved the teal just as much.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Thanks everyone! I have a bunch of good pics of it from the previous owner that I will post and others when it arrives this weekend. There is something about this color that I have always loved, it's almost like a green candy painted over a chrome base to me. Can't wait for Saturday, hopefully I can get it into the garage safely with all of the ice and snow we have had this season.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
My ultimate would have to be a 91-92 firehawk hands down. Personally I wish SLP would have done a firehawk version of the camaro tho too. All of the hawk options, but without the flip up headlights. I love love love the birds but the headlights kill me inside a little bit!
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
My "holy grail" has always been my current car. 91' GTA with factory ttops and 5 speed. Dark green on beechwood leather. I've seen very few, but I think the gunmetal grey looks reaaaaally good on GTA's, so it would be a tough choice for me between the two colours if I was able to choose
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Firebird got the really cool ones. 89 TTA and the Firehawk.
For Camaro I finally bought what I would have liked to order new in 92 - Z28 1LE with heritage package.
Then I start getting into what ifs and prototypes and wishful thinking.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Yeah first choice Turbo TA
and the holyest grail- well I'll give a couple clues First is: Starts with Fire, Second ends with Hawk!
I'm gonna clone one, it will be my second - first was a 99
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
I showed it at one small local show, shortly after buying it. I decided car shows weren’t for me. Everyone wanted to touch everything, people don’t keep track of their kids, etc. That was the one and only show for me.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by chazman
Any recent pics?
It has been tucked away for 10+ years. I am moving to North Dakota this Summer/Fall, so it will be out from under the cover, long enough to load. I still have several cars, but have not done much in the car world for quite some time.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
If I could order anything new via time machine... either:
1. 1992 B4C 1LE LB9 T5, white on black, radio delete, no other options.
2. 1992 B4C 1LE LB9 T5, polo green on tan leather, radio delete, no other options.
I almost have this in my 91 B4C T5. The only thing I'm missing is the 1LE front brakes and the more solid body of the 92 cars.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by KMK454
If I could order anything new via time machine... either:
1. 1992 B4C 1LE LB9 T5, white on black, radio delete, no other options.
2. 1992 B4C 1LE LB9 T5, polo green on tan leather, radio delete, no other options.
I almost have this in my 91 B4C T5. The only thing I'm missing is the 1LE front brakes and the more solid body of the 92 cars.
The 92 body was superior to the 91 - wish mine were 92's.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
I factory ordered a 1992 Formula and I remember at the time one of the improvements for 92 were the body seams. Most likely some better sealer or application of it. After a couple of years, the body still cracked along the hardtop inwards from the rear of the side window.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
The 92s had welded and bonded body seams, not just welded like all the other years. This was done in prep for the 93s. Having nearly identical 91 and 92 cars with the same miles and options, there is a world of difference in the 92s. They are rattle free and quite tight. In my opinion, 92s will be the ones to get as years go by and that has a lot to do with it.
Re: What is your idea of the "ultimate" 3rd gen? In other words, the Holy grail?
Originally Posted by LeonardS
It has been tucked away for 10+ years. I am moving to North Dakota this Summer/Fall, so it will be out from under the cover, long enough to load. I still have several cars, but have not done much in the car world for quite some time.
I'm close to Springfield IL and would love to see the possible "new world record holder" before the move!!!
11-17-2017, 11:48 PM
But like unicorns, that car only exists in fables...
