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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
First off... Hello everybody! I'm new to this forum but not new to cars. Here is my story...
back in 1993 I was 22 years old working at a Pontiac dealer as a mechanic. A 48 year old lady traded in a 1991 white Trans Am for a Grand Prix. I loved the way the car looked. As soon as she drove onto the road I was checking out the TA. It had the black honeycomb rims and grey interior with 19k on the odometer. I loved the GTAs but hated the gold trim and interior (sorry GTA guys). I looked the car over and it was perfect. I was ready to walk away but said out to loud, as I looked at the vin, it only has a 30 50!!! The 8th digit was an 8! I had to buy the car so I did. I babied that thing put a competition stereo set up in it (6500 worth) and enjoyed the hell out of it. In 2002 I decided I wanted a 69 Z28 so I parted with my 32000 mileTA and went onto a 69 Camaro project that I finished and still had. Below is a picture in 2002 of my TA.
I lived on the South side of Chicago and so did the new owner. I would see the car from time to time until he sold it around 2009. I since move 25 miles South out of the city had no Idea whether my car was still around or a tin can. On Jan 27 I'm browsing on Craigs and I come across a white TA. I was thinking looks like one I had. I look at the pictures and see some paint peeling, a few rest bubbles and scuffs along interior a little dirty. As I looked at the interior pics I see the keys in the ignition and see the Clifford alarm fob and said haha I had that alarm. I see the BIG red alarm light next to the hatch release button and thing oh mine was there too and I hated that. Then I look at the door panel and see the custom made speaker pods that I made in 1994. I was floored! I found my old TA and wasn't really looking. I emailed the guy because there was no phone # in the ad hoping he would call me back I mean the ad was on for a whole 8 hours... maybe he sold it. Twenty minutes later I get a call from the current owner and ask to come look at it. He says the next day is good. I said I have to work all day and am about a 1/2 hour away from him can I be at his house at 8:30 pm? He says ok! I was like a little kid. My wife was telling me to calm down but I just had to see this car again in person. Turns out he was only a 17 minute drive away from me. I looked at it went for a drive and what a rush I got. I talk to him he tells me a little past history on the car (he is the 3rd or 4th owner after me). His asking price was more then fair and just like that I bought it. Again! I left my deposit and come back on Jan 29 to get my TA back. I told him right before we were exchanging money for title I previously owned the car and showed him my old pictures. He was just as puzzled as I was about how this came back to me. I dove it home looked it over and will be giving is a pretty decent overhaul to put it back to the way it was when I had it. The car currently has 68K on it and runs strong. I look forward on coming to this site to ask questions and share my progress. I remember back in 1994 thinking to myself, someday people will be restoring these cars. I never would have guessed I would be restoring my actual car. Thanks for reading my story. Below is the pic of how the car sits now.
Your previous thread was moved to the Members Firebirds section as it was a more appropriate place to share pictures and background of ThirdGens by their owners.
