Alright i bought an 86 and from what i've been told this thing is not normal. The spoiler is different than the wrap around ones, it's just straight across the back style, it came stock with 4 wheel disc and posi, from what i'm told it's not common or is it?

 

This came up a while back on the history/restoration board... Evidently the wrap around spoiler was optional on the Trans Am in 86. If thats true it woudln't be that unusual.

 

well from what ive seen a lot of 86 ta's have had disc in the back thats not uncommon.....as for the spoiler i have a wrap around abs rubber one that was originally on it.....but i took it off and replaced tit with an 89 painted with the lower third brake light....

 

The spolier that was standard was actually the aerowing, the one you have was optional but actually a step down from the standard spoiler. The 4 wheel disc and posi I think had to be sold together, and was an option separate from the WS6.

 

An '86 T/A is a pretty unusual machine in it own right, lots of things changed between '85 and '87 and we got some of both.

The 'Aerowing' spoiler was new and optional, but it came as part of a number of trim packages, possibly even with the 305 TPI.

What engine do you have?

As far as the brakes and the posi, if you got 16" 'Turbo' wheels, you got 4-wheel discs and a PosiTrac diff. If you have the 'Performance Suspension' badge on the passenger side of your dash, you also got some other suspension goodies to go with it.

 

Aerowings were an option starting in '85. The machine that made them broke down sometime during the middle of the '85 run, and probably affected '86 production too. Personally, I consider myself lucky to have gotten the straight style, considering all the problems I've heard about the aeros.

 

Aerowings were standard in 86. I have the dealer invoice for my car and the brochures, theres no extra charge and its listed as standard, not optional. It was optional in 85 only.

 

Moving to history/resto...

 

Well my car has the 305 TPI and the preformance suspension and sound badge along with power everything and T-tops. what the original owner did that's a mystery all I know is it was bought in New York originally

 

I had 2 86 TA's. One blk w/gold trim (may she rest in peace!!) The other, was a silver / graphite trim with the lace wheels now found on the GTA (dark graphite matched the GFX color). Both had the aero spoler, 305TPI, WS6, perf suspension.

 

My 86(avatar) has the 4wd, aero spoiler and the 16 inch wheels on it(when I got it)-actually it was fully loaded-came w/every 86 option- now it's a gta look alike w/a 350 tpi!

 

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My friend's 86 TA has the pedistal-style spoiler, TPI, 4 wheel disk, posi, digital dash and just about every other option I've ever seen on a thirdgen.

 

see my car is different than Tom's grey one above. My spoiler is different and the rims are a different style.

 

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He shoot's he scores!!!!!!!!! Yes exactly,only midnight metallic blue. do you know where i can get a set of rims like that. Mine arer ok but they weren't kept in perfect condition like the rest of the car.

 

If you're looking for the 20 slot 15x7 Firebird wheels pictured on the trans am you could probably find a set almost anywhere. Most people have no interest in them since they're heavy, not particularly attractive if they haven't been well maintained, and since there are other alternatives that look better. In other words don't spend more than $100 for a set in good shape. Maybe a little more for a complete set of centercaps, lugnuts, lug caps, etc.

 

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Tom,

I got your e-mail, but I can't find my pics of the car. That's exactly what I had... but (hard to tell from pic) it looks as if your gfx are a little on the light side. The silver (top half) looks close. Mine was deep... as you look at the paint, it almost looked like shark's skin. Mettalic, yes... but it had some texture to it. Hard to describe.

If I remember correctly, the gfx were (almost) as dark as the wheels... but not quite. It was a deep graphite color.

I will keep looking for pics. It's been a LONG time since I've seen that car (sold to a COP !!! ) and it's nice to see it again. THANKS!!


- Michael