I ran across this on Ebay and I can't say that I have ever seen or heard of a 20th anniversary GTA convertible. I though the first Firebird convertibles to come from the factory were the '91's done by ASC. Is this bird legit?

 

Anyone else notice the GTA badges are in the wrong place and technically its not a 20th anniversary car? The only 20th anniversary T/A's were the TTA's, which this car isn't based on the 5.7 tpi listing. I'd say this car is a mystery at best. It may very well be a 89 T/A or GTA that someone sent to ASC to be converted, however Pontiac didn't officially offer a convertible Firebird till 1991, and even then only on the Trans Am and the base Firebird. No GTA's or Formula's or base firebirds without GFX were offered as a convertible. Also, Pontiac didn't really advertise the Firebird convertible till mid-year.

 

I don't mean to be a smart-***,b ut there is no way in hell that is a 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am. For one thing, I agree about the badges .. it has no TTA badges .. a bigger death blow is the VIN (1G2FW2185KL247416) .. all TTA VIN's started with 1G5 due to the Buick engine (the only third-gen's to ever start with 1G5), so the car shown is just a GTA or Trans Am. In my opinion, the convertible job is aftermarket.

You'll be interested to know that ONE convertible TTA was made .. here's a pic:

 

I think the reason he advertised it as an anniversary was cause that was the year of the anniversary TTA too... Some people dont know what theyre talkin about. I noticed the GTA emblems are wrong too, but Im almost 100% positive its a GTA. Why? Look at the rear spoiler. Only GTA's got that spoiler. As for it being an aftermarket conversion... yes, and no. It was a conversion done by ASC, authorized by Pontiac to be dont on NEW cars. Im guessing its been repainted, due to to improper placment of the emblems.

Over all, its a kick *** car, if I had the money I would buy it. Seeing that car does give me a dillema though... Im thinkin about convertin my 92 GFX to pre 90 GFX... Heres a pic of my car, what do ya think I should do?

 

Just my opinion: I really like the 91 - 92 "banshee" look and the GFX.. plus way more rare than any 85-90 layout .. I'd keep it as it is, if it were me.

 

Actually 3 Turbo T/As were run thru the Livonia, MI ASC plant for convertible-ization...

 

Really??? I wonder where the other two are... from what Ive heard, only one is known to exist.

Man, I wish I could stumble apon some old lady whos husband bought it back in 89, put it in a garage, and now wants to sell it for like $1000.

I think Id prolly die

 

I saw that car when it came up on ebay, I think the owner is just an idiot. I noticed the badges being in the wrong spot as well. It looks like an ASC conversion to me.

Important points to note:
ASC conversions could be done on ANY car, not just new ones. All you had to have was money and T-tops. I looked into getting this done to my 85TA back in 1988 and was only short on cash to have it done, getting it done was not a problem.
That spoiler is not unique to GTA's, it was used on any Firebird conversion done before the Firebird convertibles became official in 1991.
Notice the VIN doesnt say its a convertible. You wont find a single pre-1991 Firebird convertible that has a VIN that says it is a convertible.

 

I'm with Madmax... I do believe the cars a GTA, and that ASC converted it, but the owners a crack smoker and its not a 'factory' convertible. I'd say its quite a bit higher on the food chain then the two seat convertibles, but I still have mixed feelings.

 

Same with the handful of 89 TTA's that were not white! (rsalerno's site) I'd pay money just to SEE one of those in person..

 

What color were they then?

 

I don't know.
Read the story here: http://www.89tta.com/ttaspecs.htm#ProdFig