Recently picked up this AMAZING condition 1987 GTA. It has been in long term insulated storage since 1996. It has just over 80 000KM on the clock. Car was garage kept its entire life and never winter driven. Best of both worlds especially in my area. The bottom of this car has less rust than my brand new 2014. Interior is outstanding. I could not find one flaw.


More photos to come but here is a teaser. It will be undergoing a complete restoration.

 

Congratulations! Even has the GM floor mats.

 

And UQ7 Sound System,nice barn find.Is that the camera or is that mold on the console?

 

Thanks! Yes it has the UQ7 option!


Well, its sort of the camera. There is mold yes but the camera makes it REALLY stand out. Not actually as bad as it looks. Steering wheel is torn apart because the keys are lost so I had to pull the lock ring to load it up.

 

It also has what looks to be a t-top bag or bags? Along with a sunshade in the back.

 

Nice. My shades were missing when I bought mine.

 

I got a really nice looking set from 1A,they look identical to the OEM

http://www.1aauto.com/1982-92-t-top-...=948077&y=1986

 

Nice find!

 

Nice, one of the cleanest looking engine bays I've ever seen.

 

shes fine.

I would pay plenty for that. bought one with blown motor for 3k

 

Nice find! That is almost a twin to my car other than I'm guessing yours is a Canadian car. Mine is a 87' 305 T top, Flame red, red interior, and paddle mirrors. I have a few pics on my profile, its getting a full resto also.

 

That's correct this one is Canadian export- this one has the L98 5.7L though not the 305. I just checked yours out- like you said very similar.

 

Congrats!

 

A lot of potential there. NO rust is key to an easy resto. Looks like it needs little and will be ready for new paint. Since you're already there, have it blocked and I recommend a new fiber glass wing.

Flame red was always one of my favorite GTA colors. When done correctly, it's so beautiful.

I highly recommend some new tires and a good check of the brakes and front end. Those rubber bushings and brake hoses have a nasty habit of drying out...

Pull the tank down and get rid of the old gas. Put in a new pump and change filter. Injectors may need replaced also. I've been 50/50 on cleaning ones that have sat for many years.

Take a good look at the ignition system also.

Just a few suggestions that I've learned the hard way...

Car looks nice for as long as it sat. I'm excited for you. This your first GTA?

What's the plan-stock or monster?

 

That'll clean up nice! I love barn finds!

 

I want to run across a barn find. Last thing I found in a barn was....well...HAY!

Nice GTA! Congrats!

 

All the rubber suspension parts, seals and brake system will be getting replaced. Calipers, flex lines, master etc. The engine is getting a complete overhaul along with transmission. As of right now it doesn't run, and had some mechanical issues before car was stored (reason it sat for 20 years). I just installed a brand new set of tires which actually hold air.


As nice as the wing is its showing a slight crack which will only get worse- so I new fiberglass one will be in order when the car is refinished. Until then it stays original. The paint was just buffed and waxed and it looks great!


Interior detail is going to be next. It had a quick wipe down with some medical grade cleaner for the mold. Luckily it was only isolated to high traffic areas.


The car is going to stay completely bone stock. No need to modify it. It is what it is and wouldn't have it any other way.


Also-in case anyone is wondering, the UQ7 stereo is OUTSTANDING!!


Thank you for all the compliments from everyone! Here are some more photos from the last couple days..although I helped with the buffing the guy in the photo is the true master..

 

O Yea!!! Cleaning up very nice
Love the interior shot

 

Great find!!! Congrats!

 

Really nice find and I like the idea of leaving it just like it came from the factory. That' hard to do sometimes.

 

Manta, That interior looks strikingly familiar to you I'll bet????

 

Agree Dave! Looking great.

Just need to order the badges that were normally STOLEN back in the day!

 

Congrats, very nice car. Nice that you are keeping it original, love that overhead console!

 

sure does!

 

Thanks guys! Just wondering if someone could tell me or have a photo of the guts that go in the light for the over head console? You might notice it isn't in the photo. It's was sitting in the center console. I think I have all the pieces but I'm not sure at the same time. When I put it back together from what I have the 'ball socket' (the best way I can describe it) is loose. There were some felt rings in with the parts. Do these shim the ball socket to keep it from rattling around?

 

That was exactly the case with my car, they were stolen not long before it was put into storage. Aparantly the original owner was going to buy new gm ones at the time but the dealer couldn't figure out which red ones to order for some reason. He told me all together back then the quote was around 350 for all of them.

 

There is also a round piece of felt that goes between 7 and 8

 

Did you buy this in Ontario? I think I saw it on kijiji. Looked like a great starting point very low k. Something about the motor being toast is all I can remember. Good score man.

 

This is probably it as the engine had mechanical issues and that's why it got put in storage.

 

Thanks! I'll give it a shot and see if I can get it back together with the pieces I have.

 

Well finally got the car up on my hoist- dirty but SOLID as a rock. Looks to be all original under there including the exhaust, GM numbers and such on the muffler. Tail pipes have holes though. I'll probably replace the muffler/tail pipes but keep the original. Rest of the pipes seem solid, so I'll see how long they last once the engine goes back in.


I also got around to pulling the door lock cylinder as the keys are lost- we can't find the original key code at work so I opened one up to examine the tumblers.

 

Very clean!

 

 

That is awesome. Congrats on the find! Always nice to see another one saved. I hate to ask, and you don't have to answer, but I am curious as to how much you paid?

 

Well I got the key cut for the doors/t-tops and was finally able to open up the rear locked compartment. Not bad first cut was good. (factory locks don't have numbered tumblers).


Found all the paper work that went with the car when sold new along with some other things. Ironically there was a spare set of keys in a sealed envelope along with the punches.


Best part is I have the original bill from the car when it was new. It also solves the mystery of the paddle mirrors. The original owner ordered them and they were dealer installed.

 

I'll send you a PM

 

That's funny,on my original(copy)Dealer Order Sheet, it has the key nos.Glad you got that problem solved

 

Fantastic!

 

SCORE! Original documents are HUGE!!!

I love the idea that locking the keys in the car is a safe place to keep them.

 

 

He even got an owners manual!

 

I love your, a very nice find. I have not seen head rest like the ones on your car. What kind or they?

 

Wow, super clean score for here in Ontario! Hopefully see you around this summer... Where abouts are you?

I remember seeing a red T/A not too long ago on Kijiji for about $2000 and it was a steal for the shape it was in. I was super tempted to take it and throw my swap parts in to that car and sell my current body with the Red car's drivetrain.

 

Wish my doors looked like that -- nice score!!

 

I've been busy with the car. Lots of progress has been made. I'll let the photos speak for them selves! Hoping to have that 357 running in the next couple of weeks.


Thanks for all the kind words so far!

 

Well a bit of a road block as far as getting this thing running. I dropped the tank to replace the fuel pump and found the inside to be completely rusted including the fuel sending unit. The 20 year old fuel looked like chocolate milk. I've been there and done that with steel tanks. So I'm going to replace it. Normally I wouldn't modify a vehicle like this in anyways but to get this running reliably I will an exception and install my plastic 4th gen tank and pump. If need be it can be restored to original condition with no problems.

 

Seem like a change worth making. Would love to see some details on doing this....pipes, wiring, making sending unit work, filler neck location, etc.

 

It is a change worth making.

Also based off of the sender that you order, you may find that the guage will show about 1/4 tank and it will actually be empty. Then again it may just be like that with my car because it has a digital dash and my gauge is therefore a microprocessor.

 

I have a fuel sender on its way that I hope should be close. All I'm in need of at this point is a good wiring diagram for the fuel pump/level sensor for an 87 GTA. I'll take some photos of the wiring and plumbing when finished for anyone who is interested.

 

try one of the links in this:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ce-manual.html