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I only owned this one a few months a couple years ago. Purchased for a car rally and sold later that year. Had a blast in my short ownership and got a lot of compliments. I'd have to go search for my Bill of Sale to remember exactly what it was. I am now looking for another 3rd gen which I plan to keep and turn into a track car.
Tried to beat the snow on this day and failed. American icons Some other American Muscle on the rally
Looks like it may have been an '85... maybe early '86?? Looks like it was in fairly decent shape.
Would have been 1985 or older for sure based on the event I bought it for so probably a 1985 then. It was in really nice shape. It had a small front dent and I unfortunately took some paint off the front bumper. I found just about no rust and it never stranded me. If it were a manual I may have kept it, I am looking for another 1985 or older build date V8 w/ hardtop and manual now. Only thing this was missing was the transmission.
Gfx and hood changed after 1984 to the style you have, in 1985. An 85 TA could've received a standard rear spoiler like your car has, whereas an 86+ TA should've gotten an aero wing rear spoiler. Lastly, I don't see the top of the 1986 high brake light. That high exterior-mounted brake light is a telltale sign of an 86, so if your car had it, then it was an 86. Otherwise, I'm seeing a 1985 TA.
But if you're going to look for a 1985 TA with a manual, its engine will be the standard LG4 carb'd V8. TPI engines weren't available with manuals. There were a handful of HO L69 TAs in 1985, and those were manuals, but odds of finding one are worse than winning a lotto.
Since you're going to track the car anyway, just look for a nice one and plan to build/swap to an engine/trans combo that suites you.
Gfx and hood changed after 1984 to the style you have, in 1985. An 85 TA could've received a standard rear spoiler like your car has, whereas an 86+ TA should've gotten an aero wing rear spoiler. Lastly, I don't see the top of the 1986 high brake light. That high exterior-mounted brake light is a telltale sign of an 86, so if your car had it, then it was an 86. Otherwise, I'm seeing a 1985 TA.
But if you're going to look for a 1985 TA with a manual, its engine will be the standard LG4 carb'd V8. TPI engines weren't available with manuals. There were a handful of HO L69 TAs in 1985, and those were manuals, but odds of finding one are worse than winning a lotto.
Since you're going to track the car anyway, just look for a nice one and plan to build/swap to an engine/trans combo that suites you.
No high tail light, so that makes it a 1985. Thanks for the details!
That is good to know on the rarity of the powertrain combination. I likely will end up swapping engine and transmission. Initially I thought I would do safety/interior, suspension, brakes, then later do the drivetrain. However if it makes finding the car that much easier I could just go all in from the start for a driveline swap.
