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Congratulations, Bob88GTA - Your Gun Metal Grey '88 GTA is TGO's Car of the Month.
I was very surprised to learn of the high mileage on this one-owner car. We usually don't see high mileage cars like this turn up in COTM unless they're high performance transformations. If that's the original 29 year old paint we're looking at, then that's truly amazing.
This car does not appear to be presented as a meticulously pampered show piece. It seems to be an honest driver.
Carry on, Bob. Put your favorite Skynyrd CD in that Alpine and keep it on the road, sir.
The car had been a really good vehicle its whole life. It spent the first 20 years in the Desert, so rain and rust never came into play. A lot of blowing sand was about it. It has the original interior and engine and drive train. Today it has slightly over 195k miles.
The digital dash still works like new, as does the lumbar and bolsters in seats. The seat are in fantastic shape with no rips or tears. They have faded over the years, but I guess that's to be expected.
I never had a overheating issue that you normally hear about. It run 190-220 ish range still to this day. I replaced the radiator when the side tanks went out with a GM unit. Some other items I changed over years were your typical wear out items:
Several Tuneups, TPS, IAC, CTS....
4 Batteries
3 Water Pumps
3 Sets of Shocks and Struts
7 sets of Tires....(the first 3 sets were Goodyear Gatorbacks 245-50-16's)
2 ECM's
1 Fuel Pump....the first one lasted 19 years! And yes...I dropped the tank to do it
1 Alternator
1 AC Compressor....I converted to R-134 just last year.
1 Complete set of Soft Seal Weatherstripping last year
1 Complete set of Bosch 3 Fuel Injectors last year.
Other than that, that's all I have done. Just normal stuff you do to keep it running and looking good. AND A LOT OF POLISH, WAX, AND DETAIL ITEMS!!
I still need to change my Valve Stem Seals....yes, that start up smoke! It uses no oil between oil changes. I go 3500 miles and then change. It still has good oil pressure... 50psi at 70 and around 30 psi at idle
I would like to take the engine out and do a full overhaul on it and the transmission and rear end, but I have other priorities at the moment. It still runs like a champ.
Gray Ghost has been in Huntsville Alabama for the past 8 years with it other cousins and
brothers. I drive it mostly on nice days to work and rotate it with the others. I have really enjoyed this car. It has put many smiles on my face and memories in my mind.
Thank you to everyone of you! Again, a special big THANK YOU to Kymmee, Mantaguy, dmccain,DynoDave, PurelyPMD, TKern, for the nomination's, all 2nds and 3rds and everyone else who voted. And Linson...who handles the COTM every month. I am shocked! I cannot believe that my car has won March COTM.
Another big THANK YOU goes out to my competition nominees. I was up against 3 of the most beautiful 3rd gens on this site. 88IROCvertZ
RON U.S.M.C
Tedsgrad
All winners in my book!!!!!!! GREAT JOB AND THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!!!!!
The competition EVERY month has some amazing cars. I look at this car as a great,fun, everyday driver. I never checked the build date, but it must of been a Wednesday car. It has been trouble free for the most part; normal wear and tear items is all that were replaced. It did leave my Wife stranded when the radiator tank split while she was on a work day trip to Canoga Park, Ca. I told her when she left, "take Gray, you'll be fine." Little did we know what would happen. She had it flatbed towed to Chevy dealer and had it repaired. No biggie!
The front bumper was resprayed in 92 due to the sand blasting that you get in the desert. After that, I just used a nice nose bra and removed it every week to wash.
As mentioned earlier, my plan is to pull the motor, trans, and rear and do a refresh on them all. I have been also pondering the idea of refinishing the entire car, interior, brake and suspension upgrade. It's not a priority right now, but would like to get it started soon.
I have had the car 1 month longer than I've known my wife, and she said to me that we will never sell it. She is VERY supportive of my car collecting and money spending hobbies. I am so so grateful for that! She has helped me in more ways that I can list.
Again, I Thank you all!!!!
I gotta go pack now...............I'm going to Disney World!!!!
Congrats Bob! I wish I had a story like that with my vert. I've had high mile cars that I've kept meticulously and it takes a certain kind of person to take care of a vehicle like that for that long. To own it since brand new is something truly special.
Each of the cars this month represent examples of my favorite types third gens. Thanks to those who voted for my third gen as well!
Congrats Bob! I wish I had a story like that with my vert. I've had high mile cars that I've kept meticulously and it takes a certain kind of person to take care of a vehicle like that for that long. To own it since brand new is something truly special.
Each of the cars this month represent examples of my favorite types third gens. Thanks to those who voted for my third gen as well!
Thanks 88IROC! I show your car to my wife and she said, "Bob, you dont have a chance against that IROC Vert!" I said, I know! It sure is pretty!
Speaking of high mile cars and taking care of them...I know I'll get crap for this, but here is a picture of our 96 Bronco XLT, bought new in 96...237K DD miles. Yeah, you pay too much to NOT take care of them.
Congratulations Bob!!!! A truly fantastic story on a one owner, well maintained original car! Your collection is truly amazing, and this car is only a scratch at the surface of the fantastic cars that Bob owns! Hold your head up high my friend! You deserve it!
Congrats bob!!! Beautiful car and bronco!!! Have a 93 f150 with identical lift, rims, and tires. So I'll appreciate that beautiful truck as well lol....great story and props on keeping it in the condition it is years later!
Congrats bob!!! Beautiful car and bronco!!! Have a 93 f150 with identical lift, rims, and tires. So I'll appreciate that beautiful truck as well lol....great story and props on keeping it in the condition it is years later!
Congrats Bob! Truly amazing how nice that car looks with those miles. You are a real enthusiast and keeper of the GTA. The story was great and I love all your rides!
Thank you Kim! I appreciate the compliments.
I look at at it this way...when you work hard for something you want, you tend to take care of it.
I love my GTA and all the others. I guess I got that from my Father, Uncle, and Grandfather....they were crazy when it came to their vehicles!
I show your car to my wife and she said, "Bob, you dont have a chance against that IROC Vert!" I said, I know! It sure is pretty!
