When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by Todd Nichol
Hello All,
All this talk about the Players series finally got off my butt. I dragged my old Player's car out of storage to get it fired up. Hasn't turned a wheel since 1992. Pics attached.
Todd Nichol
Hi Todd, welcome!
For the folks here ... this is a really rare car. One of the few Trans Am's raced, and best yet ... still in as-raced-trim. Such rarity are the brake cooling ducts unique to the Trans Am. Oh ya and being an R7U, 1LE, race chip, cage, exhaust, etc. etc.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Saw your post from a couple years ago....not sure if it's one of Carls' old cars or maybe one of mine. I can check my old records to see if I originally purchased it.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Not sure if it was built in Batch 1 or Batch 2 . Batch 1 had 12 cars built Arctic White with Grey Interior. Batch 2 they produced 4 cars with that combination. I'm not positive but think I might have bought 4 or 5 Players cars new when I raced in the series....typically you'd buy a new one every season......should have kept them all in hindsight.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by Todd Nichol
Not sure if it was built in Batch 1 or Batch 2 . Batch 1 had 12 cars built Arctic White with Grey Interior. Batch 2 they produced 4 cars with that combination. I'm not positive but think I might have bought 4 or 5 Players cars new when I raced in the series....typically you'd buy a new one every season......should have kept them all in hindsight.
Todd
Todd, Your car (if I recall) was a batch 2 car, so one of the 9 built in the 1991 production year. There was 4 white with grey interior. Two black with black interior, one black with grey interior, and two red with grey interior (Robin Buck's I presume).
Had I been smart, I would have bought a "used" race car after each season!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
This 1991 (first batch) R7u just rolled into my garage. It was sitting beside my blue 58 car on the dealers lot when new. Still has its original CLJ sealed engine. I cannot keep it unfortunately so I’m going to list it in the classifieds if anyone is interested.
SOLD SOLD SOLD
Last edited by 67restoproj; Nov 21, 2017 at 06:57 PM.
Reason: SOLD SOLD SOLD
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by Todd Nichol
Hello All,
All this talk about the Players series finally got off my butt. I dragged my old Player's car out of storage to get it fired up. Hasn't turned a wheel since 1992. Pics attached.
Todd Nichol
What an incredible car!!! It's awesome that you still have it after all of these years! Unreal! I'd love to see more photos of it, if you have free time please post more up!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Another one saved. Unraced 1989 R7U. Only 90k kms on the clock. Original drivetrain. Note the engine number on top of the plenum, thanks Mark for pointing it out.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Nice! Where do you keep finding these?!
Originally Posted by 67restoproj
Another one saved. Unraced 1989 R7U. Only 90k kms on the clock. Original drivetrain. Note the engine number on top of the plenum, thanks Mark for pointing it out.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Took the wheels in and had them refinished to factory. They basically chemically strip the paint and media blast with a walnut material. They paint the front surface then give it a machine finish with a final clear coat.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Hey all, been awhile since last post. 2 moves, a near divorce and young kids and almost sold twice my players Trans am rolled out of storage and into the shop yesterday. The complete tear down begins! Have some good pics of my 15 yr old son wrenching away(going to be his 1st car!) will post pics soon and throughout the build. Anyone have spares to help me out please pm me! Cheers
Mike
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Hey Guys, Anyone have information on the jacket design changes through the series? Were they different (other than sponsor) from East to West? I've got 4 different styles curious if there are more to collect. Also if anyone wants to trade I've got doubles. PM me. Thanks!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by pmand
Hey Guys, Anyone have information on the jacket design changes through the series? Were they different (other than sponsor) from East to West? I've got 4 different styles curious if there are more to collect. Also if anyone wants to trade I've got doubles. PM me. Thanks!
86 was unique ... Red/White. Molson Indy/Gm Motorsports one.
87/88 was white/blue Players checkered logo.
89 was the red/yellow/blue splash one.
Unsure if they changed it for 90-92.
I can't recall now. Would have to see pics and compare.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Hmm, I don't think I've seen that one. Appears to be a later one looking at the parts logo. Who is the company on the inside logo? One fellow I know of made many of the jackets for the series. If it was him ... then we can find out.
I like the earlier white with red/blue/yellow jackets ... but really the blue one feels more tame to wear around. What's on the back?
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Ok news is that the coat is a 1992 edition. In 1991 there was a two color jacket (Teal on right, usual white with color splashes on left). So it seems you need one more to complete your set!
I quite like the 1992 ... feels like you could wear it today. I only ever bring out my jackets at shows for a display.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Thanks for the info Mark! I looked when I finally got home today and no tag so I appreciate the confirmation! Except now I need one more... any chance you have pics of this ‘91 edition?
PS The ‘92 jacket is plain on the back, very understated surprisingly...
Last edited by pmand; Mar 22, 2018 at 11:10 PM.
Reason: Additional Information
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
90k km on my 1989 1LE R7u. Had to remove the transmission today, 1st gear pops out. Most of the console had to be removed to access the (6) rubber shifter boot screws. Part number tag still intact on the alum driveshaft . I also took some time to pull the carpet hoping to find a build sheet... nothing Floors on the other hand look really nice.
Last edited by 67restoproj; Apr 14, 2018 at 07:58 PM.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
Floors do look good - any signs of a cage?
The car was never raced, was ordered as a spare and never used. Upon further inspection of the transmission we found a bent shift rod which would explain 1st gear popping out. All the gears and synchros look very nice
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Anyone on here know where John Cattle's 1987 #85 is/or have it? If you do please PM me I've acquired the extra decals. Might be nice to put with the car.
Last edited by pmand; Nov 29, 2018 at 10:41 AM.
Reason: Screwed up!
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
The 1988 Camaro and Trans Am A4U Players cars are BACK here in Vancouver Canada from Greg’s collection in Tulsa OK. The trans am has no race history and was probably ordered as a team spare, the podium winning Camaro was raced one season as the #88 Flag sponsored car driven by Tony Morris.
This isn't my car nor do I know anything more than what's in the ad, but I figured you guys might be interested in seeing it. It's for sale up here in Ontario, and looks to be pretty well kept.
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
Originally Posted by 67restoproj
The 1988 Camaro and Trans Am A4U Players cars are BACK here in Vancouver Canada from Greg’s collection in Tulsa OK. The trans am has no race history and was probably ordered as a team spare, the podium winning Camaro was raced one season as the #88 Flag sponsored car driven by Tony Morris.
Nice find! Let me know if you want stand of my '88 stuff or pics. Also have all decals made up if you need some made I'm glad to help.
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: If you have a Players Challenge Car, please post here. (RPO- A4U, 1LE or R7U)
There was a single (yes 1) 1LE Trans Am in 1988, according to the official GM records. So, if you do it will be the only one. Some sources state 3, but not according to the offical GM data I have.
How do you tell? Look at the front and rear brakes, if they measure 10.5" diameter then no, you do not have a 1LE The 1LE used larger brakes 11.5" about. Also look at your center console, originally there was a SPID that gave you all of the options, if 1LE is not listed, then it is not a 1LE. Like anything parts can be swapped and changed, they are 31 years old, and unless you have had the car since 1988 anything could have happened to it.
Floors on the other hand look really nice.
