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Hello everyone. I wanted to say hello and introduce myself and our new 1989 Trans Am! 84,944 original kms. 305 TBI auto.
I've known about this car for a few years, found it by chance summer 2013. We sold my wife's 350Z last year and she's been bugging me that I get to enjoy my Mustang and E-class but she's stuck driving a 2007 Mazda 3 haha! She has a thing for 4th gens but I convinced her a 1989 is just as cool
I struck a deal with the original owner early March. Kind of a sad story. In 1990 he was at our local Pontiac store getting his company car serviced. While waiting he popped in the showroom and saw the car. His wife wanted a Trans Am for the longest time so he inquired and got an interesting number. He brought her back the next day and they bought it.
All was well until a month later when she span out in a rainstorm getting on the highway. She said fuQ that I'm never dribing this car again!!!! So the gentleman would drive it from time to time. His wife was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1995 and passed away in 2000. He pretty much barely drove it from then until May 2004 to around 07. He couldn't remember the exact time he parked it.
Day I brought the wife to see it. She wasn't impressed.
For some reason the key wouldn't turn at all. Big thanks to Drew for helping me out on a thread I posted about it. Ended up being the cylinder. I improvised running the wire down the column with bandages and a tree branch.
Now that I was able to turn the steering wheel and put it in neutral I was able to bring her home. With work and **** weather in the way finally did it last week. Got a couple of my buddies to help push the car out on the street. I thought an exhaust hanger was broken looking under the car but it was fine. She was sinking into the driveway!
First time she moved in yearsssss! Sank into the driveway!
Towing her home
Ready for a quick rinse down with a cheap *** foam gun.
Last edited by George Klass; 07-24-2017 at 04:02 PM.
I'll post a few more pics later on. So far I haven't really done anything except throw in a CD player out of a 2003 Grand Prix and changed the dash speakers with some 4x6 out of a Sunflower. Cleaned up the interior as well. Scored a virtually new battery for $35 as well.
In the next couple of weeks I'll be draining the tank, thorwing in some fresh gas, drain again and change fuel filter. Next change the oil. If she turns by hand *** it I'll just start her right up and see how she runs!
If she runs ok then I'm removing the seats, caprpet and trunk carpet going out for a full shampoo. It sucks but there is water leaking from somewhere. I'm assuming cowl because it's wet under the floor mats. Someone went to see the car in the summer and the hatch wasn;t closed properly so there was a small pool of water in there. ****ing nasty guy had left a circular saw blade in there water was rusty and crusty.
Headliner is also mouldy but might have found a clean replacement locally.
Very nice! My first third gen was an 83 camaro, had a similar issue as the original owner but mine almost came around on me on an off ramp. Got rid of the factory tires, big difference! How do the floors look?
I know. So far I think she will be ok. She wasn't seized up at all just needed to boys to help me push her out of that rut she was in.
You would think the vacuum lines are disintegrating but everything is still soft and pliable.
A lot has to do with the climate we are in. We dont get the extreme heat for long durations which I think helps a lot. My 87 I just bought same thing....nothing is dry rotted, no cracks in the dash or any of the plastic or weather strips. Just to bad we cant drive them year round......
Nice find, I'll be following along. How many miles?
89,944 kms/55,588 miles. Nice and low!
Originally Posted by Mikeo91
Very nice! My first third gen was an 83 camaro, had a similar issue as the original owner but mine almost came around on me on an off ramp. Got rid of the factory tires, big difference! How do the floors look?
They look decent underneath but I wouldn't be surprised to find a small surprise when I remove the rug.
Originally Posted by Croz
A lot has to do with the climate we are in. We dont get the extreme heat for long durations which I think helps a lot. My 87 I just bought same thing....nothing is dry rotted, no cracks in the dash or any of the plastic or weather strips. Just to bad we cant drive them year round......
I couldn't believe it when I saw the dash pad was mint! Just a small crack on the dash near the headlight switch. The left side of the center console has unglued a bit and the drivers door panel unglued a touch near the fabric. Whereabouts are you from?
Originally Posted by DynoDave43
Great find. Congratulations!
Thank you sir!
Originally Posted by dmccain
I'm glad to see you putting her back on the road again! Great find, gorgeous car. Keep us posted.
Thanks! I feel like it's my duty to bring her back!
Nice find. Congratulations! Looks like you'll be able to give that TA the attention she deserves. Way to use your MacGyver skills on that steering column!
Nice find. Congratulations! Looks like you'll be able to give that TA the attention she deserves. Way to use your MacGyver skills on that steering column!
Thank you! She will get a lot of love much to my Mustang's chagrin . The plan was to install a Kenne Bell 2.1 I scored but now the GT fund is being smoked by the Trans Am haha!
I changed the lock cylinder in the man's driveway. Had almost no tools so had to heavyy MaCGyver it lol
Considering that it's been sitting outside all of that time, it's in pretty good shape!
She's extremely solid. Only rust I see is a a little bubble on the driver's side headlight door and the t top bar has a bit. There's also a very small ding on the driver's side quarter. It can be PDR'd but there is some lite rust where the paint chipped.
The pass side is kleeeen but the driver's side has a few scratches. Back bumper has a couple of chips and light paint cracks.
Spoiler is smoked looks like a$$.
Paint should buff out nice but will take some effort. While I'm tempted to go all out on it, I just want to make sure she runs first.
Bonus gift in ashtray. These are at least 17 years old guy told me he stopped smoking in 2000 lol.
Lots of work, but it'll clean up really nice. Factory exhaust?
The car is stock as rock Actually no, I'm lying. ""**EDIT** Someone at the dealer added the "GTA" wheels."" I checked the RPO's and she was originally equipped with 15s.
Wife is demanding a tints and a drop. Maybe I'll do them lol. If I ever change the exhaust, I'm going for a Magnaflow catback. They make a 305 TBI actually sound nice haha
Love it man nice find. Real similar to my 87 GTA I know, my GTA badges were toast so I improvised until I get new ones. Got some slack at Autorama in Atlanta for it.
Last edited by Jbuchanan; 04-26-2017 at 11:09 PM.
Reason: Badges
Nice find, dude. I've never seen a car sink in on asphalt, lol
I have some advice from my own experience for you:
Mouldy headliner -> Check out that-top weatherstripping. Water is probably getting in between the stripping and the body. You won't see any of it until you remove the weatherstripping (probably not even glued in, just like mine). I strongly advise to check the t-top channels beneath the weatherstripping for rust.
Your wet carpet can be the result of that. If it's only wet on the passenger side, your heater core may have an issue.
Aside from that, have fun
I'm keeping an eye on this thread, so keep us up to date with your progress
Love it man nice find. Real similar to my 87 GTA I know, my GTA badges were toast so I improvised until I get new ones. Got some slack at Autorama in Atlanta for it.
Thanks! Your GTA looks great!
Originally Posted by NCC-2569
Nice find, dude. I've never seen a car sink in on asphalt, lol
I have some advice from my own experience for you:
Mouldy headliner -> Check out that-top weatherstripping. Water is probably getting in between the stripping and the body. You won't see any of it until you remove the weatherstripping (probably not even glued in, just like mine). I strongly advise to check the t-top channels beneath the weatherstripping for rust.
Your wet carpet can be the result of that. If it's only wet on the passenger side, your heater core may have an issue.
Aside from that, have fun
I'm keeping an eye on this thread, so keep us up to date with your progress
I'm going to sit in the car and have someone spray water. The t top bar is looking a little crusty. I covered the cowl area completely and after some rain the interior is barely wet thankfully.
As cool as T tops are I almost wish it was a hardtop lol.
[QUOTE=George Klass;6131158]89,944 kms/55,588 miles. Nice and low!
I couldn't believe it when I saw the dash pad was mint! Just a small crack on the dash near the headlight switch. The left side of the center console has unglued a bit and the drivers door panel unglued a touch near the fabric. Whereabouts are you from?
We are out in Alberta. And engine rotation is clockwise when viewed from the front.
Love seeing them with gray wheels. Usually all you see now are black or gold gta wheels.
I haven't seen grey wheels in a long time. I was kind of surprised actually!
[QUOTE=Croz;6131452]
Originally Posted by George Klass
89,944 kms/55,588 miles. Nice and low!
I couldn't believe it when I saw the dash pad was mint! Just a small crack on the dash near the headlight switch. The left side of the center console has unglued a bit and the drivers door panel unglued a touch near the fabric. Whereabouts are you from?
We are out in Alberta. And engine rotation is clockwise when viewed from the front.
Thanks! I can't wait to go home and get to work. Weather is amazing today!
Orite, so a decent update today! Did a quick oil change and tried to drain the tank. I removed the fuel line (came off no problem) at the outlet side of the fuel filter. It smelled horrific! Got some stuff out but not much.
At this point decided to put the fuse back in (near the battery), threw in a fresh gallon and turned the key. Nothing... pump not turning on. I was running out of time so couldn't really diagnose.
I usually take my time and do things properly but curiosity was killing me. I figured if everything on this car was going so smoothly, nothing seized/seizing luck is on my side, So without doing anything but an oil change I decided to crank the engine.... Nothing. Arhhh WTF. Had to leave.
ABout 3 minutes into my drive it hit me. No $**** nothing happened dumba$$, I never had the new keys cut for the VATS. I was using the one that came with the new lock cylinder. Picked up wife, ran our errand and then I popped by a buddy's store to have it cut.
Came back, turned the key and........ She immediately turned over. I cranked her 3 more times for about 5 seconds each time and all accessories were turning easily. Mint. Saturday should net me a solid 6 hours with her so hopefully can figure out why the pump won't turn on (probably fukking dead lol)
To conclude everything underneath looks pretty much solid. Some rust on the bottom rad support and light little rust here and there. WTV, not expecting a mint car so it's not really bothering me. (it is lolol) At least the body is straight and rust free.
Last edited by George Klass; 04-27-2017 at 09:11 PM.
My pump was shot, I replaced it,cleaned the tank,new fuel filter and new injectors. Unfortunately I will have to drop tank again and replace it with a new one. My filler neck has the cracks in it. Fortunately I work on cars for a living and my employer is very gracious and lets me use shop on nights and weekends so I have access to a lift. Really impressed with your find. I can't stop smiling when I drive mine. I have been a gear head since I was able to talk. I wanted a GTA when they came out in 87, I was 8 and thought they were the coolest cars on the road. 30 years later I look out at my driveway and smile. I let my 15 year old son drive it a few days ago and what a feeling it gave me. I can only hope it means as much to him as it does me when I give it to him........Many years from now. You definitely got yourself a gem.
My pump was shot, I replaced it,cleaned the tank,new fuel filter and new injectors. Unfortunately I will have to drop tank again and replace it with a new one. My filler neck has the cracks in it. Fortunately I work on cars for a living and my employer is very gracious and lets me use shop on nights and weekends so I have access to a lift. Really impressed with your find. I can't stop smiling when I drive mine. I have been a gear head since I was able to talk. I wanted a GTA when they came out in 87, I was 8 and thought they were the coolest cars on the road. 30 years later I look out at my driveway and smile. I let my 15 year old son drive it a few days ago and what a feeling it gave me. I can only hope it means as much to him as it does me when I give it to him........Many years from now. You definitely got yourself a gem.
Nice, I would love to have access to a lift. It's crazy these cars are so old now. Really happy I was able to rescue this one. I almost don't want the wife to drive it lol. I know something stupid will happen to it somehow. Who knows, maybe she'll drive it and say "not for meeee"
Glad you got your GTA! I'm sure your son will enjoy it just as much as you! For me it was always a 5.0 LX coupe. I finally got one, a 1992 Calypso Green coupe with a black interior. Unfortunately August 2014 had a nasty wreck and she was destroyed. I'm still very sad about it. 5 years gone. I always liked 94-95 GTs so I decided to go SN95 to mend my heart. Got her pretty much stock and have done a lot!
Glad you got your GTA! I'm sure your son will enjoy it just as much as you! For me it was always a 5.0 LX coupe. I finally got one, a 1992 Calypso Green coupe with a black interior. Unfortunately August 2014 had a nasty wreck and she was destroyed. I'm still very sad about it. 5 years gone. I always liked 94-95 GTs so I decided to go SN95 to mend my heart. Got her pretty much stock and have done a lot!
[/QUOTE]
Sorry to hear about your 5.0, but just remember what forum you are on....dont want to start any fights.....hahahaha!
The neighbor across the street has a pretty sweet fox body he built for the drag track (cant believe I said that). I'm sure once he sees the IROC I picked up over the winter it will be just like high school rivals all over again. Boys dont grow up, we just get older.
Those transmission cooler lines look bad. If you can, give them a scrub with sanding paper and see if there's still metal beneath the rust.
Replace them, if necessary. You wouldn't want those to burst while you're on the road.
Same thing with the hard brake lines and you'll most certainly have to replace the three/four rubber brake hoses after all that time.
Don't even bother asking someone to adjust those tie rods, lol.
Once you reach that point, you'll have to replace them. Those threads are done.
Aside from that, everything else seems ok for now. No unsalvageable spots there.
Glad you got your GTA! I'm sure your son will enjoy it just as much as you! For me it was always a 5.0 LX coupe. I finally got one, a 1992 Calypso Green coupe with a black interior. Unfortunately August 2014 had a nasty wreck and she was destroyed. I'm still very sad about it. 5 years gone. I always liked 94-95 GTs so I decided to go SN95 to mend my heart. Got her pretty much stock and have done a lot!
Sorry to hear about your 5.0, but just remember what forum you are on....dont want to start any fights.....hahahaha!
The neighbor across the street has a pretty sweet fox body he built for the drag track (cant believe I said that). I'm sure once he sees the IROC I picked up over the winter it will be just like high school rivals all over again. Boys dont grow up, we just get older.[/QUOTE]
Lol. An ex neighbour across the street had an IROC. It was a heavy 80's scene.
Originally Posted by NCC-2569
Here's some free unwanted advice
Those transmission cooler lines look bad. If you can, give them a scrub with sanding paper and see if there's still metal beneath the rust.
Replace them, if necessary. You wouldn't want those to burst while you're on the road.
Same thing with the hard brake lines and you'll most certainly have to replace the three/four rubber brake hoses after all that time.
Don't even bother asking someone to adjust those tie rods, lol.
Once you reach that point, you'll have to replace them. Those threads are done.
Aside from that, everything else seems ok for now. No unsalvageable spots there.
Oh for sure brake hoses, that's a given. As soon as she's running and passes her maiden voyage she's getting
Coolant flush
Trans filter and fresh oil
Fresh diff oil
Plugs, wires, cap & rotor
Fresh brakes all around + hoses + flush
Tires
Will see what else she might need.
For the lines I did want to inspect them a little more carefully and see the overall condition. Wouldn't even bother with those tie rods haha!
Originally Posted by TTOP350
If you aren't interested in keeping that swaybar tag, I'd buy it from you
Good luck with the TA! I found a 1987 Firebird Formula 305 a few weeks ago. Bought it from the original owner. The car had sat for 13 years in their garage allegedly since it failed inspection in 2004.
Changed the oil, plugs, got all the old fuel out and put 5 gals. of fresh fuel in. Had to do a carb rebuilt because the fuel opening had solid gunk in them.
Started him up last Sunday!
Changed the belts last night and this weekend is transmission filter/gasket and replacing the mechanical fuel pump which went out during last weekend's startup.
Good Luck!!!
Wildfire. First picture after cleaning.
Good luck with the TA! I found a 1987 Firebird Formula 305 a few weeks ago. Bought it from the original owner. The car had sat for 13 years in their garage allegedly since it failed inspection in 2004.
Changed the oil, plugs, got all the old fuel out and put 5 gals. of fresh fuel in. Had to do a carb rebuilt because the fuel opening had solid gunk in them.
Started him up last Sunday!
Changed the belts last night and this weekend is transmission filter/gasket and replacing the mechanical fuel pump which went out during last weekend's startup.
Good Luck!!!
Wildfire. First picture after cleaning.
Good luck with the TA! I found a 1987 Firebird Formula 305 a few weeks ago. Bought it from the original owner. The car had sat for 13 years in their garage allegedly since it failed inspection in 2004.
Changed the oil, plugs, got all the old fuel out and put 5 gals. of fresh fuel in. Had to do a carb rebuilt because the fuel opening had solid gunk in them.
Started him up last Sunday!
Changed the belts last night and this weekend is transmission filter/gasket and replacing the mechanical fuel pump which went out during last weekend's startup.
Good Luck!!!
Wildfire. First picture after cleaning.
I wish it was! Has some minor body damage that I'm working out. Unbelievable thing was that the dash was 100% intact!. And the automatic hatch latch still works!
Might take your advice and start a thread though. Thanks!
I wish it was! Has some minor body damage that I'm working out. Unbelievable thing was that the dash was 100% intact!. And the automatic hatch latch still works!
Might take your advice and start a thread though. Thanks!
Definitely start one, would love to see your progress.
Same here, dash pad perfectly intact. Power hatch works too!
Check the cowl, at the bottom of the cowl on the far reach of the passenger side, from the inside and also on the engine side to the right of the fan where the inner fender, frame rail and firewall meet up. Also the same on the drivers side. You'll have to do some digging to really check, but with all the debris that was sitting there you have a chance the drains got clogged up and caused some rust.
The floors look good from under the car, but check the pinch weld where the kick panel, floor and rocker all meet up as that is a very common spot, especially when you have debris laying in there... It's not always super easy to see, pulling the fender liners out will allow you to get a light in there and check it out.
Also, if you're looking for a reproduction wing, I got mine from a fellow near Toronto for $450. He has a lot of parts, usually decent prices and will haggle/deal with you a bit especially if you have parts to trade with. The business is called Paradise Alley. I've also gotten full reproduction floor pans from him, fender vents etc.
I was shopping for a Mustang when I found the Trans Am. Almost bought a 7up convertible, and a yellow '94 SN85 car. Liked them both very much.
Yep, get that new thread started PlanoDragon. That's a good looking Formula.
Why did you pick the Trans Am over the Ponys? Just curious lol
Originally Posted by WTR388
Check the cowl, at the bottom of the cowl on the far reach of the passenger side, from the inside and also on the engine side to the right of the fan where the inner fender, frame rail and firewall meet up. Also the same on the drivers side. You'll have to do some digging to really check, but with all the debris that was sitting there you have a chance the drains got clogged up and caused some rust.
The floors look good from under the car, but check the pinch weld where the kick panel, floor and rocker all meet up as that is a very common spot, especially when you have debris laying in there... It's not always super easy to see, pulling the fender liners out will allow you to get a light in there and check it out.
Nice car so far!
Originally Posted by WTR388
Also, if you're looking for a reproduction wing, I got mine from a fellow near Toronto for $450. He has a lot of parts, usually decent prices and will haggle/deal with you a bit especially if you have parts to trade with. The business is called Paradise Alley. I've also gotten full reproduction floor pans from him, fender vents etc.
Thanks brother, that is some solid advice. I will have check that all out soon.
The price for the wing is decent but I really don't want to spend a lot of $$$ on this car. I was thinking of maybe just quickly sanding the wing down and shooting it with plasti dip.
Got some work done Saturday and Sunday. It's looking like the fuel pump is dead. I do not have time/patience to do this in the driveway. Trying to make arrangements to have the job done at either a shop or a buddy who might have time for me at his place.
In the meantime I went ahead and cleaned the car. Did what I could at home. A lot of stuff is embedded in the paint, so it's looking like a wet sand. I gave her a heavy wash with plenty of Palmolive. Followed with a claybar and had some Turtlewax Black cleaner and wax. Not the best stuff but certainly helped.
Took a piece of the claybar and did all the glass. Looking pretty clean. Still need to over a few spots but no more grime. Didn't really bother with windshield because it's cracked.
All that's left to do is the front and rear bumpers. The wheels will come out decent but the clear is smoked in a couple of spots.
I didn't take too many before pics so I'll throw some in from when I first saw the car. Started Saturday afternoon and finished Sunday morning. It was cloudy Sunday so got it all done before the rain. Looks nice with water beading haha.
Last edited by George Klass; 05-01-2017 at 01:56 PM.
It always suprisess me how forgiving the paint on these cars is.
Even with so much neglect.
It will still clean up real good even after 10+ years in open weather.
It always suprisess me how forgiving the paint on these cars is.
Even with so much neglect.
It will still clean up real good even after 10+ years in open weather.
04-26-2017, 12:36 PM
