Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
10-02-2013, 09:55 PM
#1
Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
First of all, I was a member here 15 Years ago +/- (Yes, Im getting old) My last thirdgen was Sold when my son was born in 2001, so I havent been around. Now that life has calmed a bit (my son is in middle school, a little more stable financially) I have been browsing craigslist. I was always a Camaro guy, but I couldnt pass this one up. 1988 GTA (posted as "Grand Trans Am) 5.7 Hardtop. Figured it was a hoax, so I emailed. After a week, I got a response. 90k miles. Original Owner. Parked it in his parents garage almost 2 decades ago when he got too many tickets. I asked to see the car, and an hour later, I was in love. NO rust. the only non OEM parts are the now rotten tires and the battery that rotted the tray. Interior is gorgeous, Red on Tan. Motor turns by hand, Body is an 8 (some paint peeling, a door ding that drives me nuts, and the inevitable wing rot). Title in hand. I saw the car on a sunday, so i couldnt get the 2000 out of the bank. As of Tuesday, it was mine. It is now in my shop so my son and I can get it running, replace the tires, and enjoy cruising like I used to in my Z28. I hope you guys can appreciate my excitement, I feel like Im 16 again.
10-03-2013, 01:10 AM
#4
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Car: 1987 Camaro Z28, 1989 TTA #922
Engine: lb9, 3.8L turbo
Transmission: 700r4, 2004R
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Nice find!! post some interior pics when you get a chance!!
10-03-2013, 07:38 AM
#5
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Car: 89 GTA/90 Iroc Vert
Engine: 5.7/5.0L
Transmission: 700R4 x 2
Axle/Gears: 3.27/2.73
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Awesome Bro, welcome back and to the GTA side !!
$2k, thats a great buy. Lots of luck with it.
Fire it up after you do the esstentials (looks like you know what to do, you have a lift) ....LOL
Report back and please more pics.
$2k, thats a great buy. Lots of luck with it.
Fire it up after you do the esstentials (looks like you know what to do, you have a lift) ....LOL
Report back and please more pics.
10-03-2013, 09:10 AM
#7
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Car: 89 Black IROC-Z convertible
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
That looks great. Let's have some more pics. I've seen completely trashed 3rd Gens that the owners wanted more money for than what you paid. So nice find! Good luck with it.
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10-03-2013, 09:29 AM
#8
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Car: 1990 IRoc Z
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Love it when people find buried treasure.
Last edited by 3GZJerry; 10-03-2013 at 09:29 AM. Reason: Spelling
10-03-2013, 11:05 AM
#10
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Car: 1988 Firbird formula 350
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Nine Bolt
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Great find! Keep us posted on getting her up and running.
10-03-2013, 06:25 PM
#11
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Car: 84 z28/ 79 trans am
Engine: 305 LG4/pontiac 301
Transmission: T-5/th350
Axle/Gears: 4.10s/3.42s
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
shoot... thats a great find dude.. i bet you're like a kid in a candy shop when you found that sucker
10-03-2013, 07:18 PM
#12
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
I have it in the air right now, waiting for spare time to yank the gas tank and spark plugs. As soon as I get it down, I will take plenty of pictures. Kid in a candy store is a great way to put it. Not much makes me "giddy". This absolutely did. I had to promise the guy a ride in it when Im done. Im very much looking forward to my son and I working together on it. Thanks guys!
10-03-2013, 11:26 PM
#14
Supreme Member
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Nice find! It makes me wish I had my 5.7 '88 GTA back. Hold on to that one this time and keep us all updated on your progress.
10-04-2013, 01:11 AM
#15
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS yellow
Engine: was '91 V6, now '89 5.7/355 TPI
Transmission: 4 speed automatic
Axle/Gears: Moser 3.73 with zexel posi
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
A moral tale, Rat, which proves "all you have to do to be young again is to repeat the errors of your youth."--Oscar Wilde. But the trouble is that you have to KEEP repeating them! Camaros are like peanuts; once you start, you can't stop.
10-04-2013, 06:52 AM
#16
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Car: 85 IROC / 92 Z28 Vert / 57 210
Engine: L69 / LB9 / LQ4
Transmission: T5 / T56 / 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 3:73 / 3.73 / ?.??
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Very nice.....
10-04-2013, 10:09 AM
#18
10-05-2013, 02:21 PM
#22
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Congrats on the find!! Good to see another member in the Tampa area. What part of Tampa are you located? Once you get it running maybe we can setup a meet with other Tampa area members. Nothing big, just a get together. It has been awhile.
10-09-2013, 04:54 AM
#24
10-09-2013, 07:02 AM
#25
Supreme Member
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
What you thinking of doing, just freshen this motor up or something drastic?
10-09-2013, 09:20 AM
#26
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Im trying to keep it as close to stock as possible. Depending on how bad it is inside the engine, I may just rering/bearing and call it a day. If its too far gone (crank beyond machining, cracked heads) then the possibilities open themselves up a little more. At least it gives my son and I more to do, because I am a mechanic, NOT a body guy.
10-15-2013, 08:13 PM
#29
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Car: 1992 camaro rs convertible
Engine: 3.1 liter v6
Transmission: automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi trac
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
ok first off CONGRATS sounds bout like how i found mine in a garage with the top down. been sitting there for 10 years so off course new top and little things but as for the engine how did things turn out it looks extremely nice in the photos so 
10-16-2013, 06:41 PM
#30
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Car: 1987 GTA Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9-Bolt 3.27
Re: Garage find (Yes, Im bragging a bit)
Awesome find even with needing a engine. Glad you saved it. I found my 87 GTA the same way. Got it for $700 he was asking $1700. Original owner, sat for about 10 years, original title from 87 all that jive. Needed the whole fuel delivery system done over including the tank and injectors (went with Bosch III's) and a few months later the engine went to heaven. Shortly after replaced the engine with one from a 91 Iroc-Z
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