Just a heads up. I bought an '89 Turbo Trans Am in Redondo Beach just under a month ago and it's now located in Lawndale. It's in rough shape, and I'm hoping to bring it back to it's former glory.

Anyway, just saying "hello".

 

pics pls.

 

Here's a teaser from the dealer where I bought it.

As a photographer, I'd be embarrassed to show you anything else I've taken "for reference". I'll get some new photos up this weekend.

 

Nice car man how much you purchased it for

 

A song at $4500.

 

Man...

Makes me appreciate my Trans Am even more... lol

I paid 1500 for a 350 tpi digi-dash.. Was out in chicago.. Flew out an drove it back.

I have Don Swappin' out my rear this week-end... The car's clean except for the driver quarter.. A tree had hit it.. Other than that, a steal of a deal!

Show the other pics when ya can.. Wanna looky at the new project..

A....

 

You're right, it's not cheap by 3rd gen standards, but it's a rare model.

It even comes with the 1LE brakes.

 

Good for you and welcome to the boards. Since you're a photographer, you'll take many pics of the car now until it's returned back to it's former glory

 

I suspect that a TTA in mint condition is worth about $14,000 last time I checked. They may have gone up even more now. If your's just needs cleaning, and a few minor things, you got a deal.

 

looks good, what are some of the things it needs, 4500 for a tta sounds real good, how many miles and how is it mechanically, can't wait to see more pics

 

It needs all manner of things, but the majority is cosmetic. The car was left outside in the sun and humidity of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and hasn't been driven in 3 years or more. The paint and rear spoiler are destroyed as is the leather on the seats.

Mechanically, it doesn't run quiet yet. It needed a new fuel pump (done) and now needs some trouble shooting to see why is won't stay running. It will start and run for about 2 seconds before dying. In the engine bay, it needs a good scrubbing and the soft vacuum lines need to be replaced.

Inside the headliner needs to be replaced and the seats need to be reupholstered, otherwise there isn't too much missing or damaged. I will be removing and cleaning/replacing nearly everything though. As the car will be a restoration -> hot rod project for me.

 

sounds like a real good deal! Those aren't cheap, I've seen them for 20k in this economy but in perfect condition.

 

I think its the same one i looked at and he was firm at $6750.
At $4500 you got a good deal.

Jerry

 

Yeah sounds like a good deal for a turbo car!
There's a couple local TTA owners but haven't seen them on the board in awhile.

 

I've also registered on the TTA boards and the Turbo Buick boards, and a local TTA owner has contacted me.

 

Nice! What are your plans for it. Restore it to factory condition, or build it the way you want?

 

Hi Scott,

That would be me.........

 

Hi Simo! 83 Daytona Pace car? do you collect pace cars?

I'll be building the car the way I want. There are some restoration type activities required, but along the way I'll be making improvements as well.

Cosmetically it will remain mostly stock. What has been damaged by it's time parked in the California sun will be repaired. The front seats will probably be replaced with Recaros, reupholstered to match.

Suspension will follow the guide on these forums written by Vetruck. I'd like to ask him about his old Wilwood brakes.

Performance will follow typical Buick Grand National guidelines.

 

I collect special edition and low production vehicles.
The Trans Am's just happen to all have been used as pace car replicas at Daytona and Indy........

I picked up this set of Recaros down in San Diego on Saturday for my TTA until I can reupholster a set of 83/84 Recaros with the TTA leather.
There is nothing wrong with my original TTA seats, I just want to convert the 20th TTA and the 25th TA to Recaros.
A much more comfortable seat than the originals.