1988 Trans Am GTA Notchback clone

[V]

I figured I might as well post this up finally...

A few weeks back I picked up a 1988 tarns Am GTA and recently picked up a OEM '88 Notchback hatch for it.

For those that dont know what a GTA Notchback is... It was a GM option available in 1988 on the GTA model. Only 624 were built for US sales and a only total of 718 worldwide.

Some think the hatch is ugly, some love it.
I love the rare strange factory options so I always dreamed of having this type of car.

Back in 1997, when I was 17, I saw a picture of a red GTA notchback online and fell in love with it. When I found out how rare they were, I settled for a regular 1988 GTA instead (basically this exact car in black).

This car mainly needs a tune up and new paint. The hatch needs quite a bit more... but its a good starting point. Today I finally put the GTA in my garage and took off the original hatch(wrapped in plastic and being kept) and placed the Notchback on it. I took off the hinges and hardware to assess damage so obviously its not bolted on currently. I 'll bolt it on eventually and then I can do all the fiberglass repairs while its on the car so fitment will be exact.
I do have the glass, I just took it out to protect it. I got the old tint off it and it cleaned up real nice. I even managed to find a set of OEM Notchback rear seats which have integrated headrests(not in the pictures yet) They just need to be recovered in grey to match.
The car is a 305 TPI auto, t-tops, digital dash, etc etc. It has 62k original miles. I even have the window sticker and a binder full or original purchase documents.

Yes, I know with the hatch it will still only be a clone, BUT if the hatch was to come on any car this would have basically been how it would have came in 1988.

Some quick pics...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-06-05174847_zps7321d9d1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-06-05174749_zpsc1abd40a.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-07-07190831_zpsf1b0df2f.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2013-06-23152244_zps713693c5.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2013-06-26182826_zps22a3a7e7.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2013-06-24111557_zps0f080a45.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-07-07190742_zps64148eb7.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-07-07190910_zpsc8938516.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-06-05174018_zps911ac14a.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-06-05173920_zps8982dff3.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-06-05174009_zpsf9d3f5f4.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/1988%20Trans%20Am%20GTA/2013-06-05173949_zps5bb52ea5.jpg

[PolarBear]

You got to work on that hatch pretty quick! Looking forward to this progress

[maroman88]

awesome, guna have see this soon

[sweetbmxrider]

Cool project, Paul.

[1320B4U]

Nice! Didn't realize they came w/a rear defroster too in that option.

[chrisfrom nj]

nice car paul it looks like the gta notch back my brother has

[66_customs]

nice car paul it looks like the gta notch back my brother has

here it is

[chrisfrom nj]

alex we had fun driveing that car do you still have the vid of the burnout

[Dudbird113]

Id love to see it in person when its done

[V]

Id love to see it in person when its done


It may be some time. lol. Moving and getting married this past fall kinda delayed any progress. The car still sits in the garage as pictured though. Im planning on a ls6/t56 swap and full repaint eventually. But with work, going back to school, saving for a house, and a eventual baby(1-2 years from now), cars are my last priority. it sucks lol

[PolarBear]

getting married, it sucks lol

This is all I got out of that statement :kneeslap:

[greenformula92]

This is all I got out of that statement :kneeslap:

Damn bear you beat me to it

[V]

The funny thing is I considered selling the GTA , but she forbid it. I sold my CTS V back in July and I got yelled at for that. She still makes comments about it. I have the storage room for cars and parts so its just time I lack.(also finishing up an apt remodeling and full rewiring).

I even have a 93 z28 roller sitting on my trailer that I need to strip. And my 79 vette that's been a long term project since 1998.

When the lease ends on my '14 Camaro, I'm "required" to get another V series car.

[qwikz28]

You really got yourself a winner, Paul.

[greenformula92]

The one I'm seeing supports my project too. Its nice to have someone back you up in something you like whether they understand it or not

[89 Iroc-Z28]

nice man, I always liked the digital dash in the Pontiacs

[NastyEllEssWon]

man oh man....notchback gta...thats always been one of my dream cars. i'd want an original notchback though because of the little mini bucket seats in the back :D

cant wait to see the progress :D

[V]

man oh man....notchback gta...thats always been one of my dream cars. i'd want an original notchback though because of the little mini bucket seats in the back :D

cant wait to see the progress :D

I managed to source a set of the original back seats too.

[deadtrend1]

I managed to source a set of the original back seats too.

You didnt cut up a TTA did you?!?

[PolarBear]

You didnt cut up a TTA did you?!?

LMAO

[Teds89IROC]

Nice project Paul, I love those white GTA's


You didnt cut up a TTA did you?!?

:lol:

[V]

I've still made ZERO progress besides whats shown in the earlier pics, BUT...
something followed me home today and the GTA will eventually have a little more pep than it ever did new.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2014-03-08125805_zps8af2c51f.jpg?t=1394320505

[V]

I bought a second just because I could....

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2014-11-22131252_zps6b6ef66f.jpg

[V]

No real progress updates but a few parts have been bought or set aside for the build. And a few other plans for parts of the car have been decided.
I sold the motor from that 98 z28, but kept the T56. I'll be using the motor out of a 2002 Firebird Formula now.

Parts bought/put aside:
Ported/polished TB
LS6 5-wire Maf
LS6 intake manifold
243 cylinder heads
MSD red spark plug wires
Hurst factory shifter
New Hurst shifter knob
T56 transmission('98 camaro z28)
LS1 shortblock('02 formula)
2002 "411" PCM
3rd gen LS1 engine swap mounts
Energy suspension poly trans mount
ls1 fuel lines
ls1 fuel tank


I also decided the brakes will get upgraded as well.
I will be doing LS1 brakes up front, and still trying to figure out my options for the rear, but will probably be just LT1 rears due to the factory 9 bolt in the car now.

Things I need to buy still:
engine rebuild kit
trans rebuild kit
camshaft package
rocker arm trunion upgrade
stand alone wiring harness
injectors
electric waterpump
swap headers
catback
clutch assembly
suspension parts
AI cylinder head porting service