View Full Version : '88 Trans Am GTA Notchback(a real one)
Back in 1996, in a high school electronics/tech class I was surfing the internet which was fairly new and I came across a picture of a car. I fell in love with that car. I wanted it so bad, only to find out the chances of finding and buying one was almost impossible.
This was the picture I had seen...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/410b4feb39d74aae1c3d34689914e934_zpshsxt1emp.jpg
Turns out only 718 Notchbacks were built. 624 were for the US, and the rest went to Canada. Now imagine how many of those 718 still exist 28 years later. Some people think maybe 350 or less might still be out there complete.
Well, Since they were so rare even in 1997, I got the closest thing I could, a regular black GTA. But I always wanted a notchback. That picture started my love of camaros/firebirds. A few years ago I bought a low mileage white GTA and then managed to buy 2 OEM notchback hatches. I planned on building a "clone", since I wouldn't claim it was a real one. That car will still be getting built eventually.
However, back in may, I found a real Notchback GTA for sale on Craigslist up in CT, for a great price. I contacted the seller and didn't hear back so I assumed it had sold. A few days later, I finally got an email from the seller with additional pictures I had asked for. He asked me to call him if I was serious so I did. It had some accident damage and had a rough life but I still wanted it. The following weekend, I took the trip up there with my truck and trailer and bought it.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-05-14%2016.12.07_zpszgm8fygd.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-05-14%2016.12.30_zps64hjgcaj.jpg
The car had been rear ended by a Harley Davidson around 2007/2008 and then parked in a garage since. The car had also had a front end accident on the drivers side which was repaired but caused the car to now have a rebuilt title. The son of the owner also explained how they swapped the black interior from another GTA, but it was originally beechwood tan. The car even came with the rear sheetmetal and bumper of a parts car in the same color. The motor was also said to have been rebuilt and a new trans installed not that long before it was parked. Due to the higher mileage on the car and the rebuilt title status, I had no intention of dumping a ton of money into this car, but I did want to bring it back to factory correct in regards to the interior. I bought beechwood interior stuff and I am just waiting to install everything.
I removed the damage rear pieces and pushed/pulled out the tail panel. I still need to finish it up a bit and bolt it all back on, but its almost done back there.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2016-07-24%2013.48.14_zpsgipdjg8i.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/20a8086f-0164-40c8-80b3-c53b8f990075_zpsif9rkkqi.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-08-04%2016.55.36_zpsxgq50by2.jpg
After I gutted the interior, I found a few rust holes that need to be addressed in the kick panels and under the floor. They aren't really that major and should be easy to fix. My neighbor will be taking care of that for me once I can drive it to his garage.
That means I need to get it running. When I bought the car, I knew it wouldn't start due to bad gas from sitting 7+ years so I told them not to even try. I assumed that since it was damaged it was safe to say that it was running up until then and when it was parked. All fluids and such looked fine. Today I washed down the engine bay and got it ready for a tune up which I hope to get to this week or next. I also have to drain the gas tank. Only thing missing under the hood was the washer fluid tank. Everything else looks stock and original. So I'm not even sure about the "rebuild". We shall see how it runs though.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2016-08-06%2016.03.29_zpson92sqmj.jpg
The body has the common peeling clear coat in some areas and some minor rust spots. My plan is to just get the interior finished and the car running/driving. I have no immediate plans to do the bodywork/paint. Once I can enjoy this car and take it to local shows, I will focus more on the full rebuild of my white GTA.
maroman88
08-06-2016, 10:37 PM
im almost convinced a vehicle might make it out of your garage alive...
ThoR294
08-06-2016, 10:59 PM
I remember hearing about those. Nice find!
sweetbmxrider
08-07-2016, 08:17 AM
What a great story, thanks for sharing it.
What's your dream for the car when its complete? aka paint/body etc
What a great story, thanks for sharing it.
What's your dream for the car when its complete? aka paint/body etc
Well my dream and goal for it are completely different.
I want the car to be a clean stock example.
I'd love to strip it down to the chassis and do a nut and bolt restoration. But the reality is that it would not be worth it. Due to the high mileage and rebuilt title history, the car will never be worth that much. Even though I don't plan on selling it, I still don't want a money pit. I recently saw a clean low mileage original one for sale at 10k. If I had the money I would have bought it, lol. Therefore this car will just be a fun driver. I do plan on doing a repaint in the future though, but nothing crazy.
That's my goal. But my dream is a highly modified, 600+hp, 6spd trans, digital dash, lowered, white, t-top, stock interior/exterior looking Notchback. And that's what my other '88 GTA will become, without worrying about originality. Any Notchback specific parts that are impossible to find/buy will be copied off the parts on the red one. So to anyone looking at the car, the white one will appear to be a real notchback(just without the RPO code). I will refer to it as a clone and not claim its a real one though. And when possible, I'd bring them to shows together.
Punkmaster 98
08-09-2016, 11:45 PM
Looks like a great project I look forward to the progress. hopefully you can come cruise with us down to deptford sometime.
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12745514_883202095131053_4507946916387841193_n.jpg ?oh=004796c68852f640588f53887cd90dda&oe=58533E1C
Looks like a great project I look forward to the progress. hopefully you can come cruise with us down to deptford sometime.
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12745514_883202095131053_4507946916387841193_n.jpg ?oh=004796c68852f640588f53887cd90dda&oe=58533E1C
I saw that pic once, lol.
Did the owner of the white one sell it yet?
And the black one is the kitt car replica type one with just the hatch right?
Punkmaster 98
08-09-2016, 11:50 PM
I saw that pic once, lol.
Did the owner of the white one sell it yet?
And the black one is the kitt car replica type one with just the hatch right?
No rogers nevere sold the white gta, he still has it. yeah the black ones is just a trans am with a kitt nose. more of a wolf in sheeps clothing lol
madness410
08-15-2016, 12:19 PM
awesome story. i hope it all works out and you get it running in due time...i cant wait to see it.
similar story with me...the first time i saw a ws6 i knew i had to have one sooner or later, although not as rare as your notchback.
Progress has been slow but stuff has been getting done.
-Currently the interior is still out. Floor has been cleaned up, sanded and painted, plus all seams have been resealed.
-I replaced the missing washer fluid tank with one that I had laying around.
-Fuel pump was dead so the gas tank came out. (dropped the rear). But in the process I had to cut the sway bar end links. I got the new ACDelco end links today as well as new rear shocks since they were out anyway.
-Other new parts that arrived today were new fuel pump, new sender gasket, new pump strainer, new fuel filter, and new oil filter. All ACDelco parts.
I'm picking up another gas tank this weekend so hopefully by mid next week, I'll have the tank back in the car and ready to try to get the car running. I just need to do an oil change first, check all the other fluids, and charge the battery.
I still need to get the wheels off the car though and get new tires on them. Apparently the car has the GM wheel locks but there was no key in the car for them.
I checked my white GTA and that too has wheel locks, but no key either. I was sure I had at least one laying around from previous cars but I couldn't find one so I bought a NOS GM wheel lock kit off ebay just to use the key. It arrived yesterday and I tried it this morning. No luck. The set I bought was the larger diameter version, same pattern but just bigger. I decided I would just use a 20mm 12-point socket to bash on the locks and get them off that way. So tonight I decided to look one last time for a spare wheel lock key and of course I finally found one that fits. So now I can at least get the wheels off.
PolarBear
08-25-2016, 08:30 PM
Nice man.
Jersey Mike
08-25-2016, 08:37 PM
Lmfao at the wheel lock story. At least you found it, man.
And love the update. Keep at it!
Punkmaster 98
08-25-2016, 09:15 PM
I gave up when i couldnt find my key. ended up using a lug remover. glad you found yours
BonzoHansen
08-25-2016, 10:02 PM
Lock lugs, stopping no one but owners for 47 years lol
Well, fuel pump sending unit wasn't salvageable. I installed the assembly in the tank and I tested the level sender and got no reading at all(still out of the car). I took it back out, touched it and the top of the float resistor setup fell apart. So... new sender it is. Lines were rusted pretty bad anyway so its for the best. Should be here in a few days. Also ordered a new fuel pulsator so at least everything in the tank will be brand new.
PolarBear
08-31-2016, 02:34 PM
Also ordered a new fuel pulsator so at least everything in the tank will be brand new.
I don't remember a pulseator in my 88, I thought only the later cars/V6 cars got that?
Its possible i had a later model sender. I think i mentioned that to you since wire colors were wrong. But rockauto had it listed for a 88 5.7 so i just got it. 15 bucks.
PolarBear
08-31-2016, 04:18 PM
Oh yeah, that is plausible
Tank is all back in the car, along with new fuel pump, sending unit, shocks, sway bar end links, and fuel filter.
The rear wheels have also been swapped out. Both had been painted (one originally black) and now the car has better condition oem gold GTA wheels I picked up instead.
This weekend, I plan on doing an oil change, dropping in the battery and cleaning/installing most of the interior.
PolarBear
09-08-2016, 07:48 PM
But did it start?
But did it start?
No idea yet, I haven't tried.
The tank is still empty and there's no battery in it, lol
PolarBear
09-08-2016, 07:54 PM
Well the battery could have been installed instead of different wheels and you COULD have siphoned gas out of your car, or the other car, or a different car :twak:
Did the oil change today. Also noticed the thermostat gasket was leaking so changed them too. I have to order front sway bar links apparently, the old ones rusted away. Oh and i put the battery in too. It now runs! Took a while to fire since all fuel lines were dry. Ran it for 10-15 min, great oil pressure, alt is charging and heated up normally. No weird noises at least lol.
Also power washed the carpeting and interior plastics. Came out pretty decent. Once the carpet dries, I can finally install the interior.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/2016-09-10%2014.31.05_zpscho3dom4.jpg
PolarBear
09-10-2016, 06:09 PM
See? Was that so hard? lol Glad to hear it started
maroman88
09-10-2016, 07:08 PM
This is ground breaking! you put a car TOGETHER and got it to run! this should be declared a national holiday or some ****
Jersey Mike
09-10-2016, 07:42 PM
This is ground breaking! you put a car TOGETHER and got it to run! this should be declared a national holiday or some ****
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
PolarBear
09-11-2016, 09:04 PM
This is ground breaking! you put a car TOGETHER and got it to run! this should be declared a national holiday or some ****
:kneeslap:
Front sway bar end links, air filter, and pcv valve arrived. I also pulled the drivers headlight to fix the motor. Opened it and a pile of crumbs fell out. I had a spare i planned on using. That one too was crumby lol so i gotta order a rebuild kit. Floor mats arrive today. This weekend ill put the interior back in.
Anti_Rice_Guy
09-15-2016, 10:07 AM
Most people get less productive once they get married and such.
Went to the DMV this morning...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-17%2011.39.54_zpswxpf0tfu.jpg
Started the interior install this afternoon. Only things left now are center console, drivers seat, and the screws/clips to hold rear trunk panels in place.
Carpet is used faded beechwood with new congac ACC floomats. In the winter I will most likely be getting new congac carpeting though. The darker color looks good with the plastic panels. I think I'll also be doing new seat upholstery at that point.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-17%2011.51.11_zpswkc0sowu.jpg
PolarBear
09-17-2016, 08:05 PM
Very jealous right now.
Shouldn't that car have a radio control steering wheel?
Shouldn't that car have a radio control steering wheel?
I honestly don't know. The RPO sticker was long gone so as of right now I'm unsure of most options. (Vin on hatch matches car so I know thats right). I submitted a request for a copy of the original vehicle invoice from GM Media Archive so I hope they have something I can work with. The steering wheel was available for that year so who knows. Maybe whoever ordered this car with the notchback also didn't want steering wheel controls. Or stuff had been changed out over its lifetime and in that case I'll correct it once I know more.
PolarBear
09-17-2016, 08:22 PM
I THINK 88-90(?) or at least 88-89 when you got the GTA package it automatically got the radio controls and maybe the UQ9 audio amp. If you want to pull the wheel and look at the cancelling cam or the turn signal setup it will likely have the extra parts that would be for the wheel controls. I can send you a picture of what the turn signal setup looks like, the cancelling cam has an extra raceway or two compared to a stock one, for the wires for the controls. The turn signal setup has a bunch of LEDs installed on it, I think infra red LEDs, like a remote for a TV etc.
I THINK 88-90(?) or at least 88-89 when you got the GTA package it automatically got the radio controls and maybe the UQ9 audio amp. If you want to pull the wheel and look at the cancelling cam or the turn signal setup it will likely have the extra parts that would be for the wheel controls. I can send you a picture of what the turn signal setup looks like, the cancelling cam has an extra raceway or two compared to a stock one, for the wires for the controls. The turn signal setup has a bunch of LEDs installed on it, I think infra red LEDs, like a remote for a TV etc.
yes, if you could send a pic that would be great. I actually have to pull the wheel tomorrow in order to repair the typical loose tilt column. I wouldn't doubt that maybe the whole column had been changed at one point though. The radio I think was a different GM one, not the correct Trans am one so maybe they switched steering wheels when that was changed.
PolarBear
09-18-2016, 09:02 AM
I put that stuff in a box "so I wouldn't loose it", but I have no idea what I did with the box, lol
Well, I pulled the steering wheel today and once it was off, I immediately noticed the 4 wire connector for the radio controls. So yes, it did have them.
I then managed to tighten 3 of the 4 bolts for the tilt mechanism. I tried removing the pivot pins so I could access all 4, but the pins would not budge, oh well, its tight now though. When I put it all back together I decided I wanted the correct steering wheel on it. So now it has a steering wheel with radio controls(and my white GTA does not anymore). I had been looking for a very good condition wheel or a recovered one for the white car anyway so they worn one can stay in the notchback.
After that, I then finished installing the console, drivers seat, and the rear seat uppers. I started trying to think about how I am going to address the paint. I want to buff it to make it look a little better, even with the clear peeling in spots.
PolarBear
09-18-2016, 07:44 PM
You have to remove the tilt spring to get the pins out, and no pictures?!?!
You have to remove the tilt spring to get the pins out, and no pictures?!?!
The big spring at the bottom center was out, lol, and the pins still wouldnt budge. And no pictures because phone was almost dead.
I managed to replace the front sway bar end links after work today.
Here are the old ones...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-20%2017.08.24_zpsmguqjg7k.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-20%2016.36.19_zpsj4k6drsc.jpg
Some interior pictures...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-20%2017.39.44_zpsxenelcj7.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-17%2021.23.34_zpsiyip2rg2.jpghttp://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-20%2017.40.05_zps0bgbfvws.jpg
PolarBear
09-20-2016, 07:42 PM
So jelly over here
Punkmaster 98
09-20-2016, 09:45 PM
that interior is MINT :o
Installing that fuel pump pulsator was a mistake.... It seems to have shifted/dislodged and fuel is leaking back into the tank right after the pump. I get a max of 14psi at the rail and I can hear pouring/running fuel in the tank, like a mini waterfall.(Completely disconnected return line so I know thats not it, lol). So on friday I gotta drop the tank again, Joy. Oh well.
Tank is back out. I pulled the pump/sender and replaced the pulsator with the rubber hose that comes with the fuel pump. Should be up and running by Friday night, I just need to find time to put it all back together.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/2016-09-28%2019.17.11_zpsppccjjx8.jpg
PolarBear
09-29-2016, 11:57 AM
Hmm, that tank looks familiar, lol
Punkmaster 98
09-29-2016, 03:12 PM
Installing that fuel pump pulsator was a mistake.... It seems to have shifted/dislodged and fuel is leaking back into the tank right after the pump. I get a max of 14psi at the rail and I can hear pouring/running fuel in the tank, like a mini waterfall.(Completely disconnected return line so I know thats not it, lol). So on friday I gotta drop the tank again, Joy. Oh well.
Dropping the tank isnt too bad. Did mine last night after my car died at the chevy dealer. how convenient :facepalm: glad you found the issue
The car runs great finally.
I've had it to 3 car shows total so far.
However, with the winter coming and me needing the room in my one garage, I put the car away for a few months.
I need space in my main garage to pull/repair the motor of my soon-to-be daily driver and tried finding a cheap garage to rent but couldn't.
So I did the next best thing. I put the car in the garage on the other side of the house. This was more of a work garage/storage place for our old landscaping business. Its dark, dirty, and damp. But luckily I still have my car capsule which makes all those problems pointless. It did take about 2 hours to make enough room in the garage to barely fit it but its in there finally. At least the car will stay nice over the winter now.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/shownotch_zps29xu20kg.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/IMG_5140_zpsnwbkubpw.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/IMG_5146_zpstbgs4esu.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/notchback/IMG_5154_zpsyozumnha.jpg
66_customs
02-19-2017, 11:49 AM
Awesome find, the first pic of the red notch back was my first car. One of my favorite cars
6spdg37s
02-19-2017, 05:19 PM
awesome story and find ! but the white one on the right seems sad now...
Ok, time for an update I guess.
The car runs, drives and is streetable, safe, and reliable.
Last summer I replaced the front brakes and hoses, as well as basically all the steering components. Now I can safely steer and stop without the car wandering or darting all over the place. This year it got a new battery.
I still need paint work in a bad way but it just isn't the time yet.
I've taken it to a handful of local car shows and most of the time people don't even look at the car since they think its just a worn out 80s firebird. There are the rare few that have noticed.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1803/43333182201_9f60a5cf03_b.jpg
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/43333192991_5f1e19abe2_b.jpg
The one thing that always bothered me about the car was the fact that when I got it, the original interior had been swapped out. I fixed that for the most part 2 years ago, however that also meant I didn't have to original console, with the original RPO sheet. Being that the hatch was merely an option, I wished I had the rpo sticker to prove it. The only proof I had that the car was a true factory notchback, was the VIN sticker on the hatch itself. That was good enough for me, but I always wanted more. I looked into PHS(pontiac historic services) when I first got the car but they can only access records prior to 1987 but they were able to point me to GM Media Archive. Yesterday I placed my order with them to search all their types of records, databases, microfiche, etc to locate the original factory invoice for my car. Well, they found it. I received it as a PDF by email earlier today. On the invoice it does indeed show option "AA8 GTA NOTCHBACK ROOF". It also shows when it was shipped as well as to which Pontiac dealer it was sold at. Overall, it doesn't tell me anything that affects value or such but for me, its something extremely cool to have to go with the car now.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1789/43333081031_6d0da95694_b.jpg
Now I am looking into have a reproduction window sticker made. Just have to find where I can get one. The one place doesnt seem to do pontiac, and PHS doesnt do 1988 according to their website, only 89 turbo TA and 1990+.
Anti_Rice_Guy
07-11-2018, 05:43 AM
Neat! I actually just ordered the window sticker to my Z
The_Bishop
07-13-2018, 09:25 AM
Where'd you order that from? Might be interesting to have one for my apparently semi-rare Purple 1998 Z28.
Anti_Rice_Guy
07-13-2018, 02:22 PM
Where'd you order that from? Might be interesting to have one for my apparently semi-rare Purple 1998 Z28.
Paul says it in his long post, which is how I found it. But https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html
Go to www.gmmediaarchive.com
The_Bishop
07-14-2018, 12:57 PM
Awesome, thanks!
Oh, I also forgot to say that the invoice also confirmed the original interior color. When I got the car, it had a black cloth interior from a different GTA(console was swapped as well and had a different VIN). The only thing I found was a beechwood seatbelt retractor in the backseat that tipped me off that the interior was originally beechwood, so that's what I put back in, and now I know its correct. The next step is getting a replacement SPI label(RPO codes in console). I found a company that makes certified replacements, I just have to figure out what RPOs the car came with. Basically everything that comes standard and then add the 3 or so codes from the invoice sheet.
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