This is a 20th Anniversary Turbo TA. This is a very rare car with only 1555 ever produced. Only 1324 in this configuration. Pontiac borrowed the Buick's 3.8 liter (231cid) V6 turbo powerplant from the 1986-87 Grand National with a different set of heads and pistons. The motor has a cross-drilled crank, larger 12 fin/inch GNX-style intercooler in place of the GN's 10 fin/inch design, specially-designed stainless-steel headers, higher-pressure Bosch 237 fuel pressure regulator, and a recalibrated engine control module.
The 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am was offered as a complete
package. Each was white with saddle (tan) interior, with T-tops and
leather interior the only available options. The Turbo TA was
available only with a Delco ETR AM/FM cassette with graphic EQ and
redundant steering wheel controls.
Externally, the TTA closely resembles a GTA. The primary visual
clues are Indy "Winged Tire" emblems on the ground effects panel
just aft of the front wheel wells, and dual twin stainless-steel
exhaust tips. Closer inspection reveals "Turbo" emblems on the
front fenders, "20th Anniversary" emblems on the nose and B-pillar,
and a "Turbo" insignia between the taillights. Inside, a turbo
boost gauge is incorporated into the tachometer face, and there is
a "20th Anniversary" logo on the leather map pocket. Special Indy
Pace
Car stickers were supplied for the windshield and doors. The cars were delivered without the stickers attached - it was up to the individual owner to apply them if desired. This car has the original decals still in the box.
Original Turbo TA owners were sent a special box containing the
door and windshield stickers, a Turbo TA keychain, cassette tape,
letter of congratulations and a leather owners manual
cover. There is a unique owners manual supplement that
came with the car. As with most GM vehicles, the Firebird service
manual and TTA supplement can be ordered from Helm (publisher of GM
service manuals). This car comes with the manuals
Records
* 1st Pace Car without any performance modifications, only
seatbelts and lights
* 1st Pace Car with an in-car camera
* Fastest stock bodied car: 294 MPH
Interesting Facts
* Only V6 Trans Am
* Side skirts creates more downforce
* 36mm front sway bar 24mm rear sway bar
* Baffled fuel cell
* Cross drilled crank
* 8:1 Compression due to dished pistons
* 3.0L FWD GM heads – flow better than stock GN heads
* Quick change brake pads – can be changed in under 15 seconds
* 12” front rotors and 11.7” rear rotors
* GNX Intercooler – 12 fins/inch compared to 10 fins/inch on GN
* 2 options – Leather and T-tops
* Built by PAS Inc. the same company that did the Typhoon
and Syclones
* Rated at 250 hp and 340 tq to keep the stats lower than
the 1989 L98 Corvette (rated at 255 hp),
actually dynoed around
280 rwhp 340 rwtq
* Split rear seats only available on TTA and GTA Notchback (less
than 1000 produced)
* The Turbo Trans Am emblems weren’t done in time for shipping so
they were shipped separately with a template for the dealers to
install
* The actual pace cars were randomly selected from the cloth
interior cars
* Emerson Fitipaldi and Jim Wangers “father of the GTO”
have both said that their TTAs are among their favorite cars and
would never sell them
(via http://s9.zetaboards.com/nythirdgen/topic/593516/1/)
This car is all original with very low miles and has just been completely detailed. The car even comes with T Top covers and case as well as numerous spare mechanical parts. This car is currently on consignment as is being displayed at the Miles Through Time Automotive Museum in Toccoa, GA. Contact [email protected] or visit https://milesthroughtime.com/cars-for-sale/1989-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-turbo-pace-car/
