Art & Speed announces the arrival of this pinnacle of Pontiac
performance in the 1980s - the 20th Anniversary Pontiac Turbo GTA
Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. The 1989 T/A pace car for the 73rd Indy
500 was the first in history to lead the field that didn't require
any mechanical modifications to keep it out front. For anyone
growing up pre-'90s, this was probably the most iconic Trans Am
behind the "Bandit" of the late-'70s, but it was even rarer.
With only 1,555 units built, the street version of the Indy 500 T/A
pace car only came in white with tan interior and sported the same
performance options of the actual pace car. At the time, lacking a
V8 under the hood, it wasn't lauded as a muscle car. Instead, it
borrowed a modified-iteration of the Buick V6 turbo from the GNX
platform that was an avid performer on the street. Lost through the
years, the T/A version was actually superior to its Buick brethren
probably because GM under-reported the performance numbers. But
collectors are finally starting to give it the appreciation it
rightly deserves.
This particular T/A is a garage-kept, well-maintained, and
cared-for example, showing a mere 25,000 on the odometer. Close
inspection does show some signs of its age around the emblem areas
(see photos), but otherwise, this is a timepiece!
Sitting behind the wheel of this one, you'll discover it is a
turn-key drivable collector car. All of the factory components are
in place and working, including the GTA gauge with the Boost gauge.
The frame and body are rust free and in good condition. All of the
glass is also in good condition with the windows and mirrors
operating as they should. The rear louvers are not just for style,
they help keep the interior cool as well. Fitted with Newer Fuzion
Zr1 tires, the factory wheels are in great shape. The Factory
12-inch rotors up front and 11.7-inch' rotors in the rear are in
good condition, working as expected.
Stepping inside is a step back to the '80s. The full steering wheel
controls give you a cockpit feel while driving. All controls work
as they should, though an aftermarket Jensen radio is a significant
improvement over the factory sound. The power leather seats are
working as they should, with only the driver's side showing wear,
as seen in the photos. The headliner, door panels, and center
console are in excellent condition, showing no signs of wear. The
leather-wrapped steering wheel, carpet, and shifter show minor wear
as expected with a 30-year old car.
If you were like most of us, you wanted one of these Trans Am pace
cars the minute you saw it out in front of the field at Indy. This
1989 Pontiac Trans Am pace car is a fantastic low-mileage time
capsule ready to take you back to your youth. Contact us at Art &
Speed to learn more about this shining example of '80s
ingenuity!
MECHANICAL
OEM 231ci Iron-Block Turbocharged and Intercooled V6
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