Vehicle Description
Now that third-generation Trans Ams are rising in value and
considered to be bonafide collectables, this 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Trans Am GTA is the creme de la creme. An incredible survivor with
just 26,420 believed original miles, this T/A is a blast to drive
and gets loads admiring looks out on the road. From any angle, it's
an extremely well-preserved T/A in great colors with a long list of
factory options. Generation X and older Millennials - come with me
back to the days when we were in high school and this GTA coupe was
the nastiest car on the block.
The GTA was perhaps the ultimate expression of Pontiac performance
in the '80s. A V8 engine, flashy rims wrapped in big tires, big
brakes, big wing - it didn't mince words and stood unabashedly for
all-out performance. The fact that the F-body shape was still
working so well more than nine years after its debut speaks highly
of the original design, and few will argue that this isn't a
great-looking modern muscle car. With only 3-owners since new, a
clean vehicle history report, and extremely low miles, it's one of
the finest Trans Am examples we've ever featured. Add in the
pedigree of the low-production GTA, and you've got a very special
classic car indeed. For a car going on 34 years old, it looks great
wearing gorgeous Code WA9535 Flame Red Metallic paint (a
factory-correct respray) that appears it was professionally applied
in the not-too-distant past, blemish-free ground-effects, and an
aggressive wing that perched over those smoked Plexiglass
taillights out back. Add in the vented hood and hidden headlights,
and you get the nastiest '80s coupe this side of a Corvette. None
of it gives any indication of what's going on under the hood,
either, so while the GTA was the most potent F-body on the street,
today it will definitely catch folks by surprise.
OK, so Pontiac was famous (or maybe infamous) for their
over-wrought interiors, but that's all part of the appeal today.
The deeply bolstered gray cloth buckets are supportive and
comfortable, and show the kind of gentle use that characterizes
your favorite cars. The steering wheel is festooned with buttons,
as is the dash, but GM stuck to simple analog gauges that worked
better for performance driving than the digital setup from just a
few years earlier. Of course, being the 1980s, there's a
monochromatic black finish on all the dash and center console
surfaces, but like the bodywork, that was simply the fashion at the
time and all it's all in excellent condition. The GTA also came
loaded with just about everything, including A/C, power windows and
locks, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and power mirrors, and of
course, the automatic transmission that was the "A" part of GTA. An
AM/FM/Cassette stereo was part of the package, too and it includes
an '80s perfect graphic equalizer, so dust off your old Bon Jovi
tapes and get ready to fight off the groupies. The back seat area
is exceptionally clean despite being America's most popular love
nest of the 1980's, and the neatly tailored hatch area shows
practically zero wear and still includes the original space-saver
spare and jack assembly underneath.
The 5.7L TPI L98 V8 was a desirable engine in 1989, and putting it
in an F-body made it competitive with the mighty Mustang 5.0. With
225 horsepower on tap, it was a strong runner and the bulletproof
Chevrolet tuned-port fuel injection system is famous for torque
output. The engine bay is tidy and incredibly well-maintained, with
easy service access and signs of regular maintenance throughout.
Underneath, the 700R4 4-speed automatic shifts quickly enough to
make it seem like second gear is connected to your right foot, and
it slices through traffic with ease thanks to the engine's fat
torque curve. The stock exhaust system gives it an unbeatable note
up-and-down the throttle, and with power steering, power 4-wheel
disc brakes, and a sporty suspension that includes big sway bars
fore and aft, this GTA is an absolute blast to drive. And for the
perfect '80s performance look it rolls on its original, WS6-spec
gold 'snowflake' alloys wearing new 245/50/16 Cooper Zeon Sport
performance radials.
The ultimate low-profile high-profile car, this bone stock GTA
offers something for everyone, especially if your first love is
performance. Call today!
