The Pontiac GTA was created to be an even higher-performance version of the Trans Am, with “European” styling features such as body cladding and large mesh aluminum wheels. This particular one is being sold here on eBay where bidding has jumped past $10,000 but has not met the reserve yet. The seller is a long-time eBayer located in Rockville, Maryland.
The seller’s description complete with paint thickness meter readings illustrates that this is the original paint and it is described as show-worthy, reflecting the 21,216 shown miles and the collectible nature of the car (9,765 were made for the USA in 1988 with another 1,261 produced for the Canadian market). According to the seller, those are the original tires – I would plan on storing those for shows and getting a replacement set for driving!
Trivia: did you know that some 1988 GTAs were made with notchbacks rather than the usual glass-back style? Personally I like the glass hatchback like this car, which is also equipped with the highest performance 350 cubic inch V8 available in 1988. While 225 horsepower (when equipped with an automatic, some sources say 190 horsepower) doesn’t sound like much now, for 1988 that was something! The car is also equipped with the WS6 high-performance suspension package. A period road test of a 1988 GTA can be found here on the GTASource website; it’s extremely complimentary of the car’s prowess.
If you like the late 1980’s interiors as I do, this GTA has one of the best. Buttons everywhere, even all over the center of the steering wheel! The automatic transmission was fitted to most GTAs, although a manual was also available.
Underhood appearance is terrific on this particular GTA, with clean black and white plastic parts the order of the day. I have a hard time faulting this car if late ’80s excess is what you like (like me) so it comes down to your feelings about the price and your automotive toy budget. I hope you’ll share your feelings about the GTA – I read every comment you folks put on posts I write and look forward to hearing from you!
The typical driver of this car in the 80s would have been male, worn a gold chain around his neck, been blaring Twisted Sister from the cassette deck, and would reek of Drakkar Noir.
I worked for a Pointiac dealer in the early 90s, so I test drove these. They were decent cars for the day. I remember there were a lot of engine management issues though (ECMs, 02 Sensors, MAF sensors, etc)
And wore Angel Flight leisure suits with bellbottoms, gold RayBans and lamb chop sideburns…😱😂
Lol , you just described Burt Reynolds in a Trans Am……
Sounds like you are describing 1978 not 1988.
You forgot the mullet! Business in the front, party in the back.
It was tight blue jeans for me and blairing , Caribbean Queen ! And yes I had the 3rd one in Michigan only a 1987. There was one in in Jackson and one in Kalamazoo the a GM worker got. Only mine had a digital dash and I wish I had it back. Summertime driver only. Ran a respectable 14.88@ 96 mph and a bit of tweaking got a constant 13.66@ 104mph. Really enjoyed that car
DO NOT hate the mullet 🤬
Since a 5 speed manual wasn’t available with the 5.7,id rather have the 5.0 with Tuned Port Injection in order to get the manual transmission. A few bolt ons added to the 305 will do wonders. I don’t care if the 350/automatic is faster than the 305/5speed combo:the fun factor of the stick shift will compensate IMO
The 305/5-speed combo actually had the same horsepower that the 350/auto did. At least in 1992.
Money is flowing free, like wine! In 2014 this would have struggled to bring in 8. I know, tried to sell an F-body then :-(
i think ours is a bit nicer, but a 87
I had the digital dash. Same red exterior, red interior. Wish I had it back
Worthless to me without a 4or5speed. Later……………JIMMY
A co worker had one and it had the 3.8 l twin turbo..From.the grad national.. It was the fastest trams am ..
I doubt it. No factory twin turbo on any of these or any GN that I’ve ever seen.
I had one that had what this one is missing most, a digital dash… I’m sorry I sold it…
A young guy worked for me had the same car!! I fired him for continuously showing up late for work!! He relocated to the Carolinas and died in the car in a traffic accident!!