Pontiac’s Firebird Trans Am GTA was the top trim of the third-generation Firebird lineup, blending muscle car looks with upgraded performance and luxury touches. This example, listed here on craigslist in Salem, New York, is an incredible survivor with just 4,700 original miles, according to the seller and odometer read out. The seller states it has always been kept in an enclosed garage, rarely seeing the road except for occasional shows or a short nighttime cruise around the block. Thanks for the tip Tony Primo!
Finished in burgundy inside and out, this GTA presents as an exceptionally original specimen. The seller has owned the car for over a decade, and notes that it has never served as a daily driver. Instead, it has been carefully preserved, started periodically, and most recently fitted with a new battery and alternator to keep it in running condition.
The Trans Am GTA stood apart in 1987 with distinctive styling cues and performance enhancements over the base Firebird. Pontiac offered features such as WS6 suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and upgraded interior trim, making the GTA a serious grand touring machine of its era. This particular car retains its factory originality, right down to the interior, though the seller mentions that the radio is currently inoperable.
With 4,700 miles showing, this Firebird offers the rare opportunity to acquire a car that still feels like stepping back into a late-1980s Pontiac showroom. The seller emphasizes that the car has always been stored indoors, contributing to its preservation. Having avoided daily driver duty, it has escaped the wear and tear that typically plagues these cars, leaving it as a beautiful, well-preserved example of Pontiac history.
For fans of the era, the GTA recalls the pop culture spotlight enjoyed by the Firebird line, with the seller even noting its similarity to Knight Rider, minus the red scanner lights. As interest in third-generation F-bodies continues to grow, low-mileage survivors like this one are becoming increasingly collectible.
Would you keep this GTA as a low-mileage garage queen, or start enjoying it as Pontiac intended out on the open road?
Is that a stock exhaust, also wonder what motor. Weren’t these available in 305 and 350 ?
I think this around the time you could get a 350 in Trans Ams Stan. Very quick for its day. This is one of my favorite colors and I always liked the rims on these too. Makes a nice package. I’d hate to add too many miles after all these pampered years.
The Corvette 350 (210 hp) was an option for 1987 Firebirds except for the GTA. It was the standard engine for the GTA.
The exhaust was literally the first thing that caught my eye on the car, which is supposed to be all original with less than 5,000 miles. Those are not original exhaust tips. Nor does it have its original floor mats.
I cannot evaluate much further because the pictures are few and the ones given are horrible. We don’t even get a single engine bay shot. And the interior pic is washed out by bright light. The price seems a bit low for those kind of miles.
I believe the rear louvers, if they are factory should be black, as are most aftermarket louvers. So it looks like these were probably repainted, which seems like an odd thing to do unless the whole car was repainted at some point.
I’m not saying it’s not legit, but I would definitely do an in-person inspection before handing over any money.
In 1987, the GTA was just an option package on the Trans Am and you could get it with either the 305 or 350. The 305 was available with the automatic or manual. The 350 only with the automatic. I’m not sure of the exact production numbers but most of them i have seen had the 350.
You could get either engine in these. The 350 had limited numbers going into them but I don’t know how limited. It was the vetted engine with some head and intake changes. They offered them in the formula package too and of course the irok.
I order a new one but with digital dash no decals and the color is actually called flame red ! Not magenta !
Loved my car still wish I had it. The owner of the dealership was a friend of my roommates so I got one h of a deal. It can off the line at $24.9k but I managed to get it otd $18.7k
This is the exact car, color and year, that Dwight Schrute drives in The Office. The car is already nice, but the fact that it’s Dwight’s daily driver makes it even more awesome.
Ha! Beat me to it, Dwight ( Rainn Wilson) was the most irritating one, and he played the part perfectly. Apparently he was unhappy cast as Dwight and is nothing like him in real life.
Nice example, engine bay pics would have been fun but if the millage is true i’d expect nothing less than pristine. First thing that goes are the louvers although it’s a period correct upgrade. Also are these only tips or what the exhaust modded because the tips go in the dumpster. This one should find a nice home soon
Nice GTA. 86 the louvers, being body colored makes the back look horrendously fat from a profile. My best friend in HS got a new MSE in ‘83 for graduation, actually a fairly serious performance upgrade to add. 👍🏽
To the writer. FLAME RED ! Not magenta. And you needed the vin to get the mix for the color match. I had like the 3 or 4th one delivered in Michigan. Customer order only in 1987. Fun car, loved it wish I had it back. I’d buy this one if I had the cash.