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07-07-2013, 09:55 PM
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#1
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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1988 Trans Am GTA Notchback clone
I figured I might as well post this up finally...
A few weeks back I picked up a 1988 tarns Am GTA and recently picked up a OEM '88 Notchback hatch for it.
For those that dont know what a GTA Notchback is... It was a GM option available in 1988 on the GTA model. Only 624 were built for US sales and a only total of 718 worldwide.
Some think the hatch is ugly, some love it.
I love the rare strange factory options so I always dreamed of having this type of car.
Back in 1997, when I was 17, I saw a picture of a red GTA notchback online and fell in love with it. When I found out how rare they were, I settled for a regular 1988 GTA instead (basically this exact car in black).
This car mainly needs a tune up and new paint. The hatch needs quite a bit more... but its a good starting point. Today I finally put the GTA in my garage and took off the original hatch(wrapped in plastic and being kept) and placed the Notchback on it. I took off the hinges and hardware to assess damage so obviously its not bolted on currently. I 'll bolt it on eventually and then I can do all the fiberglass repairs while its on the car so fitment will be exact.
I do have the glass, I just took it out to protect it. I got the old tint off it and it cleaned up real nice. I even managed to find a set of OEM Notchback rear seats which have integrated headrests(not in the pictures yet) They just need to be recovered in grey to match.
The car is a 305 TPI auto, t-tops, digital dash, etc etc. It has 62k original miles. I even have the window sticker and a binder full or original purchase documents.
Yes, I know with the hatch it will still only be a clone, BUT if the hatch was to come on any car this would have basically been how it would have came in 1988.
Some quick pics...
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07-07-2013, 10:06 PM
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#2
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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You got to work on that hatch pretty quick! Looking forward to this progress
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07-07-2013, 10:35 PM
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#3
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12 Second Club
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oradell
Posts: 8,369
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awesome, guna have see this soon
__________________
88 Camaro
95 Impala SS
97 Trans Am WS6
98 Blazer ZR2
00 Corvette
04 CTS-V
04 Grand Cherokee
07 Sublime Charger Daytona
09 Grand Cherokee Limited HEMI
12 Tahoe LT
17 Malibu LT
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07-08-2013, 08:02 AM
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#4
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,342
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Cool project, Paul.
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07-08-2013, 08:55 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: West Milford
Posts: 1,026
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Nice! Didn't realize they came w/a rear defroster too in that option.
__________________
1991 Camaro
1992 L98/ttop Firehawk tribute (sold)
2006 Srt-10 Viper
2012 z-71
2011 Equinox (family vehicle)
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07-08-2013, 12:13 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: west orange nj
Posts: 2,415
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nice car paul it looks like the gta notch back my brother has
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01-30-2014, 06:04 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisfrom nj
nice car paul it looks like the gta notch back my brother has
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here it is
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01-30-2014, 06:45 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: west orange nj
Posts: 2,415
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alex we had fun driveing that car do you still have the vid of the burnout
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01-30-2014, 08:18 PM
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#9
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Millstone, NJ
Posts: 641
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Id love to see it in person when its done
__________________
94 TA GT. Stock 350, cam, exhaust
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01-31-2014, 10:25 AM
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#10
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dudbird113
Id love to see it in person when its done
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It may be some time. lol. Moving and getting married this past fall kinda delayed any progress. The car still sits in the garage as pictured though. Im planning on a ls6/t56 swap and full repaint eventually. But with work, going back to school, saving for a house, and a eventual baby(1-2 years from now), cars are my last priority. it sucks lol
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01-31-2014, 11:01 AM
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#11
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by V
getting married, it sucks lol
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This is all I got out of that statement 
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01-31-2014, 11:02 AM
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#12
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 1,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PolarBear
This is all I got out of that statement |
Damn bear you beat me to it
__________________
Formerly known as blk95formula
86t/a_ram_air on TGO
2018 Silverado 1500
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01-31-2014, 11:39 AM
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#13
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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The funny thing is I considered selling the GTA , but she forbid it. I sold my CTS V back in July and I got yelled at for that. She still makes comments about it. I have the storage room for cars and parts so its just time I lack.(also finishing up an apt remodeling and full rewiring).
I even have a 93 z28 roller sitting on my trailer that I need to strip. And my 79 vette that's been a long term project since 1998.
When the lease ends on my '14 Camaro, I'm "required" to get another V series car.
Last edited by V; 01-31-2014 at 11:41 AM.
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02-01-2014, 08:35 AM
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#14
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,692
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You really got yourself a winner, Paul.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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02-01-2014, 11:12 AM
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#15
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 1,868
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The one I'm seeing supports my project too. Its nice to have someone back you up in something you like whether they understand it or not
__________________
Formerly known as blk95formula
86t/a_ram_air on TGO
2018 Silverado 1500
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02-03-2014, 10:26 PM
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#16
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Hopatcong NJ
Posts: 75
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nice man, I always liked the digital dash in the Pontiacs
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89 iroc-z camaro tpi 305 stock 700r4 trans t-tops beechwood interior
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02-04-2014, 07:35 PM
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#17
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Delran
Posts: 6,785
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man oh man....notchback gta...thats always been one of my dream cars. i'd want an original notchback though because of the little mini bucket seats in the back 
cant wait to see the progress
Last edited by NastyEllEssWon; 02-04-2014 at 07:36 PM.
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02-05-2014, 09:34 AM
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#18
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon
man oh man....notchback gta...thats always been one of my dream cars. i'd want an original notchback though because of the little mini bucket seats in the back
cant wait to see the progress |
I managed to source a set of the original back seats too.
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02-05-2014, 02:19 PM
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#19
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11 second club / Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: West Berlin, NJ
Posts: 7,148
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Quote:
Originally Posted by V
I managed to source a set of the original back seats too.
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You didnt cut up a TTA did you?!?
__________________
2001 Trans Am WS6 •SLP Loudmouth II •UMI Suspension •12.857 @ 109.57
1996 Trans Am WS6 •Pacesetter Longtubes •Strange 12 Bolt •Spohn Suspension •11.152 @ 123.85
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02-05-2014, 03:19 PM
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#20
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Ebearnezer Scrooge/Power Member/Lips
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hamilton, Mercer county
Posts: 4,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deadtrend1
You didnt cut up a TTA did you?!?
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LMAO
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02-07-2014, 12:42 PM
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#21
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Haledon, NJ
Posts: 5,162
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Nice project Paul, I love those white GTA's
Quote:
Originally Posted by deadtrend1
You didnt cut up a TTA did you?!?
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__________________
1989 IROC-Z 355 LT1 T56 Swapped
2016 Chevy Colorado LT 3.6 v6
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L RIP 12/29/2016
1998 Honda CBR 600F3
2003 Yamaha FX140
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03-08-2014, 06:26 PM
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#22
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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I've still made ZERO progress besides whats shown in the earlier pics, BUT...
something followed me home today and the GTA will eventually have a little more pep than it ever did new.
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12-11-2014, 11:49 PM
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#23
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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I bought a second just because I could....
Last edited by V; 12-12-2014 at 12:58 AM.
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04-27-2015, 04:27 PM
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#24
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,078
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No real progress updates but a few parts have been bought or set aside for the build. And a few other plans for parts of the car have been decided.
I sold the motor from that 98 z28, but kept the T56. I'll be using the motor out of a 2002 Firebird Formula now.
Parts bought/put aside:
Ported/polished TB
LS6 5-wire Maf
LS6 intake manifold
243 cylinder heads
MSD red spark plug wires
Hurst factory shifter
New Hurst shifter knob
T56 transmission('98 camaro z28)
LS1 shortblock('02 formula)
2002 "411" PCM
3rd gen LS1 engine swap mounts
Energy suspension poly trans mount
ls1 fuel lines
ls1 fuel tank
I also decided the brakes will get upgraded as well.
I will be doing LS1 brakes up front, and still trying to figure out my options for the rear, but will probably be just LT1 rears due to the factory 9 bolt in the car now.
Things I need to buy still:
engine rebuild kit
trans rebuild kit
camshaft package
rocker arm trunion upgrade
stand alone wiring harness
injectors
electric waterpump
swap headers
catback
clutch assembly
suspension parts
AI cylinder head porting service
Last edited by V; 04-27-2015 at 04:29 PM.
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