#1  
Old 05-17-2017, 07:21 AM
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Default Another one bites the dust...1989 TTA Pace Car

https://www.iaai.com/Vehicle?itemID=...oadRecent=True


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Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece,
Some guys come home from work and wash up,
And go racin' in the street.


Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978
  #2  
Old 05-17-2017, 09:39 PM
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Sad indeed.

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Old 05-17-2017, 09:40 PM
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Wow, that sucks.

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Old 05-18-2017, 07:53 AM
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I just checked my old vin, it's not my old car. I loved that car when I had it, needed money so I sold it. I had car # 1240 ran 11.80 with bolt ons!

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Old 05-18-2017, 02:37 PM
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honestly, I see no evidence of buckling in the roof (normally I think you would see a cracked t-top), or uni-body... theoretically that one should be able to be saved - those are not cheap 'birds.

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
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Old 05-18-2017, 03:16 PM
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No sub frame in those like the second gens, front inner panels are all welded to the cowl structure. Makes that kind of a hit almost always terminal.

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Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece,
Some guys come home from work and wash up,
And go racin' in the street.


Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978
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Old 05-18-2017, 06:34 PM
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if there was a third gen worth saving - that would be THE one.

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
  #8  
Old 05-18-2017, 08:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unruhjonny View Post
if there was a third gen worth saving - that would be THE one.
X10000

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1976 LeMans B09 Freeway Enforcer, 455/M40 Smokey

1977 Trans Am, 400/M21 Black/Gold Bandit. 44K actual miles

2017 Sierra SLT 1500 Z71 4X4

2019 Canyon SLT Crew 4X4

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Old 05-19-2017, 07:05 AM
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There's at least another 1500 of them out there - not to worry.

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Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece,
Some guys come home from work and wash up,
And go racin' in the street.


Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978
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Old 05-19-2017, 12:25 PM
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Quote:
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There's at least another 1500 of them out there - not to worry.
lol not that many, I know of 5 that were totaled!! I bet there is under 1000 left.

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Old 05-19-2017, 10:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unruhjonny View Post
honestly, I see no evidence of buckling in the roof (normally I think you would see a cracked t-top), or uni-body... theoretically that one should be able to be saved - those are not cheap 'birds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 77 Canamman View Post
X10000
You all should buy this car and the rusted hulk of the "71 TA and start a restoration business since you think they are worth saving.



I admire your love for Pontiacs and the contributions you both make here, but the saying "put your money where your mouth is" separates folks into two categories real quick. It's easy to express an opinion when you have no skin in the game.

This is a parts car just like the '71 TA, where the most valuable component is the firewall.

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Old 05-20-2017, 12:15 AM
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Bob, my police car was in worse condition than that '71. I performed a frame off restoration on it over the course of several years. After that, I strive to find the best original cars that don't require such work. When was the last time you saw a real police package Pontiac???

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1976 LeMans B09 Freeway Enforcer, 455/M40 Smokey

1977 Trans Am, 400/M21 Black/Gold Bandit. 44K actual miles

2017 Sierra SLT 1500 Z71 4X4

2019 Canyon SLT Crew 4X4

  #13  
Old 05-20-2017, 04:12 AM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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Know of a local specialty salvage that cut their teeth on 3rd Gens & 4th Gens, including rebuilds of the most desirable. Disassembling & pulling the front end of a 3rd Gen like this '89 TTA would be done quite quickly, then their metal guy would put such a vehicle on their 3rd Gen table & methodically replace whatever front structure needed replacing. Having viewed the in process & results of a few such restorations, they are true restorations, not rig jobs. Even a knowledgable longtime enthusiast would be shocked with the exacting precision of the repair.

Time frame wise, such a hard hit could be on the frame machine on a Thursday & the front structure/ engine compartment would be ready to paint at the end of the weekend. Minimal hours: one disassembly & reassembly guy, with the metal man having free reign Sat & Sunday. Only downside on buying such a deal is its going to have a branded title,ie, after a quick inspection, car will have a rebuilt title. Say you're a GN guy & want a TTA in your collection to mod & thrash @ the strip, such a restored TTA just might just be the ticket.

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Last edited by 'ol Pinion head; 05-20-2017 at 04:17 AM.
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Old 05-20-2017, 07:14 AM
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Roger - the only problem with that method of repair is that the hidden VIN on these cars is on the front passenger inner fender structure. Remove that and you've lost your secondary source for authentication.

They made 1555 of these cars, although others are passionate about saving every one, you can buy one of these now with similar miles in the teens. They are special but they are not rare.

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Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece,
Some guys come home from work and wash up,
And go racin' in the street.


Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978
  #15  
Old 05-20-2017, 10:45 AM
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There are a few rare 89 tta but that one is not it. The parade cars, and the no leather cars are rare. I think there is one or two made not in white if I remember correct.
That car is not worth fixing. They still are cheap even though there is not a ton of them.

  #16  
Old 05-28-2017, 06:55 PM
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Thumbs down

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob View Post
You all should buy this car and the rusted hulk of the "71 TA and start a restoration business since you think they are worth saving.



I admire your love for Pontiacs and the contributions you both make here, but the saying "put your money where your mouth is" separates folks into two categories real quick. It's easy to express an opinion when you have no skin in the game.

This is a parts car just like the '71 TA, where the most valuable component is the firewall.
ouch!

came out with both guns blaring on that one huh?

both cars which you are seeming to knock (me?) for showing a positive opinion on being able to save are the pinnacle, or arguably one of the pinnacles of their generations;
The '89 TTA is inarguably the performance pinnacle third gen Firebird.
A '71 4spd TA is arguably one of the most deaireable second gen Firebirds.

Could I afford to save either, nope (I have my own car, which required zero buy in.)
Would I like to see them saved, you bet(!).

Some of us are restoring cars which others here would say are not worth it because of the amount of time and parts required - Like me.

Some of us do it because many of these cars have exceeded what we can afford in pre-restored condition;
In my case, I bought mine before they jumped up in value - it's cars like mine, or one of these two cars you (apparently) mock at being fixed, that are attainable by nearly anyone in the hobby who has the willingness to work on it;
Each of these is a car which requires a scope of work which would turn most away - it is only because of this that it is financially attainable for some of us - and get's a person into a car they couldn't otherwise offord to own.

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
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