The October 2007 GTA Spotlight feature car is Wesley Doda's 1987 Trans Am GTA
After yet another unexpected break, the Spotlight feature returns for October. It's so good to be back with a new feature as fall arrives.... in "calendar form", even if the temperatures do not necessarily agree. The GTA's inaugural year of 1987 is covered in this month's installment, and what a beauty our featured car is.
Wesley submitted his car back in June 2007; I've had three possible "feature-ee's" in contact for a bit now and Wesley was the first to get his information back in and updated. He sent in some really nice images of his GTA, and some of the background behind it as well. It's always great to see one of those "they didn't make that" or "that wasn't available" cars.... this car's immaculate condition is an even bigger plus. You'll see....
"This is my fifth Third Gen F-body. My first was a brand new T/A that I bought
in 1987. At the time, I wanted a GTA but couldn't afford one. Over
the years, you get married, have kids and the toys go by the wayside.
Earlier this year, I decided to get that GTA that I had always wanted.
After months of looking, I came to realize that most of the 3rd-Gens in New
England were beat to death and if I wanted to find something I would be happy
with, I would have to go cross country. That is.... until I came across
this 1987 Bright Red GTA for sale just 10 minutes from my home.
The owner was asking much more than I had set
out to spend, but my fiancé urged me not to pass it
up. It took her a few days to convince me, but I
finally gave in and bought it. How rare is that?"
I'd say we all need to give that lady a collective "pat on the back".... how about it, group? She obviously has good tastes in cars, Wes....
Oh yes, I remember the days when the GTAs were new, and in those days they were indeed expensive. I myself forayed off into the land of the Ford Mustang GTs because the GTAs were too rich for my blood as well. But if any American car looked the "pricey" part in those days, it was the GTA: that monochrome color, the gold accents, the upscale interior styling, everything. Not to offend anybody here, but I distinctly recall thinking the Camaro IROC looked so "juvenile" compared to the GTA with the decals, and the stripes, and all the stuff literally screaming "look at me!"
The Camaro screamed at you to get your attention.... while the GTA just pulled you right in despite your best efforts to walk away.... back to Wes:
"And what a GTA it is! Not only does it have ridiculously low miles (it had 14,458 miles on it when I drove it home on June 1, 2007) but its also one of 1509 Canadian market T/A's.... so it has some very rare options. It is a 5.7L GTA with every option offered in 1987 including factory t-tops (CC1), subwoofer (UQ7), and cargo cover (D42): three options that were not available on 5.7L Trans Ams sold in the US."
Now this is where it gets interesting, as there has been a LOT of discussion online recently about this. As you can see from the RPO label pictured above, this car is equipped with the three options CC1, UQ7, and D42. According to the 1987 Firebird order sheet, these options were specifically stated as not available together on the GTA with the 350 engine. There have been some other cars come to light built for 1987 that are also equipped this way, and interestingly enough they are all cars built for Canadian sale. As far as I have ever seen or heard, there was not a separate Canadian order sheet. But Lou Wassel told me that he recalled that Canada sometimes did odd things with their car ordering back in those days. So, obviously the car is authentic, but as to how it got built.... that's a good question. Perhaps the weight restrictions imposed on US-destination GTAs were different from those built for Canada? Some of these cars have surfaced for 1987, but I've not seen nor heard of one from 1988.
"It is 100% factory original right down to the working flashlight. No mods whatsoever. It looks brand new and still has the GM Canada Olympic sponsor sticker on the passenger window. I can safely say that this GTA is in better condition today than my brand new 87 T/A was when I drove it off the lot."
WOW! This car looks like a period time piece almost.... it has obviously been maintained impeccably from Day One. I love that '87-only steering wheel too; I can appreciate my '88s remote radio controls, but the GTA logo on the horn cap just looks cooler in my opinion. Lastly, what about that sticker? I've never seen one of those either.... anybody else have?
"Its
been a hit at the local cruise nights and I plan on
entering it in a few shows next Summer. Life is
good."
Indeed, it is.... just like the sign says! That is a fantastic car.... one that I'd get ready to add a few trophy shelves on the garage or shop wall for. I have a sneaking suspicion that you will be needing the space to store a good deal of "hardware. Like Road and Track Magazine said of their time with the '87 GTA: "even the snootiest enthusiast had to admit that the new Firebird GTA, especially in Red, was damn exciting...." That story is still the same twenty years later, thankfully.
I feel like a large part of our constituency still get that charge out of their cars; my hair stands up on the back of my neck ever time I roll up my shop door to get greeted by Hector's big, expansive black back end.... or the sleek slope of The Big Red Car around the corner.... always aimed out the door at a possible opportunity to have some fun and do what they were built for.
Wesley, it's an honor to feature your most excellent 1987 GTA here on The GTA Source Page as the October 2007 Feature car; this GTA does us all proud as enthusiasts and owners of these great cars. If anyone reading this would like to discuss this rare car with Wes, his email is HERE.... or you can contact him over at The Source Page Message Forums as well.
Well, then.... until Turkey Month rolls around, and soon: Farewell, and have
a great month!
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