TRACKING TRANS AM GTA YEARLY MODEL CONTENT
In the almost 30-year history of The Source Page, one of the most common things people have asked about is what made up a GTA, year to year. As good a place to start as any, I suppose, right? Let’s start with some of the GTA “staples” before we get to the specific yearly content
Despite what people think they are familiar with about these cars, there were actually minute changes and differences that showed up between each of the GTA’s years of production. Let’s take a look at some of that information…
1987
One of the first things to make clear is that for the GTA’s first year, 1987, the car was a very different “animal” compared to later models when talking about trim and content.
Let’s start by just showing what the GTA was for 1987: an up-scale option package for the Trans Am… similar to how the Formula was an option for the base Firebird. Now, what did that entail exactly for our favorite car? Let’s look at the order sheet breakdown:
GTA OPTION PACKAGE
Includes:
- AQ9 Articulating Seats w/ Custom Trim
- GTA Exterior Ornamentation
- DD9 Power Paddle Type Mirrors
- NP5 Leather Appointment Group
- B2L 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Engine
- PW7 16” Gold Diamond Spoke Wheels
- QDZ 245/50VR16 Goodyear Eagle VR Tires
- WS6 Special Performance Package
- KC4 Engine Oil Cooler
- J65 Four Wheel Disc Brakes (exc. LB9 engine/w Auto Trans)
- G80 Limited Slip Axle
- B34 Front and Rear Mats
And that’s it, folks. Those twelve (12) items made up the entire option for that first year. Not exactly the car we all remember, right?
The GTA for 1987 was basically a performance package that coupled the best of the go-fast goodies together and added a smooth monochrome exterior to move the car upmarket, in an attempt to compete with some of the European sport coupes of the day for a more discerning group of buyers.
GTAs were available with two (2) different option packages that first year… W61 and W63. Since those two codes were not tracked by the UPC Usage reports, there’s no way to know how many cars were built with each one. Let’s look at what those packages added to a GTA:
| W61 | W63 |
| C60 | C60 | Air Conditioning, Custom (Must Plus C41 To Delete C60) |
| N33 | N33 | Steering Wheel, Tilt |
| STD | STD | Belts, Custom Color Keyed (Incl. w/ Custom Trim) |
| UM7 | UM7 | Radio, ETR AM/FM Stereo (Incl. Clock and Seek and Scan) |
| B84 | B84 | Moldings, Custom Body Side (Color Coordinated) |
| CD4 | CD4 | Windshield Wipers, Controlled Cycle |
| TR9 | TR9 | Lamp Group (Incl. Luggage Compartment, I.P. Courtesy, Console Lamp, and Tone Warning) |
| K34 | K34 | Cruise Control, Resume Speed |
| A31 | A31 | Power Windows (Must Plus B6W To Delete A31) |
| AU3 | Power Door Locks (Must Plus B6V To Delete AU3) | |
| A90 | Deck Lid Release, Remote Control | |
| STD | STD | Leather Appointment Group |
| DK6 | Console, Interior Roof | |
| D34 | Mirror, Visor Vanity RH | |
| DD8 | Mirror, Inside Rear View Automatic Tilt |
There was also a list of additional options that could be fitted to all Firebirds, including the GTA…
| C67 | Air Conditioning, Electronic Controlled (Req U52 Electronic Cluster – Inc Soft Ray Glass) |
| UA1 | Battery, Heavy Duty |
| NB2 | California Emissions Requirements |
| LB9 | 5.0 Liter FI V-8 Engine |
| D42 | Cargo Security Screen (NA with LB9 and B2L Engine on GTA) |
| C49 | Defogger, Electric Rear Window |
| U52 | Electronic Instrument Cluster (Inc Driver Information Center – Req C67 Air Conditioning) |
| U21 | Gauges, Rally and I.P. Tach (Inc Trip Odometer – STD Formula, Trans Am, and GTA) |
| CC1 | Hatch Roof, Removable w/ Locking Package (NA w/B2L Engine) |
| DX1 | Hood Bird Decal, Large (NA Trans Am GTA) |
| VK3 | License Plate Bracket, Front |
| B34 | Mats, Carpet Front and Rear (STD Trans Am GTA) |
| DG7 | Mirrors, Sport FL Power, RH Power Convex (NA Trans Am GTA) |
| U75 | Power Antenna, Automatic |
| J65 | Power Brakes, Four-Wheel Disc (Req w/B2L Engine – NA LB9/Auto on Trans Am GTA) |
| WS8 | Priced Order Acknowledgement |
| UM6 | Radio, ETR AM/FM Stereo w/Auto Reverse Cassette (Incl Clock and Seek and Scan) |
| UM7 | Radio, AM/FM Stereo (Inc Clock, Seek and Scan, Search, and Replay) |
| UX1 | Radio, ETR AM Stereo/FM Stereo w/Auto Reverse Cassette and 5 Band Equalizer (Incl Clock, Seek and Scan, Search, and Replay) |
| UT4 | Radio, ETR AM Stereo/FM Stereo w/Auto Reverse Cassette and 5 Band Equalizer (Inc Clock, Touch Control, Seek and Scan, Search, and Replay) |
| UQ7 | Radio Speaker System, Subwoofer (Available Stereo Radios Only – NA with B2L Engine and LB9/Auto Engine On Trans Am GTA) |
| UL5 | Radio Delete |
| Y99 | Rally Tuned Suspension (NA w/ WS6 Performance Package) |
| AH3 | Seat Adjuster, Manual 4-Way Driver (STD Trans Am GTA) |
| WS6 | Special Performance Package (Req w/B2L Engine – Incl PW7 Diamond Spoke Lightweight Aluminum Wheels on Trans Am GTA – Incl QDZ Tires and Performance Suspension Components) |
| MM5 | Transmission, 5-Speed Manual |
| MX0 | Transmission, 4-Speed Automatic |
| N24 | Wheels, Deep Dish Hi-Tech Turbo 15” w/Locking Package (Color Coordinated – NA w/WS6 Performance Package) |
| N90 | Wheels, Diamond-Spoke Aluminum 15” w/Locking Package (Color Coordinated – NA w/WS6 Performance Package) |
| D60 | Color and Trim Incompatibility Override |
| ZV1 | Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin |
| VC8 | Substitution or Deletion Authorization |
So what does this all mean? It means that you could see some ‘87 GTAs out in the world unlike any GTA that would come later.
Keep in mind that GTAs could be (and were) built without either option package, and thus could be VERY sparsely equipped: no A/C, fixed steering column, manual windows and locks, no radio, etc. Really spartan… nothing quite as sobering as walking up to a GTA, opening the door, and seeing a manual window crank and lock slider staring back at you!
One distinctive feature of the first-year GTA was the DD9 power paddle “Euro” side mirrors; used on all export F-Bodies Chevrolet and Pontiac alike, these mirrors contributed to the European flair and style that PMD was attempting to project with these cars. These unique mirrors were used up until the production week of January 26, 1987 when a Car Distribution Bulletin announced their cancellation, and the standard DG7 Firebird side mirrors were substituted after that production date. Export cars still kept the DD9 mirrors, usually painted black regardless of the body color.
Now let’s take a look at the second year of production…
1988
The Firebird Marketing Strategy for 1988 in the dealer album says the Trans Am GTA is “a fully-contented, sophisticated sports car featuring outstanding performance. It represents a step up from the Trans Am in styling and image. The car is designed to appeal to a slightly older, more educated, more affluent buyer”.
So the switch began from a simple performance package to a fully contented “separate” Firebird model (from UPC Usage list). Apparently the Formula Firebird was left as the “budget” performance Firebird, as the GTA package in 1987 gave the Trans Am a distinctive upgrade with many of the same performance features; this was abandoned for 1988 and beyond in favor of what I call the “kitchen sink” approach. So what changed? Let’s take a look…
GTA OPTION PACKAGE
- AQ9 Articulating Custom Seats
- GTA Exterior Ornamentation
- DG7 Power Mirrors
- NP5 Leather Appointment Group
- B2L 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Engine
- PW7 16” Gold Diamond Spoke Aluminum Wheels
- QDZ 245/50VR16 Goodyear Eagle VR Tires
- KC4 Engine Oil Cooler
- J65 Four Wheel Disc Brakes
- G80 Limited Slip Axle
- B34 Front and Rear Mars
- C60 Custom Air Conditioning w/Soft-Ray Glass
- A31 Power Windows
- AU3 Power Door Locks
- B84 Color Keyed Body Side Moldings
- C49 Rear Window Defogger
- CD4 Controlled Cycle Wipers
- K34 Cruise Control
- N33 Tilt Steering Wheel
- TR9 Lamp Group
- UT4 Touch Control AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Cassette and Equalizer w/Steering Wheel Controls
- A90 Deck Lid Release
- U75 Power Antenna
- D34 RH Visor Vanity Mirror
- D42 Cargo Security Screen
- AK1 Custom Seat Belts
- Pass-Key Vehicle Anti-Theft System (All After 12/21/1987)
Additional individual options continued to be available as well:
| AA8 | GTA Notchback |
| C67 | Air Conditioning, Electronic Control (Req Electronic Instrument Cluster U52) |
| NB2 | California Emission Requirements |
| LB9 | 5.0 Liter FI V8 Engine |
| U52 | Electronic Instrument Cluster (Incl. Driver Info Center – Req Air Conditioning C67) |
| CC1 | Hatch Roof, Removable w/Locking Package (Incl. Sunshades – NA w/B2L Engine) |
| VK3 | License Plate Bracket, Front |
| ZV1 | Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin |
| UQ7 | Radio Speaker System, Subwoofer (Available Stereo Radios Only) |
| MM5 | Transmission, 5-Speed Manual (NA w/B2L Engine) |
| MX0 | Transmission, 4-Speed Automatic |
1988 is also the first year that the Ventura Leather interior option was available as well. There is no separate option code on the order sheet: instead, the individual color codes serve as the option codes for the leather seating option: 1928 (Black), 6628 (Camel), and 8228 (Medium Grey). These codes for each available color were tracked by the UPC Usage report for 1988.
1989
GTA OPTION PACKAGE
- AQ9 Articulating Custom Seats
- GTA Exterior Ornamentation
- DG7 Power Mirrors
- B2L 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Engine
- MX0 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
- PW7 16” Gold Diamond Spoke Aluminum Rims
- QLC 245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle ZR Tires
- KC4 Engine Oil Cooler
- G80 Limited Slip Differential
- D42 Cargo Security Screen
- A31 Power Windows
- AU3 Power Door Locks
- B84 Color Keyed Body Side Moldings
- C49 Rear Window Defogger
- K34 Cruise Control
- TR9 Lamp Group
- UT4 Touch Control AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Cassette and Equalizer w/Steering Wheel Controls
- A90 Deck Lid Release
- U75 Power Antenna
- DC4 Inside Mirror w/Dual Reading Lamps
The J65 Four Wheel Disc Brakes and WS6 Special Performance Package options are not listed among the GTA’s standard equipment list for this year, but they are included elsewhere under Engines:
| B2L | 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Std. GTA – Opt. w/Formula Option and Trans Am Only – Req. MX0 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, KC4 Engine Oil Cooler, WS6 Special Performance Package, J65 Four Wheel Disc Brakes, and G80 Limited Slip Differential |
1989 also marks the first appearance of a separate Value Option Package for the GTA as well listed on the order sheet:
| R6A | W87/Y84 Includes CC1, Leather Trim |
Again, there were other additional options as well:
| AA8 | GTA Notchback ** |
| NB2 | California Emissions Requirements |
| LB9 | 5.0 Liter FI V-8 Engine |
| CC1 | Hatch Roof, Removable w/Locking Package Inc. Sunshades |
| VK3 | License Plate Bracket, Front |
| ZV1 | Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin |
| U1A | Radio, AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Compact Disc Player and 5-Band Equalizer |
| MM5 | Transmission, 5-Speed Manual NA w/B2L Engine |
| MX0 | Transmission, 4-Speed Automatic NA w/LB9 Engine on GTA |
** The GTA Notchback option was listed still on the 1989 Firebird Car Order Sheet in October of 1988, even though it had been canceled in August of that year before 1989 production began.
1990
The 1990 GTAs were unique in that they are the only model to bridge the gap between the generally established different “models” of our cars, 1987-90 and 1991-92. The short-year 1990 model GTAs combined the original exterior styling with the updated interior that included the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbag that was a national 1990 governmental requirement.
Only being sold from the fall of 1990 to the early spring of 1991, the ‘90 models are the least seldom seen, but the equipment level was basically the same as previous years:
GTA OPTION PACKAGE
- AQ9 Articulating Custom Seats
- GTA Exterior Ornamentation
- DG7 Power Mirrors
- B2L 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Engine
- MX0 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
- PW7 16” Gold Diamond Spoke Aluminum Rims
- QLC 245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle ZR Tires
- KC4 Engine Oil Cooler
- G80 Limited Slip Differential
- D42 Cargo Security Screen
- A31 Power Windows
- AU3 Power Door Locks
- B84 Color Keyed Body Side Moldings
- C49 Rear Window Defogger
- K34 Cruise Control
- TR9 Lamp Group
- UX1 AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Cassette and Equalizer
- A90 Deck Lid Release
- U75 Power Antenna
- DC4 Inside Mirror w/Dual Reading Lamps
The J65 Four Wheel Disc Brakes and WS6 Special Performance Package options are not listed among the GTA’s standard equipment list for this year, but they are included elsewhere under Engines:
| B2L | 5.7 V-8, with tuned-port injection Req. MX0 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, KC4 Engine Oil Cooler, WS6 Suspension, J65 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, and G80 Limited Slip Differential |
Again, the GTA also had a Value Option Package available:
| R6A | W87/Y84 Includes CC1, Leather Trim |
Several other options were still available for the GTA, and other Firebirds:
| NB2 | California Emissions Requirements |
| LB9 | 5.0 Liter FI V-8 Engine |
| CC1 | Hatch Roof, Removable w/Locking Package Inc. Sunshades – NA w/B2L Engine |
| VK3 | License Plate Bracket, Front |
| ZV1 | Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin |
| U1A | Radio, AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Compact Disc Player and 5-Band Equalizer |
| MM5 | Transmission, 5-Speed Manual NA w/B2L Engine |
| MX0 | Transmission, 4-Speed Automatic NA w/LB9 Engine on GTA |
1991
The 1991 model GTAs enjoyed an extended sales period from the early spring of 1990 through the summer of 1991. There were additions to available equipment for virtually all of the Firebird lineup, but the GTA’s fully-contented status continued for this fifth season of production:
GTA OPTION PACKAGE
- AQ9 Articulating Custom Seats
- GTA Exterior Ornamentation
- DG7 Power Mirrors
- B2L 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Engine
- MX0 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
- PW7 16” Gold Diamond Spoke Aluminum Rims
- QLC 245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle ZR Tires
- KC4 Engine Oil Cooler
- G80 Limited Slip Differential
- D42 Cargo Security Screen
- A31 Power Windows
- AU3 Power Door Locks
- B84 Color Keyed Body Side Moldings
- C49 Rear Window Defogger
- K34 Cruise Control
- TR9 Lamp Group
- UX1 AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Cassette and Equalizer
- A90 Deck Lid Release
- U75 Power Antenna
- DC4 Inside Mirror w/Dual Reading Lamps and Console Flood Lamp
The J65 Four Wheel Disc Brakes and WS6 Special Performance Package options are not listed among the GTA’s standard equipment list for this year, but again they are included elsewhere under Engines:
| B2L | 5.7 Liter FI V-8 Std. GTA – Req. MX0 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, KC4 Engine Oil Cooler, WS6 Suspension, J65 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, and G80 Limited Slip Differential, and N10 Dual Converter Exhaust, NA w/CC1 Hatch Roof |
For 1991, the GTA again had a Value Option Package available:
| R6A | W87/Y84 Includes CC1, Leather Trim |
Several other options were still available for the GTA, and other Firebirds:
| NB2 | California Emissions Requirements |
| LB9 | 5.0 Liter FI V-8 Engine |
| CC1 | Hatch Roof, Removable w/Locking Package Inc. Sunshades – NA w/B2L Engine |
| VK3 | License Plate Bracket, Front |
| ZV1 | Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin |
| U1A | Radio, AM Stereo/FM Stereo Radio w/Compact Disc Player and 5-Band Equalizer |
| MM5 | Transmission, 5-Speed Manual NA w/B2L 5.7 Engine |
| MX0 | Transmission, 4-Speed Automatic |