I'm arguing with a few people about 1989 being the ONLY year a GTA was available with the L98 and ttop combo. That's just not right, I've seen 88's with the combo. I know 89 was the most plentiful but not the only year.

Can someone please verify this so I don't start going crazy?

 

Technically it depends on how you look at it.

1989 was the only year in the US that you could have gotten T-tops and the L98 with a GTA. HOWEVER there are several Canadian GTAs with t-tops and got the L98 in 1987. The problem is the fact that T-tops add weight, as do all options. T-tops, cargo cover (shade), and the sub woofer control option was NOT AVAILABLE on a GTA with a 350 in 1987 in the US. I am not saying none were made, they were not supposed to be made for the US.

There may have been a few Canadian destined cars made in 1988 that were ordered in 1987, and there may have been some early 1989's that were ordered but were made as 1988's.

There has never been anyone with a GTA or Trans Am, or IROC, or Z28 from 1990 - 1992 with the T-top/L98 combo, BUT the Formula was available in 1991 & 1992 with the combo.

John

 

I've read the same info you have but it still doesn't make sense. I was browsing the GTA Source Page and even Frankie said he's seen an 87 GTA L98/ttops, verified by the VIN and RPO, there's an 88 on Ebay right now with the VIN posted, yep, it's a L98(car is in VA). There's a guy around the corner from me selling an 88 GTA, L98 ttops, again verified the VIN and RPO list. I guess Pontiac can't keep its info straight, lol.

The reason why I even asked this was because this person was saying that pre-89 GTA's weren't available with a L98 and ttops, period, at all. That's just not true.

Hopefully others will chime in and verify that pre-89 GTA's were available with this combo. I'm not even trying to be an *** to this guy but he's telling someone that's looking for this combo that it doesn't exist before '89. This guy is going to be limiting his search to just one year when he doesn't have to.

 

Sure its not a regular Trans Am? I know sometimes people get the two mixed up. Other than that I think I've seen pre-'89 cars as well. TAs would have WS4 on their RPO codes. Could go back and check it. GTAs would have Y84 (am I right John because I asked that question before). They do exist but they are either not as common or Pontiac is not admitting that more got out the door than they wanted. Dealer cars, special orders, excecutive cars etc could be a part of this as well.

 

I've owned a few thirdgens included two GTA's...I know the differences and the correct RPO code ...and yes Y84 is the RPO code for the GTA package.

 

Well if you were able to verify the 88 down the road from you, can't you use that as proof? It appears the proof is in your hands. Show him that info and be done with it.

 

I'm not going to go check out a car to take pics, it's not that big of a deal...I was just wanted to make sure my mind wasn't going off the deep end.

 

I figured you did but a reminder sometimes helps. hahahahaha

 

I thought I explained it YES they made them NO they were not destined for the US. Obviously YES you can actually import a foreign car into the US. Why would it surprise you that Frankie and others have seen them? One thing that would make sense is to get the Digital dash then swapping over from KM to MI is a push of the button. The down side is oil pressure or temperature I think is in metric IIRC.

One thing that I have personally seen is MOST of the 1987 & 1988 Trans Am's, GTA's & Formulas in the US that have T-tops and the 350 were C&C conversion cars.

Of course there are rumors that a 350 Convertible was NEVER made... technically they did make them, it depends on who "They" is. I own one, as do about 150 other people. The reason I state this is because there is almost always a way around things to get what the customer wants.

John