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How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

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Old 05-26-2009, 07:12 PM
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How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

I just registered yesterday,so forgive me if this question is answered somewhere. I checked out a post here about production numbers but the only info listed is a 7000+ number that includes TA's and GTA's for 1987,

I have a '87 GTA hardtop 5.7L that I purchased new. I have always wanted to now how many were built. I paid 19.7K for the car and the dealer was upset that he was obligated to that price when the car came in. I had ordered it months before.
Old 05-26-2009, 08:11 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

You need to take a trip over to the GTASourcePage. All of your answers...plus more are there.
Old 05-26-2009, 08:25 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?



http://www.gtasourcepage.com/87RPOFigures.html

I've gotten my 87 GTA down to 1 of 1.769.
Old 05-26-2009, 08:56 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by Stephen


http://www.gtasourcepage.com/87RPOFigures.html

I've gotten my 87 GTA down to 1 of 1.769.
So, there were 1769 5.7L '87 GTA's built or???

I looked at the page directed to and it looks like scrambled eggs to me.

Is the correct answer nobody but GM and God knows and it's probably the latter.
Old 05-26-2009, 09:04 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by 87_5.7L_GTA
So, there were 1769 5.7L '87 GTA's built or???

I looked at the page directed to and it looks like scrambled eggs to me.

Is the correct answer nobody but GM and God knows and it's probably the latter.
That is a page of each RPO code, like the L98 code for a TPI 350.

There is no way to get an accurate count of RPO combinations. My 1 of 1,769 is based on the lowest RPO code production figure know. Only 1,769 white GTAs built.

Without knowing your RPO codes, we can't narrow it down any, other than knowing the 7,818 L98 GTAs were built in 1987.

You can be certain yours is 1 of 7,818, if you are sure it is truely a GTA. But it sounds like you are the original owner, so you at least know it is a real GTA & not faked by a previous owner.
You can narrow it down by options your car has.
Old 05-26-2009, 09:40 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Hi Stephen,

Yes I am the original owner. A little confused here, if the 7818 number is just GTA's with the L98 option than that's what it is,but what I gather from what your investigation has found is the GTA in '87 was just offered in the Trans Am car lineup, So your figure is probably close.

My car has the 4 wheels disc brakes,the GTA interior,TPI vette motor,ect. The car was ordered loaded except I opted for the analog gauges instead of the digital setup. The car has the recaro like velour seats and integral spoiler.

I could write down all the codes from the center console tag, is this something I should look into further? I just thought the 7818 number was a lot bigger than I expected. My dealer was kind of upset that I bought the car for less then sticker. I had ordered it months earlier and had a signed quote. The dealer thought at the time the car was a rare bird so to speak. Thx for your help,appreciated greatly.

Roger

Edited: Stephen just saw your "white" reference. So I guess the 7818 figure is correct. My car color was the most popular so the figure is probably 4000+ I think. There could be a difference in whether it has the digital or analog gauges I guess but I could do some checking like you did.

Update: I just noticed the interior trim codes. Mine is red cloth,did I miss it or is it listed??

Last edited by 87_5.7L_GTA; 05-26-2009 at 09:56 PM.
Old 05-26-2009, 09:46 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Yeah....Look through your RPO and look for the lowest single number.

My 1 of 1,769 is based on the lowest RPO production figure for my car.....White.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:07 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by Stephen
Yeah....Look through your RPO and look for the lowest single number.

My 1 of 1,769 is based on the lowest RPO production figure for my car.....White.
OK Stephen here's what I found quickly,my trim code is 72D(carmine) with a production number of 1537. I guess that somewhat answers my question for my car. The only other option that might reduce it by a large amount is the gauges option. Thanks for all your help.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:14 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

It is complicated. If I recall correctly, in '87, the GTA was an option of the Trans Am. In '88 it became a stand alone model. However, even so, when I look at the build numbers for my '88 GTA, it still shows as a 1 of a total Trans Am/GTA builds.

Stephen is right. Look for the lowest number of rpo's ordered that you have in your SPID and that tells you the uniqueness of your car.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:14 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

I've never been able to figure the differences between the 3 different black cloth....3 different camel cloth & 3 different carmine cloth RPOs. It seems that nobody can explain what it different between the 3 of each.

So I just go by my white body color. What color is your 87? Any pics anywhere?
Old 05-26-2009, 10:20 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

11,102. you will find it on this board at https://www.thirdgen.org/1987-pontiac-firebird
Old 05-26-2009, 10:24 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by Stephen
I've never been able to figure the differences between the 3 different black cloth....3 different camel cloth & 3 different carmine cloth RPOs. It seems that nobody can explain what it different between the 3 of each.

So I just go by my white body color. What color is your 87? Any pics anywhere?
Stephen,

Here's a link

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...ml#post4169804
Old 05-26-2009, 10:31 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Interesting the difference in numbers between the two sites. However, I would go with the gtasourcepage numbers.

So, for the 1987 Y84 option (GTA) that says 9481. For the4 L98 option, that is 7818 as Stephen stated.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:34 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by tony_cogliandro
11,102. you will find it on this board at https://www.thirdgen.org/1987-pontiac-firebird
And TGO is wrong.

The Y84 production # on GTASourcePage.com is what is correct.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:36 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Hi 87_5.7L-GTA

Great pics. The flame red color is very attractive. I've only seen it myself on a few occasions. Sometimes, it looks burgundy, but I have also seen it take on a burnt orange tinge, if you know what I mean, especially in the bright sun!!

For me, both my GTAs are bright red.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:41 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by 87_5.7L_GTA
Nice.....

Your car isn't.....
68U -- Exterior Color, Dark Russet Metallic -- 372
but is.....
74U -- Exterior Color, Flame Red Metallic -- 8,494

I don't know the 2 colors apart enough to know.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:43 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Hi GTA50,

Lucky you to have two. I have a long story to tell about this car but for later. I leased a '02 Porsche 996 for five years. I just got my GTA back this weekend and you know what,nothing beats an American Hi-po V8. I know from experience now, I wouldn't trade my GTA for anything except maybe a V12 Ferrari,just kidding.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:46 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by Stephen
Nice.....

Your car isn't.....
68U -- Exterior Color, Dark Russet Metallic -- 372
but is.....
74U -- Exterior Color, Flame Red Metallic -- 8,494

I don't know the 2 colors apart enough to know.
Stephen,

You're right about the color. The 68U is has some brown mixed in. I know I bought the wrong touch up paint 22 years ago.
Old 05-26-2009, 10:51 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Yeah, but my only problem is that one had an engine fire So, I'm doing a ground-up restoration on that one. The other - well it shows up this week.

Anyway, I am absolutely incredibly impressed that you are the original owner of your GTA. I hear you about the Porsche. My wife and I talked about sports cars (I even saw a Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer for about $77,000 US and my wife said, "if you want it, you can have it". There were a few other caveats of course).

Anyway, for me the enjoyment is in turning the wrenches myself. Plus the parts don't mean a talk to the loans officer. So, for the blend of style and fun, the GTA does it for me too.
Old 05-26-2009, 11:02 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by GTA50
Interesting the difference in numbers between the two sites. However, I would go with the gtasourcepage numbers.

So, for the 1987 Y84 option (GTA) that says 9481. For the4 L98 option, that is 7818 as Stephen stated.
In the realm of US car production where does a 7818 number fit in? Just wondering if someone wants to expound here.
Old 05-26-2009, 11:04 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by GTA50
Yeah, but my only problem is that one had an engine fire So, I'm doing a ground-up restoration on that one. The other - well it shows up this week.

Anyway, I am absolutely incredibly impressed that you are the original owner of your GTA. I hear you about the Porsche. My wife and I talked about sports cars (I even saw a Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer for about $77,000 US and my wife said, "if you want it, you can have it". There were a few other caveats of course).

Anyway, for me the enjoyment is in turning the wrenches myself. Plus the parts don't mean a talk to the loans officer. So, for the blend of style and fun, the GTA does it for me too.
GTA50,

That's way cool and yes I suprise myself sometimes.
Old 05-26-2009, 11:47 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

The question is, what do you want it to be?

The reason is that Thirdgens were quite largely produced (well over a million). Firebirds themselves were about a third (very rough estimate). The total I did on GTAs for their entire production run was about 32,400 (the number is from memory, so don't crucify me if it isn't entirely accurate).

I can quote to a Mustang collector that my GTAs are of less than 378 for Canadian models and get a "yawn" and then a commentary about 1/4 mile times, yada, yada, yada
Old 06-09-2009, 06:12 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Originally Posted by 87_5.7L_GTA
OK Stephen here's what I found quickly,my trim code is 72D(carmine) with a production number of 1537. I guess that somewhat answers my question for my car. The only other option that might reduce it by a large amount is the gauges option. Thanks for all your help.
I just finally found my sticker which was in the dash pocket, I thought it was missing all this time.

Anyways, looks like my car is the exact same as yours.

L98 engine
74U Flame red metallic
72D Carmine interior

I also have the analog gauges.

The only difference I see between mine and yours is mine has the door map pockets. From what I can see by your pics, it looks yours doesn't have them.
Old 06-09-2009, 09:38 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

Well, the 72D dropped the number down to

72D -- Trim Combination, Carmine Cloth -- 1,537

but out of those, it's hard to say how many were GTAs and how many were regular T/As
Old 06-09-2009, 09:50 PM
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Re: How Many '87 L98 GTA's were built?

There's about to be one less. : (

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/19...tecar-1-1.aspx
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