VIN questions...

If the VIN checks keep stating that it is a "Pontiac Fierbird Trans-Am/GTA" or "Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am GTA" does that mean it is a GTA or that all Trans-Ams and GTAs showed up on a vehicle check as "either/or"?

Well being that GTA's were made from 1987 to 1992 if I'm not mistaking, and from looking at the picture you have a link to in your signiture. I'd say that you definately dont have a GTA. You have a 1993 to 1997 model Trans Am. The site your using to look up your VIN probably just doesn't have accurate data on their file or what not. So if that's the case, then all Trans Am's and GTA's will most likely show up as "Pontiac Fierbird Trans-Am/GTA," hope that helps.

The picture in my signature is my old car...it was a 1994 Trans-Am...thats not the car in question. I have a 1989 Pontiac Trans-Am that keeps bringing up the "Trans-Am/GTA" description. I'm almost positive it is a Trans-Am but just was curious.

Ah ok, I see. Well do you know anyone else who has a 3rd generation Trans Am? If so, ask them for their VIN and see if you get the same results. That will definately tell you whether or not if it's an actual GTA or if the sites your using classify all Trans Am's and GTA's to be the same.

Okay, I just went to www.autocheck.com and put in a VIN for an 86 Trans Am
1G2FW87H7GL229985
and it said that it was a Trans Am, without GTA. So try that site and see if you get the same results. If you do, then odds are you probably have a GTA on your hands.

That site says GTA...but this Trans-Am has the side vents...unless they put Trans-Am fenders on it for some reason...

Whoever owned it before you could have probably been in some sort of accident or possibly just replaced the fenders due to rust or what not. They might have used regular Trans Am fenders due to them being alot cheaper than replacements for that of a GTA. Just my guess though.

I believe the "A" in GTA stands for automatic. And I believe all GTA's were 5.7's which only came with automatic trans. The vin # you typed in had the "H" code for 5.0L, and 86's didn't have a 5.7 option. If your car has an "8" in the eighth digit that means 5.7L L98. If not then 5.0L which could be either auto or manual trans. Since the 5.7's were a limited production then that would go along with GTA. The Camaro's said 5.7L tuned port injection on the back bumper. The 5.0's just said tuned port injection. GTA may have been Pontiac's way of saying 5.7L (just a guess).

Some Formula Firebirds had the 5.7 option though...Im not very worried about it. Honestly, Trans-Am or GTA is all the same to me. It has the 5.7 engine and I like the body style...as long as it runs well and lasts a while I'm happy.

I believe the "A" in GTA stands for automatic. And I believe all GTA's were 5.7's which only came with automatic trans. The vin # you typed in had the "H" code for 5.0L, and 86's didn't have a 5.7 option. If your car has an "8" in the eighth digit that means 5.7L L98. If not then 5.0L which could be either auto or manual trans. Since the 5.7's were a limited production then that would go along with GTA. The Camaro's said 5.7L tuned port injection on the back bumper. The 5.0's just said tuned port injection. GTA may have been Pontiac's way of saying 5.7L (just a guess).

Actually, GTA stands for "Gran Turismo Americano." The 5.7-liter engine was not available with a manual transmission due to emissions certification and the prodigious amount of torque it produced, so the 5.0-liter TPI V8 (RPO LB9) was available as a credit option in the GTA. This engine could be equipped with an automatic or manual transmission (as you stated), at the buyer's discretion. Purchase of the LB9/5-speed transmission combo netted the buyer an option credit on a GTA of $300 for the engine and $475-530 for the transmission. Many buyers opted for this engine in order to get the manual transmission, even if it meant losing some cubic inches in the process. So GTA's could either be 5.7, or 5.0's. It depended upon the buyer.