docmirror

That's a nice GN. I was in the market after getting a ride in one way back. Don't like black cars, so I tried to get a T-Type. Still would like one.

For cars, the idea of the owner interview is ridiculous, except maybe for the buyer of the Ferrari 288, or the Lambo in the pic. Those cars might need some protection against a goober who would douche it up! But for a moderate collector like the GN, or T-Type, it's BS. Having said that - I got a call about one of my planes for sale, and the buyer had a total of 61 hours flight time, and he wanted a turbocharged, retractable, variable pitch prop, 220MPH plane, when the only thing he's flown so far was a Cessna 172. I declined. Didn't want him to put the family in, do something stupid and crash into a school bus full of kids, killing everyone. lolz

XS29L9B

The 1989 Turbo Trans Am (white w/ Tan interior) was the Indy Pace Car that year and had the Buick 3.8 SFI intercooled engine w/ 200r4 automatic. PAS was the company which managed the conversions. VERY crude cars, and had a lot of driveline harshness/vibrations. How they ever got through NVH standards of GM, I don't know.

Anyways, I kept two of them for friends and drove them regularly. Enough to know, I was not going to spend my own dough on one. Have owned a couple of other 5.7L GTAs, which were much better cars than an 89 TTA IMO. Maybe, fractionally not as quick, but smoother.

Decals options, installed by customer:

T-Tops and Leather were factory options. Clear marker lights shown in pic below are aftermarket.

Wisconsin Joe

Wow. I never knew they made a V-6 Turbo T/A. It's amazing the odds & ends I learn on here.

The "Turbo T/A" I know of was the 79/80 one with the 301/4.9l V-8.

It wasn't all that great.

XS29L9B

About 1,500 of the 1989 Turbo TAs were made. And you are right, the 80/81 Turbo TA was a dog. Although made famous on the big screen, some might disagree with its significance.

Anyways, the 1989 cars were quite the contenders for performance. Like I said, rough as a cob as they drove, and that was when they were new. Can't imagine they got any better.

...but a similar vintage 5.7L Pontiac GTA was fast & fun, and compared to a 928s4, it would match its performance well for 1/3 the price. 5-spd cars could be had, but only with the 5.0L vs. the larger TPI engine.

docmirror

Early versions were V8, and not pace car specials.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_301_Turbo. I guess a few SFI turbos were made in 89, different RPO it seems.

Imo000

I wasn't talking about the early version.

XS29L9B

1980 Indy Pace Car


1981 Daytona 500 Pace Car


Both were Turbo cars, but could also have turbo 301 on other Firebird/Trans Am models those years. The Bandit would approve

Wisconsin Joe

Well, "The Bandit" drove a '77 6.6 in the original movie. Snowman drove a KW 900 too.

In the second one, it was a turbo and a GMC General.

The "quality degradation" of the movie was similar.

jeff spahn

There was a g/n engine in the trans am on a limited run. 150+ top speed but it was a tenacious speed run.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/0...turbo-feature/

XS29L9B

...and the third "Bandit" movie was even better

19psi

I was at the Indy 500 that year and remember that car well...it was amazing, especially to an 18 year old. I think they even had cutaways of many parts, including the fuel tank with baffles inside.

I also have to say, I think this is the first thread where I've seen someone badmouth a Buick GN. Out of all the internet vehicle groups and trollish youtube comment sections, even the biggest fanboys give respect to the GN. It's basically the Chuck Norris of cars. Trailer parks and bench seats...hahaha!