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This is a Pontiac Trans Am GTA Pace car and one of just 1,555 built. It was the fastest GM car available and 2nd only the Ferrari F40 in speed that year. Power was from a turbocharged V6 engine and was the only Pace car made until 1989 that did not have to have modifications and an altered engine.
This particular car is all-original - perhaps the most original example in existence. It has just 1,492 miles on the odometer.
The 20th Anniversary Trans Am takes just 4.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. Its V6 engine is turbocharged and has a history that dates back to the gas crisis of the early 1970s. Buick introduced a new 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 motor to the United States public in 1978. It has a simple blow-through carburetor setup and a 3-speed automatic gearbox. The engine offered 175 horsepower making it faster than most every other American car of its era. There were several shortcomings to this setup, however, particularly the 3 gears did not allow adequate time to take advantage of the turbochargers narrow blown powerband. The turbo-lag was terrible.
In 1982, Buick introduced its Regal Gran National, named after the NASCAR Gran National series. Under the hood was a 4.1-liter V6 or an optional carbureted V6 engine fitted with a turbocharger. This was a nice evolutionary step, but it was clear more was needed.
In 1984 a sequential multi-port fuel injection version with electronic controls was introduced, offering 200 horsepower and 300 lb-ft or torque. This gave the G-body Gran National a respectable zero-to-sixty mph time of about 6 seconds.
Over the next three years, the engine was continually refined and improved. In 1986, the engineers added an intercooler, boosting power to 235 horsepower. In 1987, power rose again to 245 bhp. The Gran National was now capable of racing to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
Production of the G-Body, RWD Gran National ended in 1987. But before its departure, Buick introduced the GNX, a very limited production example of the GN. In total, just 547 examples of the GNX were produced. They were built by ASC/McLaren and powered by a high-performance Garrett turbocharger with a ceramic impeller, improved intercooler, revised engine management calibration, high performance transmission valving and free-flow exhaust. With this potent powerplant, horsepower rose to over 275 and torque was rated at 360 lb-ft. Completing the package included larger tires, special alloy wheels, rear axle torque arm and panhard bar, plus added frame stiffening were standard fare for the beefed-up GNX package. There was a full load of factory options including additional front fender vents to aide in engine cooling, and an analog gauge instrument panel and logo package.
The GNX was fast. It could outpace a Countach, Testarossa, and the Porsche 911 Turbo. The only car faster in North America was the Ferrari F40.
In 1988, General Motors discontinued the rear-wheel drive G-body and replaced it was a front-drive W-body. The Buick Turbo V6 program came to an end as the FWD transaxle setup could not handle the torque produced by the turbocharged V6 engine.
Since Buick did not have a suitable platform for their performance engines, the motors were sent to the Pontiac division. In 1989, the Trans Am was selected to pace the Indianapolis 500. In total, 1,555 examples of the 20th Anniversary Trans Am models were produced. All of the cars were painted pearl white with a tan interior.
The Turbo Trans Am was lighter and more nimble than the GNX. The V6 engine was also given a few modifications over the GNX, including a new intercooler, tubular exhaust manifolds (offering better spooling), a tuned aluminum intake manifold, plus sever other enhancements.
The turbocharged V6 engine was officially rated at 250 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. In reality, power output was much higher - in the vicinity of 300 bhp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Weighing just 3,340 lbs, the Turbo Trans Am (TTA) was capable of racing to 60 mph in approximately 4.6 seconds. (The factory claimed it was a 5.4 second car with a top speed of 161 mph).
Production Automotive Services, Inc. (PAS) handled the assembly of the engines with the final assembly being done in the F-body plant in Van Nuys, Ca. Visually, the Turbo Trans Am were very similar to the standard Trans Am models. The major interior difference was a turbo boost gauge integrated into the tachometer. Other obvious differences were the '20th Anniversary' and 'Turbo' badging.
These special Trans Am models were around for just a year, and during that time 1,555 examples were produced.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014
This particular car is all-original - perhaps the most original example in existence. It has just 1,492 miles on the odometer.
The 20th Anniversary Trans Am takes just 4.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. Its V6 engine is turbocharged and has a history that dates back to the gas crisis of the early 1970s. Buick introduced a new 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 motor to the United States public in 1978. It has a simple blow-through carburetor setup and a 3-speed automatic gearbox. The engine offered 175 horsepower making it faster than most every other American car of its era. There were several shortcomings to this setup, however, particularly the 3 gears did not allow adequate time to take advantage of the turbochargers narrow blown powerband. The turbo-lag was terrible.
In 1982, Buick introduced its Regal Gran National, named after the NASCAR Gran National series. Under the hood was a 4.1-liter V6 or an optional carbureted V6 engine fitted with a turbocharger. This was a nice evolutionary step, but it was clear more was needed.
In 1984 a sequential multi-port fuel injection version with electronic controls was introduced, offering 200 horsepower and 300 lb-ft or torque. This gave the G-body Gran National a respectable zero-to-sixty mph time of about 6 seconds.
Over the next three years, the engine was continually refined and improved. In 1986, the engineers added an intercooler, boosting power to 235 horsepower. In 1987, power rose again to 245 bhp. The Gran National was now capable of racing to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
Production of the G-Body, RWD Gran National ended in 1987. But before its departure, Buick introduced the GNX, a very limited production example of the GN. In total, just 547 examples of the GNX were produced. They were built by ASC/McLaren and powered by a high-performance Garrett turbocharger with a ceramic impeller, improved intercooler, revised engine management calibration, high performance transmission valving and free-flow exhaust. With this potent powerplant, horsepower rose to over 275 and torque was rated at 360 lb-ft. Completing the package included larger tires, special alloy wheels, rear axle torque arm and panhard bar, plus added frame stiffening were standard fare for the beefed-up GNX package. There was a full load of factory options including additional front fender vents to aide in engine cooling, and an analog gauge instrument panel and logo package.
The GNX was fast. It could outpace a Countach, Testarossa, and the Porsche 911 Turbo. The only car faster in North America was the Ferrari F40.
In 1988, General Motors discontinued the rear-wheel drive G-body and replaced it was a front-drive W-body. The Buick Turbo V6 program came to an end as the FWD transaxle setup could not handle the torque produced by the turbocharged V6 engine.
Since Buick did not have a suitable platform for their performance engines, the motors were sent to the Pontiac division. In 1989, the Trans Am was selected to pace the Indianapolis 500. In total, 1,555 examples of the 20th Anniversary Trans Am models were produced. All of the cars were painted pearl white with a tan interior.
The Turbo Trans Am was lighter and more nimble than the GNX. The V6 engine was also given a few modifications over the GNX, including a new intercooler, tubular exhaust manifolds (offering better spooling), a tuned aluminum intake manifold, plus sever other enhancements.
The turbocharged V6 engine was officially rated at 250 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. In reality, power output was much higher - in the vicinity of 300 bhp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Weighing just 3,340 lbs, the Turbo Trans Am (TTA) was capable of racing to 60 mph in approximately 4.6 seconds. (The factory claimed it was a 5.4 second car with a top speed of 161 mph).
Production Automotive Services, Inc. (PAS) handled the assembly of the engines with the final assembly being done in the F-body plant in Van Nuys, Ca. Visually, the Turbo Trans Am were very similar to the standard Trans Am models. The major interior difference was a turbo boost gauge integrated into the tachometer. Other obvious differences were the '20th Anniversary' and 'Turbo' badging.
These special Trans Am models were around for just a year, and during that time 1,555 examples were produced.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014
2018 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas
Sale Price :
USD $29,700
2014 Russo & Steele - Scottsdale
Sale Price :
USD $37,505
1989 Pontiac Firebird Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Pontiac Firebird
(Data based on Model Year 1989 sales)
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA Chassis#: 1G2FS21F9KL254525 Sold for USD$5,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula Chassis#: 1g2fs21e2kl263980 Sold for USD$17,600 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula Chassis#: 1g2fs2180kl245035 Sold for USD$18,150 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Pace Car Edition Chassis#: 1g5fw2177kl245452 Sold for USD$55,000 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM INDY PACE CAR Chassis#: 1G5FW2175KL240105 Sold for USD$64,900 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM 20TH ANNIVERSARY TURBO Chassis#: 1G5FW2175KL239441 Sold for USD$73,700 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Sold for USD$33,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1989 Pontiac Trans Am Sold for USD$28,600 2022 Mecum : Dallas | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition Sold for USD$29,700 2022 Mecum : Orlando | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition Sold for USD$31,350 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA Sold for USD$13,200 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM 20TH ANNIVERSARY PACE CAR Chassis#: 1G5FW2170KL242358 Sold for USD$82,500 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition Sold for USD$33,000 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula Sold for USD$25,850 2021 Mecum : Orlando | |
1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Sold for USD$37,000 2021 GAA : July 2021 | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Pace Car Edition Sold for USD$33,000 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Sold for USD$26,400 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition Sold for USD$30,250 2020 Mecum : Indy | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Sold for USD$40,150 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition Sold for USD$32,450 2019 Mecum : Chicago |
Pontiac Firebirds That Failed To Sell At Auction
1989 Pontiac Firebird's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition | 1g5fw2173kl247490 | 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | $23,000 | ||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition | 1g5fw2175kl237785 | 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | $38,000 | ||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary | 1g5fw2175kl247197 | 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | $37,000 | ||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary | 2023 Mecum : Glendale | $29,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA | 2022 Mecum : Chicago | $35,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition | 2020 Mecum : Dallas | $24,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition | 2019 Mecum : Las Vegas | $17,500 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA | 2019 Fall Carlisle Auction | ||||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am | 1G2FW2185KL226808 | 2019 Spring Carlisle Auction | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary | 2019 Mecum : Houston | $20,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA | 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction | $12,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans AM | 2019 Carlisle Auction : Lakeland Winter Auction | ||||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am | 2018 Collector Car Toronto Spring | $8,500 | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary | 2018 Mecum : Houston | $17,500 | |||
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD GTA TRANSAM | 2018 McCormick's Auction # 64 | $11,500 | |||
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD | 2018 McCormick's Auction # 64 | $9,600 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans AM Turbo | 2018 Carlisle : Lakeland Winter Auction | ||||
1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM | 2018 GpK Auctions Atlantic City | ||||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary | 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee | $37,500 | |||
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 2017 Mecum : Portland | ||||
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 2017 Mecum : Indianapolis | $12,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am | 2017 Spring Carlisle Auction | ||||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am | 2017 Mecum : Houston | $25,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA | 2016 Mecum : Dallas | $15,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition | 2016 Mecum : Dallas | $16,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary | 2016 Mecum : Chicago | $30,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo | 2016 Fall Carlisle Auction | $34,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA | 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | $9,000 | $12,000 | $15,000 | |
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am | 2016 Mecum Indianapolis | $21,000 | |||
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pilot Car | 2016 Mecum Indianapolis | $35,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
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1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta T.I. Berlina by Bertone Chassis#:AR1468 01035 Sold for $23,537 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
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1989 Pontiac Firebird
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