1987 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA ~ Only 23,600 Miles

[flyingn]

and also down grade to rear drum brakes when 4 wheel disks were standard? weird

[Bandit]

GTAs were produced with this unusual combination. This option, RPO J42, featured front disc brakes and rear aluminum drum brakes, instead of the usual J65 four-wheel disc set-up. The reason for this was weight restrictions in keeping the cars within federal CAFE requirements. The majority of cars built in this manner were 5.0L GTAs, which in turn were equipped with the CC1 T-tops. The extra chassis bracing used in T-top cars pushed the weight over the allowable limit, so one means of saving poundage was to change the braking setup used on cars.

[Bandit]

Initially for 1987, only 5.0L U.S.-bound GTAs could have T-tops installed; they were not, according to the order sheets, available in any Firebird model with a 5.7L engine. Again, this was a weight issue dealing with the CAFE ratings. GTAs destined for Canadian delivery in 1987 were not bound by the same requirements, and were available with the 5.7L engine and T-tops.

According to Pontiac order sheets and production records, the only GTAs subsequently available with both the 350 TPI engine and the T-top option were the 1989 model cars; the GTA that year enjoyed a large build number with both options. Starting in 1990, all 350 TPI GTAs were available as hardtops only.