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Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your TTA

PhillyTurboSix

PhillyTurboSix

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Staff member
I finally got around to scanning some documents I received about my TTA. Jan knows how slow I am with doing this stuff! lol But I've got a few cool items.

How I received these documents still amazes me. It all started by doing some title searching on my TTA when I purchased it. The problem was my car has 7 owners including me! For a car with 30K original miles on it that gets hard to track back. I get really into it and it's a passion almost when it comes to looking up the paper trail of a car. Then it becomes an obsession with me as it goes on! I've done it with all my cars.

So going off some information from the last owner I found the guy before him who owned it in Maryland. He was in the middle of moving and said he would get back to me about the car when he moved. While packing he found a binder with all the information about my car going all the way back to the dealer! Excited and counting the days and seconds this binder took to get to me, it arrived and the paper trail now all made scene. I turned every page in this binder so slow and read over everything I think 20 times before I turned the page!

Then with the power of Facebook I actually found all these owners (except for the first owner), added them, and after they got over "Who is this guy stalking me about a car I owned years ago". They all told me all about the car and their experience with it while they owned it. They all seemed happy that an enthusiast now owned the car and it had a good home. Every last one of them asked me if I ever sold the car to contact them as each one of them wanted to buy it back. So I think if I ever did sell my TTA finding a new owner would not be hard. :) The owner before the guy I bought it from, was really upset because the guy before me, only owned the car for several months and needed to sell it. The owner before him told him to contact him if he ever sold it as he regretted the day he sold it and wanted it back badly. I felt bad for him and he extended the offer along to me as well wanting to purchase the car if I was ever to sell it. One thing that was really cool to hear was the true excitement in their voices when I told them the car was in Hemmings Muscle Machines and how I've been showing the car locally doing well with it.

Ok so enough about all that! Gives you the basic history and here is the owner break down of locations....

* The car was requested by Pitts Pontiac-GMC Trucks 1067 Ridge Road in Webster, NY. The dealer closed down about 5 years ago and looked to be a small rural dealer in upstate NY. One cool piece of paper work on that is the .PDF named Dealer-Request-Letter-4-19-1989 hopefully the first .pdf in the files below. The old school dealer request to get one of these amazing cars from Pontiac. I'm not sure if the first owners ordered the car for them or if the dealer just ordered it. This dealer being so small in a rural area I'm sure it was a mission ordering one.

* Then the invoice is then generated. Pontiac gets to work! The invoice below is named Vehicle-Invoice-1-1989.pdf. Pretty cool the notes written on it and the fact it shows a option LC2 5.0 Liter V-8 MPFI Engine for $255.00 bucks!

* So next up my TTA is born! February 17, 1989 The Cert-Of-Origin-for-dealer-2-17-1989.pdf shows you this. This is the birth certificate of your car. It's not official till this cert is issued. Glad to see it had 45 HP and 8 cylinders when it came down the line! :rofl:

* After being sent to PAS and converted in a TTA (and hopefully after the TTA reunion I'll have some paper work on my car about this) it's off to the dealer!
 

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Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Who had that paperwork?
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Cont...

* So next up the car arrives at the dealer. Then the Customer Satisfaction VIP Inspection Procedure is filled out. VIP-Inspection.pdf below. For some reason it didn't save as good as the other docs.

* Then the car went off to it's first owners. Palmer's Garage in Arlington, Mass. 4-29-1989 the .pdf below for this is First-Owner-Transfer-4-29-1989 Looks like it might have been a specialty car dealer or wholesale company.

* Then the owners kit was ordered for the car and sent to the new owners. Seen below under the name Ownerskit-PL.pdf

* The new owners then transfered the car to another owner on 3-22-1991 DA Dempsey Auto Sales in Barrington, MA. The car just showed 382 miles on it. So they drove it a little bit between delievery and the sale in 1991. the .pdf below for this is called.. Firstowner-3-22-91.pdf

* Then on 4-25-1995 with just 456 miles on her she went to the next owner. Dayton Burlarley who was in Schenectady, New York. And this should be pdf below named Sale-4-25-1995 Dayton then moved to Wytheville, VA. on 7-10-1998 he titled it in that state with now 13,400 miles on the car. So he got to finally enjoy and break in the car!

* Then on 10-17-1998 Dayton sold her to a woman Amy Morgan in E Greenbush, New York. So back up to NY she goes.

* Amy then sold the car to Mangino Pontiac-Buick Ballston Spa, New York on 7-09-2001 She sold it out right for some funds to use on another project. I didn't scan the paper work on that transaction.

* Ralph at Mangino Pontiac-Buick Ballston Spa, New York enjoyed the car taking it out on some sunny weekends but kept the car on display in the showroom for many years as some eye candy for the dealer. Ralph was the one to take the Gatorbacks off the car as he told me he almost lost it one day when getting on the highway with the car. Ralph then sold it on 5-22-2004 to Patrick in Owings, MD. with then 23,456 miles on it.

* Patrick then sold it to a guy named Faust on eBay who lived about 3 mins from my house in Philadelphia. I then bought the car off Faust and have owned it since.

Whew that was a lot of tracking and keeping papers in order!
 

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Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

8289ta said:
Who had that paperwork?
Click to expand...

Well it seems the first guy to get the car was a wholesale place so I'm sure he requested all the paper work on the car for collector reasons. I'm sure glad he did because most of these papers never made it to the owner of the car.
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

I tried contacting PO but I had no success. Jan gave me an email address, but it must not be in use any more. I might give the social networking sites a try.
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

And something else I scanned I found in the cars binder...


The original wheel tag hanger. I guess this was on the stalk in the cars new? Just explains how the car wash is going to tear up your rims if your not careful! That is the first 2 pdf's below.
 

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Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Can trace my car back to about 1993 or so. Before then I don't have a clue. I only know that it was sold new at cathcart pontiac in Trenton New Jersey. Well maybe I need to dig a little deeper for some answers.
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Jim, thats really great you have so much info and paperwork on your TTA. I have lots of history on my 82 base FB and the 82 Mecham. The TTA info is sketcky other than what I know from the PO. As I have stated here before, I emailed tta1515(member), but never got a response. I hope some day to get more info and put the unknowns to rest.
 
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Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

yea it's crazy to get the story right and follow the path. Part of the fun owning one of these cars when they actually have a history behind them. I just noticed one of the owners is now on facebook. He wasn't on there last time I checked. Hopefully I can make a connection with him and fill in a few more blanks :)
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

I am the fifth owner of #14 and,thanks to all the paperwork I got with the car, I know quite a bit about its history.
During May of '89, it was driven by Bob Lamey of WNBC radio in Indianapolis; he is apparently known as "the voice of the Colts" and was an announcer at Indy for the race that year
It was sold in the state of Washington to a collector who bought another Festival Car at the same time. I googled his name and, unfortunately, I found his obituary. Perhaps someone with the same name but I doubt it
I have spoken with the next 3 owners(either by phone or e-mail), as they are all members of this forum and TB as well. They have all owned other TTA's as well as #14 and they all speak highly of the car- one of them said he sold it because it was too nice to drive.
I would like to contact Bob Lamey to see if he remembers the car; I was told this was one of the 65 Parade Cars at the track, and he would, most likely, be able to confirm this.
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Jim,
Thanks for sharing. It is always fun to read the history of one of these cars.

I like the 45 HP at birth. Must be some tax deal to keep the number low.

Dave
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

This history of a car really is the coolest part I think. Having all the owners mine did and to be in such good condition over all these years really blows me away. I'm very lucky to have such caring owners along the years and I am grateful for that.

Here is a cool recent update since I posted all of this. The first owner I never really contacted him and while I was posting all this I figured let me do another search for him and I found him. e-mailed him and sure enough he was the first owner of my car. We are going to chat on the phone over the weekend and I can't wait for that but he went on to tell me how he pampered the car and only washed it a few times and made sure it never was in the rain. He did go on to tell me he did use the car for what it was :) He was in the NYS Police High Performance Driver Training in Schenectady (circa. 1996) with the TTA and put her thru the paces up against some Mustangs and Camaro's and took 2nd place with the TTA. He has a video of this as well. I can't wait to get my hands on that to check out the TTA back when she was new!

He also had the car in many shows over his owner ship. One of them being The Pontiac Club show in Syracuse, NY. Took a 99 out of 100 due to a interstate battery. lol He also went on to tell me he owned a 87 T type and then a Typhoon and still is a car guy. Maybe it's me but I love this kinda stuff. :thumbup: Well at least speaking with this guy closes the gap on the history of the car and I can track it back to new with all the stories along the way :)

So come on guys post up some info on your cars and how well back to new you can track it. Does anyone have a letter from the dealer requesting the car like the one I posted? I've never seen anything like that before with the car's actual vin on it.
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Very cool to have all the missing pieces in place Jim.

I take it yours did not come with the VIP treatmenet even if you have the form for it, that was an extra cost option (I have it on my invoice) and I think we covered it in another thread.

I'm wiht Dave, like the low horse power rating ... I think yours Jim must be the slowest TTA Pontiac/PAS ever built lol

Never seen the dealer send that type of request to Pontiac ... I guess they got one allocated and on order, had the confirmation with the VIN from Pontiac zone office and just sent a letter to confirm or similar.

I'll do a write up about mine and post as well when I have a few min spare ... did track down a few owners and spoke to them one did have an interesting story why he sold the car after spending loads of $$$ on it :-(

Oh Jim get back and sort out you know what for me ... it's well overdue and time is running out :devil: :dirol:
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

SouthBaySurfer said:
I am the fifth owner of #14 and,thanks to all the paperwork I got with the car, I know quite a bit about its history.
During May of '89, it was driven by Bob Lamey of WNBC radio in Indianapolis; he is apparently known as "the voice of the Colts" and was an announcer at Indy for the race that year
It was sold in the state of Washington to a collector who bought another Festival Car at the same time. I googled his name and, unfortunately, I found his obituary. Perhaps someone with the same name but I doubt it
I have spoken with the next 3 owners(either by phone or e-mail), as they are all members of this forum and TB as well. They have all owned other TTA's as well as #14 and they all speak highly of the car- one of them said he sold it because it was too nice to drive.
I would like to contact Bob Lamey to see if he remembers the car; I was told this was one of the 65 Parade Cars at the track, and he would, most likely, be able to confirm this.
Click to expand...



Yep festival car no 115 ... so being the car number (at Indy) is between 85 and 156 makes it one used for press assignements so one of 71 used for the press to play with :-) .. for the breakdown of all cars used @ Indy see Info about the 1989 cars used at Indy - Turbo Trans Am Forum
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Mine has no long story. 1st owner since new. Though, been fun watching all the flushed faces at the stop lights wonder how their big inch motored rumbling ride got smoked by a lil ol firebird.
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

I bought my car from the son of the original owner. Purchased the car here in Detroit, but lived in Canada so the car spent many years there. The original owner ran the car a bit and did some minor mods. Gave it to his son a few years ago to move on to a ZO6 that he continues to hammer today.
KID
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Jan Larsson said:
Very cool to have all the missing pieces in place Jim.

I take it yours did not come with the VIP treatmenet even if you have the form for it, that was an extra cost option (I have it on my invoice) and I think we covered it in another thread.

I'm wiht Dave, like the low horse power rating ... I think yours Jim must be the slowest TTA Pontiac/PAS ever built lol

Never seen the dealer send that type of request to Pontiac ... I guess they got one allocated and on order, had the confirmation with the VIN from Pontiac zone office and just sent a letter to confirm or similar.

I'll do a write up about mine and post as well when I have a few min spare ... did track down a few owners and spoke to them one did have an interesting story why he sold the car after spending loads of $$$ on it :-(

Oh Jim get back and sort out you know what for me ... it's well overdue and time is running out :devil: :dirol:
Click to expand...

Yea I was wondering what was up with that VIP treatment. It's got my vin number on it. Really hard to see but it's there. The 1st owner was good friends with the dealer so maybe he pulled one of those "We'll cut this off and save you some money but still do it to the car" things. Finding out the 1st owner bought the car to show it from the start I guess is why so much of this paper work was with the car. The 1st owner said he might even have some goodies stashed away for me :)

I still have'nt timed it where mom and I are in the embroidery shop at the same time to get those you know what's on something I can send to you! I didn't forget ya. The week before Ohio I'll get them over most likely! lol
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

RatFink said:
Mine has no long story. 1st owner since new. Though, been fun watching all the flushed faces at the stop lights wonder how their big inch motored rumbling ride got smoked by a lil ol firebird.
Click to expand...

That's sweet can't be too many one owners running around. We should start a thread.... "All one owner TTA owners check in" :thumbup:
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Great to see that others have alot of info on their car as well.
I am the original owner of my car (#231) as well.
I have alot of stuff, just like you Jim.
I never scanned it all, but others, like Jan, Ron, and Simo (maybe Dave G., I'm not sure), have seen my stuff for my car.
I am lucky to have a fair number or old articles on the 20th TTa also.
And like you, I have the original paperwork from PVL, as to the owner's kit as well.
Maybe I need to get off my butt too. ;)

George :beach:
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

Scan it up George!! I got to talk to my original owner on the phone the other night. Was cool to chat about the car. He's got a video of it back when it was new that hopefully I'll get and upload it. It was nice to put the last piece of the puzzle together and find out all the owners took good care of it and it was a collector car all thru the years and not daily driven at anytime. I can't even find an owner that ever had it in the rain even. So you can imagine how I feel George tracking and putting these papers together on a car that has 7 owners!!
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

How do you guys find info from the previous owners? All I know about the hardtop I just bought is that it was registered in NC. If anyone knows of a hardtop that was once in NC....
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

I always wanted a TTA since 1990. My cousin, in his 60's. bought one in 1999. He had previous owned a GN, Syclone and Typhoon.

Well to make a long story short, I bought the TTA from him after badging him for over 5 years. I paid 11,250 dollars with 31,XXX. Mint condition! :beach:



Joe
 
Re: Some information on the history of TTA396. Post a story about the history of your

fast400 said:
How do you guys find info from the previous owners? All I know about the hardtop I just bought is that it was registered in NC. If anyone knows of a hardtop that was once in NC....
Click to expand...

Well it's not easy and this took me many years. Some of the ways I did it was doing a car fax and getting an idea of the cars trail. Then I had some names dating back and researched them. Did a title search in one state. Facebook helped a lot now that I had some names. It's gotten a lot easier over the years to do this with the internet that's for sure. With mine I got lucky because only a few were gray areas but I had their names. It's easy to track people down once you have a name.

I traced my 87 GN back to the original owner and contacted him as well. That car had only 3 other owners so that was cake compaired to the TTA. My 86 GN Went through an estate auction at one time and that's where I got stuck. Plus it was in a state that don't allow title searches unless you are the original owner when the car was in that state so I don't ever think I'll find out more about that car. It is a mission and it takes patience and time. You just have to keep chipping away. Try carfax and then do a title search for that vin in the states it's been in. Sometimes you get lucky. Almost like solving a crime. You need one little tiny piece of evidence and then you run with it! :)
 
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