Newbie says hello

So firstly hello, and thanks for having me.

I have oft fancied a GTA and in fact went to look at one with intent to buy back in the 90's but whilst the car was better than the equivalent 911, the pearlescent white paintwork put me off as the front was a different shade to the rear! Also looked at a red one in Boroughbridge.
Never did gat a GTA then (or a 911) but a friend did, and now after that has sat in his garage for a number of years, I am looking into buying it.

Even watched the GTA race at the Monaco GP in 1988 with great interest.

Anyway, he has given me a list of needs

Possibly rear wishbones
A few bolts
Possibly a heater matrix leak
the door latches ( are there two separate systems) need attention
an electric window is stuck (like my current Volvo)
the brakes are sticking
it needs a headlight unit (not the glass)
questions over the cooling fans.

Is there anything there that would scare anyone either access or availability?

Your guidance would be of great assistance

Thanks

hello. a fellow yorkshireman where abouts. thats not too bad a list im sure you will be able to get what you need on here. window motors usually just need stripping and cleaning. any pics of the car.

hello. a fellow yorkshireman where abouts. thats not too bad a list im sure you will be able to get what you need on here. window motors usually just need stripping and cleaning. any pics of the car.

Hi Andy
No pics yet and sorry I'm not actually a Yorkshireman
Living near to Scotch Corner

So the parts are still available, read about headlight availability in a thread a few weeks ago
Other thing I need is tyres and apparently they are no longer available.
Are brake calipers and discs available?

Been trying to look at the car for a while and he's always away.
Know the car of old and its just been sitting in a dry garage

[BIG_MVS]

Welcome

Is the GTA a Turbo or non Turbo? Colour and Year?

I have quite a few 2nd hand parts always in stock (check my signature) and often travel to north yorks/teeside once a month.

Discs and pads are easy to find and relatively cheap (£50 for a pair, £20 for pads dependant on quality obviously).

scotch corner, been up there a couple of times, visited richmond , durham, nice area. if you know how a car works and have a good tool kit you should be able to bring it back to life. find out why its been left in a garage, did it have any issues, engine, cooling system,clutch, etc
having said all that sometimes its beter to buy a runner with an mot that is known by the club.yes more expensive up front but it could work out cheaper in the end.

Thanks Andy and MVS

It is I think realistically priced

It had a few engine problems which have aledgedly been sorted with the exception of a few cam box bolts, throttle cable etc

The no longer available rear tyre is a concern

The headlight saga I read on here a few weeks ago

Has anyone come up with a new set up as its all behind a fixed lens.

I come from such cars as Caterham and TVR where things are modded as required. Don't agree with the Tuscan light conversion on the Chimaera/Griff etc but thats another story. I wondered if the small dia light units that are fitted to some Alfa would mod into a new backing...just a thought.

Are calipers freely available, a I guess the old ones are siezed.

As said been trying to get up to dee it for a while, when I get there, I'll have a better idea of its true condition.

Its a turbo BTW

Tony H

[BIG_MVS]

Rears tyres are still available on special order through Michelin, they are 255 45 15 and £300 each. To be honest most people upgrade to larger 17" wheels or go for 225 50 15 tyres which I felt did the job fine.

Rear calipers can be refurbed for around £100 each so no worries there either.

Headlights come up 2nd hand and are available new if you can get Mr Dell to sell you one.

i've got 225/50 15 on mine still available £55.00 bargin or toyo's £100.00

255/45 15 michelin £382.00 each. they're avin a larf.

i've got 225/50 15 on mine still available £55.00 bargin or toyo's £100.00

Any questions raised by Insurance Co?

At £300+ per tyre it might be cheaper to get a completely new set of wheels & tyres!
Or is it?

[BIG_MVS]

Don't worry about the tyres 225 50 15's are fine and no problem with insurance.

Rust is what you want to worry about, check all the underneath for rot in particular jacking points and rear engine bay turrets!

just checked the owners handbook and it lists
D501 v6 turbo
front 195/50 vr 15
rear 225/50 vr 15
rear 255/45 vr 15
so its up to you but i've had the 225 tyres on mine for the last 10,000 miles and they have been fine. maybe the 255 is for the D502 le mans im sure somebody will put right

255 is the official tyre size (for Turbo and Le Mans), 225 was the optional size - as listed in the manual as you correctly say.

So either is fine and dandy with insurance. 225s aren't as wide (obviously) but the shoulders tend to curve more so the overall effect is less than you'd think.

And likewise there's no way I'd pay that much for 255 15s! Hence why I've got 17s.

Just to add I used to have 245s at one point but again no longer in production in 15 inch sizes.

am running on 235/50/15 and they seem ok to find.

as BIG_MVS says rust is a much bigger issue, and electrics of course