natdowson

Hi guys was wondering if any one could shine some more info on the firebird 500 le cant really find any info and no im not confused with the 500 Daytona the 83 -84 500 le I believe only 500 were produced for the California market but I don't know much more than this any info would be appreciated thanks. Only new to this site so just getting used to it my firebird is number #409 of 500 it has been repowered with a 350 chev and a beefed up 700r4 built for the strip thinking about repainting it satin black but not too sure at this stage.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

It is a badge job with a big wing. I believe they were white, only sold in California and limited to 500 cars.

okfoz

Not really familiar with it an LE...

I know there have been several regional models, cars like the Firebird XS, & SSA have been brought up before, but there is no real data to back it up, nothing in the parts catalog, no literature, etc...

The "official" regional market cars that I am aware of.
- California IROC (an IROC with GFX, sans IROC hood and spoiler)
- The RS Camaro actually started as a regional market thing in 1987 & 1988 (IIRC)

The SE or S/E was a regular option available for the entire country (probably world) and it was more or less a base Firebird that was all about luxury. The top engine was the LG4, which was the base V8 305... You could get an "HO" V6 that I believe was special for the S/E as well... In a way it was kind of a kindred heart to the Berlinetta from the Camaro line. The S/E got a special VIN designator of X (5th digit)

simo

The 1983 Firebird 500 LE was silver with red pin striping.
Someone in my town has a 1983 version.
The 1984 Firebird 500 LE was white.

Here is the 1984 Sail Panel Decals.


Here is the key chain.


The wing was from Pacific T-Top.

natdowson

Thanks, its unusual because mine is a white an blue so therefore should be registered as a 84 however it is registered as an 83 and all the part numbers are from 83? Do you guys think that I should keep it original or should I can that idea an repaint it the original decals an paint are in good used condition. I would like to repaint it but I don't want to ruin its originality as its quite a rare car here in NZ.

okfoz

Post some pictures... sounds interesting...

Simo,
Was it some sort of a Dealer conversion, or a group of dealers that got together to make a "Limited Edition", or was it a regional GM thing... The stickers do not have a visible part number on them, that is why I am asking...

Also, what is the difference between the RH and LH sail panel emblems, they look identical... the LEft looks like it might be smaller, but that I thought was from the angle of the picture.

okfoz

15241 Transistor Lane is now apparently a Century 21 Office... I think they might be out of business

simo

They were produced in Van Nuys at "The Plant".
It was a regional offering thought up by the Southern California Pontiac Dealers to bring in interest to the showroom with a Limited Edition model that had a much lower price than the DT500 or Recaro Trans Ams.

The photo of the decals was the from the original ebay auction and I never pulled them out to examine them once I had received them in the mail.
So they are in an envelope somewhere in my collection.
Should I ever pull them out, I will take measurements and look for a part number on the packaging.


I found the following information here:
1984 Firebird 500 On Cardomain

California pontiac dealers kicked a sales promation campaign called Califonia Excitement.....

Here is somemore info from this site:
Firebird 500 @ Thirdgen

okfoz

Interesting... Seems my memory is lapsing As I read thru the thread you posted, it seemed familiar...

Neat car... The spoiler actually reminds me of the Mecham Firebird spoiler, but just not as aggressive...

I was going to check hawksthirdgenparts.com because I thought they offered a similar spoiler, but the site is being updated and it is down..

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

There was one at a junkyard in my area

natdowson

Thanks guys for this extra info, I will post some pictures as soon as I get some time. It would be interesting to find out how many are left from the 500 produced, I know of only one other one in NZ so that makes two (known examples) in NZ.
Also (my82iroc) member I have a question for you is that 500 le still at that junkyard, if so can you please have a look at the dash plaque inside and see what number of the 500 it is.
Cheers Nat.

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

That car was pretty picked over but I'll look if its there the next time I go

natdowson

Hi finally got you guys some pictures to have a look at.






So I have included a pic of the unusual boot spoiler, and one of the dash plaque that tells what number of the 500 produced it was. Overall it is a pretty good car, if anyone has any questions just ask me, more than happy to answer where I can.
Cheers Nat.

90 GTA Black

That's a nice looking car. I would leave the paint as is. I'm liking the stripes.

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

I have an 84 500 L/E. White with blue interior.

Here is a pic of mine

okfoz

Is your favorite song to play in the car Jan and Dean "409"?

John

natdowson

Hey John hadn't ever heard of Jan and Dean "409" before, but just googled it and I reckon that it will be the new tune to play in the old girl, it just fits in perfect. Thanks for introducing me to the song good laugh.
Cheers Nat.

natdowson

Hey nhra-trans-am nice car what number of the 500 is yours?
Thanks Nat.

okfoz

As implied in the song, the 409 was a Chevy truck Engine back in the early 1960's. Some of them made their way into cars which made quite the impact for performance at the time... Not sure how small of a car they were put in, I know they were put in the Impala...

A Motortrend article from 2012 had the 409 Impala going 14.9sec in the 1/4 mile... Which by today's standards is what most cars that are not purely economy cars achieve without much fuss. Keep in mind that this was about the same as an 1984 HO 305 which I think was slightly better performance than the 62 Impala with a 409.... I would have to find data to back it up. I know my 87 Formula with an LG4 and a mild cam similar to the HO performed in the low 15's high 14's...