Hello, 3rd gen-Xers!

I'm new here, but have been a 3rd gen 1989 'Bird owner for a few years now...loan paid off, but a few accidents down the road..and weather beaten later...

My car was bought locally in MN. from an Auto Trader magazine. I am the third owner and bought it with 44K miles. It has GTA rims, L98 350 TPI system, custom paint and ASC sticker for the drop top featured!

The car was issued a new VIN underhood after a theft. I don't know how to ascertain a good history of it now. It features a 140 MPH speedo and dual cat exhaust. The car is supposedly an original Pennsylvania car.



-Bill S.

 

look for the SPID sticker...inside the console or the rear storage compartment. Also firechickens often had vin ID stickers under the hood and on the doors, I think. Ask over on the history/restoration board, for better answers...oh and welcome to the board

 

try to find a build sheet

 

I've had a chance to look the car's areas over, but unless it's hidden, I think the thieves knew what to remove.

I was surprised there were some tags left intact. The second owner had little to no info on the theft, but I still think I got a great car... my only set of wheels currently.
I'm just getting acquanted with the site... first time - may get lost!

Thanks for the quick reply!
Bill

 

the spid is a blue and white sticker about 3" by 5" that has the vehicles VIN number and all the RPO codes for the vehicle. Do a search on the History/Restore board for SPID and RPO and you'll find out a lot about it.

Finding a build sheet is another option, but kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack.

 

I wouldn not worry about the build sheet, probably either long gone or was never there. Usually they were discarded and when the trash got full during assembly they would start stuffing them under seats etc.

Your best bet might be to see if Pontiac Historical services could help you, or try a dealer.

On your car, as mentioned before, on each fender, on the doors, hood, hatch, on the front steel bumpers there were decals that had the VIN of the car.

Locations of decals, On front of hood, on back of the doors, on rear quarters they were behind the trim, above the side marker light. Same goes for the front fenders, near to the side marker light. On the front and rear bumpers you should be able to see them if you remove the bumper covers. On the hatch, on the bottom side. should be visable without removing the trim piece.

hope that helps...

John

 

Thanks for the help, up front

I think most identifying marks were removed by the thieves, but I haven't removed dash or door panels (mainly, have no body manual for procedure) ...or need to.

The gray cloth interior and carpeting may need replacement eventually, as a convertible...some times it's hard to beat mother nature and rain finds it's way into the interior. I live in the Midwest and it's a challenge!

The other thing to note is the 350, yet no Formula 350 stickers (only Formula) - I wish to get the full 350 stickers for the doors at least. (possibly hood scoop) and the fact it's an ASC (assuming from stickers) drop top, it may be rare. I've read that about 6000 1989 Firebird convertibles were made. (I paid $8600 for it)

Also reading, the archives seem to suggest that drop tops didn't come from a hard top coming off assembly... from my reading, all convertibles are made from hard tops that are removed. Of course, chassis bracing is required.

If I know how to remove and reinstall pieces, I'd probably try it, but not confident currently (I did these projects on my 1984 Eldo, and it was challenging)

Bill

 

the stickers are NOT under the door panels, there in the door jam.

ASC may have removed them as well, its hard to tell...

Got PIX? I would be interested in some considering I am the webmaster of 3rdgenformula.com

As for the decals, the proper decals for a Formula 350 is as follows: FORMULA 350 on Doors ONLY there is NO decal on the hood until 1991 & 1992. This is argured, and I am right, I have the GM parts book for 82-92 Firebirds. You can put them on the hood scoop if you like but they should not be there to be correct.

The Converts were usually T-top cars that were converted, since the conversion would be much easier than to begin with a Hard top, and the T-top cars used a little more stout sheet metal for strength.

hope this helps.

John

 

I'm just figuring this stuff out... I'm mostly eBay surfing and using newsgroups which are pretty boring actually.

I sent some pics via email, but put two up in posts on History/Restortion where I asked further.

I took pics from pics, so there not the greatest.
I really appreciate that others love there GM cars too... I frown on Ford except for the fastback Mustang, that one almost looks good hehe

Mine does need a bit of refurbishing now, but had 44K when I bought it and was previously stored in winters.
Bill Speed

 

I just rearead this, and I've never heard of a car being issued a new VIN after a theft, maybe your state is different...I have heard of a new title being issued, such as a salvage or restoration title. What is your cars current VIN? Perhaps with that info we could get an idea of what was done.

 

Hi again,

I'm not sure it's kosher to put VINs up on the board, but if you guys say so...

It's rebadged under the hood on passanger side, stating Pennsylvania where the car originates from I do believe.

I live in Minnesota and bought the car in Minneapolis from a female owner, so not a lot of info on the history from her...but records during her tenure were included.

Bill S.

 

I worked w/a guy that had an 87 GN that had been re-vined by NYPD--was a recovered theft too. The vin started off w/NYP--then some #'s.
just wanted to throw in my .02

 

i have a 86 iroc with a theft recovery title. no vin in the windshield, it has a different vin plate (issued by the state of PA., under the hood, by the relays...drivers side). it is the original vin...numbers match the motor. i don't know if thief stole vin or what. i would rather have a thief recovery title than a totalled/salvaged title.

 

Should I post the number?
Mine should be just like yours if PA also.

I'm looking for any and all opinions on my car... How many 89 converts were made from Formulas? How many might have 350 automatics??

I'm forever curious

Bill S.

 

ok learn something new all the time

Hmmm so its possible that his car still has the original vin, just a reissued title..... so whats the current VIN? mind you all we need to know is the first 10 or 11 digits...not the last six that normally denote production sequence...does your vin start with 1g2f?

 

I have to go get the number now, but I want to add that it's nice that American wheels have moved down the list of most stolen cars now. Insurance rates ease up a bit on us production 'hotrodders'

hehe
Bill

 

i believe it is safe to give out the vin. i've seen hundreds give out their vin because somebody was doing carfax for them.

 

The VIN is nothing secret, consider that any of us can walk up to ANY car made after 1967 in a parking lot and read it if I want...

John

 

OK,

I just don't really know how those thieves operate... I know with guitar serials, there is a reluctance to give them out for similar reasons... the use of the same number on an unofficial item.
Of course, guitars are easier to fake then a car. I haven't written the VIN down, so I'll get that next. Thanks for the time,

Bill S.

 

Hi there. I also have an 89 Formula 350 ASC convertible. It has 66K on it and it needs just a little work to be nice again. The amount of all Firebirds converted in 89 by ASC I think is 369 or somewhere close to that(there are some stats on this site or the gtasourcepage.com, or transamgta.com). I do know from references from said sites that there was only 50 350TPI equipped Firebirds made in 89. That combines the Formula350, T/A's and GTA's. As far as the breakdown in #'s for just Formulas, I would like to know as well. There are at least 4 out there. Mine, yours, another one in red out west for sale last year, and a black one that was posted on a site that I dont remember. Out of the 50 firebirds conv w/350TPI, there was alot of GTA's having the combo. I never seen one in person til I bought mine and Im in Mass. Heres apic of mine. Im thinking of selling her due to that I want to get a 91/92 T/A conv so I dont have to convert the 89 to look like one and ruin a really rare example. STEVE Z

 

Hey man!

That ride is so close to mine it's scary! I got the GTA rims and they are sweet!

Does yours have unusual black side rails below the doors on both sides? Does that rear spoiler wrap around like mine? Mine has the power mirrors, door locks, etc and trunk release, but that stopped working (the lift mech).

Mine is a custom paint job of black on the white and has had a few fender benders much to my dismay. (I had to drive it in winter as well, so there ya go) I had no idea the number was that low!!

I plan a serious cash investment (a couple thousand) to get it back to better then when bought condition. Mine has about 116K miles and has not been altered, but I want to add SLP engine modes and true exhaust headers instead of manifolds. This is probably a bad idea, but having the paint and dents, it's no longer a prestine example (also previous theft) Sad, ain't it??

I just paid $363 for a tow and starter replacement today, in fact.

I'm glad I finally paid a trip here...it's very cool

Bill:hail:

 

Well, it's been a while but my starter done broke so I had a bit of a prob.

Here's the info. that might help nail down a bit of history on my 1989 convert.

43076262401
TITLE
16(G?)2FS2188KL250774
VIN PA.


-Bill Schwenke (AKA Speed)

 

according to vin decorder here at TGO:

Here are the results for your query on: 1G2FS2188KL250774
Made in: United States
Manufacturer: General Motors
Make: Pontiac
Carline Code: F-Body
Carline Series: Firebird
Body Type: 2 door coupe (hatchback)
Restraint System: Manual belts
Engine Code: 350 ci V8 B2L/L98 (1987-1992)
8 is the CHECK DIGIT
Model Year: 1989
Assembly Plant: Van Nuys
Production Sequence: 250774

From free search on Carfax.com:

VIN: 1G2FS2188KL250774 SPORTS CAR ALERT!
484,740 FIREBIRD FORMULA's show evidence of MILEAGE ROLLBACKS.

Order CARFAX Reports...
your best protection against buying a sports car with hidden problems.

Year/Make/Model: 1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA
Body Style: Hatchback 2 DR
Engine Type: 5.7L V8 FI
Manufactured In: UNITED STATES
Search Results: 5 records found


Looks like it is probably the cars original VIN! You could use it to get more info from places like Carfax or from Pontiac Historical Services happy hunting!

 

Not sure on how they work, never used them

It is an ASC convertible and an L98 350 so it has to be of limited quantity. I'm wondering about the mileage roll back, is that specific to my car?

I have over 110K and bought it with 44K, it was not mistreated though

Bill S.

 

What carfax does is search DMV and insurance databases for records relating to your car.

The rollback thing is just a warning to you that a bunch of Formy's have records indicating a rollback...its a way to get you to pay for the ability to look at their records on your car.

 

Can you mention what they charge and what is the general concensus of users of this site on it?

Thanks, BTW!!


Bill Speed

 

just take a look at www.carfax.com

it can be useful for learning a little history about your car, but probably not much more than you already know. If your serious about learning all you can about your car...contact Pontiac Historical Services at www.phs-online.com