When did Firebirds start getting the center brake lights. My 85 doesn't have one and I'm thinking it should.

------------------
85T/A 305/QJ work in progress.

 

Third brake lights started in 86(on every American car)--they were mounted on the rear hatch glass on the f-bodies. Starting in 87 is when they got smart and put them in the rear spoilers.

 

The Camaro and Firebird both got the
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) in 1986. Both cars had an external pod mounted at the middle of the top edge on the hatch. For 1987 cars with rear spoilers received the CHMSL in the spoiler, non-spoiler cars again got it on the hatch. That is if any non spoiler cars were produced. It remained in the spoiler till 90 or 91 when it went to an internal single bulb lamp on the inside top edge of the hatch.

CHMSL's mounted in the spoiler are preferable, since every other method blocks the rear view.

 

I don't know of any f-bodies that came w/the brake light on the glass in 87--up til then spoilers on Camaros were optional--starting in 87 they were standard hardware--thus-after 86 all brake lights were in the spoilers! 86 was the only year that they were on the rear window.

 

Tonyrodz,

Can you point me to the reference(s) that states this?

The rear spoiler was an $69 option on the 1987 Sport Coupe with Option Package 1SA or 1SB. It was included with Option Package 1SC.

On the Sport Coupe with the LT option, the spoiler was an option with Option Package 1SA. It was included in Option Packages 1SB, 1SC and 1SD.

Most Sport Coupes did come with Option Package 1SC. That's why there are very few 1987 SC's without a rear spoiler. However, I have personally seen 1987 Sport Coupes with no rear spoiler and the exterior hatch mounted third brake light.

I also have documentation of this; I have a pic of this car AND documentation that lists the spoiler as an option.

------------------
Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Former Paxton (6-psig) with 50-hp nitrous: 12.043 @ 112.86 mph.
ATI D1SC (10-psig): 12.056 @ 116.62 mph.
All stats are altitude corrected for 3,100 feet using NHRA's Altitude Correction Table.

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited November 26, 2001).]

 

Willie is correct. Many 87 Camaro's came without the rear spoiler, which then left the 3rd brake light on the outside of the window. The below picture is right out of the 87 brochure. I think the yellow car has no spoiler!!



picture courtesy of iroc-z.com

------------------
87 IROC 350 TPI with less than 10k original miles
93 Z28 Pace Car #494 of 645
86 Olds 442 (All Original)

My IROC Website
Northstar Camaro Club of Minnesota

 

UH-UH!! I've incurred the wrath of Willie!!
Sorry--I thought that 86 WAS the only year for the glass mounted(exterior)brake light. Guess I should check out my facts more thoroughly. Anyway-that's what I was always told. Sorry--thanks for straightening me out!
Willie--you are the man!!

[This message has been edited by Tonyrodz (edited November 26, 2001).]

 

Glad to have helped. None of us know everything including myself. I've been corrected a couple of times and accept it as a learning experience that betters my knowledge of our cars. It's always nice to know that others like yourself feel the same way.

Willie

 

I remember when the '87's were new, it was only at the beginning of the model year that I ever saw any non-spoiler equipped sport coupes at the dealerships. It would be interesting to see what the highest vin is without a spoiler, but I doubt it would be a very high one.

 

I agree, there weren't many.

------------------
89 RS
STILL Looking For:
An 87 IROC-Z28 350 TPI

Yeah I have an RS, but I want an IROC-Z!!