When did odometers get a sixth digit?
07-07-2008, 09:01 PM
#1
When did odometers get a sixth digit?
I saw a '82 T/A on ebay and the odometer shows the zero on the sixth digit, I didn't think the odometers showed over 100k until like '86 or '87?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...3756.m14.l1318
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...3756.m14.l1318
07-08-2008, 10:05 AM
#2
Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
'82 Firebirds had a sixth digit odometer and then GM must have figured the car wouldn't last past 100,000 miles and went back to five digits in 1983. The six digit odometers returned, I believe, on the 140MPH speedo in 1986 and all Firebird speedos in 1987.
07-08-2008, 12:21 PM
#3
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
You believe correctly: the bird's new electronic 140mph speedo in 1986. The other cool thing about that '86 speedo was that it had no kph on it. So it has a very clean look.
07-08-2008, 05:25 PM
#4
Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
Oh okay, I got it now
. My 87 GTA has 6 digits, but I do remember the '85 T/A I used to have only had 5. I guess they went back with 6 digits when the new backlit gauges were introduced. I didn't know that fact about the '82 models though, that's strange
.
. My 87 GTA has 6 digits, but I do remember the '85 T/A I used to have only had 5. I guess they went back with 6 digits when the new backlit gauges were introduced. I didn't know that fact about the '82 models though, that's strange .
07-08-2008, 07:48 PM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
The 82 camaros also had a 6 digit odometer.83-89 had 5 digits.I believe the 90-92`s had a 6 digit odometer also
07-08-2008, 10:52 PM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
my 89 Iroc only has 5 just rolled it over that was an exciting moment will probaly only see that once in a life time
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07-09-2008, 01:36 AM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
Mine has 6 digits (7 actually, it has 1/10th mile also), currently showing ~172K, but it's digital 
07-09-2008, 03:01 PM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
Actually the no KM speedo was a partial year only in 1986, From mid 86 - 92 they used the same speedo...
07-17-2008, 09:51 PM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
My '86 base model 'bird had a 5 digit, 85mph cable driven speedo that was done with the same backlite as the 140 in my GTA, but then again, it only had a speedo and a gas gauge.
07-17-2008, 11:35 PM
#13
Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
----------
My sister used to have a '86 Firebird with the dummy lights. Nothing but a speedometer and gas gauge. Hers wasn't backlit though, it was more like the '85s. The best way I can describe it is the needles didn't light up.
Last edited by 80schild; 07-17-2008 at 11:39 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
07-18-2008, 08:21 PM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
Just a trivia note . . . this topic has more impact on the US models than Canadian.
The Canadian gauge cluster (RPO U19 - Speedometer, Instrument- (Export)) is different because that country uses the metric system and those are the numbers that are emphasized on the speedo and odometer.
Because kilometers rack-up faster than miles (at a rate of 1.6km to every 1 mile), all those odometers automatically required 6 digits.
PS; that's also why it's important in topics like whats your mileage on your fbody? that when somebody posts their mileage as 150K, you know what they are talking about. Is it miles or km's? Usually if they post where they live, you can take a pretty good guess what they're talking about. But even then you won't really know 100% unless they specify. (F-body's do cross the border through private sales and gauges can get swapped).
The Canadian gauge cluster (RPO U19 - Speedometer, Instrument- (Export)) is different because that country uses the metric system and those are the numbers that are emphasized on the speedo and odometer.
Because kilometers rack-up faster than miles (at a rate of 1.6km to every 1 mile), all those odometers automatically required 6 digits.
PS; that's also why it's important in topics like whats your mileage on your fbody? that when somebody posts their mileage as 150K, you know what they are talking about. Is it miles or km's? Usually if they post where they live, you can take a pretty good guess what they're talking about. But even then you won't really know 100% unless they specify. (F-body's do cross the border through private sales and gauges can get swapped).
Last edited by Iroctopless; 07-18-2008 at 09:16 PM. Reason: Added RPO
07-19-2008, 01:04 AM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
Just a trivia note . . . this topic has more impact on the US models than Canadian.
The Canadian gauge cluster (RPO U19 - Speedometer, Instrument- (Export)) is different because that country uses the metric system and those are the numbers that are emphasized on the speedo and odometer.
Because kilometers rack-up faster than miles (at a rate of 1.6km to every 1 mile), all those odometers automatically required 6 digits.
PS; that's also why it's important in topics like whats your mileage on your fbody? that when somebody posts their mileage as 150K, you know what they are talking about. Is it miles or km's? Usually if they post where they live, you can take a pretty good guess what they're talking about. But even then you won't really know 100% unless they specify. (F-body's do cross the border through private sales and gauges can get swapped).
The Canadian gauge cluster (RPO U19 - Speedometer, Instrument- (Export)) is different because that country uses the metric system and those are the numbers that are emphasized on the speedo and odometer.
Because kilometers rack-up faster than miles (at a rate of 1.6km to every 1 mile), all those odometers automatically required 6 digits.
PS; that's also why it's important in topics like whats your mileage on your fbody? that when somebody posts their mileage as 150K, you know what they are talking about. Is it miles or km's? Usually if they post where they live, you can take a pretty good guess what they're talking about. But even then you won't really know 100% unless they specify. (F-body's do cross the border through private sales and gauges can get swapped).
07-20-2008, 12:04 AM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
Yes. It's a phenomenon that seems to be isolated to the US models. Seeing that since they used miles, they appeared to have the flexibility to interchange between 5 and 6 digits at times. Or, it may just seem that way until we discover if there is actually a pattern or reason.
We may find that out here.
We may find that out here.
07-21-2008, 12:34 PM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
That would explain why it was not backlit...
John
08-05-2017, 10:51 AM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
I recently bought an 88 GTA. It had the awesome digital dash and I was wondering if the odometer on them had a 6th digit? Mine is only reading 59,000 and some change.
08-06-2017, 08:34 AM
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Re: When did odometers get a sixth digit?
I also had a '88 GTA W/digital cluster YEARS AGO and it read 217,xxx miles on it, So congrats you have a low mile car lol
Dave
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