I just achieved my dream of owning a Firebird, and I'm wondering how much the car is actually worth, I bought it for 500$

Its a 1986 Firebird Trans Am with WS6 suspension, digital dash, power windows, 305 TPI, and T tops. Its got about 71,000 miles on it.

The two things it needs are all 4 seats (a previous owner ripped them out ) and a new paint job.

Once it gets towed to my house I'll put up a photo or two, its in pretty good shape if you can over the paint and the lack of seats.

 

Sounds like a great buy even with a need-paint job & no seats car.

Keep in mind that if you find a nice set of 4th Gens seats they apparently fit.

John

 

Digital dash eh? IIRC, that was only available from 1987-89 or 90...do all the gauges on the dash work? How's the fit? Just interesting since it sounds like a retrofit...anyways, 86 T/As have still yet to really start appreciating, but I'd imagine with a shiny new paint job and an excellent interior with just 71,000 miles on the car, it's probably worth around $6k. Assuming everything else works and is in excellent condition. Keep in mind that 1986 was one of the highest production model years for the third gen, so it's not a particularly rare car. Nonetheless, it sounds like you got a hell of a deal for $500.

 

Digital Dash was 1986 - 1988 IIRC... Possibly 1985. I DO know tht 1988 was the last year, with the exeption of possibly one car in 1989.

I can't confirm right now however I would have to look it up.

John

 

Yeah, the digital dash is factory, if not its very very well done. I'm the 5th owner but three of the owners have been friends of mine and the original owner is a friend of a friend, so I know a good deal about the car and its never left the general area since it was purchased new. Last time I started the car all the gauges worked, the power windows work, and the only thing that needs to be replaced is the headliner, but even that could probably be repaired, the original glue just isn't holding anymore. I plan on getting seats this weekend and then bringing it home, so I'll post photos then. I was amazed to see there are no cracks in the dash at all.

 

Digital dash was available '85-88. December '84 issue of HPP has nice pictures of a new gold '85 T/A with digital dash, touch control radio, and Recaro seat options.

 

To save your dash... AVOID WINDEX or other glass cleaners with ammonia or other harsh chemicals. They pull the plasticizers out of the plastic and the dashes become hard. Eventually they crack.

There was quite a debate over this, as it does not happen immediately, and at one time. I just wipe my dash with a dry cloth and STP's "Son of a gun" with no problems. I use a microfiber cloth with a water spritzer to clean the windshield. On a humid day when the inside of the windows gets condensation is the best time for me to clean & wipe your windows personally...

JOhn

 

Thanks, I'm going to clean the car out this weekend so I'll keep that in mind, I've used windex in other cars though so I'll avoid that from now on