hi there, i am brand new to this forum. and i am new to working on cars. i recently just got a free 1989 camaro rs in need of a headjob and paintjob. i am debating on weither i want to sink like 2k into this thing. my question is, did pontiac ever make a 3rd gen trans am/firebird with the little vents on the front of the hood by the headlights, t tops, and the small wing like on most 92 firebirds. my dream car is to have a gta with t tops, the little vents on the hood, and the small wing with louvers. would i have to get a spoiler like the one found on the 92 firebird and stick it on a gta in place on the big wing?

 

Not sure I follow your questions regarding a Firebird when you said you have a Camaro RS. Are you looking to get rid of the Camaro because it needs work? Again, based on the way you stated your post, I'm just trying to get a grasp on the concept.

The answer to your question about the hood vents and the small spoiler is yes, in 1985.

 

the whole thing about the rs was to say weither or not i want to get it fixed up. i would if they didnt make the dream car i want. and thanks man, ill check out the 85's

 

You won't find a 1985 GTA, btw, they didn't start production until 87.

 

The small wings were only on 82-84 T/A's, and then 85-92 base model Firebirds. All 85-92 Trans Am's and GTA's had the hood with the vents in it. I believe the 85-86 T/A (and maybe 87 non-GTA's as well?) had the much larger super heavy flat black partial wraparound spoiler.

So, to answer your question, your desired combination was never all together on one car from the factory. Personally I've always identified the short spoiler with base models anyways...growing up, I remember them always being the first part of the car to get the clearcoat baked off, even when these cars were just a few years old.

That being said, why not look for a 91 GTA? They're not particularly hard to find, have rare and unusual 2 year only taillights, a different spoiler than the 1987-89s, and aren't nearly as common. 92's are the same, but about impossible to find since they only made about 700 of them.

 

In 1985 the wrap around rubber wing was an option, the flat small wing was standard

 

Trans Am Spoiler history
82-84 - Wing - Black Painted
85 - Wing standard - AERO wrap around optional Black
86 - AERO wrap around Black - Standard - Wing optional
87-92 - Wrap around Painted body color,

Base & S/E -
82-84 Wing optional
85-92 Wing standard

Formula
87-92 Aero Spoiler Standard

Side note, 3rd brake Lights

82-85 - NA
86 - on top of hatch - outside
87 - 90 Under rear spoiler/wing
91 - 92 On top of hatch - inside.


John

 

Apples and oranges. The body "step" at the quarter panel between the Camaro and Firebirds is the first difference. Following that, the fender vents are TA only and not found in base Firebirds or GTAs. The hood vents are used for both TA and GTA. The rear tailights for the '91-92 GTA are unique again as the base Firebirds use the common lights for '89 on up (as far as my cars go).

So, what exactly are you looking to do?

 

'82-83 were black. '83 Daytona 500 Edition and '84 - All were body color.

 

Thanks, I guess I did not think about it, but you are correct about those...

John