I have a question for the 3rd Gen gurus here. I purchased an 82 T-top Trans Am this summer (VIN: 1G2AW87H1CL537531) - WS6 package. This car seems to be somewhere around 90% original (link to many pics below). It's only upgrades have been to the brakes, fresh fluids and a tune-up.
The car still has the original aluminum exhaust, Goodyear Eagle GT TPC spec 1042 tires, turbo cast aluminum wheels with original bowling ball hubcaps, black & gold exterior, charcoal interior, PMD bucket seats, etc...

I have found production paint markings in the engine compartment, but there is one mark that no one has been able to explain, so I decided to come here to the pros. The mark is "F-439" written in yellow under the power bulge hood on the driver's side front (pic attached). I have been able to confirm that it is not a salvage yard marking

Does anyone know what this mark means?


Here is the link to more pics of the car: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...562d762&type=1

Thanks to all for any help you can provide.
Nathan

 

I don't know, but that is one sweet looking ride! great find

 

I'm sure the F stands for the F- body!

 

Do you live in Louisiana? or does car come from there? Found something on internet saying marked where was being shipped. That was mark for Louisiana.

 

Looks like a junkyard pen. Nothing from GM that's for sure.

 

I ran F439 through the secret decoder:

Firebird
4 bbl carb
3 speed trans
9 bolt axle

 

9 bolt axle? I thought that came later on. I think the axle in 82 was a 7.5 inch 10 bolt. I have some scribble on my 82 core support that looks factory. I will take it off the lift this weekend and see if it is similar to yours.

 

I live in Pennsylvania and picked the car up about 3 months ago in Ohio. Unfortunately, the original paperwork did not come with the car so I cannot trace its lineage to any previous owners. Could it have been shipped and sold in LA?? Anything is possible. Anyone know a good way to find out this T/A's owner history?

As for the axle, I'll have to crawl underneath and see what identifiers are on it. As I understand it though - 82s did have the 10 bolt, but you never know with some of these manufacturers. All I know from working on the rear disc brakes is that its limited-slip rear diff. I'll try to post axle markings tomorrow if the weather is clear.

 

Neither my April built Van Nuys '82 Recaro T/A nor my old June built Van Nuys '82 T/A had that marking. Yours was built in May at the Van Nuys plant so its right in between. I've never seen it on any other '82 T/A either.

First year for the Borg-Warner M78 9-bolt rear axle in a Firebird was 1985.

 

I agree

 

Secret Decoder??? I love the "off-the-hip" answers that show up on this site sometimes. It's actually comical. The marking appears to be from a junkyard grease pen. The manufacturers didn't mark up body panels like this. The F43 kind of makes sense, but the 9 bolt was way out there. Try again! Can I play? My wild guess is that you add up the last three digits of the VIN and it equals "9".

 

LOL well the search I did it was also mentioned L.A. So possible. I wish I knew all my car history also. I know it sat a lot of its life. Has a little over 50 thousand on it, for a 89 thats alot of sitting.

 

its a junkyard pen...no secret code

 

I will say it doesn't look like a factory marking, but that doesn't mean it's a junkyard marking either. Could have been put there by the dealer or an oil change place for one reason or another.