I love the look of the GTA door panels. Did you have to buy a GTA to get them? When did they start? If available on a Formula or T/A, what is the RPO code for it?

 

Not sure what the RPO is, but my 88 TA has "GTA" door panels. As far as I knew, after a certain point the TAs received the "GTA" door panels...

Kinda like how a WS6 TA has "GTA wheels" from '88+. Some things that are credited specifically to GTAs probably shouldn't be...

 

I have a 91 T/A with the plain panel.
I have seen the GTA panels in T/A's and once on a Formula.
Could you really order them on a Formula?

 

I just looked at the codes on an 88 GTA, and RPO code BC8 is described as: "ORNAMENTATION, INTERIOR, FRONT DOOR MAP POCKET, RH AND LH DR MAP POCKET".

Sounds like the door panels to me.

 

I looked up BC8 on a build sheet for a 1988 GTA and it only states "pocket".

However, there was versions of this door panel without the map pockets. Some 1987 GTAs, especially that had crank windows, had these door panels without the map pockets. In fact, a 1987 Trans AM that was discussed here on the site has these door panels without the map pockets as well (yet it does have power windows) and it's missing BC8 on the SPID.

So BC8 does not appear to determine those door panels from the base door panels, but instead, if they have the included map pocket or not.

The door panels being discussed were available on the Trans AM and Formula. I believe 1987-1989. After that, the door panels then featured cup holders.

This is the door panel, minus the map pocket, which doesn't have the BC8 RPO code:

 

That's the panel I love. Also in that picture, is the odd shaped plastic that has the door release and power buttons. Now the plain panels had that thing in a plain jane rectangle shape. But I think in 90 and up, any and all panels had the odd shaped one. Am I right?

 

I have a NOS set of those (NIB) with the correct used arm rests and metal brackets.
PM me if anyone is interested.

 

Looks like BC8 was standard after '87 on the GTA's while T/A's and Formulas had it optional from '87-'89. Too bad GM got rid of these door panels in '90 though. IMO, they look a lot better than the cheap flat style door panels with separate arm rest from '90-'92.

 

Ive seen these deluxe door panels on a base model firebird

 

I'm thinking that fancy door panel was not available an a base Firebird.

 

There is a base model V6 Firebird in the salvage yard here with the molded door panels.

 

The bad thing about these panels is once the fabric deteriorates there's pretty much no way to fix them, at least not that I've seen.

 

I had that exact door panel on my '87 formula. Always assumed it was part of the "deluxe" interior package. I had read on the old TGO this deluxe setup also came with pockets on the backs of the seats but never could confirm that.

 

The deluxe seat bottoms were different too. The base seats had the stitching(lines) running the across the full bottom, whereas the deluxe seats only had the lines running half way.

Hope that makes sense. LOL

 

My base V6 has those door panels factory (I would assume as all of the right parts are there and were riveted to the door shells, which were original and there were no signs of tampering with the rivets). No, I don't have an RPO code sheet.

Saw what was either another base Bird or Formula in the junkyard a while back with the dealer-installed sunroof, manual windows (manual pretty much everything, had an idiot light cluster and no A/C), and the GTA-style door panels (and I don't think it had the pockets as I think the window cranks were there instead). Only one door and only one door panel, though. And I would assume the door was original to the car being as it was painted and striped the same. Don't recall seeing a VIN sticker anywhere, but it was an 87 with the HMSL under the spoiler (both of which I snagged). And the VIN couldn't be read through the messed-up windshield. I would assume these were optional, seeing as the J/Y car had literally NO options other than the door panels and sunroof (yes, I assume it was dealer-installed as it looked identical to one I've seen in the owner's manual for another 87 year car, non-F-body, we used to have). The car got crushed about 4 years ago now.

 

Yeah, it seems the fabric is hot pressed into the vinyl along the edges. I have a small area on the driver's panel that has lifted slightly. Don't know how I'd gain access underneath in order to re-glue it. I thought about cutting a small hole or slit in the fabric to gain access, but I don't want to make it worse.

 

These?

 

No, they're pleated fabric pockets on the standard style seat backs.

 

In 1987 the Door panels came on all Firebirds (Base, Formula, GTA or T/A) with the Custom interior and the Deluxe (Ultima) interior. Since in 1987 the door panels were part of the Custom interior and the Custom interior was available on the Firebird and Formula that would be the first and only year that you could get it on those models.

In 1988 & 1989 they were only available on the Trans Am and GTA only. I also believe that they were only available on the Ultima (Deluxe) seat.. I do not remember if they came on any car in 1990, I know 1991 it was NA for sure.