I believe the wrap around spoiler was offered from 1985-1990 right?

Did all formulas (305 and 350) come with the wrap around spoiler stock? Does anyone have definitive proof?

 

I kind-of wonder this myself. I was under the impression that it was standard on the Formula, starting when the model was re-introduced in 1987 (the spoiler was available as an option on the '85 Trans Am, then standard in '86), but I know I've seen some Formulas with the base-model spoiler (the one that looks like a plank on a couple mounting struts).

Mine came with it from the factory, and I'm pretty sure I read about this specific styling feature mentioned in the '89 Pontiac sales brochure. I started speculating that maybe only the WS6 Formulas came with the wrap-around wing, but I haven't anything concrete with which to support that theory.

 

I'm almost certain it was standard,it didn't matter if it was a 305 or 350

 

Pretty sure it was standard on both the T/A and the Formula.

 

For the Formula, the wrap around spoiler, power bulge hood, and 16 wheels were standard, that plus WS6 is what makes it a Formula vs just a base model. Engine, rather LG4, LO3, LB9 and L98 had no bearing on the spoiler, hood, or wheels.

Here is some proof:

https://www.thirdgen.org/1987-pontiac-firebird

Also, from the GTA source page:

MODEL OPTIONS

W66 Formula Option (Firebird Only).......................................................... 1070

( Consists Of LG4 5.0L Engine, QDZ Tires, N96 Hi-Tech Turbo

Wheels, WS6 Performance Package, U21 Gauge Cluster, Rear

Aero Wing Spoiler, and Formula Exterior Ornamentation)

http://www.gtasourcepage.com/87optionspriceinfo.html

 

That was all my impression as well; but I know I've seen Formulas with what looks like the base-model rims and spoiler. Or maybe they were just base-model Firebirds that someone dressed up to look like a Formula (swap out the hood, slap on some decals, and voila: Firebird 'Formula')...?

 

Also, what can happen is they swap their rubber spoiler that is falling apart for a base model spoiler that isn't. For the rims, I wouldn't be shocked to find people swapping their 16" rims for 15" to save a few bucks on tires.

As you basically point out, you can't go by what you see out and about in the real world... I have a 1989 V-6 base model with ground effects, white 16" PW7 rims and a 1986 hatch with the black rubber wrap around spoiler.

 

Both very good points. I'd momentarily forgotten that a lot of the OEM wrap-around spoilers split beyond repair; so far, I've been pretty lucky with mine...

 

Wrap around spoiler
85 - Optional on Trans Am only (BLACK)
86 - Standard on Trans Am only (Deletable) (BLACK)
87 - 90 Standard on TA Formula & GTA all body color

John

 

Was it REALLY an option in 85, or just on the list like the l98 in '86?
I've never seen even a pic of an 85 with wraparound.

 

I stand by my statement... I think I have seen one... IIRC it is also listed in the Illustration & Parts catalogs. as an option

 

This is a Pontiac sales brochure from 1986 it lists the wrap around spoiler as standard for TAs.I also have never seen a 85 TA w/one,maybe I did and thought it was a 86.But I have read that the 85s were an option,I just can't find were I read it.

Sorry for the bad pic

 

Not Definitive, but the 1985 Pontiac Dealer Brochures shows a picture of one... Now I suppose you have "seen" one...

 

The Dealer Order worksheet only shows the D80 Spoiler as an option... However the one that I have is the "First Printing"

John

 

Hey Okfoz, I'm not debating your expertise, but even you admit you can't be sure you have actually seen one. Weren't there other items occasionally listed in the catalog that didn't actually materialize until later?
The info section of this site does say it came out in 86.
Has anyone actually seen or had an 85 with the wrap? I'm not trying to be contrary, I'm just always on the lookout for things that would be rare on a given year to make the car a little more special.

 

You are fine, I just do not have time right now to really research it as well as I probably could... Although what I have posted is virtually meaningless as the dealer brochure is a picture of an 85 with the spoiler (technically it is probably an 84 made to look like an 85)... And the fact that the Dealer brochure nor the Dealer order sheet (first printing) do not show it, is not looking good to it. Another thing is the fact that so many of these may have been replaced with the standard wing as they tended to split...

 

I found some info on the wraparound spoilers,checkout 1985 and 1986.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-g...ntiac_Firebird

 

Can't get the link to work, what is it?
Just a note on my personal experience. I have parted more than a dozen firebirds in the last 2 years. For some reason 5 of them were 85 TAs. All of them had original hatch with the straight wing, same with a few other 85s I looked at but didn't buy. It must be pretty rare at least.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-g...ntiac_Firebird

 

Not sure that Wikipedia should be linked to as far as a good source of data when discussing things on Thirdgen...

 

http://www.kt-s.net/media/1982-1992_...ember_1992.pdf
If you download this PDF,it will show you that the D81 Wraparound spoiler was available for 1985 and 1986.this is a parts illustration catalog for the F-BODY.

 

Is their a reason why????

 

The 1985 Firebird dealer manual references the aero spoiler on the Trans Am:


Additionally, here is a bad picture of an SPID for a 1985 T/A. You can see the F in the 10th digit of the VIN indicating 1985 model year (1G2FW87F3F) along with the D81 RPO (aero wing).



An outside picture:

 

Nice find JT.

 

It is interesting that you located this fact about the D81 aero spoiler on the 85 trans am. Jt has also found information stating that the D81 aero spoiler was available as an option over the regular spoiler that year. Was the regular Trans Am spoiler's RPO a D80 in 1985?

I'm only asking this because I have been having a discussion about the 1988 Camaro sport coupe on another thread that also had a special spoiler at the beginning of that year that had a RPO D81 aero spoiler in an ornamentation package. It was different than the conventional D80 spoiler on camaros of the same year.

 

According to the 1985 literature, D80 was the standard rear spoiler on the 1985 Trans Am. It shows D81 (aero) as "A" for "available" on the 1985 Trans Am.

 

Thanks JT, that is the answer that I thought somebody would respond with. I also have the SPID in my 1988 CamaroSC that has the D81 aero spoiler RPO to back it up that it has unusual options only available in 1988, the last year for the Sport Coupe.

 

thanks JT, now we know they really did put one on a couple cars.
Considering the poor durability of these wings, an 85 with its original wrap must be super rare! It would also be a unique hatch with the wrap mounts and no third brake light.

I just parted an 88 camaro sc with that d81 wing option. It was really light but it looks really dumb.

 

At one point Wikipedia said that Thirdgens were available with a 400 ci motor.

If you need more of an explanation then that I will be happy to provide it.

 

When you said that it actually triggered that I saw what I believe was a 1985 with the D81 spoiler the other day. I pointed it out to my wife as far as what year it was because it had the wrap around spoiler but no third brake light. If I would of though of this discussion I would have followed him into the grocery store parking lot.

 

on a Trans Am, yes. there was no Formula until 87. my buddy's 85 TA had a wrap around spoiler.

 

On a side note, if anyone has any hesitations about getting rid of their original wrap-around for a Hawks fiberglass repro, I can tell you...don't even bother wasting your time or effort worrying. Just get one. I put one on my 86 before its respray, and it looked incredible. The shop even managed to somewhat reproduce the 85-86-specific textured finish...

 

 

Wellllllll... wiki might be kinda right, in a round about way.. Mecham offered a 400ci conversion, kind of like the Yenko's of era past, they would buy stock car, and install another engine... I have never seen one, but it was offered at least for a short period. I would be interested to see where wikipedia mentions it to get context, but theoretically one could say you could buy a brand new 1983 Trans Am with a 400 in a round about not really but kind of a way... I know it really does not count for real production, but it was noteworthy.

 

Dido on that wrap around spoiler... My original spoiler was perfect in 1997, by 2002 it was trashed... Car was stored inside and everything over the winter, didn't drive in the rain and it just split... Hawks spoiler really made a huge difference... Hawks is the closest you can get to being perfect...

John

 

The Wikipedia entry for Thirdgens has changed a lot since then, but it was listed right in with all the other factory engines with no * or note it say it was a boutique motor. If we are talking non-GM installed motors we'd have to add an all aluminum 366 in there too, as I recall a couple Firehawks came from SLP with that engine.

 

in the Wikipedia link that I posted http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...497219744063.I only posted it for the wraparound spoiler info.in witch the info is correct,but Iv'e looked at it again and it doesn't mention anything about a 400ci.engine.Maybe their is another link that has that but not this one.

 

It doesn't matter WHAT information it was posted for.

Please, put a reference to Wikipedia in a college paper and see how that goes for you. When talking about the history of these cars I believe that same standard should apply for this site.

 

What part of that link is wrong!!!please show me.

 

Absolutely nothing about that link is wrong (I didn't even look at the link, honestly, that isn't the point!!), however referencing Wikipedia in a discussion like this IS wrong.

P.S. - Even Wikipedia doesn't think your referenced article is up to it's standards:

"This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. Please clean it up to conform to a higher standard of quality, and to make it neutral in tone. (January 2010)"

 

AmorgetRS is absolutely correct in this matter, Wikipedia is a website that someone could simply delete all data and say that the gas pedals were made from molded dog crap.. Oddly enough someone would probably believe it, just like they believe our elected politicians. Wiki's in general are about 90% - 95% correct, however 5%-10% correct is really not great. Good for general information, not great for research and reliability. My point was simply to point out that the 400 information could be misconstrued as an aftermarket company did install them as an option, so it could be in there under that guise. That is why I wanted the context...

Wiki's are kind of like a dart board, typically only the experts can hit the bulls-eye every time, but for the rest of us, we are happy if we just come close.

 

Gotcha!!!