Does anyone for certain what the first days of 1982 Firebird/Camaro production were at the Van Nuys and Norwood assembly plants?

For Norwood, I believe it was sometime in November 1981, but I'm looking for the actual date. Same with Van Nuys.

Thanks!

 

I have always thought October 26, 1981 was the first day of production,but where I came across that date I do not remember. I'm thinking I was in a book or a road test.

 

Thanks, Frankie.

If you happen across where you found it, please let me know.

 

Rocky,

You working on another article?

 

From Michael Lamm's book, "Camaro, The Third Generation", Van Nuys production began on October 12, 1981 and Norwood production started on October 26th.

 

Is it safe to "assume" that Firebird production began on the same dates?

Van Nuys 33rd Anniversary in two days!

 

Probably safe to say production began on the same day for both, just a matter of nailing down what shift produced which car. It is said in the book the first ones produced were sent to the various GM divisions for durability testing, emissions certification, GM and ad agency photo-ops, as well as export models for overseas divisions to modify for their local markets.

The book is a wealth of knowledge - GM was expecting to pair the LU5 with a 4-speed manual for the 1982 mid-year, as well as future mods including a 5-speed manual and a split 50-50 seatback for more versatile loading of the cargo area. Guess the recession iced those plans at the time.

 

I've read that T/As and Firebirds didn't hit the ground until Jan 14, 1982.


Link where I read it.
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/TransAmTimeLine.html

 

I remember seeing the first 3rd Gens I ever saw in Las Vegas on New Years Eve 1981. Red, blue, and white models if I recall correctly.

 

From what I always heard according to interviews with Glen Larson (The producer of Knight Rider), he liked the look of the new 82 Pontiac Trans Am so much that Universal Studios called GM and they gave them the first 2 off the assembly line to use in the show. Don't know which assembly plant they came from though

 

Hello, Phil.

I'm actually working on a book project on 1967-1981 Firebirds. That got me thinking about the first says of 1982 production.

 

Had a BASE 1982 trans am,Van Nuys build,(Hardtop,LG4,Stripped down base interior) years ago with vin 5006XX,Cowl data plate had a Nov 81 build date !!!

To this day I REALLY regret selling that early production car


Dave

 

The dates provided by Lamm are correct.

Norwood plant had to rebuild its lines from Body Drop to TOVEYOR prior to the start of 1982 production.