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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Haven't been on here in a bit since I sold the VHO.
I found the below pic that I thought I'd share. It was taken in May of 1986 just prior to my buddy Kevin's graduation.
My car is the Black 86 IROC-Z, 305TPI, maybe 6 months old, with rear window louvers LOL.
My buddy's car is the Burgundy 85 Trans Am with carb 305, a little over a year old. He still has this car today although it needs further restoration.
Anyway, hope you enjoy a blast from the past and a picture of how they looked then.
I picked mine up on Thursday April 16, 1987 so this was probably taken on the 18th. The second picture was taken some time that summer down near Charlestown, RI. I'm driving, my BIL at the time Franko was riding shotgun. Franko is no longer with us but the car is back.
This was my first new car...1991 RS, 305, 5 spd, a/c, cassette, 16" wheels, rear defogger, and not too much else. A photo at the GM Tech Center, outside Chevrolet Central Office (by then renamed World Headquarters).
This was my first new car...1991 RS, 305, 5 spd, a/c, cassette, 16" wheels, rear defogger, and not too much else. A photo at the GM Tech Center, outside Chevrolet Central Office (by then renamed World Headquarters).
That's the 3rd or 4th time I've seen that picture of THAT car with You and Franko! So that's YOUR CAR!!!!! I'll be darn! Always liked that pic Chris!!
Yep, that's me & my car - doing things 24 y.o.'s (& 20 y.o.'s) shouldn't be doing with brand new cars! I just realized neither of us were wearing seat belts at the time - remember those days?
Here's my first car. A 1983 Z28, LG4 5 speed in 1985. My parking spot at the house was on the side yard.
I had my license 10 days and the blue car was totaled by an 18 wheeler, and was replaced with this 1982 CFI Z28 that had power everything, custom carpet interior, locking rear hatch cover, etc.
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Flashback to When they were Fresh
Originally Posted by scottmoyer
Here's my first car. A 1983 Z28, LG4 5 speed in 1985. My parking spot at the house was on the side yard.
I had my license 10 days and the blue car was totaled by an 18 wheeler, and was replaced with this 1982 CFI Z28 that had power everything, custom carpet interior, locking rear hatch cover, etc.
there are many young people on here that have bought these cars used. they are not normally in the history section as we are the main ones who know the history and like to talk about it.
These were taken in 1983, 1982 Z-28 4 speed. It was my hubby's car(bf at the time-lol), he bought it new in late 1982, early 1983. When we met he had just gotten the car, he taught me to drive stick with this car. Back then, he was working shifts and when he was on afternoons, he would leave me the car. I would cruise all over town with the tops out. Man that was fun! Unfortunately, he sold it a few years later. Life got in the way and around 2009, we got back into third gens. He has always wanted to find one just like this, but so far, no luck. Came close a few times. So yeah, we are "older", but don't really have that mentality yet, still having fun!
My parent's 85 TA. Taken sometime in 85.
The car is my mother's car, my Father's MG can be seen in the back.
Veaceonee.....VERY SHARP!!!!! I looked at one on the showroom floor like "your PARENTS!!!!" Ordered a Bright Blue Metallic WS6 instead. I gotta go, it's time for my warm milk! Damn, the memories!!!!!!!!!
there are many young people on here that have bought these cars used. they are not normally in the history section as we are the main ones who know the history and like to talk about it.
I am 26 years old and I find this thread fascinating. Most of my posts on Thirdgen are here in the History / Originality section. I've gone to lengths most other people my age wouldn't go to dig up original documentation about my car and have "un-modified" minor items on my car to return it to what it would have looked like new, to the best of my ability.
Call me old at heart I guess. A clapped out eldelbrock Thirdgen doesn't appeal to me. I would have loved to have bought one of these new and be in your shoes.
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: Flashback to When they were Fresh
Originally Posted by bjpotter
In a couple of months I turn 54. Its funny, when these cars were sold new, I wasn't much interested in them. Now I wouldn't be without one.
I remember the Choir director at my high school had a GTA, and my friends were said, "Mr (I forgot his name) has a GTA!! Cool!"... . I was clueless, a What? Honestly I had no idea that there was a Formula until 1994... Just never paid it no mind... I just knew there was some 80's firebirds I really liked more than others, and it took me a long time to realize it was the Formula that I liked so much...
I bought mine Aug 12 '89. First road trip was to Road America from Mpls for a CART race (really loved that series) wishing one day I could drive it on the track. In Dec., I drove out to CA and drove up and down HWY 1 with my new car (bro. lived in Santa Barbara and bf in San Rafael). What an adolescent dream come true - wait a minute, even an adult dream!
These pics my car is 4 mos. old above SB.
Then drove up Big Sur to SF, then up to the Avenue of the Giants and drove my new car into a tree (had to pull tight to driver so my bro could get out of the car and take the pic).
I am 26 years old and I find this thread fascinating. Most of my posts on Thirdgen are here in the History / Originality section. I've gone to lengths most other people my age wouldn't go to dig up original documentation about my car and have "un-modified" minor items on my car to return it to what it would have looked like new, to the best of my ability.
Call me old at heart I guess. A clapped out eldelbrock Thirdgen doesn't appeal to me. I would have loved to have bought one of these new and be in your shoes.
The excitement of ordering one from the factory is something I will never forget. filling out a order sheet. the only thing my dad was concerned about was that I didn't get the 'tuned port'. I could check any options I wanted. It was an 85 sheet but when it showed up was an 86. I remember feeling sad about the 3rd break light stuck up on the rear glass and sad that the aero wing I saw on an 85 in a magazine was standard. I had never seen the wing in real life as none of them came with it (except some on this board I have seen) and wanted it badly to be a wow... then they all had them...grr..
I asked them to remove the "tape" above the ground effects (you can see those on this bird)
and then it looked like this:
I had the baddest TA around columbus. period.
then the GTAs came out and copied my "look" by getting rid of the stripe.
For a short time I had one that looked like none other and I was on top of the world as a senior in HS pulling off the t-tops and driving away and getting some rubber on the way out (was hard to do without TPI) - power braking... sigh..
"The excitement of ordering one from the factory is something I will never forget."
And I remember that like it was yesterday! Going into Premier Pontiac in Little Rock, Arkansas and ordering my 1985 Bright Blue Metallic WS6 WITH the non painted Dimpled Aero Wing. My Commander in the Air Force thought me and my roommate were doing drugs!! He had just bought an 85 Black/Silver IROC, MM5. Damn fun times!!!!!!!!!
"The excitement of ordering one from the factory is something I will never forget."
And I remember that like it was yesterday! Going into Premier Pontiac in Little Rock, Arkansas and ordering my 1985 Bright Blue Metallic WS6 WITH the non painted Dimpled Aero Wing. My Commander in the Air Force thought me and my roommate were doing drugs!! He had just bought an 85 Black/Silver IROC, MM5. Damn fun times!!!!!!!!!
Actually it was more exciting when I got the VIN in the mail and kept watching the lot..every day... and seeing my baby all covered in that protective spray they used and sitting there ready to be prepped the next day... that next day I was at school and it was the longest day ever... lol could not wait to get back to the dealership.. seeing it in the garage getting prepped was more than I could bear.. then driving it all evening (middle of school week) and having it over heat since the fan was not connected right and stopped.. had it towed in.. ahh...memories!
Good times for sure - I ordered mine on a Saturday then went home & studied the brochure and the order sheets they gave me. I called on Monday first thing and told them to hold it - Tuesday I went back in and ordered more options - that's when my car got the G92 performance gears!
Good times for sure - I ordered mine on a Saturday then went home & studied the brochure and the order sheets they gave me. I called on Monday first thing and told them to hold it - Tuesday I went back in and ordered more options - that's when my car got the G92 performance gears!
Nice Those are not the order sheets I am referring to. They were checkboxes that the dealer filled out straight from GM. Pink I believe. I just remember taking it home and mulling it over. I remember seeing the option for the hood chicken and asking how much.. I had never seen the new ones at that point and heard it was a 800$ option for a sticker.. no way..lol