1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
#1
1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
I just bought a new project on a whim when I saw a rust free firebird pop up locally on Marketplace (I live in Ohio and these are tough to come by). I used to have an 86 trans am and got hit with a little nostalgia... Anyways, this is a project and a half; it runs strong and it's structurally solid, but the body is a bit beat up, it's been rattlecanned (and badly), had the spoiler removed, and it's sitting on old Z28 wheels. While I was peeling old Deadpool stickers off of it (yes, Deadpool...) I noticed a plaque on the dash with the LE number. Looked up some of the 83 LE general info on these forums and found a few answers, but still looking for some info to help get this back to as close to looking factory as I can:
Sorry if these seem like stupid questions - It's been a longtime since I've looked at anything FBody and I appreciate the help. Thanks guys.
- I read that the LEs was mostly a graphic package. Aside from the round sail panel decals, what other trim specific decals were there? Anyone know of a vendor that sells a decal kit for this?
- I believe these were all silver/grey from I can find. The rattlecan crap show on this thing thankfully wasn't cut in, and I still have good nice silver paint in the door jams. Were these all straight silver? No stripes or hood bird?
- I understand I'm looking for a "Whaletail" spoiler that these originally had - what do those look like? Anything cosmetically similar that might be easier to track down?
- Lastly, wheels. Any direction on a wheel that would closely resemble whatever these had stock would be much appreciated.
Sorry if these seem like stupid questions - It's been a longtime since I've looked at anything FBody and I appreciate the help. Thanks guys.
#2
Senior Member
Re: 1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
Welcome to the forum! I’m not a Firebird guy, so I don’t have the answers, but send a pm to JT and he probably has some information that can help. He is a research king when it comes to Thirdgen Firebirds.
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Re: 1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
DREW has a ton of firebird info as well...
Welcome to TGO!
Welcome to TGO!
#4
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Re: 1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...0-limited.html
They vary from year to year. The basic break down is they're a typical base model Firebird with stickers and an aftermarket spoiler. They're obscure but also not especially interesting since it's basically a sticker package. I wouldn't go crazy trying to restore it to original, since it's not really going to be worth anything more than a basic Firebird.
They vary from year to year. The basic break down is they're a typical base model Firebird with stickers and an aftermarket spoiler. They're obscure but also not especially interesting since it's basically a sticker package. I wouldn't go crazy trying to restore it to original, since it's not really going to be worth anything more than a basic Firebird.
#5
Re: 1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...0-limited.html
They vary from year to year. The basic break down is they're a typical base model Firebird with stickers and an aftermarket spoiler. They're obscure but also not especially interesting since it's basically a sticker package. I wouldn't go crazy trying to restore it to original, since it's not really going to be worth anything more than a basic Firebird.
They vary from year to year. The basic break down is they're a typical base model Firebird with stickers and an aftermarket spoiler. They're obscure but also not especially interesting since it's basically a sticker package. I wouldn't go crazy trying to restore it to original, since it's not really going to be worth anything more than a basic Firebird.
Thanks Drew - much appreciated! That link had the wheels I was trying to find a reference for and it's good to know I'm not really losing value by not matching the original factory bits.
And thanks all for the warm welcome, it's nice to have another 3rd gen - been too long. Should look good beside my Foxbody Mustang when its done (I like most all of that era american sports cars).
#6
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Re: 1983 Firebird 500 LE 334 of 500 - new project some ?s
Welcome aboard. As previously stated not that special of a package. I have an 84 Firebird 500LE. It is white with dark blue graphics. While not all that special it's kinfd of neat since it's just a little bit different from all the other base model firebirds.
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