Members Firebirds Post pictures and information about your Third Gen Base, SE, Formula, Trans Am, and GTA Firebirds!

My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2016 | 08:33 PM
  #1  
pgtr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
Car: 84 Firebird: F41, Pwr, Instr Pkg
Engine: LC1 (V6 2.8L, 280k mi)
Transmission: MD8 (700R4)
Axle/Gears: GU5 (3.23)
My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

We bought it around 1985, it was about a year or so old. Other than a repaint about 7 or 8 years ago - it's basically all original.

It's got an LC1 V6 with 700R4 automatic. Extras include F41 suspension and full instrumentation - However it's not an SE. Picked up the rear spoiler for $20 and installed it when I had it repainted.

It is a daily driver currently averaging about 12k mi a year and is just shy of about 270,000 miles. Unfortunately it's long since been demoted from the garage to sitting outside pretty much year round.

It still blows cold air on hot days and the original engine and transmission and differential are still hanging in there (knock on wood!). Still gets about 24 MPG every week. For the last 10 years it's been pretty darn dependable.

Due to other projects I let it get a bit dirty over the last 6 months. Spent this afternoon washing it up at long last. Rear louvers are temporarily removed for washing (they make a big difference in the summer). Snapped a few shots while it was cleaned up and thought I'd share.






Reply
Old Mar 27, 2016 | 08:41 PM
  #2  
MY87LT's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 17
From: Southern California
Car: 1987 Camaro LT
Engine: LG4 w/ SLP headers & a 3" catback
Transmission: THM700R4 (Stock)
Axle/Gears: Stock 2.73 gears. No Posi
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Very clean and well loved car. Keep it up.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2016 | 08:44 PM
  #3  
LiquidBlue's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 246
From: Austin, TX
Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: MD8
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Nice! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2016 | 08:51 PM
  #4  
DynoDave43's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,840
Likes: 921
From: MICHIGAN
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Very nice ride. Looks fantastic for a car with over a quarter of a million miles on it.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2016 | 11:49 PM
  #5  
ThirdGen1984's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 148
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Car: 1984 F41 Camaro
Engine: LC1 V6 2.8L
Transmission: 4 Speed Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

very beautiful car, love the color.. keep in in that shape and nobody but you and the odometer will know it has that many miles
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 12:01 AM
  #6  
chazman's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,946
Likes: 644
From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Love it! Car looks incredible.

Last edited by chazman; Mar 28, 2016 at 06:41 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 06:25 PM
  #7  
Zane M's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Car: 1991 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 07:33 PM
  #8  
TylerSteez's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 99
From: CT
Car: 86 Trans Am WS6
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

good to see a thirdgen well driven and enjoyed. great condition for the mileage as well.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 09:27 PM
  #9  
asgard815's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: north east pa
Car: 1992 trans am
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: th200c
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

never see any third gens around me anymore. glad to see there still out there being driven daily.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 08:59 PM
  #10  
pgtr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
Car: 84 Firebird: F41, Pwr, Instr Pkg
Engine: LC1 (V6 2.8L, 280k mi)
Transmission: MD8 (700R4)
Axle/Gears: GU5 (3.23)
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Thanks everyone! I remember when it was new back in 1985 or 86. Looks pretty much the same except back then it had the original Goodyear Vector RWL tires and a blue stripe down the side (probably dealer installed) but otherwise pretty much the same.

I put about 250+ miles a week on it and fill it up just about every week and people often pause to chat... Most people are surprised it's been in the family all this time and also at the miles and the gas mileage. To be honest the 2.8L V6 just doesn't have much power by modern standards. It's not perfect but it's a clean, original base model with a few options to make it comfortable. People are always asking at the gas station if I want to sell it. I don't think it's worth a whole lot and no plans to sell - but it's nice to hear that. At work they call it 'Old Blue' - It's easily a decade older than anything else in the lot. Occasionally younger people want to know what kind of car it is too.

Can't recall if I posted them here or not but I have some original photos of it from circa '85/86
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 09:03 PM
  #11  
pgtr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
Car: 84 Firebird: F41, Pwr, Instr Pkg
Engine: LC1 (V6 2.8L, 280k mi)
Transmission: MD8 (700R4)
Axle/Gears: GU5 (3.23)
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Here's a few old scanned-in photos from '85 or '86 when it was first purchased - only about a year old at this point!




Last edited by pgtr; Mar 30, 2016 at 10:33 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2016 | 07:01 AM
  #12  
SolarGoldRaptor's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 2
From: France
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Engine: V8 5.0L HO (L69)
Transmission: B&W T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 limited slip
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

What's amazing is the base rims are still there ! Most people would have swapped them for fancier rims. Don't change a thing, it looks great.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2016 | 07:29 AM
  #13  
dmccain's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 811
From: South Ms
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Gorgeous car I love the color and the car just looks as it did from the factory. Wow that's nice!
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2016 | 10:55 PM
  #14  
pgtr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
Car: 84 Firebird: F41, Pwr, Instr Pkg
Engine: LC1 (V6 2.8L, 280k mi)
Transmission: MD8 (700R4)
Axle/Gears: GU5 (3.23)
Re: My All Original (almost) One-Owner '84 Firebird (aka 'Bluebird')

Thanks again

Re the 14" steel wheels: Once upon a time police intercepter tires could be had. After that General had their well regarded Altimax RTs. Last year I got what I believe to be the last set of RTs available in the OE size - they've been discontinued and few options remain. I may give Michelin a shot next time or I may have to consider some GTAs or other upsized wheels to have good tire options again. But I'm hopefully good for a couple/few years...

As I approach 300k mi - I may have to consider what to do with the engine. Could overhaul. Or could consider a newer (FI?) V6 swap. If I still have the car - I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

thx
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tpiroc
Camaros for Sale
13
Apr 24, 2016 10:53 PM
10secondhopeful
LTX and LSX
11
Mar 24, 2016 10:23 PM
camaroz1979
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
Feb 17, 2016 10:50 PM
Bddbrd86
Interior
6
Feb 12, 2016 07:58 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 AM.