Did 350 TPI (L98) cars ever come with a Manual? Were there 350s before 87?
 

The answer is no to both. There was never a factory production 350 TPI Third Gen with a manual. Not a 1LE, not a Special Edition, nothing. It was only available with the 700R4 Auto because of concerns about the T5 not being able to handle the L98's torque, especially if driven aggressively. Cost, certification, and possibly the Corvette (having to be faster at the time) were also reasons that this never happened.

So, if you think you have one, you don't! If you think you've seen one, you haven't! (stock of course ;)) There were test cars, but test cars never make it to the public and are usually destroyed regardless. Anything that says different is incorrect and misinformation. You can check if you’d like.

8th digit of VIN:

350: 8
305: F

Transmission RPO:

Auto 700R4: MXO
Manual T5: MM5

There was also never a 350 TPI F-Body before 87. There were test cars but they too never made it to the public and were destroyed. 87 was the first year for the 350 in the Third Gen F-Body and was the official model year release.

Thanks for reading. :)