Trans-am or not?
 

Ok, so next week I'm buying an 85 firebird, or at least they guy said it was an 85. Now I've looked around on here, and it says that in 85 the Trans-am was the only way to get a 305 with a 5spd. This car is all origional, but it has the low out put 305 and a 5spd, along with 4 wheel disk brakes. The guy said it has the ws6 package, but I haven't looked at the rpo codes yet. What I'm trying to figure out is if this car is a Trans-am with out the deacals, or if it is some strange custom order firebird with all the important trans-am stuff? Btw, the guy I'm buying it from is the origional owner. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

I can't speak to what you could order in 1985, but I know that later cars could have been ordered with a V8 engine and the 5 speed manual transmission.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

According to the 1985 Firebird order sheet that I have from the dealership, you could get the LG4 (low output V8) and MM5 5-speed in the Firebird, Firebird SE and Trans AM.

However, it shows the WS6 package shows Trans AM only.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

Look at the SPID sticker on the underside of the center console lid. That should tell you for sure. If it has WS6 among any of the codes on there, or WS4, you probably have a real Trans Am. The WS4 is the model code. The WS6 is as previously mentioned the suspension package that includes 4 wheel discs, also another indicator for WS6 I believe is if it has 16 inch wheels.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

The SPID should be on the inside wall of the center console. Looking for WS4 would be the best way to know if the vehicle is a Trans AM, but since the author hadn't looked at the codes yet, it is informative to know that WS6 was only available on the Trans AM in 1985 but the drivetrain was available for Firebird, SE or Trans AM. You are correct that the 16" wheels were only available on the WS6, and thus Trans AM, alteast according to the order sheet I have for 1985.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

WS6 does not include 4-wheel disc brakes. RPO code J65 indicates 4-wheel disc brakes.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

WS6, and what it includes, changed through the Third Generation years. In 1985, I believe 4-wheel disc brakes (J65) was included as part of the WS6 package. In fact, the 1985 Pontiac Order sheet I have shows it:

http://www.gtanotchback.com/misc/198...ws6package.jpg

Some time after, WS6 no longer included J65.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

Interesting.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

Yes, in 85 the WS6 included the rear disc brakes. In 86 it was optional.
Are you sure the S/E was not available with WS6?

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

According to the order sheet, which I posted the relevent section, it states "Special Performance Package (Available Trans AM Only) WS6"

I read that to conclude WS6 is available only on the Trans AM. However, I see that some have said the S/E was available with WS6. This several page order sheet for 1985 does not support S/E having the WS6 as an option. It only shows the Y99 (Rally Tuned) suspension as being available on the S/E or Trans AM.

Of course we know some publications from GM are wrong, and can change, so this is all I can go by. If someone has some documents to show otherwise, I'm sure we'd all be interested in seeing it.

Re: Trans-am or not?
 

The SPID is always the best place to look when documenting a car. Just make sure the VIN on the SPID matches the VIN on the car. It should be pretty easy to visually spot a Trans Am vs a Firebird. Look for ground effects, hood with louvers at the front and rear, and grid tail lights. It's possible the parts could have been changed, but that's usually pretty easy to spot.