I don't think it's such a crazy thought. If the records are publicly available, and you're in a position that you could do the research, it would go a long way to answering the question about how many of these 'sleeper' Formulas were produced. That being said, that's a lot of information to sort through on microfiche; I think someone on the forum said that somewhere north of 16,000 Formulas were built in 1989...?

The big question is whether the GM Archive will even allow you access to the records. If they're in the business of charging for the information, they may be reluctant to let you have free reign with it...

 

Searching through 16,000 is assuming their records separate Formulas from GTA's, Trans Am's, and base Firebird. If not, it may be impossible. At least worth asking

 

Well, the VIN (almost certainly part of the records) will at least help to narrow things down. The fifth digit in the VIN will either be an "S" (base Firebirds/Formulas) or a "W" (Trans Ams/GTA's); and the eighth digit either an "E" (5.0L TBI), "F" (5.0L TPI), or "8" (5.7L TPI).

So one would only need to pull records on all the "S" series cars with the "F" engine code, and check those for manual transmissions and factory-equipped dual converter exhausts. I'm working from memory at the moment; but I'm pretty sure the '89 base-model Firebird was not available with the "F" code engine; only the "E" code engine. So any "S" series cars with the "F" code engine should be Formulas.

Too bad the information isn't in a searchable database or spreadsheet, rather than microfiche; it would be a snap to sift through it then...

 

Their invoices are arranged by invoice number and not by VIN. So way more than 16K records.

It has been said that GM did not keep track of options on top of options. So not sure how that 42 figure could be correct for W66 with LB9, with MM5 and with N10. I have a few Sales Reports from Pontiac, based by Zone, and none of those go beyond one RPO code either and they are simply represented as percentages.

 

I have a 1989 IROC Z G92 with the L98 (BL2) 3.27 rear end. I also Have the N10 build date of 6/89.

 

AS awesome as that would be, I do not think it is out there in the public. Jim Mattison of PHS (Pontiac Historical Services) used to have the information for pontiacs thru 2007 or so, but then GM Media Archives got all persnickety and told them that he had to give back 1987+

Unfortunately GM Purged the data for F-cars about 10 years ago, so anything from 1982-1989 for the F-car was removed. Places like Compnine have a VIN search tool and they got their information From GM... I just checked to see if they had the Cavaliers in the database and they apparently purged those too for 1989... I am hopeful that eventually the data will return, but at this point I do not see it happening.

 

[QUOTE=okfoz;6017013]AS awesome as that would be, I do not think it is out there in the public. Jim Mattison of PHS (Pontiac Historical Services) used to have the information for pontiacs thru 2007 or so, but then GM Media Archives got all persnickety and told them that he had to give back 1987+

Maybe Jim kept a copy in his private stash of paperwork!! If not, isn't there a saying in the legal world "innocent until proven guilty"? I am going to claim 42 Formulas until somebody shows me proof that there were more. LOL

 

You can buy a 2nd, there is one rotting into the ground in another thread...

 

Hello again, 2nd post, I knew there was something special about this car when I first laid eyes on it. I had no idea about what the whole package was about though. Its a really fun car to drive though. I got a banging deal on it and just going to have fun with it.
Here you go;

1. 1989 Formula LB9-MM5-WS6
2. White/gray int/T-top
3. N10,
4. 06/89 build date
5. GM3(3.42 or3.45?)

Also has a steel driveshaft, no oil cooler that I can see, no codes for either one too.
But it does have the J56 brakes, N64 spare, Waiting for the PHS report too.
Is it "registry" worthy?

 

1) 1989 Iroc
2) white/black dlx
3) feb 2 build date
4) g92 3:45

 

Interesting that no N10.

 

My thoughts too, I will check my glove box also on the spid sheet

 

Thought I'd revive this since my car fits the bill:

1) 1989 IROC
2) Bright Red w/Gray Custom Cloth
3) N10 Exhaust
4) Built 1/89
5) 3.45 axle ratio

 

Just an update from my last post... I have to make some corrections to my previous comments.
As for the Formula and GTA, the comments stand that all LB9/MM5 GTA's and Formulas would have gotten the 3.45 ('89) and 3.42 ('90) gears.
Even though we are specifically talking about 89 & 90, I do want to make a clarification in 1988 there were 31 Trans Ams with the G92 Gear, all of which were LB9/MM5 cars, Also there was only ONE, yes ONE that GM has recorded 1LE Trans Am for 1988, so if someone has that car it is a one of one, according to GM archives. Furthermore there were 20 A4U Firebirds, I assume they were all T/As, and all had the G92 RPO.
Unfortunately I do not have 1987 Detailed reports to actually figure out those numbers at this time

1988 Firebirds with the MM5/MK6/GM3 (3.45 axle)
Formula: 1,047
Trans Am: 31 (Note all had G92, and ONE was 1LE)
GTA: 1,037

1989, Firebirds with the MM5/MK6/GM3 (3.45)
Formula: 1,126
Trans Am: 26 (ALL 1LE, G92)
GTA: 523

1990 Firebirds with MM5/MK6/GU6 (3.42)
Formula: 353
Trans Am: 4 (All 1LE, G92)
GTA: 123

Hope this helps.
John

 

Old thread, but I'll play along!

1) 1990 Iroc
2) (75U) Exterior Color - Brilliant Red Metallic / (19C) Cloth Interior - Black
3) (N10) Exhaust equipped
4) (Will check tomorrow)
5) (GU6) 3.42