The owner claims the car is a T/A & that it says it on the title. I haven't seen the title because it is in a box at his bank. Here are the #'s from the body tag that I have: 223679U108105 10D 55B PAINT 208 TRIM
I wasn't gonna buy one. I can't even afford one for my Bird, let alone a curiosity thing over someone elses' car. I just know that this is the place to find out. What does the D80 code mean?
As it turns out, not all of the special equipment listed became part of the RPO Trans AM package. Some ended up as separate RPO's and others as service options. The spoiler equipment was listed as a separate option (RPO D80) and referred to in the handout as auxiliary "aerodynamic" body panels. For 1969, it appeared in the Firebird brochure as optional equipment available on all Firebird models and, later in the year became a part of the Trans Am package.
SPOILER ODDITIES...
Some very early 1969 Firebirds ordered with RPO D80 Air Spoiler equipment came through with the narrower 1968 style spoiler as can be seen on the back of the 1969 Firebird dealer brochure. Therefore, if your 1969 Firebird was made very early in the model year and has a narrow spoiler, chances are that it is correct and was installed at the factory.
The strangeness of seeing the narrow spoiler on the rear deck of a 1969 car puzzled many restorers and experts, leading them to think that someone had later "added" the wrong piece and in turn would "correct" the mistake by substituting the wider piece. Unfortunately, these corrections have lead to even more confusion since it would then appear as if fewer early cars were produced with the narrow spoilers then actually were!
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
As it turns out, not all of the special equipment listed became part of the RPO Trans AM package. Some ended up as separate RPO's and others as service options. The spoiler equipment was listed as a separate option (RPO D80) and referred to in the handout as auxiliary "aerodynamic" body panels. For 1969, it appeared in the Firebird brochure as optional equipment available on all Firebird models and, later in the year became a part of the Trans Am package.
SPOILER ODDITIES...
Some very early 1969 Firebirds ordered with RPO D80 Air Spoiler equipment came through with the narrower 1968 style spoiler as can be seen on the back of the 1969 Firebird dealer brochure. Therefore, if your 1969 Firebird was made very early in the model year and has a narrow spoiler, chances are that it is correct and was installed at the factory.
The strangeness of seeing the narrow spoiler on the rear deck of a 1969 car puzzled many restorers and experts, leading them to think that someone had later "added" the wrong piece and in turn would "correct" the mistake by substituting the wider piece. Unfortunately, these corrections have lead to even more confusion since it would then appear as if fewer early cars were produced with the narrow spoilers then actually were!
It takes about 2 minutes to 'discover' if a car came from the factory with a trunk spoiler. The trunk springs are different. They aren't being reproed. The trunk springs are the 'limiting factor' of how many cars were produced with the trunk spoiler. It's a common false impression to think that there were very many 1st gen Camaros with a FACTORY trunk spoiler. There are very few.
The trunk torsion rods are reproduced. So that is no longer a valid "test".
That car was built in October 1968 in Lordstown Ohio, 6 months before Trans Ams could be ordered. That alone ensures the car is not a T/A, but it was built in the same timeframe as Jim's, mine, and Tom D's cars.
Quote:
As it turns out, not all of the special equipment listed became part of the RPO Trans AM package. Some ended up as separate RPO's and others as service options. The spoiler equipment was listed as a separate option (RPO D80) and referred to in the handout as auxiliary "aerodynamic" body panels. For 1969, it appeared in the Firebird brochure as optional equipment available on all Firebird models and, later in the year became a part of the Trans Am package.
Very interesting...is there more info available from this source?
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Why is it that we argue about D80 tags, unaccounted for T/A's or matters for the record that nobody can prove or disprove on 4 other boards, thoroughly beaten, discussed and rationed, but no finite answer could ever be established?
Why is it?
I can tell you why. Absolutely no way to prove or disprove and it makes the precipitator apperar to know something.
The 8th "T/A" does not exist.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
55B is not a T/A. The B is a vinyl or cordova top though.
55 B is the original color of my convertible; Crystal Turquoise/Black top
You're right Tom. Paint code would be 50-50, Camino White/Lucerne Blue. The top wold either be white or blue. Interior color standard or deluxe would also be blue.
Why is it that we argue about D80 tags, unaccounted for T/A's or matters for the record that nobody can prove or disprove on 4 other boards, thoroughly beaten, discussed and rationed, but no finite answer could ever be established?
Why is it?
I can tell you why. Absolutely no way to prove or disprove and it makes the precipitator apperar to know something.
We can argue about how many TA's exist but no sense arguing about a D80 tag. It either has a spoiler on the PHS or not. You can argue for a few days before the PHS comes in. To me, anyone having this information and hides it does us all an 'inservice'.
