Okay. Please somebody tell me they have a clue about this. I went to my Pontiac guy to order a new armrest for the driver side door, and he tells me there's 2 different versions for 1990 depending on my VIN. The ones with the later VIN(like mine) have been discontinued.

So..I tried Classic Industries and Year One and they tell me the same thing. What gives? I though all 85-92 armrests were the same. Will the earlier one fit anyway? Whats the difference?

arrrrrgh(sorry venting)

 

Well, I'm assuming that you're not talking about GTA armrests being one of the 2 styles.

Some were all 1 smooth looking piece, and one had that line running up the side. I'm assuming this is what was being refered to, but maybe there is something else? I'm not sure as to what styles were offered in what years though. My 89 Iroc has the "smooth" style.

Assuming I'm correct, the 2 styles are interchangeable.

 

No, but I'm pretty sure in 90, the door panels for all Firebirds are the same. The one in my car looks exactly like the one I had in my 85 TA.

Both versions will probably fit, but I just dont want to order it and find out that it doesn't.

 

OK, I'll say this. I'm 99% sure they both fit. Take that for what you will.

 

I believe that I can clarify. There are three door panels for the cars in question. The basic 82-92 plain style. This has the more squared off armrest that has the line on it. Then there is the same door panel with pockets at the base near the kick panels. The third is the GTA style delux door panel. This is a formed panel and looks nothing like the other kind. It has the smooth more ergonomic armrest. The way the door panel is shaped prevents the older squared off armrest with the line to fit this panel. If it does fit ( I have never tried ) it will look like crap. You need the appropriate armrest for the approprate door panel. I have though about going with the standard door panel as I can not find the delux GTA style one anywhere. I can't find reproductions or any NOS stock. I can not find them reconditioned.
Now I haven't seen the inside of a GTA ever so I have only ever seen the delux door panel on two cars. My car and one I saw that was similar at the junk yard. Kind of long response to your post but I hope this clears things up.

 

I hear what you're saying, but by 1990(the year they revamped the Firebird interior) all door panels were the same. The armrest in my car is all smooth with no accent lines. I'm assuming the earlier one maybe had the accent lines. I'm also assuming that the late 90-92 armrest are the same.

Has anybody with a 90-92 Bird replaced there armrests recently?

 

ALL THE ARMRESTS WILL FIT.


They all use the same holes to bolt up.

They are very similar. Just a little more rounded on the new ones.

 

Dude there is a third armrest you are overlooking. And it seems like he may have that kind. I would post a pic of it if I had one. If I had a digital camera I would take the shot. I have the third type in my car and it doesn't look like either of those.

 

I know. Mine looks like neither. It is completely smooth with no identations. I know the other ones will fit, I just want it to match my passenger side.

 

Well the back part of my armrests have a curve to them. So I don't think the square one's would work. If you have the same door panels I do you may have some real problems. I have only seen one other car with the door panels and armrests I have. The car was beat to hell and back. Nothing was salvageable that I could find. There are no NOS panels around that I have found and no one makes reproductions of those panels that I am aware of. They are the standard ones in the Pontiac GTA cars. I have a pic of them but you can't see the back of the armrest from it. But you might be able to get the idea.

 

Oh...you have the GTA ones. Thats totally different. They stopped using those in 88 or 89. The one in that second picture above looks like its from a Camaro. I just need to find one for a 91-92 Firebird, but they're discontinued nobody's making them yet.

 

Yes I have the GTA ones and I love the look. Mine are nasty and need to be redone. However I can't find any in good shape. Nor can I find any NOS parts or reproductions. I really don't want to change to the other kind but I am beginning to think I am going to have to. My car is not a GTA but it has alot of the GTA options. I would like to keep it that way.