SBlackfoot

Hey guys, while looking for parts for my Jimmy last week I came across a factory cassette holder for the thirdgens (the one that fits in the centre console). I remember reading a while back that these were hard to come by (can't find that info now though). What years were these available? Did I waste my money? That, fout silver 'bird centre caps, and a couple of odds and ends for the Jimmy cost me $40, so the cassette holder was around $5. I don't even use any cassettes in the GTA but hey, I thought it was neat.

As a side note I was utterly disgusted when I got home and found two cassettes in the holders. Ugh... Backstreet Boys (of all things) and "funkmaster flex" (?!?!). Something tells me that mid-80s V6 base-bird I found this is in a better place now.

gearhead0384

iTrader: (7)

Pictures please.

Kevin

SBlackfoot

As requested:

I did have to rip out the little felt pad at the bottom of the front compartment. It looked pretty gross. Otherwise it's in good shape aside from a small knick on one side.

labrat

Is that actually an option, with an RPO code? Or is it something you could buy at the dealership when you bought the car, like say mud flaps.

twobirds

I just seen one of those in the junkyard about 2 days ago. If they are hard to come by I'll go back and get.
Laters,
Conrad

gearhead0384

iTrader: (7)

That is pretty cool. It screams 80s! LOL I take it was for the Firebird only considering the width of it.

Kevin

FastElectrics

I wonder if they had anything avaialble when they introduced the factory cd decks .. anything for holding the cd's....

I think my dad's camaro many many years ago had the cassette tape holder too...

razor

Yes it was an option with its own RPO code. I have it on my 89 GTA. I am on holidays right now but when I get back I can check my build sheet and post the RPO if you are still curious

SBlackfoot

Ah good, you guys had me wondering if this was actually a dealer option.

What I found interesting is that the six cassette holders are actually six seperate boxes (made by "Fischer", Germany), slid together in two groups of three. They then clip into the retainer that slips into the console.

The only thing holding me back is that this thing would suck up an awful lot of space in my centre console. Without a glove box, I need all of the storage room I can get. Ah well, I'll either give it a shot or stick it on eBay. lol

Guest

My 85 TA had one.

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

My GM Parts and Illustration book lists these for the 85-88 models. It only lists the part number not the RPO code.

I picked one up a couple of years ago at a junk yard as well for about $5 just as it's a cool accessory. Sitting on a shelf at the moment as I have a CD player in the car and the stock radio (with steering wheel controlls) is put away.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

You're right, it's pretty useless, and it takes up all the available space in the console. The ONLY reason I've kept mine is for that little change compartment in the front of it, lol. That's always full! But I'd rather have a CUP HOLDER there!

It came from the factory in the car. I spec'd and ordered my car, but I sure don't remember an RPO code for that. When I got my car and I saw that in there, I had no idea why or how it got there, lol. I always assumed it came with cars with cassette players as part of the stereo system options.

But... when I spec'd the order, I checked every unusual little thing, lol. So I guess it's possible that it had an RPO, and I just don't remember it.

And I can't check my RPOs cause a "mechanic" un-stuck it from my console years ago to order something, and I can't find it anywhere. So I suspect it got tossed out with a pile of papers.

Oh, and that little change compartment is also a great place to store the little screws that fall out of the interior when I have no idea where they came from, LOL!

Drew

iTrader: (58)

My 86 T/A has the rpo code for it, but its long gone. I've seen several for sale, and usually I'm all for having all the stock parts for the car laying around. But between the way it takes up the entire console glovebox, and the fact that I don't listen to cassettes, its not somethign I'd ever spend money on.

labrat

So thats an option for Firebirds only? Not Camaro's?

Not that I would want one, I've gone to CD's, it's just that stuff like that is cool to have

350 TPI

iTrader: (2)

My old Recaro equipped 86 T/A had one also.I still have it but the car is long gone

razor

Well the RPO on my build sheet is B67. As I stated before my car is not an 85-88 but rather an 89 GTA. I think the book could be a little off.

GTADave

They were available from 1985 to half way through 1989. Standard on the GTA.

Dave

Mr. TurboTA

But not the 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am!
I picked one from a GTA there on the dealers showroom floor! The salesman let me grab it!

Later,

George

GTADave

George,
Actually my 20th Trans Am, ol' #90 which has a Pontiac build date of Dec 1988 and a PAS build date of Jan 1989, has the cassette holder, which has been in it since it was new. It also has the code of B67.

Dave

Mr. TurboTA

Hi Dave!
Back (like around 1990) when I was thinking about buying another 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am, I called on a hardtop car.
It belonged to Scott Kelly, of PAS. He is the first one who told me my car number. And that all the cars got assemblies mixed up. Drivetrain, build number, engine assembly, etc.
We must have chatted for a good 2 hours or so.
I asked him why the car didn't come with the cassette holder. He told me that it was not in any of the 20ths! They were trying to have things that wouldn't get lost in the showrooms, in transport, or at the factory.
I have gone by his word ever since.
So, is the holder listed on the build sheet, or the invoice?

Later,

George

GTADave

George,
It is listed on the option list inside the console. I have the build sheets from Pontiac and PAS at home and can look tonight.

I did look at my Hardtop TTA (#1456) and it did not have the option listed or the holder installed. But I did have the one I bought back in 1985 for my 85 T/A and am now using it.

Dave

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

George, Dave,

Mine does not have the B67 code listed. According to my books GM only used the cassette holder up until 88 (from 85). So could be Dave that your's is so early built (by GM not PAS) that they still had some around and put them in the cars until they ran out of them. I know mine is a later car (don't have it infront of me at the moment but could be very early 1989).

jlarsson

iTrader: (5)

Hey George, so you known Scott for 14 years. Wow I would like to know him as well. I also heard you know Jeff. Bet you got all the inside stories about our cars right!


---------------
1989 Turbo Trans Am #1078 of 1550 (1 of 4 on UK)
1984 Firebird 86 Interior, 87 305. 1 of a kind in Sweden

Mr. TurboTA

Hi Jan!
I had talked with Scott years ago. I haven't kept in touch with him since PAS dissovled.
Now Jeff, I just met a few years ago! He was real nice, but in a hurry to talk with the GM execs about the SS truck wheels (i guess that's his new line of work).
Too bad I didn't have my car there when I met him! I would have him sign my car too!!!
I did get some stories from Scott though.
Next time you visit, I'll tell ya about it!

Have a good one,

George

GTADave

George,
I also checked my Pontiac build sheet (not the PAS version) and it shows the code of B67 on for the cassette holder.

So I guess Scott forgot about some of the early production cars.

Dave

Mr. TurboTA

Hi Dave!
You know, alot of people may not have been aware of that fact!
As the early cars were all sent to Indy, and released for public sale way after the race.
Pontiac West Coast Zone Public Relations Office told me that I got the first one released! April 1st, 1989!
I don't know about that fact either, but that's what Carl Schaeffer(spelling may be off, I know-sorry) told me on the phone way back when!
The car went straight from Van Nuys to West Los Angeles! I drove it home within 2 hours of it hitting the dealer lot!
I had told Scott Kelly about me taking the cassette holder out of a GTA on the dealer showroon floor, and he laughed! He thought that was great!
To be honest, I'm not sure that anyone from PAS even looked inside the console! Maybe they didn't even know!
Cool that yours came with it, and has it listed on your RPO code sticker!
Gee..........do I see another breakdown on this option?
I don't see it listed on the option list from the Pontiac 20th TTA Bulletin that was to be inserted into the Product Book!
I wonder if all the festival cars got one.

George

GTADave

Well I found the "Car Distribution Bulletin" from Pontiac on this issue. The Bulletin is number "89-F-7" and it is dated February 22, 1989.

It states:

"EFFECIVE WITH THE PRODUCTION OF FEBRUARY 13, 1989, THE CASSETTE HOLDER, WHICH WAS INCLUDED WITH CASSETTE RADIOS, HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THERFORE, ALL FIREBIRDS BUILT WITH CASSETTE RADIOS FEBREUARY 13, 1989 AND THERAFTER ARE BEING PRODUCED LESS THE CASETTE HOLDER."

George,
I am guessing your car was built by Pontiac after the February 12, 1989. My Festival car was built in December.

- Dave

Rob P

iTrader: (1)

Though it may not be that desireable or needed these days, I'd put it on a shelf and hold it. Just think in 20 years when someone is restoring a Firebird to original condition and needs a factory cassette holder to complete the restoration! Think how expensive original tissue holds and dashboard signal light prisms have become on 55-57 chevys.

SBlackfoot

It's been a while since I started a thread with so many replies. lol

I visited my GTA before work yesterday afternoon. Wow that console looks awfully small. I'll probably try the cassette holder just for kicks, but it probably won't be in for long. Underneath this thing might be a good place to hide some spare cash or something though.