Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

I was referred to this site because I'm looking into buying a 1982 Firebird SE. I was hoping you guys could pick the car apart for me and let me know what doesn't look right, what's missing, etc. A ballpark price estimate would be great too! The car would be a daily driver, as I already have a toy in the garage. Anyways, here's some pics and some info...

Advertised as a 1982 Firebird SE Night Rider version.
32K original miles!!!
305cid, 4 Speed Manual
Runs good. Garage kept

New parts:
Battery, Rear BF TA Radials{60's},
Halogen head lights, Edlebrock 4BRL carb

7plagues

iTrader: (1)

hmmm i looks great, but did 82s come with bird decals if so then thats been painted or something but wow thats clean! i would say buy that up and dont drive it

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

Forgot to add a couple questions...

The car lacks emblems and/or decals. Is it supposed to have any?

The hubcaps are gone. I hear those are big bucks?

The original 4bbl carb setup is gone. How does this affect the car's value?

Isn't the SE version supposed to have a rear window wiper?

Agent13

iTrader: (6)

That car is a 1982 Trans Am not a S/E. It appears that parts of the car have been repainted since I don't see the Trans Am or bird decals. It is also possible that the decals were removed. The stripes on the bottom look like the originals and not aftermarket reproduction. The spoiler is supposed to be black as well. The dash pad has been replaced with one from a later year. I don't think the carb devalues the car as stock ones are easy to find. I also see that the radio isn't original and the temp guage appears to be broken.

Anyways that looks like a very decent 1982 T/A. Infact that is personally my dream '82 T/A right there. T-Top, T-10, Red/Black with charcoal Viscount interior.

Formulabruce

The seats look SE to me.'
The car is missing rather LARGE blck wheel covers that cover much of the wheel They were availble in 14 and 15 inch and are expensive but they give the wheels the "KNIGHT" look.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

Trans Am eh. Would that make it worth more?

I was just reading through the site and read that only TA's came with the bulge hood. Thought maybe it was added. I also looked up decals, and they're relatively inexpensive.

Would the VIN number provide me with more info? It's 1G2AW87H4CN520825

Thanks for the help. I own a Chevelle and had other muscle cars, but I don't know a darn thing about 3rd gen.

Agent13

iTrader: (6)

The seats were available in all three 1982 Firebird models.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

I also read that the SE could be ordered with all the options that a TA had, excluding motor. Is it possible that the hood was special ordered?

Agent13

iTrader: (6)

1G2AW87H4CN520825

1982 Trans Am with the LG4 engine. It was made in the Norwood, Ohio plant.

W = Trans Am
H = 305 4bbl
C = 1982
N = Norwood plant

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for looking that up.

Could this car be worth $4000?

TAdan

$4000 would be a steal.

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

1)Trans Am's should have black spoiler and black mirrors if any color other than black.

2)Stripes look correct, should have a small bird at the tip of the hood, sail panel bird decals, trans am fender decals. These would also be black.

3)All Trans Am taillights should be blacked out, the taillights in the photo have a redish color for the brake lights. These don't seem to be Trans Am taillights. Look like the regular base Firebird taillights.

4)S/E's had more standard options than the Trans Am. Could be ordered with the Crossfire engines. As far as I know in '82 only the Crossfire cars had the bulge hood, any other engine got the flat hood. I could be wrong though...I don't believe there was an option code for the hood alone.

5)Car is missing the silver "Pontiac" emblem for the drivers side headlight.

6)Can't tell the color of the taillight bird, but I believe it should be silver. Only black and gold Trans Am's got the gold bird.

7)Car doesn't have the bird door emblems for the power windows, this is most likely correct though since some models didn't get them from the factory, possibly a later date.

8)Car has switches for rear defogger, however it looks like the hatch glass doesn't actually have the rear defogger elements.

9)Car has the better radio with electronic tuning

10)Temp needle is pointing at 2:00...might have a problem with the gauge or temp sender.

11)Wheels are problably correct and you are right about the hubcaps being expensive. Thank "Knight Rider" for that.

That's about all I see, anyone else have anything I missed or anything need corrected?

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

That's a very nice looking Trans Am, I would be all over it for $4000.00.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

Wow. Thanks for pointing everything out. Mostly minor stuff that can be changed or fixed, but makes me wonder why some things had to be changed on a 32k car.

Painting the spoiler black and getting the missing decals and emblem shouldn't cost that much. The missing rear defrost seems odd. Maybe the rear window was cracked or scratched? Who knows. I won't even try to get the hub caps, too rich for my blood. Also seems weird that the tail lights were replaced. Wonder if the rear was damaged.

How are the gauges set up in these cars? Are they all one unit or can they be taken out in sections? If the temp gauge is bad can that one gauge section be replaced? Looks like temp, fuel, and a couple idiot lights in the one section or gauge pod?

gcgarner

If I'm not mistaken, 82 odos only had 5 digits (well, 6 for the tenths of miles), right? Might want to run that VIN through carfax or something like it. Most 32k cars that are 24 years old don't have that much fabrication/sticker removal/etc. Maybe it's legit, but I'd check to make sure its not 132,000... or worse!

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

82 cars only had 6 digit odometer reading plus 1 tenths reading (7 total digits)

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

Volts and oil are both one gauge, and Fuel, Temp are one gauge. If one of the two gauges goes bad most likely you need to replace the whole unit. Each gauge assembly is riveted on the gauge face. You could get the unit's from GM seperate, but now it woud easier and cheaper to just find a new gauge...from junkyard or another car. Later models have Volts oil, Fuel, Temp reversed...so if you do a swap you would probably have to swap the whole cluster. The gauge might not be bad, it could be a bad sender or it's being grounded out. My temp gauge was going haywire not too long ago, it was actually spinning around like a clock and would stop in random places...turns out it was getting grounded out. Once I found it out it went back to normal.

The idiot lights varied depending on engine, but check engine, brake, fasten belts were normal. Choke on carbed cars. Volts, oil, and temp on the base models with a large fuel gauge where the tach would go.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

So this is a correct speedo/odometer?



Glad I came to this site. I want to know as much as possible before going to look at the car this weekend. It's about a 2hr drive each way, so I can't look at it multiple times. Got to be prepared. Looking the vin up on carfax or equivalent is a good idea to.

Agent13

iTrader: (6)

The speedometer is correct for 1982.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

Appreciate all the help. Especially since I'm a noob at this forum.

gcgarner

Well, looks like my T/A speedo (except it only goes to 85) ... and I'm glad it has six digits. I could have sworn they had 5 back then.

I don't know how far back Carfax reports go, but that should tell you if its had any rear-end trouble. If all the other posts are right about the rear defrosters, spoiler and tail lights, the car might have been rear-ended at some point and put back together with Firebird parts?

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

----------
Thanks for the corrections, wasn't 100% sure on some of them...however I still don't see how the radio is not the correct one. What makes it different than from the stock radio?

Also the taillights look red, maybe it's just the angle of the pic, but the taillights on my '82 are black and no matter how you look at it you can't see red...just an observation.

1of1500

I too believe the taillights are correct. It is just the angle of the picture and the lighting. I had no idea that there were any pre-90 F-body's that had 100K odometers. I wished my '84 15th anniversary car had that.

firebirdta84

iTrader: (3)

I think you're okay on the taillights...those are the smoked Trans Am taillights. My 84 T/A taillights have a reddish tint as well, but they are definately smoked. To compare, here's a set of non-smoked regular Firebird taillights from an 82:



Also, if you look closely at picture #2, it looks like you can almost make out the defroster line. Maybe that's something else though. Guess you won't know until you check it out in person.

4K is a great deal...and good luck ever finding a set of PMD's that are in better shape than those.

Incidentally, my 84 has the 100K odometer.

Joe

gcgarner

OK dude ... be sure to CHECK THIS OUT! Now, I don't know FOR SURE about 1982 models, but I saw an '84 just now on Ebay, and a guy down the road from me has an '85 (both T/As) and they BOTH have an 85 mph speedo and a 5 DIGIT odo! It seems kind of odd that they would put a 100,000k odometer in an 82, but not 84 or 85. My dad has an '86, and it has the 100,000k odo and still only goes to 85 mph., but it has a different look to it than this one. Each mph is designated between the 5s (if that makes sense). I don't know if the speedo is wrong (because other than the number of odo digits, it looks very right), but I would check it out thoroughly.
----------
Alright, I just saw that firebirdta84 said his 84 has a 100,000k odometer ... I guess the different odometers were part of a package or something. That's really strange that different cars of the same years have the exact same speedometer but some have a 100,000k odo and some have a 10,000k odo. Weird.

firebirdta84

iTrader: (3)

I retract my earlier statement about the odo on my 84. I went out and checked and, in fact, it only has five digits plus the 1/10th mile digit. I wonder why 82's had 6 digits but 84's didnt?

Joe

Mr. TurboTA

For any thirdgen Trans Am with only 32,000 miles on it, and looking that good, would be worth it in my book.
That car looks great.
I would also keep the rear spoiler that color too.
You can always get another rear spoiler real cheap, and paint it the black for car shows.
Hitting the yards, you should be able to pick up the carb setup as well, then have it rebuilt.
Caps are another story too, as they get pricey.
You gonna get it?

George

Mr. TurboTA

As for caps being $$$, don't blame it on the Knight Rider guys.
These things new, had a good chance of flying off in corners. They were pricey new from GM when they came out. People added masking tape onto the tabs, to hold them on the wheels better.
As Trans Ams got these wheels, not many owners kept them on the car! They were sh*tcanned.
Now, with the Knight Rider conversions, at least people are bringing them back. And even the original owners want them too.

George

firebirdta84

iTrader: (3)

My 84 T/A came stock with the 14 inch turbo cast "Knight Rider" wheels with caps. I have swapped them out for a set of 15's with caps as I think the car looks better with 15s than 14s.

Joe

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

I disagree...while they might have flew off in corners, as most hubcaps did on any car back in the day, if it wasn't for knight rider, people would be giving these things away. Lots of people come on here not knowing what they have or what they are worth, then someone says sell them on ebay for 500 bucks. The price can't be because they are rare...I've seen those oddball hubcaps from '84 or '85 with the slits cut in them and the thirdgen bird in the center go for 10 bucks on ebay and nobody want's them. I have never once seen these on any F-body, same thing with the base firebird hubcaps. To me these are more "rare" And when every ebay auction for firebird parts says "rare, Knight Rider Edition (FILL IN BLANK)" you can't tell me the seller is not trying to get more money for the auction by doing this, otherwise parts, wheels and hubcaps especially, wouldn't sell for the prices they do. The majority of people don't like these rims anyway, it's just the select few who want the original appearance and the Knight Rider conversions.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

Well, the car was on Ebay, but it didn't meet the reserve. I was the high bidder, but $4250 wasn't enough. I'm going to call the seller tonight to see how far off I was.

I talked to him earlier today and found out a couple more things...

Car was repainted once. He said it didn't have any rust or anything like that, but he wanted a "show" paint job at the time. No leaks, runs great, etc. Heater blower is broke. Electric locks are frozen. He said you can hear the motor trying, but he thinks they are froze from sitting too long. He also claimed that the temp gauge does work.

I did run a vin check and the mileage checked out. This guy put a little over 1000 miles on it since he's owned it. No history of wrecks or anything like that.

I'll post what he's asking for it when I find out.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

$6000!!!

I don't want to offend anyone here, but I don't think the car is worth that much! Do these cars usually sell for that much? Other than it being the first year for the new design, I don't see anything special about the car to where there would be a high demand for it. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a sharp looking car, otherwise I wouldn't of been looking into it. Oh well, thanks for helping me out with the info.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

gcgarner

I thought I saw that car the other day!!

6 grand ... that is up to you.

The car is in Butler PA, right? Where are you? I used to live in Pittsburgh.

Slick71ss

iTrader: (3)

I'm near Cleveland, OH.

The car isn't worth that much to me. Maybe it's worth it to someone who wants it as a toy or collector's piece. I was just going to use it as a daily driver.

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

Definatley not...I see a lot of third gens in worse shape selling for 5000-8000 in my area in the autotrader all the time. I always laugh because you can get a descent 3rd gen for 3000. I've seen 4th gens sell in the 5-8k range. I paid 3,000 for my '82 TA and while not perfect, I thought it was a good price. I see G-body monte carlos and grand prix's being sold for 10-15k also...some people have no idea how much a car is worth. Unless the car is a recaro or some rare option, anniversary edition, etc, it's just a run of the mill TA/Firebird and not really worth alot right now. Keep looking, you're bound to find a better deal with a car just as nice.

firebirdta84

iTrader: (3)

I had considered looking at that car too, as I live in Butler PA...however $6000 is a bit too rich for my blood right now. Nice car though.

Joe

gcgarner

What you have to consider, in my opinion, is the value of the investment. If you are going to use it as a daily driver, then you can get something for much less. However, if you are going to buy an 82 with only 32,000 miles on it, spend a little $ on it and put it up as an investment, then $6,000 is not way out of sight. I bet you could offer him 5,000 and maybe get it for 5,200-5,500. I'm sure it will be worth much more than that in the not-so-distant future.

gcgarner

And, dude, if you get that car, PLEASE put some new tires on it ASAP! That thing looks like it just made a full-pull at the local mud slingin'!

Jims82TA

Looks like a SE to me.
I have a 82 TA 'IROC' (is resting on concret) in my garage that I ordered back in early 82 and those seats where not on TA's. Spoiler is wrong color , stickers missing (repainted?) and the carb is wrong. Unless he changed some stuff around , I'd say it's an SE
I do know for sure that it is not a 'Crossfire' 82 , for all 13,037 made that year where autos.

1982TA

iTrader: (1)

What is a TA 'IROC'??? Also, I have an '82 TA and I have the exact same seats, so what do you mean that Trans Am's didn't have those seats? Most of the stuff you noticed was already pointed out, the person selling the car said it was repainted, the carb has been changed, and also the listed VIN says it's a TA. And no, it wasn't a crossfire injected model, and where did you get those numbers?? You have to be joking right?

Agent13

iTrader: (6)

Wrong! Those seats are correct for a 1982 Trans Am!

There is no such thing as a 1982 Trans Am "IROC"

Randy82WS7

wow that is one badass original factory 82 drool!

totally perfect and beautiful

yes those are the correct seats for it, heres one of mine from my 82 sitting in this room right now i just pic'd:




and is correct hood
and taillights

and so forth

all identicalto my 82 t/a cept for the color

damn thats one sharp ride

tires no, but everything else needs to be left as is

wow!

killin me over here@!


mine is light blue metallic exterior originally, and is dark blue cloth PMD interior with LG4 and power bulge hood and black GFX and spoiler and the smoked taillights

all stock factory correct also but needs new quarters and fenders and such


thats a nice clean low mile original one there, wow.

these early birds were the best ever imho


:O

1tinindian

Nice car.
Pretty close to mine

Who ever gets that car will really have something.

Leon.

gcgarner

Am I seeing this right? 1tinindian's car ALSO has a red spoiler ... any chance that some T/As came with color coded spoilers?

[edit] Nevermind ... his is an 83 ... mirrors are red, too.
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The more I look at this car, the more I like it. Maybe 6k isn't such a bad deal? Afterall, the bottom line is that its a 32,000 mile T/A that is 24 Years old!

1tinindian

Sorry about that man, but my car is NOT "Right", as far as the color of the mirrors and spoiler goes.
They should be a semi-gloss black, just like the 82s, but the spoiler was red, and peeling(showing the black underneath) when I bought the car in 1988, and the mirrors were black.
I liked the look of everything being body color, because they looked more modern, and because the current F-bodies then were painted that way, so I painted the mirrors red to match, and then when I repainted the whole car in 2001, I just stayed with the red.
Like I said, not right, just my choice.



Leon.

82 S/E WS6

S/E? never heard of one..

Jims82TA

IS RESTING ON CONCRET = IROC

I guess I should have put on a smiley face for you , but I figured that with your MASSIVE amounts of post , you'd know. My bad.
Well , with you being on the puter so much , YOU can look it up and tell everyone how many 'Crossfires' where made in 82.
Thank you so much for being so friendly. Makes me want to post here again and again! Who knows , I might be as NICE as you after 500+ posts and start pointing out users typos!
Now , watch my post number and see how often I post here and how often I return to this oh-so FRIENDLY site

Have a nice day!

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

The Tech Data on this site says differently about the CFI being available with the M4/A3, however a lot of different places on the web say otherwise.

Welcome to the site, don't take stuff so personally. On the History/Restoration board I wouldn't go around saying my car is a Iroc anything unless it is. Too many people come in here and says they have the elusive 350/5-speed, 92 350 Iroc Z28 with t-tops, etc, so people get uptight about that kinda stuff

82 S/E WS6

(Is Resting On Concrete) = IROC!

Welcome Jims82TA, I have an '82 S/E IROC, after the brake job it's back to just a '82 S/E Non-IROC

gcgarner

Hilarious. Sorry about the "assiness" of some of the guys here. I'm new, too and have experienced it first-hand. Know-it-all's are found on any car board, though. You just have to blow it off.