Topic: Data Plate

[ggile]

I'm a Pontiac guy but am new to the Trans Am's so bear with me. I'm trying to decode this data plate and hoping someone can help. First off, the VIN # is 2W87K8L181842 which i decode as a 78 TA with the 403 which is how the car is but the cowl data has me wondering.
78 2FS87  L  279713  (Shouldn't there be a W instead of S ?)
24N   A51W24LW24U  (What are these W's for ?)
6C  U - -  200415  (Shouldn't there be a WS4 instead of - - ?)
I was told the car was all original but now wonder if it's a real TA or just a clone.
Thanks !
Greg

[ta78w72]

All those W's by your paint code color mean your car was painted with a water based paint.  All the Van Nuys cars were painted with that type of paint due to emission considerations in California.
Your car is a T/A because the the second slot in the VIN is a "W".

Check out this site.  Brett has a section on decoding the cowl plate.  However, your question on the W versus S on the cowl plate, I think all Firebirds got an S.

[Zulu]

I think all Firebirds got an S.

That's right. All Firebirds (Esprits, Formulas, TA's) got an "S" on the cowl plate. It was probably just easier for Pontiac to do it that way instead of using (stamping) the four different letters for the different levels of Firebirds. They just let the VIN denote the difference.

Oh and, while WS4 does denote 'Trans Am" it is usually not present on late 2nd gen cowl tags on Van Nuys built cars (maybe it's never present on late 2nd gen Van Nuys cars, not sure). You usually see it though on Norwood car cowl tags.

[CT Bird Fan]

My data plate has the following four lines.

79 07C 2FS87 N 255035

12R 29L 29U  .  L

A51   .   .   16M

BUE  420473

Now I know what everything means on the first two lines, and also the "A51" on the 2nd line. But does anyone know what the "16M", "BUE", "420473" & dots in between mean?

Also, my VIN number indicates the car is a Formula, yet I have a base Firebird hood, and it looks to be original to the car, as far as I can tell. Is this unusual? I ordered the PHS documentation, so that may be helpful.

[Wallington]

If the ID plate on the dash top says 2U87.....  then it's a Formula and should have the matching formula twin scoop hood. Maybe it was an early swap due to damage and even a matching colour hood found.

[Hitman]

The BUE is your secondary trim interior color.  Judging from the rest of your data with the 12N which is the white interior and the 29 which is the blue exterior, I am guessing your interior is a white and blue combo.  I am still looking for the 16M.  The 420473 is a Fisher Body number from the Fisher plant.

[CT Bird Fan]

Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it!

The secondary trim color makes sense, as my interior is a combination of white and light blue. Now I guess i'll have to find a formula hood in the future!!