Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Information => Trans Am Information => Topic started by: 1980W66 on February 17, 2008, 06:49:00 PM

Title: Vin# help
Post by: 1980W66 on February 17, 2008, 06:49:00 PM
Hello,I just purchased a 1980 formula and needed some help with the vin,its 2v87wal144544 .I thought 1980 used U not V for the formula model. thanks David
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: ta collector on February 17, 2008, 08:07:12 PM
are you sure it is an 80 my info shows a U=formula in 80 and a V=formula in 81,but the the sixth digit is an A which is an 80, where an 81 would be a B.so i am stumpped too maybe some else can shed so more details on this.
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: 1980W66 on February 17, 2008, 09:11:46 PM
State farm and DMV both told me it was an 1980.               cowl tag reads,80  03D 2FS87L142410      62R        80L       80U       W       A51         T-5242412.  I also have the build sheet and all numbers match. Its just that V.  Yea its fiero bronze.                                                                       
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: Joker (§ir£Ğragon) on February 17, 2008, 09:29:11 PM
I think there's a discrepency in the VIN decoders. I know that V used to be the code for Trans Ams, but that changed to W in '75. I believe at some point after that the Formula code changed from U to V.
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: jjr on February 17, 2008, 09:30:57 PM
 
 (http://www.301garage.com/78ta/80_vin.gif)

 Does this help?

 Joe R
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: Hitman on February 17, 2008, 09:48:02 PM
Here is what I show:
2 = Pontiac
V = Forumula
87 = 2-Door Coupe
W = 301 Motor
A = 1980
L = Built in Van Nuys CA
144544 = Pontiac Production Number

Cowl:
80 = 1980
03D = Built the 4th Week of March
2FS87 = Pontiac Firebird 2-Door Coupe
L = Built in Van Nuys CA
142410 = Fisher Body Production Number
62R = Camel Tan Standard Interior
80L and 80U = Fiero Bronze Exterior Paint
W = Water Based Paint Type
A51 = Bucket Seats
T-5 = Secondary Interior color
242412 = Fisher Time/Date code
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: 1980W66 on February 17, 2008, 10:10:36 PM
Thanks for all the help.I just wanted to make sure it is a formula.
Title: Re: Vin# help
Post by: Joker (§ir£Ğragon) on February 18, 2008, 12:01:53 AM
Quote from: Hitman on February 17, 2008, 09:48:02 PM
Here is what I show:
2 = Pontiac
V = Forumula
87 = 2-Door Coupe
W = 301 Motor
A = 1980
L = Built in Van Nuys CA
144544 = Pontiac Production Number

Cowl:
80 = 1980
03D = Built the 4th Week of March
2FS87 = Pontiac Firebird 2-Door Coupe
L = Built in Van Nuys CA
142410 = Fisher Body Production Number
62R = Camel Tan Standard Interior
80L and 80U = Fiero Bronze Exterior Paint
W = Water Based Paint Type
A51 = Bucket Seats
T-5 = Secondary Interior color
242412 = Fisher Time/Date code

That definitely clears it up Hitman. Your page with the 1980 VIN codes shows a Formy to have a U. But I think all the ones I've seen laid out like yours show it that way. Apparently it changed earlier than the creators of that list realized.