JT

iTrader: (1)

Today, 30 years ago, was the closing of the Van Nuys, CA assembly plant and the end of the Third Generation F-Body. Many of you here know that one of our members, @LeonardS , has the last ThirdGen F-Body produced by Van Nuys

Recently, the LA Times published an op-ed about Van Nuys, CA assembly plant and Leonard's 1992 Camaro:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...-camaro-uaw645

Thought I'd share!

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Even though its obvious, that means that now, every single Thirdgen ever produced is now 30 years old or older.

LeonardS

It’s been fun reliving the story and visiting with some of the people that built my car. Unfortunately, many of them have passed away during the last 30 years. Compliments to JT for setting up the website about my car and helping me anytime(for 20+ years) I have a question about how to fix anything automotive or computer related. He always comes to my rescue!

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

So now what would be cool is a picture of the first and last Thirdgen next to each other.

LeonardS

Do you know where VIN 1 is?

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

if I did I doubt I could afford it.

but I’m not stingy. I would share its whereabouts.

LeonardS

Im not interested in buying it, but it would be fun to know where it was. There may not have ever been a VIN 1 that was sold. Typically the first 400-500 cars are pre-production cars. Some are crushed, some are used for testing and some are sold.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

My thought is the first is probably in GM's possession.

LeonardS

I don’t think that is the case. At some point in my conversations with GM, I believe that would have come up. But, as we know, never say never.

okfoz

Probably the best we could do is the first 1992 F-body. VIN 00001, Body number 1. It is a Yellow Formula 1LE, and is in South Carolina.

As for the third gens. I doubt number 100001 or 200001 were ever sold to the public. I do know that some of the first Firebirds went to the Studios to be KITT cars.

JT

iTrader: (1)

This is actually an old long incorrect fact that I believe dates back to an interview with the executive producer who either misspoke or perhaps didn't know the true fact. I think it was taken out of context because he said "the first" and I believe he meant their first (show's production) cars and not Pontiac's first cars. The show used quite a bit in the series.

They did not get the first few Firebirds or Trans Ams. I have the three VINs of the three pilot cars they received to sell the show as a series. They are not really close to start of production. The VINs have been verified by those who have show records, agency records, and PHS records.

okfoz

Good to know.

firebirdta84

iTrader: (3)

The earliest 1982 Firebird that was sold to the public, that we can find, was 1G2AS8712CL500003. It was titled at least until 1996. I have the owner's name at the time but have never been able to find them.

FJA1791

iTrader: (3)

I just ran a car fax on this Firebird and this came up.

Scrapped/Crushed by an automotive recycler on 02/24/1996. This vehicle should not be on the road.

Agent13

iTrader: (6)

Rumor has it that the first third gen Camaro was this gold Z28 owned by Dick Guldstrand.

https://www.thirdgen.org/hotrod-shoo...maro-july1982/

LeonardS

That would be strange that the first car built would be a Z28. Usually they start production with base model cars and ramp up from there.

okfoz

to most people, and looking at 1982,these were just cars. Plus it was aV6 Base Firebird, which puts it in the rather common column. Sad but true, they probably either did not know that it was the first or one of the first, or they did not care, or both.

JT

iTrader: (1)

Would the first few Firebirds be sold and sent to the public?

I mean, the actual first few from the assembly line? Obviously, the first few sold to the public are/was out there, but not necessarily the first from the assembly line?

okfoz

I am not sure how sequencing worked, technically the car with VIN 50019 could be the first car off the line. I do know as per the Norwood factory show we went to that cars which had a problem or missing parts could be parked off the line and then put back in once they got it resolved. We do accept that the last car off Van Nuys was the highest number however.

I also know of cases where the first cars were made months in advance from the model year. IIRC the first 13 1991 Camaros and 13 Firebirds were made Oct 31, 1989

JT

iTrader: (1)

That's what I'm wondering. Someone had to get the first few public Firebirds but they may not have been the actual first ones built from the assembly line. Since the cars were new from the 2nd Gen, it's reasonable to suspect the first few might have been built earlier and/or held internally to adjust for the new platform or even testing. From there they may or may not have been sold to the public?