[ron tittel]

what is the correct paint for the firewall and the bottom of the body ?
also the area between the top of the firewall to the dash
and the inside of the trunk

[2manyT/A'S]

The firewall & underneath appears to be semi-gloss black on my 78 build Van Nuys T/A's.

[ron tittel]

thank you,it is great to get info from someone that has an original car.

[Grand73Am]

I thought the bottom of the 78 and older cars were painted with red oxide primer.

I know in 79, they started using black primer underneath.

[dreamn69]

I too thought 79 was the first year for black underside. Was 78 the transition year?

[2manyT/A'S]

My cars are Van Nuys builds and it was the first year of Firebird production in that plant since 71......Norwood builds MAY be different

[Dens71TA]

My dad's January build Van Nuys '78 T/A has the dark brown oxide primer. Original paint one owner car.

[ron tittel]

Thanks again,sounds like 78 was a transition year. I would ask Dens71TA if the firewall of his dads TA was body color or semigloss black?

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Dens71TA

My dad's January build Van Nuys '78 T/A has the dark brown oxide primer. Original paint one owner car.

I've owned this one for over 35 years,but haven't spent much time underneath it in the last 30 or so years......

I will confirm the color the next time I'm at where it's stored........It's a March build and BLACK....so it's possible I was seeing overspray.....?

Spent ALOT more time underneath a 79 in the 90's.....perhaps I was thinking of that one.........

Have another low mile 78 but it was lightly undercoated underneath.....will check that one too,when I get the chance....

[Skip Fix]

My 78 was-is brown oxide underneath. Later year build.

[Pega_de]

my 78 january was build in Norwood and was black on the firewall