Building A Mystery...
 

Recently pics up what appears to be a pretty solid 1981 Trans Am 4 spd Top car. May or may not be an S/E idk. No engine. Has exhaust, auto trans, subframe connectors. Signs that it was red at one time.
Ordered PHS; is it me or does nothing on the PHS and data plate match up? Is it not supposed to?
Says f +r disc....has a drum rear.
I know what can happen to these cars over the years but ???https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6bfbd47983.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7db1dff29d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c9d63a9b58.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...456f775d7f.jpg

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Is that PHS even for a Trans Am ?
I'm not a follower of the 81's in detail - but all other year T/A the posi was standard.
It shows it as an option

Also seem to think 15" RWL Tires were standard on T/A

Sort of neat they gave a discount for the 305 Chevy engine.

Trim Tag is for a Black Y84 SE built the 5th week of October
But as you can see, they are bolt-on tags from the factory - not riveted, and easy to switch.
What is the date on the invoice ?
Should be early to mid November under normal circumstances.

What are the first 8 or 9 characters of the VIN ?

What color code does the PHS list ?

Sometimes a plant variation can throw off the Invoice - if the car was built in Ohio but PHS used a VIN that goes to one built in California.
or vice-versa

Naturally, the B80 drip mouldings were not part of the Y84 package either.

Lists the color as paint code 75..bright red which there's evidence of around the back glass. Date of execution was 3/4/81.
A couple other things I find confusing is the phs lists front and rear disc brakes...was that separate from the WS6 package? It lists the wheels as RPO D90. Would that have had the 15x7s or were 8s mandatory with disc.
My initial thought was the body tag was swapped at some point ?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...eec00d5624.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...348715c3f2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fba348e60f.jpg

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Posi rear became optional on 81 TA's, instead of standard.

J65 could be ordered separately from the WS6.

Trim tag indicates 19U 19L.
Black, not red.
Does not match PHS?
Trim tag also shows it is a SAD car. :(

Tag also looks like it has Y84. I would suspect the trim tag has been changed, or even worse the vin has been changed! I would be curious if the dash number matches that on the firewall? Anything else on the int. that may show its a y84? Although all of that is an easy change.

Interior has black vinyl buckets instead of cloth. Might be out of a Camaro.
Gauges are all aftermarket
I'm going to operate under the assumption that the trim tag was swapped. Path of least resistance. I don't think the Vin was swapped BC of the red paint but anything is possible.
I'm just going to build and enjoy for what it is.
Per the phs...what wheels would it have had on it?? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c2f51097dc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7cc84cfd0d.jpg

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Wondered what the SAD notation on the trim tag means?

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If it still has the Cloth back seat you might get lucky and find the buildsheet in the springs - if someone hasn't beaten you to it.
That would tell more specifics (wheel type) and match up with the PHS invoice.

I think 4wdb required the 8 inch wheels even when it was ordered as separate option from WS6.
But it probably would have been the "turbo" style wheels on an 81 - i'm guessing.

The rear axle has probably been swapped for a beefed up unit with competition gearing.

Very altered car - leaves you an open book for any alterations you want to make.
You can even buy a new reproduction trim tag for around $300 if you wanted it to go back to the PHS Invoice Car in a restoration.

Looks like a great body for a NY car.
Congrats and Enjoy

Thanks, I thought so too. Don't come along too often and be solid within 45 minutes of my house. I had myself all talked out of it before I went to look....you can see how well that worked.
It has full aftermarket exhaust, subframes connected etc.
The seats all match so I'm Sol on the build sheet but I may get lucky.
Thanks for the help and direction...always trying to learn more.

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Dash bezel is also not correct for an SE, even though it could have easily been changed.

I think you may be right on the tag swap, def easier. Agree the bezel doesnt look like it ever had any gold its a shame they drilled a couple of holes in it though. No motor and the looks of those rear tires tells me that thing was rode hard at one time which would explain the rear end swap. It does look like a good solid otherwise complete car though. A good foundation to start with. Even looks like the grills are in good condition!

Yes...I had a good idea it was ran hard at one point...there are alot of positives with this car especially the fact that its solid (hard to find around here) and I wouldn't be altering an original example. Blank slate. A bunch of new parts came with it.
Lol...rear drag radials are pretty whipped. Thinking about going back to what it came with wheel wisefor the look if nothing else.


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The dash bezel in my 81 SE was so faded you had to see the gold on the back side in just a few areas.

it's probably a decent project regardless of the tag not matching, just hope you didn't pay extra because they were selling it as a Y84.

I would suspect thats the reason the tag was swapped initially. Hoping it wasnt the current buyer. As far as the dash, yes all the gold fades away, usually can see at least a trace under the trim rings. Doesnt look like any difference with this one, although I think we already know that.

TaKerry..definitely wasn't me that swapped the tag. As anyone can tell by the picture I posted is that the tag has been there quite some time and rust around the screw heads.
Since I'm building it and simply trying to figure out what it really is; the implication is baseless and moot.

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No Way I was saying that, hope I didnt offend you. I was referring to Aus's comment. I was hoping that you did not pay a premium for a y84. I agree, it looks like that tag has been on there for years.

Not at all...thanks for saying that though.
The guy just wanted the built 383 out of it and I think the price was really good for a solid Trans Am roller.
My kids and I will have fun putting it together and that was my main consideration.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e9278e2ba7.jpg

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