[Ron Landis]

Did any First Gen 'Birds come WITHOUT the Camaro spoiler? Seriously...why does every car I look at have one? Not to step on any toes, but it kills the car...for me, anyway. If you want a Camaro...buy a Camaro. I guess I'll just need to replace the decklid if I do decide on one of these cars, but there goes the paint job. Sorry for venting and this may well be the wrong place, but I DO feel better! Is it just me? Ron

[guccieng]

none of them left the factory with the spoiler, but many of them left the dealer with them! i'm not too thrilled with mine, but it came with car. i'm still looking for an original deck lid with at least the pontiac lettering drilled. i can find a template for the 400 badge.

[MikeNoun]

I know it hurts seeing a Camaro spoiler on a Firebird, but I don't think they look that bad. The problem is, those spoilers are Camaro only, and we all know it, but cosmetically I don't think they look too bad.

But that's what the reproduction world has done to this hobby. Every 67-68 Firebird had a Camaro spoiler, every Cutlass has a W-30 rear wing, and yes, every 69 Firebird has a T/A wing.

[Region Warrior]

Originally Posted by guccieng

none of them left the factory with the spoiler, but many of them left the dealer with them! i'm not too thrilled with mine, but it came with car. i'm still looking for an original deck lid with at least the pontiac lettering drilled. i can find a template for the 400 badge.

My 67's original.
If i get some spare time, i'll try'n make an etching or some'tn.

[jal]

Well,,,,
This is what I love about this hobby/sport! Everyone's personal taste and preference.
I have the spoiler on my 69 but, I love the look. Wouldn't change it.

However, I'm a butt-head when it comes to other Pontiac specific things.
There will never be anything but a Pontiac motor in my Pontiac.
I love going to cruise nights and giving others crap over that...
It's why I spent the $'s on the Spott's Super 400 hood rather than a cowl. It's still keeps the Pontiac look and, I can get my Victor under it with a 3" air cleaner.

So, if you like them or don't, I'm okay with anyone's preference.

joe

[elevatorman51]

When you pull off the camro wing you'll probably find the holes for a template, I transferred mine to the new trunk lid (Which btw was the best fitting repop part I got to work with) with blue painters tape. The old lid was trash because it looked like they used a torch to make the spoiler holes. Know it hangs on the garage wall showing off the original black paint and jack and spare instructions!

[daves57]

Originally Posted by elevatorman51

When you pull off the camro wing you'll probably find the holes for a template, I transferred mine to the new trunk lid (Which btw was the best fitting repop part I got to work with) with blue painters tape. The old lid was trash because it looked like they used a torch to make the spoiler holes. Know it hangs on the garage wall showing off the original black paint and jack and spare instructions!

lol, my spoiler came with the car i think it's ok but am going to pull it this winter to do the body over.cant wait to see whats under it hope theres no torch holes dave

[quicksilver97ta]

Yeah, definitely a personal preference deal. I don't see that many with spoilers but but I do see enough to be completley satisfied I don't have one. No, I don't want to step on toe's, it's not like having a chevy engine in it. I actually wanted one at one point, like a third gen wing. But I realized it was just not for my car and I reconsidered it. Hind sight being 20/20, I couldn't be happier.

[fbirdinconcord]

The designers and engineers had access to the Camaro spoiler during the design process. If they had thought it looked right they certainly would have used it. Not to say that the designers always get it right (Pontiac Aztec) but they had a visual plan for the car and decided the spoiler wasn't in it. They made that pretty clear by putting the Pontiac letters and the 400 emblem right where the spoiler would sit.

I have bought and sold a bunch of Firebirds over the years and it never fails, someone has to do something to the car that is Camaro looking.

I think the worst thing is talking to a seller who has a fully restored 400 car and showing up and seeing the Camaro spoiler on the back. The first thing I ask is if they are willing to give credit for removing the spoiler and replacing the decklid. They don't want to talk to you much after that.

Having said that, I certainly believe it is anyones right to do what they will with their car. Just please don't call it restored if it has a Camaro spoiler, restified would be a better word.

[PLAY400]

You ever notice they all come with the Camaro front spoiler too!! And then they tell you that you have the wrong spoiler up front. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Region Warrior]

Not many camaros had them from the factory either.
In fact, the 1st camaro i ever saw with one was on a new 69 z28.

[guccieng]

to the credit of the designers, that spoiler works really well: http://www.camaro-untoldsecrets.com/...es/rpo_d80.htm

[mgoblue]

Yeah, finding a good decklid is tough. I've been looking for one for my 1969 Firebird (350). Try finding one without a spoiler, without a 400 emblem (or Camaro emblem), and without PONTIAC letters. Rarer than you think.

[Region Warrior]

Thats why i bought a un-original modified 68 FB.
So i wouldnt change(mess up) my #'s matching 67 FB(400 4spd).
And i would have too cause it needs engine rebuilt, new interior, and ALOT of rust repairs.

[guccieng]

on the flip-side, i've seen more and more '69 camaros with the trans am spoilers, too!

[Firebob]

I like mine even if it's not camaro. (Thanks R)

Robert

[Ron Landis]

Much different input than I actually expected on this matter. I don't deny that the spoilers work... @ 50# at @ 100mph, I understand. It wouldn't bother me if it were a primered car I was looking at, but last week it was a completely original green on green 326 HO ragtop! Tough to undo on an original paint survivor. That's the one that set me off. I never noticed so many of them until I started looking for a car to buy. Then...seems like every single one! I also agree that everyone has a right to "personalize" their car. Like the old Harley-Davidson adage. If you want your's to be different that all the others...leave it alone! Anyway...also agree that the engineers tried their best to give the FB an identity of its own instead of a "Pontiac Camaro" image. Personally, I like the clean look of the original concept. JMHO. Thanks for the input, though. Like I said before, this F-body thing is all new to me. Ron

[PLAY400]

Does the 69 T/A rear spoiler work or is it just cosmetic?

[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by PLAY400

Does the 69 T/A rear spoiler work or is it just cosmetic?

The 69 Trans Am rear spoiler does work because the engineers balanced it out with a front spoiler. The 69 Judge rear spoiler was just cosmetic, but that was ok because the whole Judge thing was supposed to be a gimmick, and not intended to be a serious performance car. The 69 Trans Am was supposed to go racing, so its front spoiler, rear spoiler, and the side air extractors were all functional. The 69 Trans Am front spoiler was very tall (Firebob's is a correct 69 T/A front spoiler) and attaches to the lower baffle pan.

And nice pic from Firebob! That spoiler looks cool!

[Region Warrior]

1st thing i did was put the "PONTIAC" deck lid letters on the spoiler so the chevys and mopar guys see it