[65GPnoob]

Looking at 81 TA blue exterior and camel interior has T-tops 305 auto 8" snowflake wheels. Havent been able to take a close look at it yet. Thanks

['ol Pinion head]

All '81 Special Edition T/A's were black/gold. Cowl tag will have 19 19 for paint, but car could just be a black T/A by that observation. The factory buildsheet will show all the factory installed options. So will PHS copy of the invoice. Over the years I discovered 4 buildsheets in my early 80 Turbo SE. Every '79-81 bird I've pulled the gastank or original back seat out of I discovered a buildsheet or reminants there of.

[Steve Barcak]

I had thought that the 305 could only be ordered with the ST-10, no? Could you order a 305/auto TA in '81?
Was the trans in that car changed perhaps?

On another note- I have a blue 81 WS5 TA here in my yard, you can see the black paint and parts of the striping in the door jambs, etc. It alsk have gold accents inside.
Can you tell by the cowl tag if this is a SE blackbird?
just curious
I realize if the build sheet it there, that would tell for sure, but, if I could tell by the cowl tag, it would be easier.

I have a few other black SE TAs that were repainted red. Probably in the 80s as few people would do that in the last 15 or so years.

[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by Steve Barcak

Could you order a 305/auto TA in '81?

Yes you could. Not overly popular, but it was available.

Originally Posted by Steve Barcak

Can you tell by the cowl tag if this is a SE blackbird?

Not always. All you are guaranteed to tell is the paint code. A Norwood car from 1978-1981 could have had Y84 or Y88 stamped next to the paint codes on the cowl tag, but there's no guarantee.

[2manyT/A'S]

As I understand it,the 305 auto in an 81 T/A was a Canadian market ONLY deal & the 305 stick was a US only deal.....

[BAD2000TA]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

Yes you could. Not overly popular, but it was available.



Not always. All you are guaranteed to tell is the paint code. A Norwood car from 1978-1981 could have had Y84 or Y88 stamped next to the paint codes on the cowl tag, but there's no guarantee.

Yep, my Norwood built car has Y84 on the cowl tag.

[bonneville Joe]

I had a 305 auto '80 car about a year ago. Car was as fast as a minivan. Another trick I learned, although not accurate is if you can remove one of the black gauge bezels the turned aluminum will still show the bright gold from where the sun hasn't faded it under the bezel.

[65GPnoob]

I think it's just a basic T/A, but if I get the car I'll look for the build sheet. I do know it has a camel deluxe cloth interior and the exterior should be nocturnal blue.

[65GPnoob]

After looking on YouTube a person could yank that 305 and put a 6.5 turbo diesel in it. That would be different.

[gilg]

Do you have Copy of the Buildsheet??? if yes you can posted!!!!

[65GPnoob]

Not yet. I do know it did come with a 305 according to the vin#. I'm waiting for the owner to get back with me. He's out of town.

[79TA455]

Originally Posted by Steve Barcak

I had thought that the 305 could only be ordered with the ST-10, no? Could you order a 305/auto TA in '81?
Was the trans in that car changed perhaps?

My '81 came original with a 305 and an auto.

As far as being a bandit....do as the others suggested. I was thinking about the cowl tag but I'm not sure if that changed in '81 or not. I would have to take a look at my brothers '81 to verify that the Y84 is stamped there. My '79 definitely had the Y84 stamped on the cowl tag.

[gilg]

Originally Posted by 79TA455

My '81 came original with a 305 and an auto.

As far as being a bandit....do as the others suggested. I was thinking about the cowl tag but I'm not sure if that changed in '81 or not. I would have to take a look at my brothers '81 to verify that the Y84 is stamped there. My '79 definitely had the Y84 stamped on the cowl tag.

DO YOU HAVE COPY OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDSHEET??? THANKS

[79TA455]

Originally Posted by gilg

DO YOU HAVE COPY OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDSHEET??? THANKS

For which car? I don't have the one for mine but my brother has some original documentation. Here is what he had:

[hada76]

tax on the A/C?

[pippintook]

There was (still is, I think) a $100 excise tax imposed on vehicles coming into Canada which have air conditioning. The $100 air cond. excise tax applied to new and used vehicles, I think. In this case , looks like the TA was going to Ontario, Canada...and therefore the $100 air cond excise tax would apply. I thought the air cond excise tax was imposed by the Canadian Federal Govt.

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by pippintook

There was (still is, I think) a $100 excise tax imposed on vehicles coming into Canada which have air conditioning. The $100 air cond. excise tax applied to new and used vehicles, I think. In this case , looks like the TA was going to Ontario, Canada...and therefore the $100 air cond excise tax would apply. I thought the air cond excise tax was imposed by the Canadian Federal Govt.

It IS imposed by the Canadian Feds.....

That's just their way of making sure they get PAID.