[Bjorn]

When I bought mine it had the rear `Maro Spoiler....after awhile I added the front, mainly because I liked the look....I was very surprised to find how much more stable the steering got at speeds abv 80 mph....they DO help.

and I added the 400 emblem to thevrerar of my rear spoiler.....and on 69s it doesnt cover up PONTIAC since its on the tail panel...
and in the link GUCCIENG provided abv ( I had thought to add that link to)..theres a paragraph:

The spoilers produced the desirable effects of increased traction along with a slight understeer condition. In controlling the lift of the nose so well, there was an increase in stability that a sensitive driver is able to feel even at moderate speeds.
In referring to the graph, It should be noted that the effectiveness of the spoiler equipment is proportional to vehicle speed. The faster you go the more effect the equipment has. The best part is it looks as good as it works!

[INJUNTOM]

Another thing that bugs me is seeing '69 T/A spoilers on 67/68, and also when they have a '69 with the '69 T/A spoiler, and not the fender vents.

[daves57]

Originally Posted by INJUNTOM

Another thing that bugs me is seeing '69 T/A spoilers on 67/68, and also when they have a '69 with the '69 T/A spoiler, and not the fender vents.

what a nice bunch of pontiacs, love the 37, where did you get the side air extractors and t/a spioler from im looking for those and they look like good quality ones dave

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Ron Landis-formerly Jegstek

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

My '68 vert left the dealer with a Pontiac FB luggage rack They were similar to the Camaro/Corvette racks but had different mounts with no screws exposed on the rack itself!

Wish I still had that rack, been trying since '93 to find another one.

DanC

[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]

Read somewhere years ago the 69 style causes the rear to lift some rather then make down force.

[MikeNoun]

The spoiler on the 69 Judge and 69 Trans Am did provide downforce, and Car Life magazine actually tested the effect of the Judge spoiler way back in 1969. Their results were approximately what Pontiac had stated, that it provided about 75-100 lbs of downforce. Unfortunately, as the rear end went down, the front end went up (!), so it hurt aerodynamics and performance. The Pontiac engineers designed a front spoiler for the 69 Trans Am to prevent that front end lift, so the T/A's front and rear spoilers (coupled with the air extractors) kept the Trans Am planted to the road.

If you look at the front ends on any of these old cars, you can see how the airflow would go under the front valence, then under the chassis. The faster you go, the more air is pushed under the car, and then the whole car begins to rise as speeds increase because of the air trapped underneath. Adding a rear wing pushes the rear of the car down, but without a front spoiler, all that did was trap MORE air under the car, and the vehicle had to use horsepower to overcome that resistance.

In testing, the 69 Z/28 front spoiler added 1-2 mph trap speed just in the 1/4 mile alone, and 3-5 mph at speeds over 120 mph. The 69 Z/28 was actually the best of the "GM" bunch back then, but of course Ford and Chrysler, who were battling on the NASCAR tracks, brought out cars that were VERY serious about aerodynamics and downforce.

[Transamric]

For me, I don't get as tweaked seeing a Firebird with Camaro spoilers, as I do seeing those damn repro Buick style air cleaner decals that many of the repro venders sell as "original equipment". ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGG!!!

[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by Transamric

For me, I don't get as tweaked seeing a Firebird with Camaro spoilers, as I do seeing those damn repro Buick style air cleaner decals that many of the repro venders sell as "original equipment". ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGG!!!

DOUBLE ARRRRRRRRRGGGGG!!!

And I see some 6 figure Pontiac sometimes on E-bay, no expense spared restorations, and sitting on top of that perfectly restored engine is a $3 Buick style air cleaner decal. I have nothing against the decal itself, to each his own, but it makes you wonder how much research went into other parts of the restoration, or how much knowledge the restorer had of Pontiacs, when that decal ends up on the air cleaner.

[Transamric]

Exactly Mike! My thoughts too.

[Old Bird]

My 67 had a spoiler on it when I bought it. I like they way it looks but also like the looks without it too. Many things had been changed on my car before I owned it. So I just make it the way I like it and don't worry about what others think. My 73 Formula is all stock (except wheels and tires) and it will stay that way. That's the way I bought it and want to keep it. I would never think of taking a car that is stock and start changing a bunch of stuff on it, would never put a chevy in a pontiac. That's just wrong!

[rockertype]

I'll keep it the way Pontiac intended!

[Ron Landis]

Originally Posted by rockertype

I'll keep it the way Pontiac intended!

what I'm talkin' about! Ron

[pontiac_banshee]

I decided on the 68 version of the Trans Am spoiler and I love it. No one can complain if I want to have my car built to my specs. If I decided to sell it and you dont like the spoiler change it or dont buy it. Why get bent out of shape over it. Hod Rodding is all about being different. I wouldnt go to car shows if I expected every Firebird to be the same as it came out of the factory. To me that is boring but just my opinion. I bought my first GTO when I was 17 and started changing it right away. Even convinced my dad that the cracks (they kind of looked like them) on the exhaust crossover had to be fixed or new intake. So came the first of many Torkers etc etc. I had a early Olds spoiler on the GTO becuase I liked it.

[Poochie]

Is there an aftermarket source for correct front spoilers for the Firebirds? Everybody seems to lump them in with Camaros.

Cheers,
Poochie

[Dustin68]

Originally Posted by pontiac_banshee

I decided on the 68 version of the Trans Am spoiler and I love it. No one can complain if I want to have my car built to my specs. If I decided to sell it and you dont like the spoiler change it or dont buy it. Why get bent out of shape over it. Hod Rodding is all about being different. I wouldnt go to car shows if I expected every Firebird to be the same as it came out of the factory. To me that is boring but just my opinion. I bought my first GTO when I was 17 and started changing it right away. Even convinced my dad that the cracks (they kind of looked like them) on the exhaust crossover had to be fixed or new intake. So came the first of many Torkers etc etc. I had a early Olds spoiler on the GTO becuase I liked it.

I'm with ya on that! I like the old school look. They must be popular cause they keep making and selling them.

[zman1969]

none on mine

[steveK]

I have a blue 69 vert and I had an extra deck lid painted and put a TA spoiler on it. I swap them on/off from time to time. I like the flexibility to go stock or not! It really changes the look of the car.

[azbirds]

Poochie, go to the Pontiac parts vendors and get the stock front for the 69 T/A. you will need the steel lower pan to bolt it to. My first car had a rear spoiler and I grafted an L-88 scoop on the hood. I know...it was free to a poor high school kid. I have a T/A wing that was given to me for my 68 and I'm thinking about installing it. If I do it won't go on the original decklid, it will be put on one of my spare ones. Try to imagine this, a 68 Charger for sale with a 69 Judge spoiler on the back with an R/T emblem screwed on to the top. I talked him out of the spoiler.

[PLAY400]

Originally Posted by pontiac_banshee

I decided on the 68 version of the Trans Am spoiler and I love it. No one can complain if I want to have my car built to my specs. If I decided to sell it and you dont like the spoiler change it or dont buy it. Why get bent out of shape over it. Hod Rodding is all about being different. I wouldnt go to car shows if I expected every Firebird to be the same as it came out of the factory. To me that is boring but just my opinion. I bought my first GTO when I was 17 and started changing it right away. Even convinced my dad that the cracks (they kind of looked like them) on the exhaust crossover had to be fixed or new intake. So came the first of many Torkers etc etc. I had a early Olds spoiler on the GTO becuase I liked it.

Where did you get it and what brand. My car is getting fresh paint this winter and I do like the looks of the 68 TransAm rear spoiler. Your pics make it look like the pedestals need work. Want to buy 1 but do not want to put a weeks prep into it. But then again my Bird looks pretty horny from the rear side when doing a burn out or leaving the line with the low trunk line. Decisions

Alan