[jonb1349]

If there are any 1969 TA fans out there:

I am a new member here and a 69 TA owner. I have two (2) data source books on the Firebirds that include the 1969 TA. One is authored by R. Perry Zavitz, the other by John Gunnnell. Both literate stats on the 69 Trans Am. On page 33 of the Gunnell Buyers Guide it states that, of the 634 RA III Coupe made, there were 520 with automatic transmissions and 114 made with manual transmissions, and on page 29 of the Zavitz Data Book and Price Guide, it states there were 520 made with MANUAL transmissions, and 114 made with automatic transmissions.

Obviously, this isn't a case of erroneous research, it is just a clerical error. I could guess, but does anyone know which is correct?

I have owned first gen Firebirds since I was 18 and I am now 74. The cars are getting old. So am I. I am having to strain my eyes through my readers to recite what I am reading to text.

Thanks

John Bowers

[johnta1]

520 Manual trannys is what I show.

[jabgolfcars]

Welcome, tell us about your T/A

[JAL71TA]

520

[rwfisher]

The higher number were Manuals. You could also break that down to the 3 Speed manual vs. 4 Speed manual.

[unruhjonny]

I am surprised that this wasn't mentioned:

(going off memory here) When Rocky Rotella set out to create a 'Definitive' 1967-1981 Firebird & Trans Am book, it quickly became apparent that it needed to be released as a two book set;
The first book was released as a nice hardcover book, and had an entire chapter dedicated to the 1969 Trans Am - the book is a very good read.

It looks like it's currently sold out - but odds are you can find it on Abebooks.com (a web resource for book sellers) or eBay;
I highly recommend this book.

Here is Rocky's own site showing the book: LINK

EDIT: CRAP-SANDWICH - has this one shot up from greedy resellers!! (AbeBooks link)

Don't get me wrong, if someone can sell a $54 book for $600 - power to him, but this is really unexpected - I have been seeing since covid & book sellers slimming their available books that resellers have gotten exponentially greedy.
(because our host downsizes attachments, there are currently six available;
The "cheap" one is $253usd + $60usd-shipping(!!);
The most expensive one is $599usd + $38usd-shipping.
(attached is a modified screen shot showing hte top and bottom two - organised cheapest total on the top.)

[JSuchma]

Originally Posted by rwfisher

The higher number were Manuals. You could also break that down to the 3 Speed manual vs. 4 Speed manual.

Only 14 - 3 speed manuals were produced. Out of those 14 cars, we have the only one that came with the tach and gauges.

[rwfisher]

Originally Posted by JSuchma

Only 14 - 3 speed manuals were produced. Out of those 14 cars, we have the only one that came with the tach and gauges.

Mine is a 3 speed also…

[JSuchma]

I have a letter hiding somewhere with the VINs of all the std 3 speeds.

[jabgolfcars]

Counting my 3 speed that makes three accounted for.
Anybody else out there with one?

[johnta1]

I have a letter hiding somewhere with the VINs of all the std 3 speeds.

This one?

[JSuchma]

That's the one!

[jabgolfcars]

Thanks JSuchma for forwarding that to me some time back. Coming from Pete McCarthy, that letter is invaluable.

[JSuchma]

I am always willing to help out the Pontiac community if I can.

[StevenK]

I believe that is the manual "Heavy Duty" 3 speed Dearborn transmission which was standard in the 69 TA. I have a 69 Firebird convertible which has this in it as a 94 dollar option, This is a FOMOCO top loader trans, with iron casing and heavy as hell! Has a 28 spline rear shaft. I just pulled it for rebuild and installed a 4 speed Muncie I just rebuilt in the interim.

[JSuchma]

Originally Posted by StevenK

I believe that is the manual "Heavy Duty" 3 speed Dearborn transmission which was standard in the 69 TA. I have a 69 Firebird convertible which has this in it as a 94 dollar option, This is a FOMOCO top loader trans, with iron casing and heavy as hell! Has a 28 spline rear shaft. I just pulled it for rebuild and installed a 4 speed Muncie I just rebuilt in the interim.

You are correct. Has the Ford logo right on it.

[burd]

HPP did a write up on the 69
The numbers crunch is in their pocket manual too.

[unruhjonny]

iirc 1968-1969, and maybe some years prior the RPO 'M13' (Heavy duty three speed) was always a toploader - other divisions except Chevrolet also used it also.

Most models at the time had a base transmission as a three speed manual, and for the base engines, a Saginaw was up to the task.

For 1969 Chevrolet had division exclusivity for the 'SM330' Muncie three speed - and they used it on virtually all their big block applications (including all SS models).
Pontiac replaced the Toploader with the SM330 in 1970 - I believe that the toploader is still in the 1970 service manual because of the 1969 Firebirds produced during the 1970 model year and sometimes sold as "1970" models - but it's possible I am mistaken.

I have tried compiling the three speeds out there, specifically trying to focus on what transmissions GM used, and under what applications ect - but have hit something of a brick wall, as three speed information is becoming lost to time.

A member here was selling a really nice toploader three speed last year(?).