[firebirdjoe]

I have owned mine for 2 months, bought it for 900 and since I bought it, people keep saying its rare. I'm curious to know about how rare they really are.

 

[fingerprintguy]

There were 10,739 total Firebirds in 1989 that carried the "Formula" label with the L98 350. Out of a total of 64,404 Firebirds made that year. Interesting to note, if you had one with a manual transmission, it would be extremely rare as only 42 of those were made that year.


There were 12,116 L98 350 IROC's in 1988.

 

[timfitz63]

There were 10,739 total Firebirds in 1989 that carried the "Formula" label with the L98 350. Out of a total of 64,404 Firebirds made that year. Interesting to note, if you had one with a manual transmission, it would be extremely rare as only 42 of those were made that year...

What's your source for that information? I've been searching for exact production numbers on the '89 Formula for years now.

Actually, Pontiac did not couple the L98 engine to a manual transmission in 1989; if they had, I would have ordered mine that way. The L98 was only available with an automatic transmission, but could be had with the N10 dual converter exhaust.

While the 5-speed manual transmission was available with all of the other available engines in 1989 (LB8 V6, LO3 TBI V8, and the LB9 TPI V8), only Formulas (and Trans Ams) equipped with the LB9 (305 cu. in.) engine were eligible to receive the manual transmission (RPO MM5), the N10 dual converter exhaust, and the G80/GM3 rear axle. I suspect that the manual transmission production numbers you're quoting (42) apply to the LB9/N10/MM5 Formulas.

 

[fingerprintguy]

Apologies, my dyslexia kicked in. The LB9/N10 was the 5 speed combination. The L98 was only coupled to the automatic. Yes, that was the formula set up that I was referring to as only 42 made. They only made 50 or less of those each year. They were actually about 300 pounds lighter that the rest of the field which made them just a little faster.

I got that information while delving through all of my ancient sales and marketing data. I spent many years with the general. I was last at saturn when they went under, I ended up working for the local sheriff because I was unwilling to relocate to be repositioned. (more correctly, my WIFE was unwilling to relocate.)

 

[timfitz63]

Apologies, my dyslexia kicked in. The LB9/N10 was the 5 speed combination. The L98 was only coupled to the automatic. Yes, that was the formula set up that I was referring to as only 42 made. They only made 50 or less of those each year. They were actually about 300 pounds lighter that the rest of the field which made them just a little faster.

No worries! We're all on the same page now!

I had been aware that they'd only produced about fifty LB9/N10/MM5 Formulas each year from 1989-1992, but have never been able to track down specifics about mine -- which is apparently one of those 42 produced in '89! :w00t: It may very well be the last LB9/N10/MM5 Formula produced during the '89 model year, as I ordered it late in the production run and it was built shortly before the line was shut down to switch over to the '90 model year. Or at least, so I was told...

I got that information while delving through all of my ancient sales and marketing data. I spent many years with the general...

Interesting! Has GM ever released that information? I'd like to have a copy to document my vehicle!

 

[fingerprintguy]

I don't know if they have ever released it or not. I know the marketing department kept it pretty close to the vest (proprietary information they called it) but, since pontiac (and GM in it's previous form) are no longer, I would think that that information is out there somewhere. The internet pretty much killed off old farts like me in the industry. Why do they need product trainers when you can find anything you want on the net?

 

[timfitz63]

I don't know if they have ever released it or not. I know the marketing department kept it pretty close to the vest (proprietary information they called it) but, since pontiac (and GM in it's previous form) are no longer, I would think that that information is out there somewhere. The internet pretty much killed off old farts like me in the industry. Why do they need product trainers when you can find anything you want on the net?

Yeah, the march of technology can be a bane at times...

I can find general production numbers on the interweb (e.g., the overall number of cars built, as you quoted above), but I can't seem to turn up the specifics for which the OP and I were looking -- breaking it down with regard to key options. In my case, it would be nice to have something concrete and 'official' confirming the rarity, to display at car shows and such.

 

[fingerprintguy]

I don't know if it is available anymore, but you used to be able to have a service writer enter your VIN into the system and pull your "build sheet" it would give you your production number and the date that it was built and a list of all the RPO codes for your car. Although it won't give you a breakdown of how many cars similar to yours, it will give you a lot of neat information.

 

[timfitz63]

I don't know if it is available anymore, but you used to be able to have a service writer enter your VIN into the system and pull your "build sheet" it would give you your production number and the date that it was built and a list of all the RPO codes for your car. Although it won't give you a breakdown of how many cars similar to yours, it will give you a lot of neat information.

I think I stumbled onto a couple copies of the actual build sheet; I found one several years ago stuffed under the seat, and recently found another jammed down in the spare tire well.

 

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There were 10,739 total Firebirds in 1989 that carried the "Formula" label with the L98 350. Out of a total of 64,404 Firebirds made that year. Interesting to note, if you had one with a manual transmission, it would be extremely rare as only 42 of those were made that year.


There were 12,116 L98 350 IROC's in 1988.

I have a 89 black 305 tpi ttop 5speed