80 Firebird Question

Hello all. I have a couple of questions about my 80 Bird and hope someone can help. My aunt and I bought this Bird new from the local Pontiac dealer, who also happened to be our neighbor at the time. She sat on his lot for a year and no one wanted this little Tahoe Blue Bird because she only had a V6. Here's the funny part....... she is a California car with A/C AND a V6. All of the reference books I have read say that 80 Birds in California only came with V8's, if the car was equipped with California emissions and/or A/C the V6 was N/A.

Is she a rare Bird????? After all, this car has a combination of options that apparently shouldn't exist. She is all original, still smells new, and has less than 50,000 miles on her.

I'd really appreciate anyone's input on this...... thanks!!!!!!!!

Hello all. I have a couple of questions about my 80 Bird and hope someone can help. My aunt and I bought this Bird new from the local Pontiac dealer, who also happened to be our neighbor at the time. She sat on his lot for a year and no one wanted this little Tahoe Blue Bird because she only had a V6. Here's the funny part....... she is a California car with A/C AND a V6. All of the reference books I have read say that 80 Birds in California only came with V8's, if the car was equipped with California emissions and/or A/C the V6 was N/A.

Is she a rare Bird????? After all, this car has a combination of options that apparently shouldn't exist. She is all original, still smells new, and has less than 50,000 miles on her.

I'd really appreciate anyone's input on this...... thanks!!!!!!!!


red book is confirming what you are saying. 5l v8 was standard in california. you might want to check with pontiac to confirm authenticity of vehicle, always helps to have a certificate. if you guys bought it new, you should also have the build sheet inside the car. nice !

There was some problems with some firebirds in late '70s about them having the wrong engine, so might want to check and just make sure, I agree with the above. Also, alot of these cars have been stripped and painted into different birds, so I would also check the vin number just in case.

There was some problems with some firebirds in late '70s about them having the wrong engine, so might want to check and just make sure, I agree with the above. Also, alot of these cars have been stripped and painted into different birds, so I would also check the vin number just in case.


dude, the member bought the car NEW.

If they have all paperwork for it then, ok, but otherwise I agree that they should check with pontiac and verify the car. They didn't mention any paperwork and I've heard of a few of these cars having some quirks in this area. If they have the paperwok, no worries. Otherwise I think I would still check into it.

I wonder if the Dealership jacked a turbo from you and stuck you with a v-6.Wouldnt be the strangest scenario ive seen.
Back when they made the Mustang GT500's a lot were bought from ford by rental companies.People would rent them and drive right into the garage at home and swap the boss302 for a regular POS 302.I wonder if it was a program car and a worker at the dealership got to drive it home.

Hey everyone... Just wanted to add a little info. I don't think anyone swapped out the engine, Kenny would've had a better chance to sell the car if she had a V-8. The only person that ever drove this car besides Kenny (the dealer) was his wife and she only drove it once cause it was too small of a car for her. The car had 106 miles on it when we bought her..... Also, the VIN indicates the "A" code which means the V-6, right?? The car has never been away from me since she joined our family, so I know she hasn't been altered by anyone else. Heck, even the radiator hose clamps are original.

I was thinking of sending the info to Pontiac Historical Services to see what they tell me. Good idea???

Hey everyone... Just wanted to add a little info. I don't think anyone swapped out the engine, Kenny would've had a better chance to sell the car if she had a V-8. The only person that ever drove this car besides Kenny (the dealer) was his wife and she only drove it once cause it was too small of a car for her. The car had 106 miles on it when we bought her..... Also, the VIN indicates the "A" code which means the V-6, right?? The car has never been away from me since she joined our family, so I know she hasn't been altered by anyone else. Heck, even the radiator hose clamps are original.

I was thinking of sending the info to Pontiac Historical Services to see what they tell me. Good idea???


If your VIN starts with 2W87AA...
or 2S87AA...
then yes it would designate the car as a 1980 model year with a V6.
And yes good idea to contact PHS. Also check for the build sheet in the car itself, to be found under rear seats, front seats or carpet...
If everything turns out to be accurate, would make a nice story in Pontiac Enthusiast...