Gathering documentation

[kymmee]

Been thinking about my car from a historical point of view, and I have been spending the last few weeks collecting documentation and making a portfolio. On a whim, I went to the BMV and asked them if they could recover the original title I turned in when I bought the car. The guy said I was in luck, they started digitally photographing all titles that came thru as of 6-1-09. He made me a copy of the original, its in color and looks pretty authentic. I also scored a 1982 Firebird owners manual I found on ebay. I have the build sheet. I have taken numerous photos of the car and its uncommon or unusual features. I got my historical plates and found a company that insures collector cars. The agent came out and took photos, etc. I am going to keep everything in a binder and maybe if I particiapte in a car show, will display the items. The car is not perfect, its paint has seen better days, but I'm thinking preservation, not restoration for this car. Here are a few pictures..........

[kizz]

sounds like you're off to a good start! I'm glad you can appreciate a unique Firebird. I love that metal gas cap. It's just like mine. Also just like mine are the unreadable stickers in the door jamb! I wish I knew how the heck that happened. Nothing special written there other than VIN and tire info, but it would be nice if we could read ours.

[wildjeff]

Glad to see your keeping track of the paperwork! that's awesome. I dig documentation too.

[kymmee]

Yeah, the unreadable door stickers on the door jam-maybe the heat got to them-the numbering is all smeared like. Dont really know what they contain, other than tire pressures and GVWR, etc. Prob govt required or something. BTW, my spare tire (the compact type) is not in the car, its MIA. I'll try and find a replacement in the junk yard. I have been looking thru the owners manual and its got some funny stuff!! The way they used to compose sentences, "This car is designed and intended to mainly carry people." "Your car must not be operated at speeds higher than 85mph unless it has police pursuit tires." I loved the 80's!

[kizz]

I loved the 80's!

AMEN! Let's build a time machine and go back...

Some wording on the PHS documentation is almost like some pre-historic voodoo as well, and is interesting to look back on and try to make sense of, given the laws of 1982 compared to the laws of today. "Know all men by these presents, that the undersigned for valuable consideration does hereby grant, sell, transfer and deliver unto: Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company," etc. Basically it says that GM is selling a car to a bank, and the bank will finance it for a Pontiac dealer, but it sounds like something they would've read to Billy The Kid in a dark courtroom right before they found him guilty... I love it.

[TAdan]

but I'm thinking preservation, not restoration for this car.

I like the way you think!

[92conv]

Sounds like a good plan!! I'd recommend getting in touch with Pontiac Historical Services and order the info they have on your car too......always a good thing to have around!!

[kymmee]

Took several members advice and requested info from PHS. Just got it in the mail recently. I have collected a lot of info on the car now. Heres a few pictures of some of the things I have. . Interesting note on the window sticker-car is rated at 15mpg with annual fuel cost figured at gas $1.55 a gallon. I had to laugh when I saw that-the good old 80's.

[L695speed]

I've got the same problem with the illegible door jam stickers. I've been looking for my build sheet. I've got a repro from wildjeff. I've got PHS info, a bunch of books, photos of the project etc. I also have Q plates. The only thing that bugs me is the cowl tag is long gone. I also have photos of the numbers on the motor for when I rebuild it. If my car was in excellent shape like yours I'd be doing the same thing. But with the mileage on it, and the fact that it needs a total re do anyway I'm restoring it lil by lil. I have a binder with all of the docs in them. Including the repro window sticker, mine is laminated though. I'll take pics of what I've got at some point.

[kymmee]

That would be great-would like to see what info you have on your car. I guess I just got lucky on my car-the fact it was a 1 owner and basically sat dormant for about 10 years. I really believe the prev owner didnt really know what a nice specimen he had-was just wanting to off it cause his girlfriend was complaining he had too many toys. I havent had any contact with him, but heard thru the grapevine he's PO'd now and regrets selling the car (and for too little). But that was to my benefit. What kind of books do you have??

[L695speed]

I'll get what I can. The books are mostly general history books, nothing really specatular for the third gens. I'm not certain about the chain of ownership for my car. I might be the third or I might be the 10th. I know there was the guy Dad bought it from, Dad then me. Also I'm not sure if the DMV will trace the ownership history for me without issues....Dan, do you know if I can get the original title info or the chain of ownership since new from the DMV without much issue here in NJ?

[82 T/A WS7]

Geez, your car was built in Cali, and delivered in OH. Kinda wastefull from a company point of view.

I wrote Pontiac in 91 and asked them what do you have, and what can i get. I provided them with a copy of my title and a copy of the build sheet.

They sent me back a packet of stuff, build numbers of all Trans Ams up to 86, a glossy 8 x 10 B&W pic of the prototype (the one with the T/A on the fenders) and a copy of my sticker. The copy of the sticker is blacked out all over and hand written on top it says, sorry, best copy available. It was sent for free and even first class postage from C.A. Curry, Customer Assistance Manager. I remember feeling like a kid on Chrismas morning when i saw the packet in the pile of mail. Since then i've picked up an 82 broshure, and an 89 broshure that has a full page pic of a notchback.

Where can i get a sticker like that Kymmee? Historical? I was always under the impression i got everything that historical gives you, but that i got it before it was sold to them. My copy has the final prices blacked out, key codes, ect..

I made copies of my build sheet when i found it (under the carpet in the bottom of the well) and sprinkeld them all over the car. It has at least six packed in it all over.

After an entire life of pampering, my door sticker looks like that too. Not the tire one, the bottom VIN one.

[TAdan]

The only thing that bugs me is the cowl tag is long gone.

FYI not all 84's have build tags. Mine dosent. They were phased out during 84 because the SPID label did the same job.

Sorry I dont have any experience trying to track down DMV records.

[kymmee]

Kenney-are you referring to the window sticker? If so, I got it from PHS-it was xtra $$, I think $35. The prev owner told me he had the window sticker, owners manual, xtra keys, etc, and he would get them to me. But after the fact and his attitude, I didnt even ask, just figured I'd get it on my own. You requested stuff from Pontiac at a good time, they were still marketing the cars heavy. I guess nowadays, nothing is free. You're right, Van Nuys and Canton are at opposite ends of the country, Norwood is in the area, dont know why Holland Pontiac got this car. Chris, I dont know if you could get a copy of the orig title from the BMV. I went there to apply for the historical plates and this young kid was working there and we got to talking. I told him I wished I wouldnt have turned in the orig title and I was trying to retrieve a lot of info on the car. He offered to look in the records and send me a photocopy of the title. He was really nice and even called me a couple weeks later and said he didnt forget, just busy.

[brother al]

Nice work Kymmee!