This page is owned and created by Michael Russell, and is part of the web site "1980 TURBO TRANS AM SE".
Here is a breakdown of the VIN.... This is for 2nd generation Firebirds, Formulas, and Trans ams. The VIN is located on the 1967 models attached to the left front body door jamb, directly below the upper door hinge. In 1968-1981 the VIN is a metal plate located on the dash in front of the driver's seat and is visible through the windshield.
We will start with the VIN for 1967-1971 models
An example for a VIN from a 67-71 is as follows.. 223679L100001..
The second digit is always 2 . This stands for Firebird
The third digit could be a 3 , 4 , 6 , or 8 . and is the model and engine number.
3 --all 1967-1969 models
3 --standard model for 70-71
4 --Esprit V8 for 70-71
6 --Formula V8 for 70-71
8 --Trans Am V8 for 70-71
The 4rth and 5th digit is the body code and could be a 37, 67, or 87.
37 --sport coupe for 1967-1969
67 --convertible for 1967-1969
87 --sport coupe for all 1970-1981
The 6th digit is the model year, and could be a 7,8,9,0,or 1.
7 --1967
8 --1968
9 --1969
0 --1970
1 --1971
The 7th space is a letter that stands for the assembly plant and could be a L, N, or a U.
L --Van Nuys, California
N --Norwood, Ohio
U --Lordstown, Ohio
the remaining digits are the build sequence number for production starting with 600001 for 6 sylinder cars and starting with 100001 for V8 cars
The next VIN that is covered is for a 1972-1980 model. An example is as follows.... 2V87X2N500001
The second space is a letter and stands for the series. This letter could be a S,T,U,V,W, or an X.
S --base firebird
T --Esprits
U --Formula
V --Trans Am for 1972-1974
W --Trans Am for 1975-1980
X --10th Anniversary Trans Am for 1979
X --Turbo Indy Trans Am for 1980
The 3rd and 4rth digit is the body code and is always 87
87 --sport coupe
The 5th space is a letter and could be one of the following,,
A --231 c.i.d., 2-bbl V6 (1978-1980)
C --231 c.i.d., 2-bbl V6 (1977)
D --250 c.i.d., 1-bbl L6 (1972-1976)
G --305 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (1979)
H --350 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1975)
H --305 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1980)
J --350 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1976)
K --403 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1977-1979)
L --350 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1978)
M --350 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (single exaust)(1972-1976)
N --350 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (dual exaust)(1972-1974)
P --400 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (dual exaust)(1973-1974)
P --350 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1977)
R --400 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (single exaust)(1972-1974)
R --350 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1977)
S --400 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1975-1976)
S --265 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (1980)
T --400 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (dual exaust)(1972-1974)
T --301 c.i.d., TC 4-bbl V8 (Turbo)(1980)
U --305 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (1978)
W --455 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1975-1976)
W --301 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1979-1980)
X --455 c.i.d., 300 hp 4-bbl V8 (H.O.)(1972)
X --455 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (Super Duty)(1973-1974)
Y --455 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1973-1974)
Y --301 c.i.d., 2-bbl V8 (1977-1979)
Y --301 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (T/A 4.9)(1980)
Z --400 c.i.d., 4-bbl V8 (1977-1979)
The 6th digit is the model year and could be any of these..
2 --1972
3 --1973
4 --1974
5 --1975
6 --1976
7 --1977
8 --1978
9 --1979
A --1980
The 7th space is a letter and could be an L or an N
L --Van Nuys, California
N --Norwood,Ohio
The remaining digits are the Sequence number. The production numbers start with 500001 for all 1972 models, and 100001 for all 1973-1980 models.
The last VIN we will cover will be for 1981 Models. An example follows,, 1G2AW87L1BN100001
1 --USA
2 --Canada
The 2nd space is a letter for the manufacturer
G --General Motors
The 3rd digit is for the division
2 --Pontiac
The 4rth space is a letter for the restraint system
A --non-passive
B --automatic belts
C --inflatable restraint
The 5th space is a letter for the series.
S --base firebird
T --Esprits
V --Formula
W --Trans Am
X --Trans Am Special Edition
Y --NASCAR Turbo Trans Am Pace Car
The 6th and 7th digits are the body code
87 --Sport coupe
The 8th space is a letter for the engine code.
A --231 c.i.d., 110 hp 2-bbl V6
H --305 c.i.d., 145 hp 4-bbl V8
S --265 c.i.d., 120 hp 2-bbl V8
T --301 c.i.d., 200 hp TC 4-bbl V8 (Turbo)
W --301 c.i.d., 135 hp (or 150 hp T/A 4.9) 4-bbl V8
L --350 c.i.d., 175 hp 4-bbl V8
The 9th digit is a check digit. I am not sure what this means.
The 10th space is a letter for the year
B --1981
The 11th space is a letter for the assembley plant.
L --Van Nuys, California
N --Norwood, Ohio
The remaining numbers are the sequence build numbers and start with 100001 for all models.