Production numbers?

T

turbosunbird

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I'm new here and have an unusual question. Pontiac only made the Sunbird turbo convertible for three years: 1984,85 & 86. They made it to challenge the Mustang with power and front wheel drive. It was, however, more expensive than the Mustang and they ceased production. I was told they made only "about" 100 per year of the turbo model. Anybody know if that's right? I am the original owner of an 85 (black, tan interior and top) and it was always a sweet ride. It's been covered in my garage for about ten years and I'm thinking of restoring it. So my question is: is it worth it? Thanks for any input.
 
Thanks 92SB. I think to do it right (new interior, new top) I want to think I've got a collector car instead of just an expensive memory. It might justify it to my wife!
 
Best I Found !

1984 - LE Convertible - 5458 Made

1985 - LE Convertible - 2114 Made

1986 - SE Convertible - 1598 Made

1986 - GT Convertible - 1268 Made

The Turbo engine was a 1200- $1500 option all years except in the GT'S price ( Standard Equipment )

The Convertible was about $4000+ more than standard Sunbirds.

I can ask my "Vin Knowledged " friend on the Hbody Site to help if you want.

Doug in P.R. :cool:
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If your Car was made in Canada, they keep all the GM records .:)

You just need the Vin # The 11th digit is the plant :1 or 2 is a Canadian built car. Letters are US built cars.

Doug in P.R. :cool:
 
More than I've ever been able to find out!

Wow, 92SB; more information than I've ever gotten before. Thanx.

I'll check the VIN when I get home (I'm west coast). Wouldn't all convertibles have been made at one location? so we could subtract the production numbers from US or Canada (depending on where conv's were made) to narrow it down a little more.

Tomorrow I'll supply the entire VIN number; maybe one of the numbers/letters indicates the 1.8l turbo?

Thanx again!
 
Ok Ill Check , sent my friend a Pm to see if he can help even though he helps on the Hbody Cars ( Vega, Monza, Sunbird , Skyhawk, Astre , Starfire = 71-80 )

The 8th Digit is the Engine code, "J " is the Turbo 1.8


Doug in P.R. :cool:
 
Personally if you want ot justify rebuilding it to your wife remind her of the gas mileage and the reliability of the car. They were known for those although the turbo ate a bit more gas it still was pretty good.

If you like the car and you think of it fondly then that is all the reason you should need to rebuild it. Restoring cars comes down to one factor weather or not you love the car if you love the car then yes it is worth it. Also it helps knowing that whatever you put into the car is gonna take money that you probably will never see again if you sell the car. Restoration is a hobby and you mainly do it because you want to do it knowing that it will cost more than the car is worth to restore it.

My wife loves helping me do car work so it is never a hard sell for me to convince her to buy car parts.
 
My guy told me that GM Heritage just got all the Pontiac stuff and they are processing it all and it will be added to the site soon.

He will let me know on the convertible turbo production numbers when he hears back from is contact at GM Heritage.

Doug in P.R. :cool:
 
From Brian on the HBody site;

Nothing from GM Heritage yet. I did read this on Hemmings Daily. Looks like Pontiac made just under 6000 in 84 for the SE model. The turbo was optional in other models for 84. Then around 2000 for 85 (probably an option in 85 for the other models too). 1986 the turbo motor came standard in the Sunbird GT but they didn't mention the total produced. Throw in the convertible with it and he might be right.

("A fuel-injected overhead-camshaft 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine arrived the following year, and for the 1984 model year Pontiac added a Garrett turbocharger to the 1.8, increasing its horsepower rating from 84 to 150. Pontiac made the turbocharged engine standard in the “sporty” SE model (optional in other models) and coupled it with a WS6 performance handling package and turbo aluminum wheels, but the SE sold poorly: less than 6,000 in 1984 and about a third that number in 1985." )

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011 ... unbird-gt/

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
Here you go:

I apologize for my late response but the Heritage Center has been closed
since July 1 and apparently my out-of-office reply isn't working. Please
find below, the information I have regarding the 1984-1986 Sunbird
Convertible with the Turbocharged engine. It comes from the hand-tallied
engine usage reports dated 1984-1986.

1984 JC67 with LA5: 1630
1985 JC67 with LA5: 385
1986 JD67 with LA5: 307
JU67 with LA5: 962

--
Christo Datini
Lead Archivist
GM Media Archive/GM Heritage Center
6400 Center Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Mail Code: 483-640-100
office: (586)276-0855
fax: (586)276-0698
email: christo.datini@gmmediaarchive.com
 
Email from Brian:

Doug I would tell him to contact Christo for sure. Sometimes their info is limited but in this case they had a "Engine Usage Report" so that worked out. For a "breakdown" on the car only Christo could tell you if they can do that or not.

Christo has been super nice every time I contact him. A lot of times he can tell you exactly what he can get and other times it may take a day or two for him to check and see what is available. He is the man in this case

Let me know if you find out more, Brian




Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
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