Dream Car Giveaway

 

Introduction

  • According to John Schinella, Firebird's chief designer, the famed coupe became "more of a thoroughbred in 1985" with a "more aggressive" image and dramatic restyling.
  • Also new was a V-8 power plant with tuned-port fuel injection that was intended to deliver a 0-60 mph time in about 8.1 seconds.
  • Engine choices also included the base 151-cid (2.5-liter) four, the fuel-injected 173-cid (2.8-liter) V-6, standard ride/handling package now included all of the components of the former Y99 option except for special tires.
  • The basic appearance was similar to 1984
  • Optional in the Trans Am, this 205-hp V-8 produced 270 lb-ft of torque.
  • The Trans Am displayed
    • new aero-tuned rocker and quarter panel extensions
    • a new hood with twin louvers near the front
    • built-in fog lamps where the big air slots otherwise would be
  • An improved Y99 package included 15 inch wheels.
  • Diamond spoke wheels were a new option this year.

I.D. NUMBERS

Pontiac used the industry-wide 17-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
It was located on the upper left surface of the instrument panel, visible through the windshield
PositionCharacterDescription
1st1US built
2ndGGeneral Motors product
3rd2Pontiac Motor Division vehicle
4thAManual seatbelts
5thSFirebird
XSE
WTrans Am
6th & 7th87Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
8th*Engine type where * is replaced by the following
  • U = 151-cid 4, 88-hp
  • 2 = 151-cid 4, 88-hp
  • 5 = 173-cid V6, 135-hp
  • 9 = 173-cid V6, 135-hp
  • W = 173-cid V6, 135-hp
  • H = 305-cid V8, 165-hp (Chevrolet/GM 4-barrel V8 produced in Canada)
  • F = 305-cid V8, 190-hp
9th?A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
10thFThe model year where F = 1985
11th_Manufacturing plant code
12th to 17th100001 and upProduction sequence serial number

IDENTIFICATION

Model NumberStyle NumberBody TypeSeatingFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
2FS872-door Hardtop Base Firebird - Four4$8763286646,644
both 4 & V8
2FS872-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V64$90132948
2FX872-door Hardtop SE - V64$11,06329655,208
2FX872-door Hardtop SE - V84$11,2633145
2FW872-door Hardtop Trans Am - V84$11,113310744,028

ENGINE

VIN CodeU or 25, 9, or WH (Chev)GF
CylindersFour (inline)60° V-690° V-890° V-8 H.O.90° V-8 H.O.
ValvingOverhead valveOverhead valveOverhead valveOverhead valveOverhead valve
BlockCast-ironCast-ironCast-ironCast-ironCast-iron
HeadCast-ironAluminumCast-ironCast-ironCast-iron
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.00 in.3.50 x 3.00 in.3.74 x 3.48 in.3.74 x 3.48 in.3.74 x 3.48 in.
Displacement151 cid (2.5 liters)173 cid (2.8 liters)305 cid (5.0 liters)305 cid (5.0 liters)305 cid (5.0 liters)
Compression ratio9.0 : 18.9 : 19.5 : 19.5 : 19.5 : 1
Brake H.P.88 @ 4400 rpm135 @ 5100165 @ 4200 rpm190 @ 4800 rpm205 @ 4400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)132-134 @ 2800 rpm160-165 @ 3600 rpm250 @ 2400 rpm240 @ 3200 rpm275 @ 3200 rpm
Main bearingsFiveFourFiveFiveFive
Valve liftersHydraulic
CarburetorThrottle-body fuel injection4-barrel4-barrelThrottle-body fuel Injection

TRANSMISSION

Four-speed TransmissionStandard on base Firebird
Five-speed TransmissionStandard on Firebird SE
Three-speed Turbo-Hydra-MaticOptional
Four-speed Turbo-Hydra-MaticOptional
Final drive ratio with 4-speed3.42 : 1
Final drive ratio with V-6 and 5-speed3.73 : 1
Final drive ratio with V-8 and 5-speed3.23 : 1
Final drive ratio with 3-speed automatic3.23 : 1
Final drive ratio with 4-speed automatic2.93 : 1

CHASSIS

FEATUREFirebirdSETrans Am
Wheelbase101.0 in.101.0 in.101.0 in.
Overall length189.9 in.189.9 in.189.9 in.
Height49.7 in.49.749.7
Width72.472.472.4
Front tread60.760.760.7
Rear tread61.661.661.6
TiresP195/75R14 SBR BSWP205/70R14 SBR BSWP205/70R14 SBR BSW
SteeringRecirculating ball
Front suspensionModified MacPherson struts with coil springs between lower control arm and X-member
Rear suspensionTorque arm/track bar with coil springsTorque arm/track bar with coil springs and anti-sway bar
BrakesFront disc, rear drums
IgnitionElectronic
Body constructionUnit
Fuel tank15.9 gal

OPTIONS

173-cid FI V-6$350
305-cid four-barrel V-8 for base Firebird$650
305-cid four-barrel V-8 for Firebird SE$300
H.O. 305-cid V-8 four-barrel or FI for Trans Am$695
Four-speed automatic transmission$325
Limited-slip differential$95-$100
Power four-wheel disc brakes$179
Power four-wheel disc brakes within performance packageN/C
Rally tuned suspension$30
Heavy-duty cooling$40-$70
Heavy-duty battery$25-$26
Heavy-duty alterntor$25-$51
Engine block heater$18-$19
California emissions$99
Firebird Trans Am special performance package$664
Firebird black appearance package$123-$152
Firebird custom exterior$51-$112
Firebird luxury interior trim$349-$359
Air conditioning$630-$730
Cruise control$175
Power seat$215-$488
Power windows$185-$260
Aero wing spoiler on Trans Am$199
Louvered rear sunshields$210
Two-tone paint$205
Lear Siegler bucket seats$$400-$759
Recaro bucket seats$636-$995

HISTORICAL NOTES

1985 Firebird Notes

  • Introduced on Nov. 8, 1984

1985 FIREBIRD PHOTOS

1985 Trans Am
1985 Firebird Trans Am
1985 Trans Am
1985 Firebird Trans Am
1985 Trans Am
1985 Firebird Trans Am