1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

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TA2ENVY
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1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by TA2ENVY » Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:36 pm

Ok guys, First off I want to say that I appreciate all knowledge on this forum and I am not trying to pass off my car for anything more than it is or isn't, it does not have the normal R6V RPO code like most Formula FIrehawks in 1993 and it is a T/A which should not exist, however it has an interesting story and a lot of SLP/Firehawk parts on it.

We bought the car from the VP of Mattell Toys/Hot wheels division in LA back in 2004, he claimed he bought it from SLP back in the '90's when they were going to do a line of SLP Hotwheels, he stated this car was a 1 of 3 pilot built by SLP to sell them on the idea of doing a 1994 Firehawk on the T/A platform but GM turned them down and he was stuck with a beautiful fast car so this guy bought it and took it back to LA, it has a 1994 Firehawk ( late 1993 model) #001 tag on the ash tray, Ram Air Hood, SLP suspension, Speedline Wheels, Black with Graphite Leather interior, BBK headers, we have owned it for 15 years and have decided to sell it but don't want to misrepresent what we were told so here we are asking the experts to look at the VIN# and RPO codes to see what you all think, if its a fake then I will sell it as a clone so no one is misled.

https://dougvarner.smugmug.com/1993-Firebird-Tran-Am/

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Firehawk
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by Firehawk » Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:21 pm

Just from what I can see from the pics:

1993 VIN and does look like it has the T/A RPO code Y83

Looks like a 1996-1997 WS6 ram air hood and air cleaner. SLP used the Firehawk hood from 1993-1995 and very early 1996 on the 1993-1995 pilot cars. This did include the 1994 T/A pilot cars. They did this because the GM WS6 hood didn't exists yet.

Speedline Rims were only used on 1995 Firehawks, all 1993-1994 firehawks and pilot cars had ROH rims on them, include the verified 1994 T/A pilot cars.

I believe the 1993-1994 pilot cars had "pilot" stamped on the dash plaques with their build number.

Does the car have any door stickers or under the hood stickers from what look like SLP?

Mac/Maplehawk can also chime in.

Brian

8 is enough
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by 8 is enough » Mon Nov 25, 2019 11:16 pm

Interesting. It is definitely a 96 hood, and looks like it has speed line wheels from the 95-96 era. I have a 1994 t/a pilot car. It was originally 321 in 1994 and had the 1994 wheels and suspension and exhaust options. It along with a few other trans ams were actually produced without the r6v code. Mine along with 2 others(that I am aware of) were shipped back and turned into pilot cars for the 1995 year. They got special firehawk T/A graphics and dash plaques, zr1 wheels, slp headers and a 325 hp rating. #1 was a black one and have not heard from that owner in awhile. #2 was red and ended up overseas somewhere. I own #3 and it is yellow. I believe there were a total of 12 1994 pilot cars, and 3 were 25th anniversary models. It is possible there were one offs in 1993, but the hood and wheels do not add up. I was able to get slp documentation from Pontiac Historical services years ago, as Ed Hamburger documented the 1994 pilot cars.
1994 Yellow Firehawk Trans am Pilot Car #003
Image

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Maplehawk
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by Maplehawk » Mon Nov 25, 2019 11:54 pm

Glad you are asking and that you are interested in verifying the history of the car before passing it along to a new owner.

Here is my knowledge and what I see from the photos.

1. I do believe that one 1993 Trans Am was completed as a Firehawk. It was a different color and we have some info on that car.
2. SLP build several Trans Am pilot cars in 1994 from 1994 bodies.
3. The SLP Trans Am pilot cars used the earlier ROH style wheels not the later Speedline wheels.
4. The hood is a WS6 or Comp T/A style hood which come out in Q2 1995 and would not have been available in 1993 for a pilot car. Interesting that the air box does not have the Ram Air script. Might be a Comp T/A box.
5. The air intake box is a WS6 box which was a 1996 and 1997 part. Again, not available in 1993
6. The console plate looks real but SLP made two copies for each #, one said 300 HP and the other said 315 HP. The 1994 #001 Firehawk has the optional SLP exhaust and would have used the plate with the 315 HP logo. You plaque may be the other original.
7. An SLP built car will have additional decal on the bottom on the hood as well as on the driver's door jam. Does you car have those?

Based on the photos or the car, I do not believe that this was an SLP built car. The mix of parts do not align with respect to timelines nor do they match the other documented Trans Am pilot cars. Could have been built from a salvaged Comp T/A.

Not what you wanted to hear but that's what I am seeing.

Mac
Mac Logan
1992 Firehawk #05
1995 Firehawk #C04
2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Wagon
Proud Member - Firehawk Association of America
Author of Firehawk - Fiercest of the Firebirds

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NBrehm
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by NBrehm » Tue Nov 26, 2019 7:03 am

I agree with Mac, it looks like a garden variety TA that has had parts added to it. Having said that it is still a great looking piece and certainly not anything to look down on.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

TA2ENVY
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by TA2ENVY » Tue Nov 26, 2019 12:34 pm

Thanks for the feedback and it looks like they may have salvaged parts off a '95 or new FIrehawk, if the Firehawk data plate is real that is interesting how it got on this car??? Makes you wonder???

Any idea what this car would be worth as a CLONE with 113K miles, runs great, needs tires and one headlight motor? I know the KBB on stock T/A is like $3K for this year but with all the upgrades it has to be worth more than that?

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Maplehawk
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by Maplehawk » Wed Nov 27, 2019 10:58 am

The data plate was likely purchased from a former SLP employee. I know that at least one was selling this type of article on eBay a few years back. Given the combination of parts on your Trans Am, I suspect a salvaged Comp T/A may have been the donor car.

Your assessment of the price seems reasonable. Given what appears to be good overall condition and the various extra parts, you have a $4,000 to $6,000 car maybe? 1993 hawks with similar mileage and condition typically ask around $7,500 +/-
Mac Logan
1992 Firehawk #05
1995 Firehawk #C04
2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Wagon
Proud Member - Firehawk Association of America
Author of Firehawk - Fiercest of the Firebirds

TA2ENVY
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Re: 1993 Firebird T/A-Firehawk?-Expert Opinions Needed

Post by TA2ENVY » Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:09 pm

Thanks, that is about where we thought the car should sell for so we will advertise it as T/A with Firehawk decals but not a real validated car

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