1985 FIREBIRD
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 | ||
| Position | Character | Description |
| 1st | 1 | US built |
| 2nd | G | General Motors product |
| 3rd | 2 | Pontiac Motor Division vehicle |
| 4th | A | Manual seatbelts |
| 5th | S | Firebird |
| X | SE | |
| W | Trans Am | |
| 6th & 7th | 87 | Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe |
| 8th | * | Engine type where * is replaced by the following
|
| 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 |
| 10th | F | The model year where F = 1985 |
| 11th | _ | Manufacturing plant code |
| 12th to 17th | 100001 and up | Production sequence serial number |
IDENTIFICATION
| Model Number | Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - Four | 4 | $8763 | 2866 | 46,644 both 4 & V8 |
| 2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V6 | 4 | $9013 | 2948 | |
| 2F | X87 | 2-door Hardtop SE - V6 | 4 | $11,063 | 2965 | 5,208 |
| 2F | X87 | 2-door Hardtop SE - V8 | 4 | $11,263 | 3145 | |
| 2F | W87 | 2-door Hardtop Trans Am - V8 | 4 | $11,113 | 3107 | 44,028 |
ENGINE
| VIN Code | U or 2 | 5, 9, or W | H (Chev) | G | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinders | Four (inline) | 60° V-6 | 90° V-8 | 90° V-8 H.O. | 90° V-8 H.O. |
| Valving | Overhead valve | Overhead valve | Overhead valve | Overhead valve | Overhead valve |
| Block | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron |
| Head | Cast-iron | Aluminum | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.00 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. |
| Displacement | 151 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 ratio | 9.0 : 1 | 8.9 : 1 | 9.5 : 1 | 9.5 : 1 | 9.5 : 1 |
| Brake H.P. | 88 @ 4400 rpm | 135 @ 5100 | 165 @ 4200 rpm | 190 @ 4800 rpm | 205 @ 4400 rpm |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 132-134 @ 2800 rpm | 160-165 @ 3600 rpm | 250 @ 2400 rpm | 240 @ 3200 rpm | 275 @ 3200 rpm |
| Main bearings | Five | Four | Five | Five | Five |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic | ||||
| Carburetor | Throttle-body fuel injection | 4-barrel | 4-barrel | Throttle-body fuel Injection | |
TRANSMISSION
| Four-speed Transmission | Standard on base Firebird |
| Five-speed Transmission | Standard on Firebird SE |
| Three-speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic | Optional |
| Four-speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic | Optional |
| Final drive ratio with 4-speed | 3.42 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with V-6 and 5-speed | 3.73 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with V-8 and 5-speed | 3.23 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with 3-speed automatic | 3.23 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with 4-speed automatic | 2.93 : 1 |
CHASSIS
| FEATURE | Firebird | SE | Trans Am |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 101.0 in. | 101.0 in. | 101.0 in. |
| Overall length | 189.9 in. | 189.9 in. | 189.9 in. |
| Height | 49.7 in. | 49.7 | 49.7 |
| Width | 72.4 | 72.4 | 72.4 |
| Front tread | 60.7 | 60.7 | 60.7 |
| Rear tread | 61.6 | 61.6 | 61.6 |
| Tires | P195/75R14 SBR BSW | P205/70R14 SBR BSW | P205/70R14 SBR BSW |
| Steering | Recirculating ball | ||
| Front suspension | Modified MacPherson struts with coil springs between lower control arm and X-member | ||
| Rear suspension | Torque arm/track bar with coil springs | Torque arm/track bar with coil springs and anti-sway bar | |
| Brakes | Front disc, rear drums | ||
| Ignition | Electronic | ||
| Body construction | Unit | ||
| Fuel tank | 15.9 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 package | N/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
LITERATURE
