Bought 1st Firebird - what to look for?

Do you mean the big, mostly flat dark plastic panel that extends from the windshield back to the softer plastic parts of the dash? They are available “used”, and new. Expensive, and shipping is very high - oversize and fragile. Example:


93-96 are the same for all years and trim levels - base, Formula, Trans Am. 97-02 are different.

The 1995 “base” was available with two different V6 engines, a 3.4L OBD-1 early in the year, with a 3.8L OBD-2 added late in the model year. The latter would be the preferable engine. Both were available with either a 4L60E 4-speed auto transmission, or a T-5 5-speed manual trans.

Wow! The replacement part isn't bad, but that shipping cost is ridiculous. I've seen some plastic covers that can be used, but they are just as expensive as that OEM piece.

Not sure which one I got, but I'll check it out when I pick up the car tomorrow for build date. Good to hear about the trim levels being the same because of definitely like to swap out the cloth interior for the leather that came with the Formula and TA models. Appreciate the response.

I bought a new dash cover for my 98 Ta on eBay for about $120 a few years aqo. Similar to this one below. It worked well but I did have to pant it dark pewter to match the interior...about a $30 expense. If the cost overall is about the same I would buy the real dash panel, not the cover. For some reason the 93-96's are costlier.

Which panel fits is determined by the model year of the vehicle, not the “build date”. Are you unsure if it’s a 1995 model year? Here's how to decipher the VIN:

Injuneer said:

Which panel fits is determined by the model year of the vehicle, not the “build date”. Are you unsure if it’s a 1995 model year? Here's how to decipher the VIN:

http://shbox.com/1/vin_engine_id.jpg

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Appreciate the info. Found out that mine is actually the Canadian version. It's definitely a 1995 Firebird base 2-door hatchback. I'm not real mechanically inclined, but I'm fully retired and bought it to tinker with and do some upgrades. Wanna start with the dash and interior first. Would love to swap out the cloth interior (which actually doesn't look too bad at all, no tears or stains) for the leather interior that came in the Formula and Trans Am versions. I did run a Carfax and found out it has a rebuilt title (wasn't disclosed at the auction) but not really sure why. It did show an accident in 2002 and the car suffered front end damage, but no air bag deployment. It was issued a salvage title until 2014 and a rebuilt title in 2015.

GaryDoug said:

I bought a new dash cover for my 98 Ta on eBay for about $120 a few years aqo. Similar to this one below. It worked well but I did have to pant it dark pewter to match the interior...about a $30 expense. If the cost overall is about the same I would buy the real dash panel, not the cover. For some reason the 93-96's are costlier.

Coverlay 18-925 for 93-96 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Dash Board Cover Dark Gray | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Coverlay 18-925 for 93-96 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Dash Board Cover Dark Gray at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

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Mine needs a whole new dash as it's more than just that panel that's cracked. Although that panel is pretty much destroyed in my car, it's just pieces at this point.

All 4th Gen F-Bodies (Camaro, Firebird) were built in GM's St. Therese, Canada Plant. Actual Canadian spec models will have metric speedo, and I've seen daytime running lights discussed here, and other features dictated by Canadian motor vehicle laws.

wxmcpo said:

Mine needs a whole new dash as it's more than just that panel that's cracked. Although that panel is pretty much destroyed in my car, it's just pieces at this point.

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I believe coverlay sells 2 pieces, one for the top, and one for the lower portion. That is going to be your best and cheapest option.