[Donovan]

I've got one that I'm putting on my 68. 'Cept I don't like the repro material. It's a thin plastic sheet that's pebbled on the front. I'd like to use this as a template and cut a new one out of thicker rubber or plastic material similar to later factory lip spoilers. I don't think this one will hold up to 60mph+ head winds and be effective.

Anyone have some advice on material to use and where to get? I was thinking Lowes might have some flooring underlay or insulting product that might work?

[Donovan]

See?

[Bjorn]

Tom, I`m assuming this is for the front?

Not sure what 69 TA repro you got ?, I`ve never seen them...
I have the Camaro ( snowplow) repro on mine ,its pretty sturdy ,I bought it from Matts Bowties , I think thats the one Classic sells also....it has three "rods" = brackets to hold it against the wind...and is not breaking off , I know it will make it past 100 at least ...

does yours not have brackets? I would assume it would need the too....maybe you need to find out if they just didnt ship them or you can buy them 'extra'?

Might see ya tonight if you show up at Sams ,we can compare notes...

[Donovan]

This paticular spoiler is a reproduction of the original spoiler used only on the 69 Trans Am. It doesn't have a snow plow look but rather hangs at a 90' to the ground. It attaches to the A/C baffle lip that hangs down.

Reason I'm interested in it, the snow plow doesn't work with the front end design on my 68. IMO. Since it attaches to the baffle it doesn't use braces like the Camaro unit.

Did ya go to Sam's? I opted out because of rain!

[Bjorn]

I was at Sams, was eating when the little rain occurred ,nothing to it, just a few drops, put top up, then wiped off the drops ,took top down again... ....

ok so its that T/A front spoiler...I cannot fathom either being attached w/o any rods/brackets....got to have them as far as I can see...you`d break it off as soon as you hit something ,which WILL happen...

[azbirds]

The repro's are about 1/3 the thickness as the original. I took my original off and it was in good shape but I wanted to store it, so on goes the repro. I put a thin piece of sheet metal that was cut to the exact shape behind it. It works great and looks stock.

[Donovan]

Thanks AZ! I appreciate the input. I was on the right track then.

I had considered sheetmetal but I sort of agree with Bjorn. I'll tag a parking barrier and cry! I want something flexible.

It's awesome that an original TA own was able to comment!


I need to find a good material to use. I had a spoiler from a G-body but it didn't have enough extra to cut out..

[azbirds]

Donovan,
Happy to help

['ol Pinion head]

Donovan,
The thin plastic material that you show in the above pic looks a lot like the material Pontiac used as a service replacement for the "defector" that bolts on leading bottom edge of the coresupport on airconditioned '70 A-bodys. Have a box with similiar plastic piece that is nos & the plastic is very hard to get the bend out of it as it was rolled up. Maybe the repro was patterned after a similiar '69 Bird service part. Mention this, as have only had a few '69 Bird parts cars & am no expert on '69 T/A's.

Would love to see a pic of the original part. Anyone have an early 1970 master parts book, part numbers for both '69 pieces would be nice.

[455firebird1969]

I have one on my 1969. It works great, of course I dont get to see it when I'm going through the traps (I dont believe it is bending). It worked great when it was primarily street driven. Its been on my car for over 5 years. That lower baffle pan forces air through the radiator, instead of under/around it. I put mine on with some flat washers...

[RAJ7395]

Hey AZbirds,

Could you please take a micrometer and measure the thickness of your original front lower air dam. Mine original is long gone and I'd like to fabricate another but I need the correct thickness to start the search for material.

Thanks bud!!

[azbirds]

RAJ7395,
.105 inches on my calipers. They were held on with screws that were flat blade with an integrated washer. I'll try to post some pictures of the spoiler and the screws.

[RAJ7395]

You are the man!! Thank you for the measurement information as I now have a clue what I'm looking for. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of what the correct material and installation screws look like. Thanks again!!

[Flowjoe]

I have a catalog for Firebird only from 1972. Section 7.833 shows a baffle on the lower valance for 67-8 as #9789451 and on 69 as #9796251 for all 6cylinder w/AC and all 8 cylinders except Ram air. 69RA is listed as part #9798498. It also shows a spoiler lsited for 69 TA only as #546573 and then numbers for 70-71 TA as #482007 in blue and 70-72 #483886 in white with a suplemental part number of #485024 which is the 72 TA only blue spoiler. For the 70's TAs they have notes telling you to use the spoiler repair package kit which is ##486036 for 70-72 TA "used to install sppilers to steel valance panels" and #485177 for 72 TA which is "...used to service plastic valance panel. That is all it has to say on spoilers.

I don't know if that clears or muddies the water.

[Donovan]

Good info all around!

[RAJ7395]

Flowjoe- You are correct. Installation drawing #546321 shows the rubber 1969 TA front lower air dam as part #546573 and it was held on with 7 9428020 screw&washer assemblies.

[FunctionalShaker]

Any chance we could get pics posted of an ORIGINAL 69 T/A chin spoiler?

[frankyboy455]

Here's one.

[frankyboy455]

and it's .100" thick.

[Tim john]

Would it be possible to get a detailed outline of your original so that I can cut my own. If so please PM me and I will provide you an address to send it to. A paper outline would be just fine. Aslo can you confirm if it is mastic rubber like the front A-arm seals in the engine compartment or a solid black flexible rubber with no strand re-enforcement. Thank You.

Tim john---