Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 - Is this a WS6?

Alright I got a Trans Am a few days ago, and from what I know it is a WS6, but I can't really tell. It has the functional hood with ram air down the side, the WS6 emblem on the back, and the WS6 wheels also.
The only problem with it is that it doesn't have the WS6 RPO code in the door. So is the code missing or did someone go through a lot of trouble to make a fake?

And of the wheels

It's not a WS6.

Yup u got a clone man...

The only problem with it is that it doesn't have the WS6 RPO code in the door

There's your answer.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as it has the LS1 your good, just mod it your way and have fun.

I hope the seller was upfront with you. Far too many sellers won't disclose the cloning of a Trans Am into a WS6 Trans Am and that is just wrong :punch:

^ AGREE, people ask a ws6 price for a trans am its shady, they for sure knew it wasnt a ws6, i see a few of these threads a year,people really need to research before they buy, op i hope you didnt pay top dollar for a hood and a emblem

Cloned and owned. Doesn't the WS6 have different sway bars as well?

different sway bars and shocks and springs I belive the springs are a bit stiffer than regualr T/A but not by much

talkingpillow, welcome to LS1tech!

You still have a sharp looking car there. I think it's OK so long as nobody tries to see a call saying it's something it's not. Did the seller advertise it as a WS6? Did he/she want more because of this?

bottom line is it looks good. it's highly unlikely but the door could have been replaced with one of the same color, check if the vin matches.

the springs/shocks/swaybars the ws6 package comes with aren't that great, if you want it to handle you're going to replace it all anyway. power steering cooler became standard by 99 or 2000, you have the 3.23 gears anyway, etc

did you buy the car to drive it/enjoy it or did you buy it to sell it? if you were happy with the price when you paid for it don't worry about it, just have fun with it

If it bothers you, just get a set of UMI/BMR sways (better than the 32 MM upgrade), an external PS cooler under your air dam (better than factory), and some cheapo Gabrielle shocks from Autozone (better than 10 year old DeCarbones).

Sounds like you already have the wheels and emblem. Comp9 used to have an online VIN decoder. Don't sweat it, man. Just enjoy the car. The actual RPO might have meaning 30 years down the road if/when these become collectible, if ever.

Never look at a car as an investment. Just view them as either toys or transportation appliances.

Nice-looking car regardless! At least your clone has the correct 17" WS6 polished-aluminum wheels on it. Many claiming to be real WS6 cars are still running around on the base-Trans Am 16" chromed aluminum "ABS" wheels.

what does the ws9 stand for? Seems I bought a clone as well but I'm fine with it haha

ws9- v8 bird
y82-trans am
ws6-ram air and handling package

I made sure to get a legit WS6.. I did come across some fakes that wanted the WS6 price for a clone and they didnt want to hear negotiations on price because their car wasnt a true WS6... Honestly, its an ego thing if you ask me... I just like being able to tell people (most of who dont even know what a WS6 really is) yep, its a WS6... If you ask me, the best car to get is a 1LE formula....All the goodies, none of the fat...

You got a nice lookin ride.. Now go out and spank her ass a little...:cheers:

the emblem placement is waaaay wide right too... thats one thing a lot of cloners do wrong...

WS6 and Trans Am production numbers were about the same, weren't they? IMO a clone isn't worth much less than a real WS6; Firehawk>>>both anyways :D

Got the Vin checked today, and it isn't WS6. Didn't pay too much and it's already done, so I'm not worried about it.
It was advertised as a WS6, but I don't think the seller knew it really wasn't. I wouldn't have noticed If I didn't try to see how many were made.

WS6 and Trans Am production numbers were about the same, weren't they? IMO a clone isn't worth much less than a real WS6; Firehawk>>>both anyways :D

IMO not really... but we all have opinions

if the VIN on the sticker matches the vin on the dash then you have your answer. also, i thought WS6 weren't built in this color?? either way, nice car and rare color. enjoy it.

different sway bars and shocks and springs I belive the springs are a bit stiffer than regualr T/A but not by much

The only standard differences with the WS6 package:

-17" rims (on hardtop and ttop cars-'verts retained 16's)
-WS6 Badge
-FRONT (not both) swaybar upgraded from 30mm to 32mm
-Power steering cooler on the LS1 cars

It was advertised as a WS6, but I don't think the seller knew it really wasn't.

This happens far to often. People with little knowledge say or do things like this without realizing how easy it is to disprove.

In the world of first gen Monte Carlos, many sellers/owners get SS454 emblems and toss in a 454 then advertise it as a genuine SS. There's other telltale parts of the package that can't be duplicated and they don't even know it.

This happens far to often. People with little knowledge say or do things like this without realizing how easy it is to disprove.

In the world of first gen Monte Carlos, many sellers/owners get SS454 emblems and toss in a 454 then advertise it as a genuine SS. There's other telltale parts of the package that can't be duplicated and they don't even know it.

Don't even go there! I've never seen so many 60's and 70's Camaros and Chevelles with SS emblems and engine swaps. I wonder if even 10% of those SS cars are legit. Sometimes cloning gets real old....

Got the Vin checked today, and it isn't WS6. Didn't pay too much and it's already done, so I'm not worried about it.
It was advertised as a WS6, but I don't think the seller knew it really wasn't. I wouldn't have noticed If I didn't try to see how many were made.

Sorry to hear that but very glad you are OK with it and did not overpay. Enjoy the car!! :drive:

if the VIN on the sticker matches the vin on the dash then you have your answer. also, i thought WS6 weren't built in this color?? either way, nice car and rare color. enjoy it.

Yeah that's how I found out it wasn't a WS6. I was searching to find out how many were made and it said 0.

The only standard differences with the WS6 package:

-17" rims (on hardtop and ttop cars-'verts retained 16's)
-WS6 Badge
-FRONT (not both) swaybar upgraded from 30mm to 32mm
-Power steering cooler on the LS1 cars

Exactly why a clone isn't worth any less in my eyes. It's not like your taking a V6 and putting WS6 badges on it, just minor differences between the two and depending on the year the base Trans Am was actually more "rare" haha. Now a WS6 Formula would change that, but a WS6 Trans Am is all too common to be worried about clones IMO.

Don't even go there!

Us first gen Monte guys are lucky. There are several mandatory options and parts that came with the 70 & 71 SS package. Namely, the air leveling system which can't be faked or duplicated from aftermarket parts.

look at it like this its better than a mustang

it has lt1 seats in it too just fyi. At least the headrest from what i can see in the pics

the color should have been the first clue, never made ws6's in bgc

Exactly why a clone isn't worth any less in my eyes. It's not like your taking a V6 and putting WS6 badges on it, just minor differences between the two and depending on the year the base Trans Am was actually more "rare" haha. Now a WS6 Formula would change that, but a WS6 Trans Am is all too common to be worried about clones IMO.

As mine is a WS6 Formula (according to the door plate), does that make it more "rare" then a WS6 Trans Am?
What would the difference be?

I think all V8 Firebirds had the Formula code as a base option.

As mine is a WS6 Formula (according to the door plate), does that make it more "rare" then a WS6 Trans Am?
What would the difference be?

If you have RPOs W66 and WS6, then you have a WS6 Formula, which is much more rare than a WS6 T/A. Formulas could not be ordered w/ WS6 after 2000.

The main difference between Formulas and T/As is the nose and tail, and the Formula lacks the rocker side moulding that the T/A has. Formulas could be ordered w/ cloth seats and fewer options, T/As had leather standard as well as other options (power windows/locks, etc).

The ONE option you COULD get on a Formula that was not available on a T/A was 1LE.

ws9- v8 bird
y82-trans am
ws6-ram air and handling package
Look closely,, if u see WU-6, YOU HAVE A FIREHAWK

I think all V8 Firebirds had the Formula code as a base option.
CORRECT, My Firehawk was originally a Formula code, it still says it on the Registration

CORRECT, My Firehawk was originally a Formula code, it still says it on the Registration
Hey , welcome to the Team brother

WS6 and Trans Am production numbers were about the same, weren't they? IMO a clone isn't worth much less than a real WS6; Firehawk>>>both anyways :D
whats a cherry firehawk hood worth?
no its not for sale

Just to clarify what "the Formula option" is:

WS9 = MODEL CONVERSION FORMULA(MERCHANDISING OPTION) FORMULA(WS9)

ALL V8 Firebirds have RPO WS9, which is why some T/As have "Formula" on their registration info or insurance info. The state and insurance companies only care that the car has a V6 or V8.

W66 = FORMULA OPTION(MERCHANDISING OPTION) FORMULA(W66)

ONLY Formulas have RPO W66 (but they ALSO have WS9).

Y82 = TRANS AM PKG BASE(MERCHANDISING OPTION) PKG,TRANS AM BASE(Y82)

ONLY Trans-Am Coupes ('94+) have RPO Y82 (but they ALSO have WS9).

Y83 = TRANS AM PACKAGE(MERCHANDISING OPTION) TRANS AM(Y83)

Only Trans Am Coupes ('93-'95) have RPO Y83 (but they ALSO have WS9). It appears that only 5 '95 T/A coupes got Y83, the rest got Y82. These were very likely mules or pilot cars before GM settled on Y82 for coupes exclusively from that point on.

Y84 = TRANS AM GTA OPTION(MERCHANDISING OPTION) TRANS AM GTA(Y84)

ONLY Trans-Am Verts have RPO Y84 (but they ALSO have WS9). Interestingly, 3 T/A 'verts in '94 appear to have received Y83 instead of Y84 according to CompNine's database. These were very likely mules or pilot cars before GM settled on Y84 for 'verts exclusively.

So the OP has a base Trans Am that was cloned to look like a WS6?

Just to clarify what "the Formula option" is:

WS9 = MODEL CONVERSION FORMULA(MERCHANDISING OPTION) FORMULA(WS9)

ALL V8 Firebirds have RPO WS9, which is why some T/As have "Formula" on their registration info or insurance info. The state and insurance companies only care that the car has a V6 or V8.

W66 = FORMULA OPTION(MERCHANDISING OPTION) FORMULA(W66)

ONLY Formulas have RPO W66 (but they ALSO have WS9).

Y82 = TRANS AM PKG BASE(MERCHANDISING OPTION) PKG,TRANS AM BASE(Y82)

ONLY Trans-Am Coupes ('94+) have RPO Y82 (but they ALSO have WS9).

Y83 = TRANS AM PACKAGE(MERCHANDISING OPTION) TRANS AM(Y83)

Only Trans Am Coupes ('93-'95) have RPO Y83 (but they ALSO have WS9). It appears that only 5 '95 T/A coupes got Y83, the rest got Y82. These were very likely mules or pilot cars before GM settled on Y82 for coupes exclusively from that point on.

Y84 = TRANS AM GTA OPTION(MERCHANDISING OPTION) TRANS AM GTA(Y84)

ONLY Trans-Am Verts have RPO Y84 (but they ALSO have WS9). Interestingly, 3 T/A 'verts in '94 appear to have received Y83 instead of Y84 according to CompNine's database. These were very likely mules or pilot cars before GM settled on Y84 for 'verts exclusively.

All V8 cars, including Firehawks, TA's, and formulas, will say both Trans Am and Formula on the title.

The reason behind this is that the VIN isn't trim specific, just motor specific (ie, it just indicates it's a V8 car), so all V8 cars will have something like "Firebird Formula Trans Am GT" or something to that effect on the title or when you run the VIN. It doesn't mean your Trans am is a Formula, or your Formula is a Trans am ect...

So the OP has a base Trans Am that was cloned to look like a WS6?

Yeah, pretty much.