That emblem was probably the best thing on the whole car. If the corrosion problems didn't kill 'em, the mechanical problems did. That cable clutch control was a very bad idea. Pair that with the terrible engines that came from the engine plant, and you had a recipe for disaster. An old friend of mine who worked at the engine plant told me that if they had four good units leave the plant, that was a good day. And the switch to an electric fuel pump didn't help much either. By the time Oldsmobile rolled out the Ferenza that same year, word already got out about the quality problems with the Sunbird. My BIL bought a new Ferenza, and he got saddled with more than his share of problems that I've outlined here. Not six months after he bought it, he traded the Olds in for an '81 Toronado deisel. After buying two GM lemons, he switched to Ford, and never looked back. It's a wonder how GM. made it through the early '80's without folding.
I had one, I bought new in 1980 and was told it had the same 4cyl engine as the Chevy Citation. I put 300k miles on it, but not sure of the correct miles. I drove it for three years with the speedo cable off, so no miles were recorded during those three years. I went through a lot of tires, one set of brakes and one clutch. That was the extent of my failures on the car. I kept it about eleven years and sold it. I still regret that sale every day!! Mine was yellow, but not a lemon!!
I had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird and it made me swear off American cars! Total lemon! After buying it I had it back to the dealer five times (once towed in) in the first six months of ownership. You know a car is bad when GM only gave it a six month warranty when all other Pontiac models had a one year warranty. You can name a part on that car and chances are I replaced it (some many times) in the eight wars of ownership. The engine leaked oil and dieseled badly. The emission control unit burned out several times. I had to replace the clutch every two years. I was at the dealer so much all the guys in the repair department knew me by name. No rust proofing on the fenders which rusted out in just a couple of years. Eventually the car could not exceed 60mph without shaking badly. When the transmission seized I called it quits. Bought a 1989 Mazda 626, the first of 5 Mazdas and have never been happier.
Best of OPC. 
10 comments:
now that is a sunbird.
The sun inside the S is epic.
That emblem was probably the best thing on the whole car. If the corrosion problems didn't
kill 'em, the mechanical problems did. That cable clutch control was a very bad idea. Pair
that with the terrible engines that came from the engine plant, and you had a recipe for disaster.
An old friend of mine who worked at the engine plant told me that if they had four good units
leave the plant, that was a good day. And the switch to an electric fuel pump didn't help
much either. By the time Oldsmobile rolled out the Ferenza that same year, word already
got out about the quality problems with the Sunbird. My BIL bought a new Ferenza, and
he got saddled with more than his share of problems that I've outlined here. Not six months
after he bought it, he traded the Olds in for an '81 Toronado deisel. After buying two GM
lemons, he switched to Ford, and never looked back. It's a wonder how GM. made it through
the early '80's without folding.
In high school my buddy and I cruised all over the place in his mom's brown 1979 Sunbird.
Good luck finding a replacement hubcap.
Nice find !
Such a neat car, I want it so bad!
This thing is so dang sick. Can't wait to find one now.
I had one, I bought new in 1980 and was told it had the same 4cyl engine as the Chevy Citation. I put 300k miles on it, but not sure of the correct miles. I drove it for three years with the speedo cable off, so no miles were recorded during those three years. I went through a lot of tires, one set of brakes and one clutch. That was the extent of my failures on the car. I kept it about eleven years and sold it. I still regret that sale every day!! Mine was yellow, but not a lemon!!
I had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird and it made me swear off American cars! Total lemon! After buying it I had it back to the dealer five times (once towed in) in the first six months of ownership. You know a car is bad when GM only gave it a six month warranty when all other Pontiac models had a one year warranty. You can name a part on that car and chances are I replaced it (some many times) in the eight wars of ownership. The engine leaked oil and dieseled badly. The emission control unit burned out several times. I had to replace the clutch every two years. I was at the dealer so much all the guys in the repair department knew me by name. No rust proofing on the fenders which rusted out in just a couple of years. Eventually the car could not exceed 60mph without shaking badly. When the transmission seized I called it quits. Bought a 1989 Mazda 626, the first of 5 Mazdas and have never been happier.
Post a Comment