1981 Trans Am \ Firebird Dash

[d_hache]

In all my years being obsessed with the 2nd generation Trans Am I noticed something new this morning.
I can' believe I might have missed this because it seams obvious now that I see it.
I was looking at some pictures of the 1981 Pace Car this morning and noticed these speaker holes in the corners.
Then I started to look at other 1981 Trans Am's and notices they all had the same holes.
Is this an option that was only available in 1981?
Thanks

[Steve B]

My 1980 also has the corner dash speakers.

[5th T/A]

My 1980 has two front and two rear speakers. The window sticker lists an AM&FM Stereo Radio, speakers dual front & rear. I am pretty sure that 1980 was the first year for dual front speakers. I can't imagine Pontiac would have gone to the expense of producing and installing two types of dashboards. So maybe from 1980 on, all dashes had two holes, one in each corner?

It would be interesting to hear if anyone with a 1980 or 1981 has a one speaker hole dash.

[roadking77]

I just did a quick glance through Rocky's fbird book and saw no reference to the dash speaker. Good question.

[another10th]

The 1981 (and maybe the 1980) also have round turn signal indicators instead of triangular. Also, due to the new international symbols, the trim plate for the rear defogger has a small, rectangular hole for the defogger identifier (which lights up).
Back in the day, they did things that don't make any sense today in regards to production. For example: In the 1969 Grand Prix, Pontiac engineered and produced unique seat tracks and frame, seat pads and upholstery; DASH; glove box door, interior and lock; steering column, shifter and shifter linkage just for the few people that wanted a bench seat instead of the standard buckets.  (with bucket seats the shifter was in the console and there was no glovebox in the dash.)

[Wallington]

It depends on the stereo options as to if you got the corner dash speakers or the single centre. It was one or the other, not both, not none.

[roadking77]

SO, a single centre speaker was available in 80, 81?

[Steve B]

SO, a single centre speaker was available in 80, 81?

If I can remember correctly(it's been 37 years), even though my '80 has the dual front speakers, it also had the center speaker installed from the factory, but it was not hooked up nor was there a grill or holes for the sound to come through.

[Wallington]

Option UX6, possibly standard with those that had the digital radios with upgraded rear speakers, or the booster setup. Although most photos of 80-81 cars are higher end models, the dual speakers seem to be much more common, either optioned-up or part of other packages.