1971 T/A original muncie bellhousing shifter knob

[frankyboy428]

I don't think the guy's memory is foggy but it could be a few different things, I think. It could be the guy thought he had a T/A because he had all the striping, the shaker, etc etc and never verified anything as far as numbers. The guy is now about 55 I'm guessing and that was 30 years ago. Would a 25 year old guy in 1984 be anal about numbers and originality as we guys are today ?

It could also be the it was a real T/A, the trans broke at one point in it's life and was replaced by a used one. Replaced by a used '71 F-body ? very unlikely coincidence in my opinion but not impossible.

Could it have broke under warranty and a new tranny was on back-order and to satisfy the customer they took one off another new car in the lot (let's say 4 speed Formula). That would explain the '71 F body VIN.

One other thing: I'm no expert on second gen F-body Firebirds, but could it be the car was ordered with a lower numerical rear axle ratio like let's say 3.08 and in this case the factory would NOT install a close ratio M22 ?

I know ordering the PHS for that car (according to the partial VIN on the case) would answer a lot of questions.