1986 firebird trans am convertible?

[belowfire]

I have come apone a 83 t/a convertible ive been told only 6 were madeand ever where ive looked it says none were made so how the hell did i find this?

[//<86TA>\\]

all the verts from that time were conversions, not done by GM. Not sure where you would find the production numbers though.

[1320B4U]

83 or 86? The early 3rd gens were done by autoform while the later were done by asc until gm did them directly in '90 or '91-ish. Check b/pillar or door for tags that state who converted it. The earlier ones (with the smaller trunk openings w/hinges on the outside and tonneau covers were very limited production).

[//<86TA>\\]

Originally Posted by 1320B4U

83 or 86? The early 3rd gens were done by autoform while the later were done by asc until gm did them directly in '90 or '91-ish. Check b/pillar or door for tags that state who converted it. The earlier ones (with the smaller trunk openings w/hinges on the outside and tonneau covers were very limited production).

actually there were many different companies that did the verts until 87? when asc started doing them

[greenformula92]

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\

actually there were many different companies that did the verts until 87? when asc started doing them

That is true, the only way to know is to look at the production tag on the car and then contact that company. However if the company is out of business you may be SOL as far as getting a number. if you wanna be technical there are no factory f-body convertibles until 91 i think it is

[maroman88]

i wanna say none until 94 (4th gens). i remember seeing a truck load of 92's being loaded onto a car carrier from the factory with no rear hatches, being sent off for the vert conversion

theres a thread on tgo about it

[greenformula92]

Maroman I think the official return of the firebird/trans am and camaro convertible was for 91 and 92, I am going to do some quick reasearch on it. It still was done by ASC but it was sent to be converted direct from the factory, which is most likely why the fit and finish was much better. They do squeak like crazy though So technically every 3rd gen F-body convertible started life as a T-top car but in 91 and 92 if you have a convertible is was noted in the VIN

reasearch as promised:

A new beak that polarized buyers appeared on the Firebird for 1991; some thought it aggressive, others just droopy and ugly. But except for the addition of convertible models (base and Trans Am — the first since 1969), the Firebird was mostly carryover.

[1320B4U]

^Yup.

[Raist103]

89 they made verts. the tta had 3 made.

[Tru2Chevy]

http://www.thirdgen.org/1987-chevy-camaro

The Camaro convertible was introduced for the first time since 1969 as a regular production option. The convertible was available on the 1987 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe, Sport Coupe LT, Z28, and IROC-Z. The new 350 TPI motor was not available in the convertible however, and never would be during the Third Gen. The convertible conversion was performed on t-top equipped (t-top models have extra bracing) Camaros by ASC. Only 1,007 convertibles were produced this first year of production. 1987 was the 20th anniversary of the Camaro and the convertibles were considered the anniversary editions and were signified by a special dash badge that read `20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition'. Also specific to the 87 convertibles were the one year only third brake light and fairings extending a few inches onto the top edge of the doors. G92 performance axle ratio and J65 four wheel disc brakes were available this year on the IROC-Z convertible.

Firebirds became available as a 'vert in '89 (although from what I have read, the 3 TTA 'verts were not factory ordered as such - they were sent to ASC for the conversion after purchase).

- Justin

[greenformula92]

89 TTA convertible is not considered a factory option convertible. not available till 91 from GM. A lot of time these cars got completed in Van Nuys and then if the dealer they were going to wanted to they would have them shipped to ASC to basically chop the roof off of a bran new car

Justin,

that article is wrong, there was quite a few of 350 cars that got converted. I know where there is one, its not for sale, but I know who has one

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

I thought Jewboy had an 89 iroc vert?

[1320B4U]

I did see a formula 350 from 89 that was converted too...light blue..last year. The birds had a weird rear spoiler...almost like a mini raised 91-92 camaro type that tided into the the wrap around that all verts had.

[V]

Both my 88 verts were done by ASC (1 iroc, 1 base model) and SOLD AS verts by Chevrolet.

Also, first style 3rd brake light and door trim extensions were 87-88, not 87 only like that one thing said.

[1320B4U]

That is a rare trait w/the spoiler extensions..only seen 1 or 2 since verts from those years are indeed rare.

[greenformula92]

Originally Posted by V

Both my 88 verts were done by ASC (1 iroc, 1 base model) and SOLD AS verts by Chevrolet.

Also, first style 3rd brake light and door trim extensions were 87-88, not 87 only like that one thing said.

That would be correct for the time period. even so it was not a FACTORY vert. They both left Van Nuys as t-top cars

[V]

Originally Posted by greenformula92

That would be correct for the time period. even so it was not a FACTORY vert. They both left Van Nuys as t-top cars

never did i say factory. just stating that the conversions were authorized by and for Chevrolet. Prior to 87, conversions were either ordered to be done by private owners or individual dealers.

[greenformula92]

Originally Posted by V

never did i say factory. just stating that the conversions were authorized by and for Chevrolet. Prior to 87, conversions were either ordered to be done by private owners or individual dealers.

Sorry V, I misunderstood

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy

I thought Jewboy had an 89 iroc vert?

Yes, you could order Camaro 'verts from the dealer starting in '87 (they were built as T-top cars and sent to ASC with no hatch for the conversion). Firebirds didn't have the 'vert option until '91.....Earlier Firebird 'verts were pretty much all done after the sale by dealers or customers.

- Justin

[BigAls87Z28]

ASC was commissioned to do Camaro Verts starting in 87 as a factory option. ASC also built the SSR too.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

ASC was commissioned to do Camaro Verts starting in 87 as a factory option. ASC also built the SSR too.

And the GNX