88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

Hey there Vert guys!

So what's the deal with the Front Bow Trim being different for different years?

I'm finding after buying an 88 convertible, parts are mostly available for 89-92 verts.

They made almost the same number of verts in 88 as 89! What gives?!

I read somewhere that sometime in 88 A.S.C. Started making changes, but no one knows exactly.

Will this piece really not fit on an 88?

If anyone knows how to get this piece, please let me know.

According to Hawks, Classic Industries, and Year One they only have the 89 piece and the 90-92 piece..

And just to avoid confusion, this is the piece that screws into the front of the top and has cutouts for the release handles.

Mine isn't in bad shape, but has a small crack on the drivers side where it screws in. Because of the crack the plastic doesn't sit right and you have to hold the trim piece down to move the handle without further damaging the plastic. It's just a small annoyance.

I'm thinking of taking the piece out, using strong epoxy, sanding it and painting the whole thing if I can't find a new one or reproduction anywhere.

Makes me a little nervous that since there were so few verts made, no one sees a profit in aftermarket parts for them.

Maybe someday we can 3D print all the crappy GM interior stuff..

Any help is welcome!

wadem69

I am looking for the same part for my 88. Mine is broken up pretty bad.

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

I want to get these OE Reproduction companies to do 87-88 parts.. You see more 87 and 88 convertibles for sale than 89 and they barely made any 90 convertibles..

I wonder why no one is making this stuff..

I'd pay double what they want for the 89 part of it was a good reproduction.

i saw one on eBay recently but it was used and in worse shape than mine..

I don't know if we could get a list of people who want the part together and get it made or not.. If someone knows there's demand someone will make the part

TRANSAM82-92

iTrader: (1)

Not that much demand and cost to make is greater then the pieces that would be sold. Buy a good used one

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

I haven't seen a used one in better shape than mine yet.. And there are none for sale right now..

My point is they make the reproduction piece for 89..

There were almost the same number of verts made in 88..

Just wondering why they don't make the piece.. It would have to be profitable at $300.. People would pay that for a part that's hard to get.

One guess is that is it was such a bad design in 87-88. Nearly everyone that has one of those verts has a cracked bow trim because of the flimsy design and the fastener points and they don't want to make a rare piece that they'd have to charge a premium for and then have it crack again in a few years. Just like how instead of the sliding tonnaeu release trim/lever from 87-88 they make the 89-92 tonneau release update kit for 87-88 because the original one was a bad design that frequently broke.

Just saw a post someone put about a shop where guys can use a plastic welder and fix plastic pieces. That's an option too.. As well as glue/sand/paint

okfoz

From what I understand there are 3 trim pieces.
85-88 (includes the aftermarket ASC)
89
90-92

My understand is The 89 is actually similar enough to the 90-92 to be modified to work.

I thought Hawksthirdgenparts.com had the early pieces too, but I just looked and they only had the trim piece for the windshield...

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, it's weird..

They make "89 only" bow trim and then "90-92"

One of the other companies is the same.

You can get the 88 header piece where the visors screw in easily for 87-88.. It's the bow trim that screws into the top itself that you can't get for 87-88.

I finally got someone from Hawks on the phone and they said the 89 piece is definitely 89 only and will not work for 88.

I asked if they ever get the older model piece in and he said not really.

I'd think they'd sell just as many as the "89 only" piece.

okfoz

Keep in mind that from 1985-1988 Between the Firebirds and Camaros there was about 7500 Convertibles Total.

In one year 1989, there was about the same amount, 7,511 (Firebirds & Camaros Combined)

90-92 there was 18,086

From what I understand, the top for the 1989 is almost the same as the 90-92, except it did not have the headliner in 89. So with that one tool they can make parts for 3 Times as many cars.

When you consider that The cost of the tool for the 85-88 would be the same as the 89-92 tool, and because they would only have 1/3 the possible market the price should technically be three times the price...

With that said EVERYONE would moan and groan at the price being 3x that of the later one... It is just easier sometimes NOT to make something than to try to supply to a few. One thing you can consider is get a top from a 89-91 (IIRC 92 bolted in differently) and install it on your car.

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

I didn't realize they made so many verts in 89. I know 90 there were barely any but if it's the same parts as 91 & 92 I guess those years make up the deficit for 90.

I would consider putting a 90-92 top on if it would be relatively easy to do. But that would be just so I'd have the ability to replace stuff down the road.

Just makes me nervous the 88 parts are scarce.

My top is in pretty good shape and over all with the small crack in the trim, a few scuffs on the outside and a half inch worn/frayed seam edge by the passenger window I'd give it an 7-8 out of 10. The rear window is a little cloudy, but not too bad. Looks to be the original top and the previous owner said as far as he knew it was the original top.

It won't get driven in snow or rain either, but if I ever really feel the need to replace the top I will look into doing the 90-92 top. Might be nice to have a headliner too..

Thanks for the info okfoz!

okfoz

AFAIK, it is basically a bolt on thing. There are 3 bolts where the top bolts to the car behind the doors, and then you might have to do something with the pin in the rear. There were 3 types. The Motorized (which is unlikely you have) something with rods and something else... Someone that worked at ASC on the vert line was telling me about it. You should AFAIK, have the same pin as the 89+ but I do not know for sure.

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

Mine is not a power top. I don't think ASC did power tops 87-88 for IROCs.

I'd be concerned with where the top locks to the windshield being the same after 88.

I would also be concerned about the pin at the rear of the top and all the points where the top bolts on to the body lining up throughout the years.

I understand why they changed the tonneau release lever because the one on my 88 is a piece of crap. They make an upgrade for that at least at Hawks.

I'd think if they make all the other parts, just make the bow trim to be consistent.

I do like the verts that have the tonneau switch next to the release lever so they can have a trunk release switch between the windows.

I'm totally down with doing any upgrades to make the car better.

It's annoying that ASC made all these little changes but some of them were improvements

okfoz

I was not clear, sorry. The little mechanism that held down the top in the rear was motorized on some of the conversion cars more Firebirds than anything. I think it would pull it down.... ASC did not offer a power top.

Not sure what was changed year to year... Maybe someone that has a little time and an IPC might want to look. I tried, but I could not find the mounting bracket for the windshield retainer quickly.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

There are 2 threaded studs per side in the well where the top hinges. Simply remove the two nuts per side and the entire top can be removed. Swapping the front A-pillar mount would be the PITA. If it has the impossible to find motorized pin pull-down mechanism, now is the opportunity to swap the tonneau for a newer one with the pin that is slammed to catch on the spring clip below the tonneau. I'd recommend swapping to the handle and cable pull-type release if yours has the push-type of lever to release the pin on the #5 bow. Yes the pin, lever and spring clip is the same regardless if it has the levers or cable to release the pin. If swapping to the cable you'll need to drill one hole in the lever, but the lever is the same.

I have a limited amount of the parts, but I haven't had time to put them on my website.

Lon Salgren

TRANSAM82-92

iTrader: (1)

I've done it before. It much easier to change an entire top than find the trim piece you need.

okfoz

Thanks for correcting me... It has been forever since I looked in there...

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

Thanks everyone!

Uggghhh.. That's what I was afraid of..

My trim piece is not that bad, so I'll stick with it and maybe try to fix the crack. I think some strong glue, sand and a repaint could make the piece like new..

You can't even notice the crack, but it makes it so the driver side handle rubs when you try to unlatch the handle.. It's just annoying, but not terrible.. It's one 1/4 inch or less crack by the screw above the driver side handle.. The rest of the piece is perfect..

I'm glad I got a good gauge on how hard this convertible stuff is to find now..

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

In use .020" thick aluminum (available at McMaster-Carr) and Deavcon plastic weld II to repair cracks in plastic trim pieces. Then spray it with satin black for plastic.

Lon

88IROCvertZ

iTrader: (1)

That sounds like a good plan Lon!

I'll always be on the lookout for a used bow trim or if they ever make a reproduction..