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Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
I was wondering if anyone figured which car the ASC Firebird's CHMSL, came from? Or, perhaps ASC tooled one specifically for the cars?
Here's some pics from RareBMX which he provided, plus a Buick Reatta (Also an ASC Conversion) for comparison. Just curious on interchangeability of common cars/parts. Thanks,
(I ruled-out an 87 Mustang CHMSL from a convertible - close from the rear view, but the silhouette is all wrong)
(Photo Credits on the Red 1989 GTA = RAREBMX)
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Last edited by Big&BadGTA; 12-31-2016 at 11:20 AM.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
The housing is custom, the lens is 87-90 Camaro. Guide is GM's lighting division. 87 is the year it was DOT certified. A person could probably argue that 1 is Chevrolet and F is for the F-body, but I'm just making an educated guess there.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
The Firebirds were Ford brake lights with part # sanded off, they were doing mustangs at the time too. I spoke with someone from ASC and he said they used parts from other cars on the Pontiacs...
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Originally Posted by TRANSAM82-92
The Firebirds were Ford brake lights with part # sanded off, they were doing mustangs at the time too. I spoke with someone from ASC and he said they used parts from other cars on the Pontiacs...
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Some of the early ASC Camaro convertibles (1987) used a Ford lens. Plenty of threads on that topic. Doesn't change that the one pictured in the original post of this thread is from a Camaro.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Originally Posted by rarebmx
1st pictures look familiar
Anyway we've been discussing this in another place.
The 87 verts (gave you picture on mine already) was said to be a Ford lens.
The other brake lights really are unique in terms of curvature & screw placement (I've gone as far to compare the early 88 sport coupe rear spoiler brake light. I'll still get pictures of all my 89's (GTA vert, IROC vert & Ttop) but 99% sure they all all unique.
I did a lot of searching & even have spoken with people from ASC what lights they were but no one can seem to remember what ASC used but for sure they are unique but probably from another production car.
DO NOT limit yourself to just Ford. ASC was also making Toyota Celica convertibles.
I'll still get you pictures tonight of some more details.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
This 1989 Convertible is missing its original ASC housing, and has a GTA coupe light (minus the housing) screwed in place:
That 3rd brake light is WAY to narrow. That's almost as narrow as my 87. Compare the width to the 3 piece taillights. Mine is wider than the center section by quite a but & it's not just the housing.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
And yet the part numbers in the GM Parts and Illustration manuals for the 91-92 Firebird convertible CHMSL and the 87-90 Camaro coupe and convertible, and 91-92 Camaro convertible are all the same. How odd that ASC would use a completely unique brake light lens that looks exactly like a Camaro spoiler mounted brake light, with the same markings, and same part number.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Originally Posted by rarebmx
I sense sarcasm.
Okay....discussion is over then. They're all the same?
Makes you wonder why they all don't interchange.
Crazy too how Hawk's doesn't list his as for convertible as well. Possibly give Bruce a call & you might believe him?
I guess you didn't read the fine print at the bottom.
Hey, I don't have one of each sitting here in front of me. What I see in the pictures is what I recognize as a normal Camaro spoiler mounted 3rd brake light. If you have evidence that they're actually different, go ahead and post it. All I know is that the markings, design, appearance, approximate size, and GM's own part numbers match.
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Thank you Drew.
This is going to save a lot of headaches & I seriously hope this is all factual because this is going to make life much easier with making my cars nicer.
Post from Willie:
"1987
Sport Coupe hardtop (with the option)
RS
Z28 hardtop
Z28 hardtop w/IROC-Z option
Note: 1987 convertibles used a different third brake light assemply. All other convertibles (1988-1992) used the same 5-bulb lamp assembly as hardtops.
1988
Sport Coupe (Early production #'s only) (Hardtops & convertibles)
RS (Hardtops only -- no convertibles produced)
IROC-Z (Hardtops & convertibles)
1989-1990 (Hardtops & convertibles)
RS
IROC-Z
anyone know the part #?
Why of course. Driver's side: P/N 10065173
I'd like to hear more about this. (Ford brake light)
The 1987 Camaro convertibles had a unique rear spoiler & third brake lamp. This lamp is a Ford part, used on mid-80s Ford station wagons, i.e. Country Squire. Although it appears to be bolted to the spoiler itself, it is not. It uses a bracket that bolts to the lid within the spoiler, which makes it "float". The assembly itself was delivered to ASC who performed the convertible conversion. They would literally sand the "Ford" (with oval) off the lens, then re-polish it. All remaining text remained."
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
Originally Posted by rarebmx
That 3rd brake light is WAY to narrow. That's almost as narrow as my 87. Compare the width to the 3 piece taillights. Mine is wider than the center section by quite a but & it's not just the housing.
Yes, you are correct - the coupe GTA third brake light on this one is incorrect, and was held in place by a couple of metal hardware store brackets, painted black, with sheetmetal screws into the decklid.
Here's a pic of an uninstalled light for reference:
Re: Interchangeability - Firebird Third Brake Light for ASC Conversions
I don't know what you're trying to say that GTA pictured has a stock GM rear brake light that they used. ASC never used those. LOoks like that one might have been missing one and whoever replaced it used that one because thats what they thought was correct? or all they could think of to use…Like I stated before it was a Ford part with part # sanded off, the big housing was a part made by ASC
12-29-2016, 04:46 PM
