Convertible 2 seater?!?! Is this legit - Convertibles - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Zuckuss88GTA · 08-22-2002, 11:57 AM

I saw this on carbuyersmarket.com and I had never heard of one of these. Is this a reall model or BS?

???

1985 PONTIAC TRANS AM CONVERTIBLE
2 seater, one of only 100 produced, exc cond, 72K orig mi, garaged, $8500. (973) 786-6077 . New Jersey

86FyrBrd · 08-22-2002, 12:59 PM

I'v seen one in person, and a few on here every now and again, as far as I know they are not factory, it is an aftermarket conversion. Its basically the same as the speedster mustangs ya know, with the fiberlgass cover over the back seats.

Zuckuss88GTA · 08-22-2002, 01:03 PM

thanxs alot.. I thought it sounded a little fishy...do u by any chance have any pictures of what one looks like.

Thanks

86FyrBrd · 08-22-2002, 01:14 PM

A bad one, you can kinda see how it comes up behind the head rests. I have another one somewhere. let me find it.

86FyrBrd · 08-22-2002, 01:15 PM

Heres one I saw on ebay.

Zuckuss88GTA · 08-22-2002, 01:21 PM

Wow kinda looks like the batmobile from the 60s.
Thanks alot

Chet · 08-22-2002, 04:30 PM

I have also seen one in person, I believe they are converted by a company called ASC. <100 is probably right for production figures.

@ZZKKER · 08-23-2002, 11:33 PM

there are a few of those in camaro form here in town. i worked on one, here is a pic

@ZZKKER · 08-23-2002, 11:34 PM

@ZZKKER · 08-23-2002, 11:34 PM

350 TPI · 08-24-2002, 12:34 PM

Gotta love those PLAYBOY bunny seatcovers!!!

irocbarry · 08-25-2002, 01:38 AM

JRoy91RS · 08-25-2002, 02:02 PM

Does anyone still do this conversion? How much does it cost?

@ZZKKER · 08-30-2002, 08:22 PM

all of the cars in the above pics should have a sticker like this one on the door jamb. wouldnt be supprised if they all came from the same place. a photoshoper will have to clean this pic up to be able to read all of it.

Mr. TurboTA · 08-31-2002, 01:20 PM

Hi guys!
Looking at all of the pictures (nice, by the way), they are all done by the same company. The name of the company is Autoform. ASC started doing convertible conversions on the third gens in 1987 I believe. Autoform did the only two seat conversion that I know of. Everybody else did the 4 seat conversions.
Other companies that I know of are Stramman down in Southern Calif. There was another, but I don't remember the name.

I hope this helps,

George

@ZZKKER · 08-31-2002, 06:50 PM

i think autoform is right, but they started in 1984, and were based in new york. if someone will clean up the quality of the pic i posted above you will be able to read it.

Batmobile/SS · 09-01-2002, 11:56 AM

Autoform was Elkhart, Indiana
Since link for pics http://members.aol.com/castleone/batmobile.html

@ZZKKER · 09-01-2002, 09:27 PM

the one thing i do remember for a fact was that the black car i posted was done in 1984. like i said, if a photoshoper would clean the pic of the door jamb sticker it would tell what you were wanting to know.

thanks
anthony

@ZZKKER · 09-01-2002, 09:45 PM

ok i cleaned it up the best i could. it clearlly says it was made 5/84. it does look like it says autoform, and that it was made in Elkhart, Indiana .

thanks
anthony

firebird2s · 09-02-2002, 09:09 AM

Firebird2s@aol.com. As you can see by my e-mail address I own a 1983 Firebird 2 seater. I bought it from a friend that was not sure who did the conversion. Just talked to a lady in Parkville, Maryland that bought her's new and she ordered through her Pontiac dealer. The Dealer in turn had the Firebird customized by the company in Elkhartm Indiana. Some one on this message board stated the company was Autoform. My car does not have the Autoform name plate. Also, I can not locate whether or not they are still in business.

Interesting features are: You could order different interior/exterior color schemes. The trunk deck extends from the rear bumper over the back seat area and is hinges at the rear bumper. This allows the Hardtop/with convertible covering to be pulled up. inverted and laid into the trunk. The inside roof of the top is finished in the same material as the upholstery. And yes the headrests. I am keeping this for my grand daughter.

firebird2s · 09-02-2002, 11:28 PM

Here is a photo.

Willie · 09-03-2002, 12:00 AM

There were several companies that performed convertible conversions before ASC (in 1986):

March, 1982
Autodyne Corporation
Lincoln Park, Michigan
Complete cars sold or would sell conversion kits to qualified buyers.

1982 (no month specified)
Coach Builders Limited
High Springs, Florida
$6,000 cost
Padded roof w/color-coordinated headliner that disappeared under a fiberglass boot.

September, 1982
American Custom Coachworks
Beverly Hills, California
Complete cars in the $20,000 range

~September, 1982
John Greenwood
Longwood, Florida
Best known for Corvette conversions

~September, 1982
Hi-Line Kustoms
Valley City, North Dakota

1983
Duquet-Sawdy Inc.
Warren, Michigan
Ten coordinated top colors, flush-fitting latches.
Licensed various converters, then drop-shipped the parts, including reinforcement hardware.

1984
Auto Form Corporation
Elkhart, Indiana
Two-seat ragtop conversion, where the rear seat area is covered by a large, rear-hinged fiberglass decklid that not only hid the folded top but the entire rear seat area.

1986
ASC, Inc.
Early efforts involved signing up Chevrolet dealerships to perform custom-ordered conversions. Price: $4,390.

1987
ASC, Inc.
GM approved subcontractor for "factory" Camaro conversions.

So as you can see, there are several conversion companies.

soldaustin · 10-27-2003, 12:26 AM

Mine is a 1985 and it has the label in the door that it was done by Autoform in Indianna. I have seen people say production levels are 1 of 50, 1 of 200 and on and on so, I don't know how many were made. Mine has a 305 TPI engine and has 14,500 original miles on it. The quality of their conversion was excellent and the extra bracing that went into it seems to have done what it was designed to do. Here is a pic of mine. It looks better than the bad low res photo. I think the ones with the bullets behind the headrests are all Autoform.

Also Autoform couldn't have started in 1984 as I also know someone that has an '83 T/A built by them. I remember when they bought the car!

bigals87z28 · 10-27-2003, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 86FyrBrd
Heres one I saw on ebay.

ahahah that might be the one described in the original post

NJ plates... its a TA. Maybe?

wkn · 10-27-2003, 05:47 PM

you can still get it at wildcopper.net the price:2200.00

soldaustin · 10-27-2003, 08:45 PM

The humps on mine are short. Mine also has a trunk which I don't see on this one. Still not bad looking though.

JCherwien · 10-29-2003, 12:26 PM

I've also got an 84' autoform convertible. It's a lot of fun...Haven't been able to get too much information on it. Another Member, George, was able to get me an Autoform Brochure, and that helped....

I've got a bunch of pictures on my website if anyone's interested...

http://miah.cherwien.com/84pvert.htm

drop-top IROC · 10-31-2003, 02:53 AM

Didn't 'Choo-Choo Customs' do a convertible as well?