KUNAGUERO66

Hello. So i bought an '88 Iroc "Convertible". When i was researching the vin decoding thing it said that it was an original coupe not convertible Iroc. It has the 2 for coupe instead of the 3 for convertible in the 6th digit, and an 8 in the 8th digit, meaning that it is a 5.7 tpi, which supposedly Chevy didn't make factory 5.7 convertibles. So my question is how do I know what aftermarket company did my car? or maybe some guy at his garage did it, how can I find out? Oh and the center console lid isn't the original.

KUNAGUERO66

Oh also i might be selling my extra, or extras convertible top frames. One of the frames is great but the header bow didn't fit my '88 and the original one for the car is also great but the header bow on that one got broken but both of the cloths are in bad shape. Make me a good offer and i might let them go. I would prefer to sell it on here but if no one gets it its going to craigslist. I live in Los Angeles, I'm ok with shipping it but i have never shipped anything this big so bare with me if i don't know about the shipped price to your address. Thanks. Sorry for the edit but i forgot I also have a white tonneau cover good condition but don't know for what year it is. And thats all i think i have extra. I think

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

ALL the verts before 91 were converted afterwards as an "aftermarket" conversion, but several companies were authorized conversions.

So....Lots of people disagree on what defines original......A GM plant original or GM Authorized conversion....

I say the Authorized conversions are "original" since they were sold to the FIRST owner, directly from a dealership.

KUNAGUERO66

Thanks. Is there anyway of identifying what company did my conversion?

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Look on your door edge or under the hood for a sticker.

Got a pic(s)? It seems like each conversion place had their own method & some people seem to be able to identify them from pics.

okfoz

Stephan,
I hate to say this, but you are very wrong... The Camaro started official production in 1987. The Firebird you are correct, "Official production" started in 1991. ASC did most of the conversions on the Firebird from 1987 - 1989 for Pontiac Special Dealer orders.

Also I must add that there were NO 3rd gen convertibles made at either "GM facility" they were all converted outside the plants of Norwood and Van Nuys. When the plants were approached they considered doing the conversion on the premises but it was determined that there was not ample room to do so, and probably why the 4th gens were moved to Canada where ASC supplied the system for the 1993+ cars and were done in-house.
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KUNAGUERO66's
Is your car a 2 seat or a 4 seat car? If it is a 2 seater then it is probably an Autoform, if it is a 4 seater chances are it is an ASC.

If we look at the picture, concentrate at the area behind the back seat, notice the black vinyl piece, If your Camaro looks the same in this area then it is an ASC, or someone has converted your car over from a T-top car using ASC parts.


If it is a four seater as stated above, ASC was the most popular. The easiest way to tell if it is an ASC car is with the top down, is the top still visible? or is it under a Tonneau. ASC to my knowledge was the only car to be made this way. Choo Choo customs has a rumor of a similar design, but I suspect it was an ASC conversion.

Other manufacturers like Hi-Line, Matrix3, Custom Coach works, Greenwood, and others... typically had the top covered with a Black cover that would snap over the top in the down position. There were several styles.

If your car is an ASC I will let you know that there is only a known 4 1987 350 powered convertibles, and yours would be the only 1988 that I know of. There are a known 182 Firebirds with the 350 produced in 1989...

If an ASC This would put your car in a very elite group, and personally would put it at the top of my Wanted Camaros. (Factory or not)

John

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I had the Firebird 91/92 production in my head.....I KNEW the Camaros were made earlier...Must be my old age! Sorry!


So....Even the factory 'verts were outsourced & not actually produced ON THE GM ASSEMBLY LINE?

okfoz

StephEn,
You got it. I was thinking that you were thinking about the Firebird line because you made mention of 1991. I had to go with what you had written.

Yes all 3rd gen convertibles were outsourced no matter the VIN or not That is why I contend All ASC convertibles could be considered factory Because they were all done by the same people in the same facilities... When 4th Gens moved Production to Quebec, the facility had the ability and room to make the conversion at the factory, ASC supplied the components and GM workers converted the cars... Interestingly (and way off topic) ASC also made the WS6 Pontiacs from 1998 - 2002, they actually made the 2002 Yellow Special Edition cars, and they made the SSR Truck (whenever it was made) from something like 2003 thru 2006 (I do not know). ASC and GM have a very close relationship from what I can tell and some of these cars if made by ASC might as well be considered "made by the Factory"... ASC is also talking about making a Trans Am and Formula based off of the new Camaro... to even wander further and to wet some whistles...

Many places like Autoform and ASC did only take original, all new, un-driven cars and convert them. The reason was because it is a TON easier to work on a car that was un-driven and tweaking had not taken place. The cars were often drop shipped to the conversion center and then shipped to the final destination.

John