I finaly found this E-Mail that I recv'ed by someone who has a Camaro
Roadster just like mine.... Check it out.... Just cut and past the web sight
address it will take you to some pic..... I tryed to place them directly on the
post like I've seen done but I do not know how.... If any one knows how
please do it.... Enjoy....
TDM......
Hello,
I have some pictures up at <A
It may take awhile to load.
http://members.aol.com/castleone/batmobile.html
I purchased mine new in 1984 from the dealer but it is not a GM product. From
what I remember there about 5 firms during the early 80's that were making or
going to make 3rd gen convertible camaros. Mine is by AutoForm out of Elkhart
Indiana. They built the 2 seat roadster ones with the semi hardtop. It is a
fiberglass shell with metal L brackets to support the corners. See the
brochure at the webpage. I had a custom top made about 6 months ago. It looks
better with Cotton than vinyl as original. I am not aware of a full hardtop
by AutoForm only the semi.
AutoForm went out of business late 84 early 85. The 85's were the last. The
dealer where I bougt my 84 had one of the last , an 85 305 tpi that he
scavenged some parts off when I came in for warranty work because Auto Form
was out of business.I am confused by the 350 you have. One place to look to
check verify orginal engine displacement besides the vin# is the emissions
tag by the fan shroud under the hood. It will list the engine size for the
emissions controls. I would be curious to see a tag listing 5.7L in an 85
Camaro.
The AutoForm production number and tag is on the drivers side jam (see web
pictures).
As for replacement parts, I don't know of any. They did reuse some original
GM parts in the conversion. An example is the hook for the top on the hatch.
It is a clothes hangar hook. One will have to find a parts car or get
creative. I do see these cars occasionally for sale. I know of one at a small
lot dealer in Ft Worth, Texas but it is a sport coupe model not z-28.There
always seems to be a couple for sale at the web site for Auto Trader
Magazine. I wonder what ever happened to the original molds ?
Mine has 95k miles and its been modified somewhat. I made the mistake of
setting up the suspension for more advanced driving which did not help the
structure too much. I have found a good chassis shop who will do custom work
so I intend to get custome SFC's and New X crossmember built. You mentioned
the fiberglass cracking in the corners of the top. I think this is common . I
also had this fixed but it did it again as well as begin chippin at the
edges. The hatch is just too heavy. When you put the hatch down just don't
drop it very far. One thing to be careful is the rear hinges for the hatch.
Water gets in there and will rust the bolts. I found this out when the hatch
almost fell off the car when they snapped. Like I said the hatch is heavy!!.
It would be a good idea to check them and relplace them with high grade rust
resistant ones if they look rusty.
I don't have any total production numbers. I know you don't see them too
often on the road, but I do get quite a few looks when I take it out.
Unfortunately it isn't quite as fun as my 99 SS. It needs some work to get
back into shape.I do enjoy it more than my 91 convertible.
Hopefully I have helped you somehwat . If you need any more info or would
want a faxed black and white copy of a the original 84 brochure LMK.
Thanks,
C. Castle
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THE DEVIL SOLD ME HIS SOUL.....
