Hey guys, I've seen this car on my craigslist page for the past few months now. http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/1357964741.html Anybody know the history behind these cars? If it really is so unique then I thought somebody would've bought it ages ago.

Unique yes. But in a good way or bad?
Unique doesn't always relate to desirable. All the mods from the engine to the top are not documentable as historically significant. Even ASC was one of many independent companies doing conversions at the time for anyone who wanted one. Again, other than the top, the rest of the car is about as unique as what I could do in my own garage. These factors do not really make this a very collectible car. Plus there are other things that make this car less attractive.
Parts for a top, even done by ASC, that are from that far back, may not share many of the more "current" parts. If there was ever an issue, it would be amplified by it's uniqueness.
There are interior items that I find personally not to my liking.
The stripe is ugly (but possibly easy to remove).
These are just a few of the reasons I don't find this car particularly desirable. There are so many more better examples than this car that I would spend my money on first.

a big block with a 5 speed.


come on. really.

run away.

For 5K it will be for sale for a long time. I think the sellers incorrect statements will put just about anyone off, nevermind the embellishment. I'd say someone found an autoform convertible (I dont think its an ASC) and dropped a 454 in it, sometime around... oh, likely 10 years ago. The diamond plate fan shroud/cover and local auto parts store chrome dress up kit air cleaner are real nice 'factory' like touches for that factory like 454 install.

I guess if someone really wants a convertible with a 454, they'd buy it. Forget all that dealer conversion, ASC, factory appearing nonsense.

Yea if that motor is making any power at all, is going to eat that 5 speed for lunch. If thats what is in it.

He claims it's "beefed up." Did they make 5 speeds strong enough?

Gale Banks and others used the "Doug Nash 4 + 1" in the early third gen conversions.
This transmission is plenty stout for a Chevy BB.
This was not an overdrive transmission.

It is not an ASC, you can tell by the rear spoiler, notice the gap on the picture of the rear. It appears to be a standard Firebird Spoiler.

As for the BB... who knows, there were 3 Dealer converted Supercharged Formulas in 1987, so it would not be a huge stretch to take a BB from a truck and stuff it in. Considering there is no data backing up his claims. If he had a dealers manifesto or something along those lines it would be completely possible. I notice he brought up "Yenko" that tells me that there may be some stretching of the truth... I also notice there is no mention of the name of the dealer, if he mentioned Baldwin, Motion, or some name then possibly... There is just too much doubt, not enough information and a serious question of legitimacy to claim any thing other than a possible ruse.

I also notice that the car was either an S/E or a Base Firebird. There is nothing to suggest that it was ever an H.O. As he claims.As the HO was not an option on either of these cars, only the Trans Am.

4+1? How does that work? How's it not an overdrive transmission? Is the ratio lower than normal in 5th gear or something?

And regarding the spoiler... I don't see why anybody wouldn't be able to take off the ASC spoiler and put that one on...

Good thing he didn't try to sell that black streak... ... thing on the side as stock, too, eh?

Maybe he'll throw in a stock bridge, too!

The 4+1 is not an overdrive transmission.

It has closely spaced gear ratios of 3.27, 2.13, 1.57, 1.24, 1 to 1 in 5th.
Since it has a final ratio of 1 to 1 it is not an overdrive transmission.

This transmission was developed to replace Muncie four speeds in '60s muscle cars. Muncies have very low first gear ratios (low 2.xx) so the rear end gears were very high (4.10, 4.56, etc). To swap in the 4+1 they changed the high rear end gears for a ~2.73 gear and ended up with the same acceleration in 1st through 4th and had 5th as a cruising gear (hence the name 4+1).

could also be a TKO transmission but I doubt it.

The problem is the ASC firebirds used the same spoiler as the base firebird thru 1989, BUT they cut off the ends so the spoiler would not hit the caps. In short using a non modified spoiler like the one pictured would not work. See pic below.. notice no gap between the rear quarter and the bottom of the wing.

First off i doubt anyone, especially any dealer would take the time to stuff a 454 into a third gen. Plus how can he even prove that it really is a 454. Even if it was, its backed by a "beefed up 5 speed"? yeah right, that claim is reeeeeal believable. His claims are to outlandish and back by no facts or receipts. gonna have to.... on the fact that the car has anything close to factory options.

Yenko did similar things back in the 60's with the 427... so it is not a stretch. How do you know? you don't, but they made a ton of 454s so if they installed a crate motor that would be a good indicator. Personally I think it is hooey, there is no documentation, there is no paperwork, there is no records, this is the only case of 20 that has surfaced... putting 2 & 2 together I can only assume that this is not real.

I think I agree.

Well to know for sure IF its a 454, you'll to find the block # and it should have eng size on it. I don't think thats really easy to do. But No paperwork, No documentation, I would NOT trust the work thats been done to the car...Unrealiable!

Could be a weekly fix-er-upper!!!

Hmmm, I might visit the car sometime, but I'm not really sure when I'll do it or even if I'll do it since that town is kinda far away from me. I'm not looking to buy this car regardless of its circumstances (Parents were gracious enough to let me own a thirdgen along with a daily runner!) but if I get the chance I might go and visit it and take some pictures and report back to you guys. I'm kinda curious about it. Anybody here live in Southern Connecticut?