what in the world is this conversion?
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 79
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Car: 85 marrow z28, 88 thunderbird 5.0
Engine: 305 4bbl, 302 cobra efi
Transmission: 700r4, aod
Axle/Gears: the crappy one
what in the world is this conversion?
Ive seen this car parked around town at bars, then my friend put this pic up on her facebook from a parade and its just killing me what kind of conversion this is.

Its either a kit car with camaro doors and windshield, or a hacked up camaro, either way, Im just curious if this is completely custom or if some company actually made these.
the nose looks like an old rolls royce. If i see it around town ill take some pix of it myself.

Its either a kit car with camaro doors and windshield, or a hacked up camaro, either way, Im just curious if this is completely custom or if some company actually made these.
the nose looks like an old rolls royce. If i see it around town ill take some pix of it myself.
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From: Displaced Texan living in NC
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM GTA
Engine: Tune-port Injected 6.3L
Transmission: Borg-Warner T56 six-speed
Axle/Gears: Borg/Warner 9-bolt with 3.70:1
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
I believe it is a kit car using a Camaro as a donor vehicle. You'd have to do some looking thru kit manufacturers or KIT CAR magazine to find out what it's called. It's one of the nicer conversion kits out there, but still blasphemy if you ask me to destroy a perfectly good F-Body.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 79
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Car: 85 marrow z28, 88 thunderbird 5.0
Engine: 305 4bbl, 302 cobra efi
Transmission: 700r4, aod
Axle/Gears: the crappy one
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
the johnson phantom.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1
thanks for fueling my google fire!
I personally dont like it. its unique, and the only reason it caught my attention was because it was a fellow marrow lol.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1
thanks for fueling my google fire!
I personally dont like it. its unique, and the only reason it caught my attention was because it was a fellow marrow lol.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 79
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Car: 85 marrow z28, 88 thunderbird 5.0
Engine: 305 4bbl, 302 cobra efi
Transmission: 700r4, aod
Axle/Gears: the crappy one
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
the only thing that stands out to me on the car is the tan dash pad.
did any third gens come stock with anyhting but black?
did any third gens come stock with anyhting but black?
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From: sunny so cal.
Car: 1990
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
it looks like a knockoff of a replica car made in the late 70's early 80's - the stutz bearcat.
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From: Great Smoky Mountains, Bryson City North Carolina
Car: 86WS6 30K and 82WS7 24K
Engine: 86:305 TPI, 82: 305 LG4
Transmission: 86:700R4, 82: T200C
Axle/Gears: 86:3:27 9 bolt, 82: 3:23 10 bolt
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
What a waste of good thirdgen parts.
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Posts: 2,361
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From: Buffalo, NY
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt w/ 4.10 gears
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
I've seen pics of those on this site before. I'm amazed at how far forward they positioned the front wheels. I bet the whole thing is sitting on a full frame and only the firewall to somewhere in the middle of the b-pillar is utilized from the thirdgen. From all we can tell, it could've also been a firebird that was cut up. For what they used it for, I don't see it making much of a difference.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 350 LT1
Transmission: T56
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
have seen the same thing using a Rustang too. As in the Rustang, the only thing denoting it as a Mustang donor was the doors and windshield line..
Such a waste... Couldn't they do this with like a Pontiac 6000 or a cavalier? lol
Such a waste... Couldn't they do this with like a Pontiac 6000 or a cavalier? lol
Re: what in the world is this conversion?

I've seen em used too. Jessie James had one of these one Monster Garage, I think he said what a waste of a car.LOL
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
Car: 89' IROC-Z
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10-Bolt/2.73
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Hate is a strong word Tony 
I hate (told ya Tony) replica cars. It's as bad as buying an RS camaro and cloning it as an IROC...as all the money spent and time used in doing so would have aided in getting the real car, not a fake/replica.

I hate (told ya Tony) replica cars. It's as bad as buying an RS camaro and cloning it as an IROC...as all the money spent and time used in doing so would have aided in getting the real car, not a fake/replica.
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
I'm with you on the clones.The only car ever I'd consider cloning is a 69 Daytona or 70 Superbird.Only because the cost of one is so sky high,and two the ones that are out there are mostly in museums,although there's a blue one that shows up at the cruise night over here.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 104
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From: southern Indiana
Car: 86' IROC-Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3 sumthin
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Yea, the price on superbird is retarded. My old boss bought one for $30,000.Went and got it out of a field. The car was all there minus the nose. Was originaly a yellow car with the 440 manual. He started looking at it and someone had put in a 383 auto. It was rough! the spoiler was broke in half and looked like poo! but now he restored it to all numbers matching. I heard he got offered $115,000 for it! He didn't take the offer of course. But I'd say he's got that in it. Man.... I wish I had that much money... My camaro would be sweet!
But on the topic of the kit car... Being a fiberglass shell and having the camaro platform on a kit car is nice. It just sucks that they cut one up for it. But who'd want to go thru all that trouble to putt around in a 4-cyl. It'd be sweet with a supercharger on it. LOL!
But on the topic of the kit car... Being a fiberglass shell and having the camaro platform on a kit car is nice. It just sucks that they cut one up for it. But who'd want to go thru all that trouble to putt around in a 4-cyl. It'd be sweet with a supercharger on it. LOL!
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
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From: Crawfordsville, IN
Car: 1984 Camaro 'Vert
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
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From: M.D
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 350 hsr
Transmission: 700R4(blown)
Axle/Gears: 3:73
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 123
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From: Seattle
Car: 1991 Camaro RS Coupe
Engine: 5.0-liter (305) TBI V8
Transmission: 700R4-speed automatic overdrive
Axle/Gears: stock/2.73
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
I'm with Tony. Poor little Maro is right!
You know, the problem with some of these people is they have more dollars than sense. Sheesh!
You know, the problem with some of these people is they have more dollars than sense. Sheesh!
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,672
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From: Killam, AB
Car: 1989 IrocZ Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5 - 5 Speed Standard
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Even with black you're sometimes staring at a reflection of the dash in the glass while trying to drive.
Regarding those kits above . . . they do look well made ugliness.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,298
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From: Norfolk VA
Car: 85 Camaro IROC
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: open rear, 3.42 gears
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
the batmobile is different though.
i'd drive a batmobile any day.
all the others...
wow, terrible
i'd drive a batmobile any day.
all the others...
wow, terrible
On Probation


Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 18
From: Syracuse NY
Car: 84 Z-28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: r-700
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
That car is a Zimmer Quicksilver based on a Fiero. Made in Pompano Beach Fl. 84 to 88 IIRC By the Zimmer Coach company. Those guys did a bunch of stuff like the Excaliber car, RVs, motor homes, van conversions, buses, campers etc.
They went broke in the late 80s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmer_(automobile)
But in 96 a guy in Syracuse NY named Art Zimmer bought the name and rights and started building a new edition of the Excaliber. This one is based on a new Lincoln Town car that they modify.
Some hack body shop in Syracuse does the mods!
http://www.zimmermotorcars.com/
They went broke in the late 80s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmer_(automobile)
But in 96 a guy in Syracuse NY named Art Zimmer bought the name and rights and started building a new edition of the Excaliber. This one is based on a new Lincoln Town car that they modify.
Some hack body shop in Syracuse does the mods!
http://www.zimmermotorcars.com/
Last edited by sonjaab; Jan 7, 2010 at 11:21 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 53
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From: Windsor, Ontario
Car: 1988 Firebird Formula
Engine: LO3 - 305 TBI
Transmission: T5
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
There's a guy here in Windsor that does Fiero conversions, and turns them into "Ferrari's". He's pretty good at it too, he's done a couple for some of the big Hollywood movies, so the producers didn't have to go out and buy a $200000 Ferrari and smash it.
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From: Traverse City, MI
Car: 91' Firebird
Engine: 3.1 LH0 V6
Transmission: Auto 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
There's at least 1 Fiero with a lamborghini countach kit on it around here. The worst part is I think they guy tells people around town it's a real countach...
That first kit I've also seen around here, but it's on an 80's Cougar, they must've made them for many different cars.
That first kit I've also seen around here, but it's on an 80's Cougar, they must've made them for many different cars.
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From: Brick, NJ
Car: 91 Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: Built T-5
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: parkton nc
Car: 1985 iroc-z
Engine: carb 350
Transmission: 700r4
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 870
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From: Brick, NJ
Car: 91 Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: Built T-5
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
i don't know but to me the only kit car thats worth doing is the Shelby Cobra replica which uses a 87-93 fox body mustang as a doner i believe.....but really your only using the frame....not saying i like fords....but a shelby is pretty bad a$$ even if it is a replica
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From: Texas
Car: 1992 Formula Firebird
Engine: 305CID (LB9)
Transmission: World Class T5
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt, 4.10 gears
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
i don't know but to me the only kit car thats worth doing is the Shelby Cobra replica which uses a 87-93 fox body mustang as a doner i believe.....but really your only using the frame....not saying i like fords....but a shelby is pretty bad a$$ even if it is a replica
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From: Traverse City, MI
Car: 91' Firebird
Engine: 3.1 LH0 V6
Transmission: Auto 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 350 LT1
Transmission: T56
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Put it this way it's different.....if I was at a gas station and seen this pumping gas or a 3rd gen pumping gas, I would be more inclined to talk to the owner about this car anyday.
3rd gen cars have my respect, but they are a dime a dozen and you can see them any day. But customs are something that draw attention both good and bad.
Last edited by 88TransAmFreak; Feb 5, 2010 at 07:29 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 350 LT1
Transmission: T56
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
touche.. However that car or a nice running nicely painted 3rd gen, who are the girls going to want to go for a drive with? lol
Re: what in the world is this conversion?

I owned my 88 Trans Am for six months and a really fun car to drive and not once did anyone comment or give me a thumbs up while I had the car out - it blended in with all the other cars on the road.
I traded for a 76 camaro and within 30 minutes of driving home I got a thumbs up at a stoplight and a guy walked up to me while I was pumping gas to shoot the bull about the car.
And my 82 corvette get's stares and smiles everywhere I go....just never got a lot of attention with my third gen
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
A dealer had this conversion for sale. But they used a firebird not a maro. Up close, I personally think it looks cool, but completely undriveable. When you sit in it, because the nose is so long, thats about all you see, but then theres another few feet that you still don't see. You would have to be around the car in person to know what I'm saying lol. But to say the least, the nose is friggin huge! And if not fabricated right, they sag... which was the case at this dealer!
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,113
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From: NWOhioToledoArea
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
I'm with you on the clones.The only car ever I'd consider cloning is a 69 Daytona or 70 Superbird.Only because the cost of one is so sky high,and two the ones that are out there are mostly in museums,although there's a blue one that shows up at the cruise night over here.
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From: Texas
Car: 1992 Formula Firebird
Engine: 305CID (LB9)
Transmission: World Class T5
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt, 4.10 gears
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Agreed. I've got one in my driveway. They are cool cars in their own right.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,293
Likes: 195
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
Here are some more pix of what someone called an Excalibur...
Technically I think it is a Johnson Phantom... At least thats what this one was called by the nameplate
This car was registered as a 1989 Johnson Phantom, but was based on a TPI 1985 Trans Am... There was the VIN for both...
Technically I think it is a Johnson Phantom... At least thats what this one was called by the nameplate
This car was registered as a 1989 Johnson Phantom, but was based on a TPI 1985 Trans Am... There was the VIN for both...
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,293
Likes: 195
From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
the Nameplate & VIN tag
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From: Fl.
Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,789
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From: Central NJ
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Supreme Member
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From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 567
Likes: 2
From: middle of nowhere between farms in New York
Car: 1987 pontiac firebird
Engine: 6.5 turbo diesel
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: Ws6 axle
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
is that a photoshop of a 91 -92 firebird? the lettering and spoiler are obvious the front bumper is what confuses me. i am gonna take a guess that its a 91-92 firebird that has been smoothed and had the black sections added on am right?
that wouldn't be to hard to make for real. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif
that wouldn't be to hard to make for real. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 6
From: NWOhioToledoArea
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: what in the world is this conversion?
is that a photoshop of a 91 -92 firebird? the lettering and spoiler are obvious the front bumper is what confuses me. i am gonna take a guess that its a 91-92 firebird that has been smoothed and had the black sections added on am right?
that wouldn't be to hard to make for real. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif
that wouldn't be to hard to make for real. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif
And id build it, if it wouldn't bo so much work and a reproduced nose and wing for one of those is big buck, then you gotta cut it up. Which means probably paying a real pricy pro so its seemless and right.
It would be sick, till ya forgot ya had that 6ft tall wing and knocked it off one day in a drive thru n pull a Joe Dirt

You can see the lights in the Daytona nose would be used, not the ones up higher, he just erased the lines but id use the stock location ones for dual intake fresh air ports. Part could even be use for the front brakes. Make it look like its ready for 200MPH,then do it

Thought it out allot but to much $$$$, done gone the Euro / Ferrair look, only big expense is $1000 on glass wide body rear fenders, but they also stop me from having to replace the rear quarter skins, I can hack the cancer out of it, protect and cover for none to see ever again.
Last edited by Gumby; Jun 16, 2010 at 01:39 AM.







