When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
ConvertiblesDiscussed here are problems and solutions to convertible specific questions, including difficult to find part numbers and other convertible tech help.
Hi All ... new to the forum and hoping someone might have some pics of how the rear seatbelts are mounted in a convertible. My car has been converted to RHD and I fear the mounting may not be factory. I was looking to get a glass rear window conv top but with the rear seatbelts mounted the way they are ... I don't think it would fit a 45" rear glass window. thanks in advance all.
The seat belts are mounted in the underside of the tanau cover for the shoulder straps, The lower belt comes out of the rear side panel. Not sure why RHD conversion would effect the rear seat belt mounting. in the pic you can see the shoulder belt on the top of the rear seat. You can also see the plastic guide coming out of the side panel for the lap belt
Bit off subject, but what is that round thing just under the belt exiting from top? Tweeter?
Back on subject.There is also the 92 style with the floor mounted rear shoulder belt, but still should have no effect from a RH conversion or a glass rear window.They are not 45" like the plastic version.More like 36" x 12".
Thanks Vinny and '84 ... I do have a '92 Conv TA (so it sounds like my belts will be mounted differently). Here's some pics of the car. The car has "style A" measurements according to the topsonline graphic below. My conv top area is only about 30" between the seatbelt towers but is this factory standard mounting? It looks more professional than what some converter might accomplish! Can any 92 conv owners confirm that their seatbelt mounts are the same? Glad to know that the glass window is smaller than the 45" dimension (which pretty much spans the entire area!! - see pic) .. I was wondering how on earth that space could fit a solid. I was seriously doubting it!! Is the glass window the way to go? We have so many hassles from RHD conversions and changes made to the car to comply with local laws. The seatbelts are an example. The converter had to throw out the matching tan seatbelts from factory and replace them with belts that have Australian compliance markings on them ... in black ... really "matches" huh!! (if anyone has a set of TAN coloured seatbelts then please let me know - they're sold!
As you might garner from the pics ... I'm starting to get the car ready to have the entire interior and top redone. I've had the car for nearly 20 years and am a bit ashamed of even letting it get to this state. When the leather interior started wearing it didn't take long to deteriorate. I've contacted various vendors to try and get new leathers and the front seats aren't a problem as they are in common with TTA etc but no-one does a matching rear convertible seat in leather (glad to be corrected by this list). This is not a cheap exercise. I've had a local Pontiac supplier try to quote me for new seat covers but no-one could colour match to my door cards etc. In the end I'm getting a trimmer to hand do everything and that's about $3800. To get a glass window conv top landed here is $1000. A local moulded carpet place told me last week that they threw out their Pontiac carpet dies as they sold so few ... wasn't worth the factory floor space to keep them, so that's also an import and due to size and weight there's about $500 just in postage and $400 in purchase. All up it will cost me just shy of $6000. I have to laugh because I can buy a whole new car in the USA for what .. .about US$9500 ... ahhhh the joys of keeping an American car on the road overseas!
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: Your Convertibles
1992 rear seat belts are different than 89-91. Part of the problem of the 89-91 was they were difficult to use, and in order to fold down the back seat you had do disconnect them from the lap belt.
My "new" 1989 RS. Original (other than the '90s wheels) 305, A/T, 80K miles. I am the second owner. My Dad bought this new in late '89 when his Monte SS was stolen. He's babied it and now its mine! Next up, new wheels and tires, fix the stereo, and suspension work...
Hello all! New to the group as of today. Why? Because I traded my 1923 Buick Model 41 for a sweet ride! A 1988 Camaro Sport convertible! I had originally bought the 1923 Buick (which was a driver) to hot rod. But after finding out how rare it was , I changed my mind and wanted to get it to a person that wanted to restore her to it's original condition. Guess what he had sitting there for a trade?
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: Your Convertibles
Originally Posted by Simnut
Hello all! New to the group as of today. Why? Because I traded my 1923 Buick Model 41 for a sweet ride! A 1988 Camaro Sport convertible! I had originally bought the 1923 Buick (which was a driver) to hot rod. But after finding out how rare it was , I changed my mind and wanted to get it to a person that wanted to restore her to it's original condition. Guess what he had sitting there for a trade?
Very nice and welcome to TGO. It looks to be in fairly good shape from the exterior pics. How many Miles? What engine is in it?
Thanks you sir! The body is in excellent condition. It has 160,000 on her but the engine doesn't act like it has that much on it. I'm in the process of trying to contact the owner previous to the gent I got it from. I'm quite sure he's done something with the engine as the engine has been pulled out to paint the engine bay . Today I hope to find those partial vin numbers at the front of the block to see if it's the numbers matching engine for that car. It is a 305 (found that number at the rear) that sits in there now. If it's the original engine, I will spend next winter rebuilding it as I would keep it with the car. If it's not......I'll build a nice 350 over the winter to go in. Or, I could do the 350 and just keep the 305 in the garage, ready to go back in if need be.
I have a 1992 vert with the 5 speed with 89000kms. Only driven occasionally for 4 months per year to damn cold up here to enjoy it any later. Very short summers . Can any one explain to me why I have a MM5 and M39 RPO codes which I think is for a NWC transmission? My understanding the MK6 was the WC from reading other threads. I thought all 87/92 were WC.
Last edited by mooses8801; Mar 25, 2019 at 09:14 PM.
Reason: update
Finally dug mine out of the garage. Its been stuffed off in the corner of the garage covered for a 6 year slumber . Next spring starts its rehab. Replace the fenders. The drivers fender was damaged when I got the car 15ish years ago and someone hit the pass fender in a parking lot shortly before it was stored. Also will be replacing the hood since it has some cracking filler in it. Honestly considering repainting the complete car since there really isn't much left to paint after the nose is painted.
Its a triple black car with strip delete option so I may leave all the decals off.
The cars covered in morning dew. Since Im in NH its cool at night.
Very interesting find! Whats the rest of this story, i.e. how did you come across it etc?
I picked it up here in England I’m active USAF. I saved the car from this old disgruntled British man. It was probably the worst buying experience of my life to be honest but I got a great car with lots of haggling. The car originally was sent to Japan from new then out at auction and sent to the UK about 5 yrs ago.
I picked it up here in England I’m active USAF. I saved the car from this old disgruntled British man. It was probably the worst buying experience of my life to be honest but I got a great car with lots of haggling. The car originally was sent to Japan from new then out at auction and sent to the UK about 5 yrs ago.
Great deal and worth the haggling. Every country has their own way of being a 'car guy'. What a save!!
Can you share some of the specifics on your flock of convertible birds? Inquiring minds and all that. :-)
This picture is about to grow to 5 Verts.
2nd closest Vert is mine( You can see more pictures of it in post #1038) and I'm picking another up early next month. Pictured is a Jade Green Metallic/Tan/Tan cloth interior car. I'll let Mike tell you about the rest.
Hi, I am René from germany and this is my next car. I am pleased to be here. Now I'm looking for information about the car. The Camaro is still converted and in 2 weeks I'll bring him home. It's an ´87 with 6000 miles on the odometer.
