I know most third gen verts. were not factory (so to speak) and done by a third party after the fact. Which in my mind means they all started out as coupes first. What reinforcement or bracing was done to the bodies to make them stiffer when cutting the top off?
Reason I'm asking is because I'm thinking about custom making a full targa from my T-top car and wonder if sub-frame connectors would do the job or if more involved strengthening would be necessary.

 

The auto form cars have x bracing under the cars

 

ASC cars were TTop cars. There are a few extra braces and things welded or riveted on them.

 

If you want to convert a car to convertible, the best thing to do would be to find a convertible in the junkyard and take the pieces and parts off of it.

I would think a really good set of SFC's would probably do the trick (Weld-in). That was the main part of the convertible conversion. They also added a vertical reinforcement in the door jamb area behind the back seat trim. You would not need that part because you would keep the top...

Of course you could get the reinforcements from the convertible AND get the SFC's to tie it all together.

 

I have a BLK 91 ASC convt TA rust free complete body.
$1000.
Top has no convt top material, I removed it and the headliner to see how it was put on and if I could re install it on another frame, which I did.

Hey OK...whatever happened to Bill Speed I still have his 89 Formula 350 convt?

 

I chatted with Bill about 6 months to a year ago. We kind of met on ebay and chatted back and forth about a computer. I do not think he will be back any time soon as he no longer has a 3rd gen...

John

 

That sucks I did the trans on his car found a cracked plug and it runs like a bat out of hell now...

 

I was sooo tempted to buy the car when he had it for sale... Unfortunately I think it was so far gone that it would have ended up as a parts car

 

I can't see parting it. Didn't they make formula 350 convertibles in 89 only?

 

I can't see parting it? Didn't they only make formula 350 convertibles in 89 only?

 

With the exception of 4 IROC 350's in 1987, only 1989 was there a 350 even available as a convertible, and that was Firebird only.

Ultimately there was 143 GTA/Trans Am 350 verts and 42 or 43 Formula 350 verts.

The only reason I considered parting it out was because it was so far gone. Every panel on the car seemed to be really rusty, and it would be less expensive to just find one done than to restore it.

Any 350 ASC convertible is rare, Less than 200 were made in total for the entire 3rd generation...

John

 

The car isnt that bad. I have a mint hood $100
Doors $150 each
fenders $50 each
Trunk lid $75
Front bumper crack repair $100
New top $250
Then all that's left are quarters which I admit aren't the easiest thing to do but its such a rare car I can't see parting it. I did the trans
If I give you last 6 of VIN can you give me a run down on car and what # build it was?