According to what Ive read, the 6th digit on the VIN indicates: 2=Coupe, 3=Convertible. I have a vert and mine says 2. Is there something I am missing here because it doesn't make sense to me. Any help or explanation would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

The Special Editions got the 2, the 20th Anniversary Editions got the 3.

Same car, built in the same way at the same plant just ordered differently.

 

Thanks for that info as mine is an ASC special edition with the placard on the dash. I appreciate your help.

 

For Pontiacs, the 3 cars were sanctioned and built as convertibles by Pontiac. A 2 car was an aftermarket conversion from a coupe or T top car coordinated by an owner or dealer directly with ASC. You have a car that was converted by ASC but not originally built as a convertible. Not certain how this played out with Camaros since they were available as convertibles since 1987 or so but I believe it is a similar story.

 

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it

 

ASC did convertible conversions for Chevrolet dealerships prior to Federal certification from late 1985 into 1987. When Certification came through on the Camaro convertible for the 1987 model year, ASC probably fulfilled all of the dealer orders and then focused solely on the "Factory" convertibles.

The same would be for the Firebird convertibles, Production for Dealers started late 1985 and then continued through the 1989 model year. When Pontiac made the Trans Am and GTA lighter in 1990 for the 1991 model year, production then shifted from a Dealer distribution network to a more simple network through GM.

Cars made for dealerships would have a 2 in the VIN.
Cars made for GM, Chevrolet/Pontiac would have a 3 in the VIN.

One thing I came across with a new car is some companies are not "just" a conversion company. For example Roush who does Mustang engine and performance upgrades, is not a tuner, they are literally considered a "Manufacturer." What is the difference you may ask. Tuners take a car and they tune or modify it to meet a customer's need, they do not need certifications or approval from the government to make such modifications. "Manufacturers" however have to meet certain regulations and laws to make the cars.

When a "Manufacturer" makes less than (I think it is) 500-600 cars a year, they are still exempt from many regulations and laws, thus why any given year prior to full production there are less than 500 vehicles. But they still have to meet some of the regulations. An example of less than 500 cars IE the pre-production Firebirds all fell below 400/ year, as did the 87 Camaro. However if you look on the door jamb, there is a sticker certifying the car was modified by ASC in accordance to regulations.

Conclusion: All ASC convertibles are not a just another aftermarket conversion, they were manufactured. There is a huge difference between the two.

John

 

New guy here. I'm looking at a 1989 iroc convert. Is there anyway this could have gotten a 350 from ASC? It shows a #3 and a F in the vin but seller says it is a 350 matching numbers.

 

Sellers stretch the truth, all the time.

Eighth Digit: Identifies the engine.
S = 173 CID, V-6, 2 BC,MFI
F = 305 CID, V-8, MFI
E = 305 CID, V-8, TBI
8 = 350 CID, V-8, MFI

Anyways, ASC did not install engines, only cut off the roof panels to convert t-top cars to convertibles. So, no way... No chance.

Welcome to the forum.

 

The "F" tells you the car began as a 305 CID, not a 350. ASC did not do any engine swaps. It could have been swapped by a previous owner which would negate the "numbers matching" claim being made.

 

..or it simply isn't a 350 in the car.

 

Thanks. I was going to call this ACS and ask if they did any engine swaps back then but the just shut the doors this past summer.
Is there any physical differences by just looking at a 305 vs 350 , like plumbing wiring?

 

The only thing you can do is to look at casting numbers on the block.
And calling ASC would not have helped - but we're here to try

Believe 1987 and newer blocks say 5.0LG or 5.7LG. LG stands for Liter Gas

In the meantime, should find one of these:

 

First and Foremost, if it is an "F" then it is (was) an LB9 from the factory. Don't believe the smoke people blow. I don't believe it would even have the G92 axle in 1989 if memory serves. Is it a 5 speed too?

 

So I emailed these guys for a photo of the RPO sticker. It looks clean but for a few things. Steering wheel needs a rewrap and some goofy wiring going on under dash.http://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/mi...maro-S340.html comments/advise?

 

If I look up my vin on my convertible says it was an iroc Z with a 305. BUT, the car came out as an RS version. I much rather have the hardtop edition it was originally than the convertible top.
I do have the ASC sticker on my door.....so how and why would it of been changed to a RS version? It's a 89'.

 

The RPO sheet shows it as a Z28, which was the "IROC-Z" for 1989. From 1985-1987 the IROC was an option package "B4Z" for the Z28, For 1988-1990 the Camaro came in 2 flavors, the now base "RS" or the "Z28" and all Z28s became IROCs by default and the B4Z RPO was dropped. For 1991 & 1992 however the IROC-Z was dropped and only the Z28 remained.

As per your SPID that you posted you have a 1989 IROC-Z Convertible.

I hope that makes sense.