Hey guys, i don't know how many of you are in the third gen Facebook group, but there's a discussion of this going on. Since i was never really a convertible guy, what are the facts? Yes i used the search, but couldn't find exactly what i was looking for. If there's already a thread on it please post a link. There's obviously some knowledgeable folks in the Facebook group, but not nearly the wealth of knowledge that's here lol

 

From what I know the only way to get the 5.7 in a convertible was to have it done by the dealer.Therefore the 6th digit in the vin would be a 2 as opposed to a 3 which means factory convertible

 

There were no factory 5.7L convertibles IIRC.

 

The factory never built a convertible, however, ASC did the "factory" conversions.
Okfoz knows a lot about ASC cars (He posted his red 89 formula 350 asc vert in that thread, I posted the blue 89 formula 350 asc vert)

 

Geez I know what you guys are saying, and I still find the replies so far confusing. So let me just rattle off some random factoids and I'll run along to the next thing that catches my eye and leave yall be.

Ok, crash course in thirdgen convertibles...
Prior to 1987 model year, there was no "Official" thirdgen convertible. There were third party companies who cut off roofs and sold the cars. Either they bought the car, the dealer bought the car, or an owner bought the car, it was then sent to be chopped, and they then sold the car, supplied the car to the dealer to be sold, or took delivery of their car from the builder.

For 1987, ASC had gained enough of a reputation with GM that they were given the "Official" seal of approval for the Camaro. I.e. the car was sent from GM to ASC to be chopped, then sent to the dealership. Cars could still be sent to ASC or other builders threw other channels as before 1987. That's where you start to see the convertible specific VIN. "Officially" Camaro Convertibles were limited to 305s. If a car was sent in outside the "Official" channel, a person could send whatever car in they chose.

At this time, an entity, outside of the "Official" GM channel could send in a Firebird and get it converted. "Officially" the Firebird convertible wasn't offered between 1969 and 1991.5! So any Firebird convertible before 1991 MY would be converted outside of the "Official" channel, theoretically and effectively meaning you could get a GTA convertible, Formula convertible, TTA convertible... "Officially" 91-92 Firebird convertibles were limited to the base Firebird and Trans Am, ie no Formulas, no GTAs, and a 305 limit. Going a bit further, the 305 TBI and TPI were the only optional engines in the convertible in 91 for the first chunk of 91 MY production. It wasn't until late in the game that you could get the 3.1L V6 in a convertible. Of course you could still cheat a bit by sending the car to ASC outside of the official channel, hence the Firehawk Trans Am Convertible.

Hopefully that clears up some of the confusion. There's more minutia and trivia, but frankly Scarlett, there are other ho's in Atlanta.

Cliff's Notes -
Firebird Convertible between 1969 - 1991 = Unofficial
Firebird Convertible GTA, Formula, jet black with red strobe lights = Unofficial
Thirdgen Convertible with a L98 = Unofficial

 

Reading through the comments in the Facebook group makes my head spin. Someone will post a fender for sale and the first comment is "there were no 350's with ttops"

 

LMFAO.. sooooo true..
I sometimes forget that there is a younger generation that's just getting into these cars that weren't there and haven't seen as much as a lot of old farts like myself.

 

I dunno, I'm 22 and have yet to struggle with looking up facts on here before arguing with someone

 

I don't mind the people just looking to educate themselves on FB. I never mind helping them. But there are a lot of a$$h0les who sometimes need to be challenged.

 

That's why i started this thread. I also didn't know there were 350 verts, but 3 guys on fb posted pics of their original cars. Didn't wanna question them without knowing the facts

 

I just can't handle the crowd that gathers on Facebook or Youtube comments. I've got better things to do than to try to educate people who don't really want to learn anything. It's just farting in the wind contributing there.

 

See Drew, at least a couple times a week, I'll run across someone who is such an abusive, *****-cephalic, moron, that they could really benefit from your gentle diplomatic style. If that ever happens, send me a PM so I can get my popcorn ready.

 

In for the popcorn

 

.

 

Are you sure those cars are actually convertibles, it could be claybar residue or lighting.

 

Been waiting for this..

 

. Oooooh, it’s about to get REAL!

 

Someone will be unmasked!

 

Seriously, if you rub really hard with a strong claybar you can remove the roof from your 350 thirdgen. I know this for a fact. I read it on Facebook.

 

I'm gonna have to get me a claybar. I'm gonna rub the t bar until I have a GTA targa top.

 

 

Drew is correct, there was no Authorized Firebird convertible from 1970 thru 1991.5. The only way to get a convertible in those years was to have it converted. Consider that the factory did not technically make the 91 or 92 either, as they were shipped to ASC to have their heads chopped off.

Although the official reason to why they did not offer a Pontiac Convertible next to the Camaro starting in 1987 has never been revealed, the best and most likely reason would be the same reason why T-tops and a 350 on the GTA and Trans Am in 1987 was not available in the US, but it was in Canada. It had to do with emissions, fuel economy standards and weight. Therefore in order to skirt the regulations, ASC opted to allow dealers to have vehicles drop shipped in order to be converted into a convertible, as low volume vehicles such as this were exempt from the same regulations. At that the time, ASC stopped accepting dealer drop ships of Camaros to be converted because they were contractually obligated to make the factory Camaro Convertibles. Prior to the contract ASC made at least 5 IROCZ 350 convertibles for dealerships.

Confusing? Yes.

 

Not confusing to me, as I know the impact of weight and the CAFE Standards which were of the era. Gas Guzzler Taxes were also rolled out in this time, too. Weight was everything.