Were any convertibles made/sold with L98s?

 

Formula's and GTA's were from 87-89, but I think Camaros were LB9's only. Not 100% about the Camaro part though

 

Non factory conversions only. ASC converted some cars with L98s, yes.

 

I think they were non-factory. Meaning the buyer had to buy his non-vert L98 and take it to ASC for the converison.

 

The cars were usually converted prior to the dealership taking delivery, so prior to the owner taking delivery.

 

Yes. Dealers could order from ASC and in 1989 the Firebird line was available with a 5.7L

 

Ah, I learn something new every day! So they did sell 5.7s in the verts but only Pontiac?

 

There are records of 1987 Camaro convertibles with the factory 5.7 option. The convertibles, by ASC, are based on the T-Top. This is why you'll find that ASC converted several 1989 Firebirds with the 5.7L - it was the only year the Trans Am and GTA could be ordered with the T-Top and 5.7L option together, which was the starting point to being converted into a convertible.

 

Yes, all convertibles BEGAN life at T-Top cars. It was a requirement to have the top of the windshield formed already for this, and then remove the T-Bar, B-Pillars, and the rear hatch (although the 91-92 cars for sure, got the dummy plugs from the factory for this, so not to waste the glass hatches and time to install, prior transport).

I spoke w/ a good friend about this, who had retired from GM. He was at Van Nuys in that era and remembered the cars well.

 

I think the second out of the three attachments was in error, unless GM sponsored Water Polo...

- Rob

 

It's interesting to see on the red car, the unique third brake light housing/lens, plus the "door spears" which were omitted from later cars.

Very cool!

Any more pics of the 86, also?

 

OMG I accidentally attached a few extra attachments and it took me thirty tries to get it to remove all but the swimming times!

 

Just an update, I now have record of 5 87 5.7 IROC-Z Convertibles

 

How did you verify the fifth car/VIN? I’d only heard of the four for years, one of which is mine.

 

I have a list of 4 from b-man007 who used to work at ASC, as these cars went down the line, he grabbed special VINS and in some cases even build sheets... PM me with your VIN he might have your Build Sheets (Yes Plural)

And I found another online which also was a 350.
Here are the 4 from Bryan (B-man)
21444
37831
35368
47398
And the one I found online 45203
I have verified these are true 350 IROC-Zs There is one however that could be a NOrwood OR a VanNuys as both had the same sequence number and both were 350 cars...


John

 

Question were the ASC built IROC L98 Convertibles considered Factory and were they covered by the GM Warranty ??

 

Yes, sorta...
ASC Conversion cars... The dealer would contact ASC for the Convertible bits, and GM the rest of the vehicle.
"Factory 3" Cars - GM would cover the entire car, and then GM would get compensation from ASC for the convertible bits.
Ultimately the factory "3" convertibles were more of a simplification of the ordering and support process for dealerships...
I believe that ASC would send out specialists to fix any of the warranty issues, whether or not it was a "factory 3" or a conversion. At least I know they had service techs who would do these kinds of services.

 

Thank you.

 

Are there any records or ways to verify the asc converted 350 convertibles. Hearsay evidence says I own one, but I’d like to be able to verify it. It is an L98 1992 Z28 convertible

 

1) Do you have any pictures?
2) Also the first 12 digits of the VIN would help verify what you have.
3) In short, Chevrolet does not have record of any L98 Convertibles.

I have never seen any ASC (dealer) conversion Camaros after 1987, maybe an 88, but even that I do not recall 88.

John

 

it’s a factory convertible VIN 3 with F VIN designation - 1G1FP33F9NL1xxxxx but engine is 350ci.
From what I understood, ASC would upgrade LB9 engines to L98s at the request of the owner before taking delivery as new. Original owner stated this to me when I purchased it, but I took it with a grain of salt. I figured worst case they blew up the original LB9 and replaced it with a 350 small block.
I will get some pics when I’m at my property.

 

Then this car is the LB9 (305 tpi) with a 350 swapped in later. I don't think ASC was swapping engines.

 

here is another reference to it in another Chevy forum. Again, quote of a quote. No concrete reference.

 

The 8th digit is an "F" which makes it an LB9 aka 305 TPI.

The 350 would have an 8 for the 8th digit.

It is a Z28 Convertible with a TPI 305.

John

 

I’m not trying to decode the VIN, just trying to see if anyone has an answer to my question. I’m familiar with all of the technical detail about what and was not available. I’m trying to see if anyone has information about ASC and their L98 3rd Gen conversions so I can find a way to confirm if my car was an ASC conversion or not.

 

Best bet is someone swapped a 350 into it then. ASC did not do engine swaps.

 

Is Bman007 / Brian still around? I ran across a related thread from him that is from 2005 (20 years ago) that he had saved some of the build sheets as these ASC 350s came down the line.
Did this include Formulas or just Trans Ams?
Did he share any copies?
I would like to know if anyone was granted access to these build sheets and learn whether there is a build sheet for my exact vehicle?
If not, is there a build sheet available that would somewhat mirror my Convertible Formula 350 that could be shared with me via e-mail.

-Tuffy

 

45203 is my old car, had full documentation including original customer receipt. Sold it on consignment through Streetside Classics in Phoenix and it is now in Australia!

 

Tuffy,
I had Bman007's cell phone number and I would send people his way on occasion (I would ask first) but recently, around 2022 he stopped responding to my texts. We were on good terms (I thought at least) but I get no responses from him any more. He had a bunch of ASC info I really wanted to get from him, but I am afraid he may be gone. I did not know his last name, we met one time in person.

 

DO you by chance still have copies of the documentation? I would find it interesting to look at if you did.