That's my car! Well, almost...actually the Firebird convertible looks more like my car. I have a 1985 maroon (tan top and interior) convertible Camaro....yea, yea I can hear all of you now.....YES I KNOW IT'S A CONVERSION! I am the second owner of my car, and the people who owned it before me, took it (I'm told by the dealor who sold it to me) to California and had it converted. Here in lies my problem. For the longest time it sat in my backyard because the engine was bad. After I got the engine installed (from an '87 and still is purring like a cat), I started wanting to get other things restored on it. I have talked to a couple of places (prices and quality) and Im getting ready to make a decision on who will be replacing the top for me, but not one of these places will supply me with a latch. I don't know who (besides the Chevy dealor who wants a fortune to replace them) to order latches for the top from. I'm not even sure what the original latches looked like. I don't remember, and somewhere along the way, I lost one of them. I seem to have ended up with two latches that don't match. One is chrome and hinges only once, the other is black plastic and metal, and hinges twice. I have the bases (ya know... where the hooks hook into) and the hooks, but not the latch handle (the piece you press on to make the hook go into the base and lock in place). Any idea's? And any information ANYONE can give me on the restoration of the convertible top, bolts, latches, frame, etc. would be most appreciated! Thanks much all. Love this site! Oh, will try to add some pics of my car if anyone is interested in seeing it. Let me know!

 

Too bad you didn't bid on this.
You'll have to either bite the bullet and buy the parts from the Dealer (and count your blessings that you were able to find some new old stock) or find a used parts dealer that has them. Getting a project such as that one that sold on eBay would be your best bet. Then just part out what you don't need. Keep an eye on the eBay listings and AutoTrader. Good luck.

Lon

 

I've been looking on Ebay for the latches, uh.....that was a nice thought but I don't think I would want to drive to Alabama or whereever it is to get the car especially sight unseen, and then have to deal with parting it out. I just want the latches....that's all.