http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fu...icle_id/210154 Is this correct?

most likly has a ttop car vin designation. which means it was a car a customer or dealer sent to asc to be converted not one the chevy sent specificly for vert change over. the chevy ones have a vert vin designation.

This has been seen here before. A few people have contacted them to get more info and were blown off. I called them last year about this and was told that the car was sold. They obviously know that it's not factory and they are trying to pass it off to an unsuspecting buyer. Even to the point of lying about its sale.

Well, to me, if the VIN is factory denoted or not, ASC is the company as noted in Pontiac Enthusiest the past month in the Fiero convertible article (EXCELLENT!) so I still say it's official in 1989; 1 of 50 approximate 350 TPI verts. Happy to own mine still!

Bill

It's not official unless it's denoted by a VIN designation or RPO designation. I can buy all the necessary parts and have the same comany build a 02 ZL1, but documentation shows only 69 were built and they will not document it as official. Again, the VIN and/or RPO codes need to be present for proper documentation.

THere is no T-top Vin designation. Both hard tops and T-tops got the same VIN. A 2 on the 6th Didget indicates 2 door hatchback. a 3 would be convertable. and 1 is coupe (which does not exist for our cars.)

No RPO vert code or no 3 in vin = not a factory vert.

I did not know that. thanks for correcting me and pointing it out.

People are asking about doing conversions now, I've yet to see one they didn't go about doing themselves. If ASC can still and does do customer requests, I'm unaware. A dealer car that is being sold to the first owner, still going to ASC, is going to comeout with the same build as one denoted on the assembly line via ASC
If there is a major factor other then codes, then I'd agree
Mine had no code build list being a theft recovery so I will try to get PH papers on it at some point, but repairs on the actual car are being addressed.

As mentioned, past cars, and 3rd gens... are finite, they aren't being made today, so the numbers will only get smaller
Bill

You don't need codes for your car. Your VIN will designate the options on your car. If it has a 2 in the sixth position, it left the factory as a coupe, a 3 will denote a convertible. No factory convertibles ever left the factory with a 2. The other option is the 8 to designate the 350. GM shows the 350 was never available with the convertible. If you have an 8 in the VIN, then the car WILL have a 2 as the sixth digit.

Also, there is a difference in a factory authorized convertible and a dealer authorized convertible. Are you gonna say that C&C optioned TTops on a late 350 car are similar? C&C and ASC put sunroofs in cars prior to the first owner taking delivery. Does that make their cars rare as there are very few sunroof fbodies out there? Come on Bill, you know what we're saying here! I can come up with many dealer optioned cars. They are not special in regards to GM documentation. Off the top, we have the F41 Camaro, the Olympic Edition, etc. etc.

I said something before about the whole ASC/customer converted thing but that aside

Has anyone seen a single car that didnt go from GM plant to ASC to dealer, with documentation to back that up? I've only heard stories but have never seen evidence.

I didn't have a chance to refine that post as I was off to work and missing my wallet AGAIN for 24 hours (barried in the dirty clothes hehe UGHHHH) Anyway, The reasoning for my *opinion* ;:~) is I refer to Firebirds and (or) the inventory of 350 cars with ASC badging (I saw some production stats listed on here somewhere, and when I first came (to TGO), wasn't armed with much info) ...for 1989 anyway. There is an 89 Camaro vert (officially started droptops for 86 models for Camaros?) for sale here(MN), I double checked the price and it's actually under $4000! I paid over $8K for mine.
Considering the variations on sunroof and T top designs, I think you'll find much less variation on ASC (specifically) convertibles. I'm open to all documentation and findings and read with great interest the stories.
And, yeah, mine does not have a 3 VIN, however, I am very happy ASC did the conversion and not someone else. I hope to get a power tonneau release farbicated as that's something oddly missing
Bill