Help me out guys....

There's a guy on the V6 board that swears he has an '86 Berlinetta with an analog dash. Did they make one? IMO, his car is either a SC disguised as a Berlie, or someone swapped an analog car's dash and console in (maybe after the digital one blew up??). All the literature I have states that '84-'86 Berlinettas had digital, and that the major change from the '86 Berlie to the '87 LT was the instrument cluster being analog.

Am I wrong? If I am, I'm gonna feel dumb But hey, my previous info on this matter is only as good as the sources it came from!

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Hypertech chip/K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires,coil/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston plates and 6x9s
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights/tinted windows

 

yes the berlinetta was available with either dash.

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Thats weird...then why the hell was this never mentioned anywhere?? How rare is this? Was it a delete option? Every source I have says it was standard.

 

my 84 berlinetta is digital....its all "star wars" type stuff man ....im just trying to figure out how to make the damn temperature light shut up.......keeps coming on even when motor is cold

 

Jason,

The 1984 - 1986 Berlinetta came with only one dash -- electronic. There was no option. If it does have an analog instrument cluster, it is not a Berlinetta (for the years listed). There are two ways to confirm that the car is a Berlinetta; the VIN and RPO codes.

The fifth digit in the VIN is an "S" for a Berlinetta and a "P" for all other lines. Also, you can check for specific RPO's only available on the Berlinetta, such as C67 (electronic A/C) and UT4 (stereo).

------------------
Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
12.57 @ 111 mph.
12.04 @ 114 mph (50-hp nitrous).
http://members.optushome.com/au/downunder1/rides/willie/willie.html

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

 

Thanks yet again Willie You re-confirmed what I had thought all along...

Off to defend my post on the V6 board

 

Dude I hate it for ya but the VIN on my car says it's a Berlinetta. It has the analog dash, no digital to it. I'm not saying one of the previous owners didn't switch it out b/c I'm the 3rd owner but I swear to God I have a 86 Berlinetta w/ an analog dash.

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1986 Berlinetta, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 131K miles and counting, K&N air filters.

 

It's not that we don't believe you, it's that all reference books state the analog dash was not an "option" in the '84 - '86 Berlinetta. If you'd like to know more about your car (as we would), please help us with the following information.

The first step in confirming the true nature of your car is to verify model and year. The VIN fifth digit should be an "S" (you've already done this). The tenth digit should be a "G" (1986).

The second step is to check specific RPO codes. Jason, with your help, can you confirm/deny the following codes?

BS1
B48
CD4
C60
C67
DK6
D27
PE1
QDX
QHX
QHY
UT4
U05
U21

I will explain all these later.

Willie



[This message has been edited by Willie (edited November 24, 2000).]

 

by the way........can u tell me if i could put an analog dash from a 84 z28 in my berlinetta?....would that work?......

 

Willie,
I've already confirmed thru the VIN that it is an 86 and it is a Berlinetta. I haven't really paid any attn to the RPO codes though. They would be on th build sheet right? I just think it's kinda funny that everyone is saying that no Berlinettas have the analog dash, while mine has one as well as my friend who has an 85 Berlinetta, LG4, that also has an analog dash.

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1986 Berlinetta, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 131K miles and counting, K&N air filters.

 

Jason,

The RPO codes are on a label located in the center glove compartment. I'll send you an e-mail of one.

Willie

 

Here's more info on the 1986 Camaro from the Camaro White Book:

The Berlinetta model, introduced to the Camaro lineup in 1979, was available at the beginning of 1986 production, then discontinued. Chevrolet invested heavily in the Berlinetta, especially with the introduction of its futuristic instrument panel display and unique radio options. The intent was to build a luxury segment for Camaro sales equivalent to the performance segment buyers attracted by the Z28. But several factors doomed the Berlinetta concept. Replacing analog instrument displays with digital, and adding complicated, automated radio controls were a Detroit trend that the motoring press, and the public never warmed to. In retrospect, the Berlinetta was also introduced in an era where performance began to come back into fashion. Buyers either wanted a high performance Camaro, or one that looked the part. For 1986, Berlinetta sold just 4,479 units. A "Type LT" designation was returned to the lineup the following year as a Berlinetta replacement, but without the Berlinetta's controvercial instrument panel.

And might I suggest that you call GM Customer Service at (800) 222-1020 and ask for a Restoration Packet. They will ask you for your VIN (as proof of ownership). They will send you a ton of technical information about your model year Camaro for free!!! In it, you will find all the specs including intrument cluster info. This should serve as conclusive proof.

Willie

 

I've seen my fair share of Berlinetta's, my local salvage yard had 4 in bronze. 3 with 2.5Ls, one LG4... The only one with the digital dash was the LG4. If I remember correctly they were all 84's. I'd go take pics but there probably isn't much left.

 

Wow, I feel pretty stupid now! I rechecked the VIN on my car and the friggin S was not the 5th digit, it's the 8th. What this means is that someone took my car which was originally an SC and wrecked it or something and took off the GFX and put on the Berlinetta front end. I checked those codes on the build sheet, I'll check the sheet on the inside of the conole tommorow and I only had 2 that matched the ones Wille put on here. The only ones I had on the build sheet (don't know if its any diff b/w that and the thing in the console) were CD4 for the washer system and C60 for AC. None of the rest matched. So thanks a lot for disputing me, I've learned something I didn't know about my car! Now that makes me wonder what that one thing was on Carfax.com that came accross when I typed in the VIN. My dad said that the car was probably wrecked b4 and the previous owner turned it's appearance inta a Berlinetta. After 18 months of thinking I have a Berlinetta, I really just have an SC. Makes me wonder about my friends "Berlinetta now. He kept telling me that the VIN number said it was a Z28, but I never beleived him. Next time I see him I'm gonna check (too bad he lives in Charlotte now and I haven't saw him in 2 months). Makes me wonder if I should put GFX back on it and put an SC front end on it now? I might just go get that Carfax report now that it's peaked my interest. I just don't wanna pay the $20 they are asking. Thanks for the info guys!

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1986 Berlinetta, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 131K miles and counting, K&N air filters.

 

New sig!

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1986 SC in Berlinetta clothes, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 132K miles and counting, K&N air filters.

 

Mistakes happen to the best of us, especially when an alleged "fact" has been ingrained in our brain. So this is very understandable.

The SC and Berlinetta shared the same front end. It has three long slits. As for GFX, neither car had any. For 1986, the rocker area on the SC was painted black, regardless of body color.

Most of the RPO codes I listed are exclusive to the Berlinetta. One exception is C60 (air conditioning). C60 was not available on the Berlinetta, but C67 was (electronic air conditioning). Existence of the C60 tells me that the car cannot be a Berlinetta.

It's not that we were disputing you, but wanted further knowledge of what your car really is. We've all gained a little knowledge from this exercise!!

Do you have pics of your car? I'd love to see if it looks like a Berlinetta or an SC.

Here's a rundown of the exterior differences between an SC and Berlinetta:

Color of the rocker area:
SC ---- Black.
Berly - Charcoal.

Striping:
SC ---- Two-color (charcoal on silver).
Berly - Multi-striped gold on a charcoal background. The striping also trims the wheelwheels.

Emblems:
SC ---- Silver "CAMARO" on front fenders, and "CAMARO" or "CHEVROLET" on rear bumper. No emblem on front bumper.
Berly - Gold "CAMARO" on front fenders, "BERLINETTA" on sail panels, and "BERLINETTA" on rear bumper. "BERLINETTA" emblem on front bumper driver's side.

Front parking lamp assemblies:
SC ---- Orange lens.
Berly - Clear lens with horizontal trim piece.

Rear taillights:
SC ---- Nothing at horizontal mid-line.
Berly - Gold band at mid-line.

Wheels:
SC ---- Five-spoke steel "Rally" wheels.
Berly - Simulated gold-finned wheel cover (standard). Gold-finned aluminum wheel (optional).

On the interior, the Berlinetta came standard with the deluxe custom interior (optional on the SC), interior roof console (optional on the SC), electronic instrumentation, luggage compartment trim (B48), and locking rear storage cover (D42).

The VIN does not confirm whether a Camaro is an SC or Z28, unless the Z28 originally came with an engine that was not available on the SC (TPI). If the Z28 has an 305 carb (LG4) or 305 TBI (LO3), the VIN is the same (except the sequential build number) as an SC.

I have a feeling your car still has SC striping (not the Berlinetta's). Can you send me a pic? If you don't have one, I'll be glad to send you pics of an SC and Berlinetta. And remember, no GFX ever came on the SC or Berlinetta!!!

Willie

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited November 26, 2000).]

 

So the SC's didn't have GFX. I could've sworn that I've saw a few SC's around w/ GFX. Also on my build sheet I have the B84 code for Body Side Moldings. I just figured that these were the same as GFX. Yep everything you discribed tells me my car is an SC. I don't have a way to send you any pix of my car, but I'll have my girlfriend scan me some pix of my car w/in the week and have her mail them to me and I'll send them to you. I have some pretty good pix of it all around my room. I also learned something else thru all this. I thought it was just the Berlinettas that didn't have GFX I thought all the SC and Z's had GFX. Learn something everyday!

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1986 SC in Berlinetta clothes, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 132K miles and counting, K&N air filters.

 

Jason,

Sport coupes did not come from the factory with ground effects until 1988. All SC's before that looked the same as your car...with the 3 slots in the nose and no ground effects.

Sorry if I came off argumentative on the V6 board Its just that I knew your car couldn't be a Berlie with analog. I'm sorta glad I brought it up though...at least now you know what your car is!!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it!

 

Jason E,

To deviate from the subject slightly, I owned at one time, the rarest third gen Berlinetta (subject to debate) ever produced.

It was my first new car, a 1983 Berly. What makes it rare?

1) It was painted a 1984 color, beige. This color was not listed in GM literature for 1983. It was introduced late in the model year -- 4,388 beige Camaros out of 154,381 total in 1983.

2) Although I have seen several beige Berlinettas (all 1984 or newer), NONE I've seen had an interior color other than camel. My interior was charcoal.

3) My Berly was a 305 with 5-speed. This was the only year this combination was allowed in a Berlinetta.

I have never seen another one like it. I just wish I knew where it was today -- probably at the bottom of a scrap heap somewhere. Just thought I'd share.

Willie

 

Wow Willie, sounds like it was a nice car. So what did happen to manual Berlinettas for '84-'86? Did Chevy not offer a 305/manual for those years?

And now that you mention it, I have only seen 2 Berlinettas without the camel interior...and both were '82s that were white with navy interiors...the camel seemed to be very popular for most color Berlinettas.

 

The 5-speed made its debut in 1983 and was offered with a 305 in Berlinettas only that year. I suppose Chevy decided the 305/5-speed combo was too "high performance" for the "luxury" oriented Berlinetta after 1983.

Especially in beige Berlinettas. I think the camel interior goes very well with the exterior gold trim and wheels. That's probably why there are so many Berlinettas with camel interiors.

I forgot to mention before that my Berly had an analog instrument cluster -- the last year before it went "Star Wars".

I personally loved my charcoal interiored beige Berlinetta. Never have seen another one like it. I still have the original window sticker as proof!!

Willie

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited November 26, 2000).]

 

Willie,
Can you explain why my sheet here says code B84 (body side moldings)? Is that something totally different or what. Thats the last thing I need to know. Thanks!

 

Jason 86,

Body side moldings are not GFX. They protect the car from dings from the guy who parks next to you and swings his door WIDE open. The molding runs at mid-height (on the high point) of the fender, door and rear quarter (between the wheels). I'll e-mail you a pic if you want. Let me know.

Willie

 

Oh I gotcha, i know what you're talking about. Those black things. Cool, kinda confusing since I've heard of GFX referred to as body moldings b4.
And Thanx to Jason E for bringing all this up. I thank you a lot b/c I now know a lot more about my car and Camaros in general!

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1986 SC, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 132K miles and counting, K&N air filters.

 

My '83 Berl had analog gauges.

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Red 1991 Z/28 350TPI
minor mods:MAC exhaust,headers,,K&N filters and others possibly(bought used).
John Soule' member of the GULFSOUTH FIREBIRD/CAMARO CLUB (NEW ORLEANS)
Meguiar's wax!
http://www.umount./thirdgen/rides/johnsoule/images/johnsoule1.jpg

 

Hey Jason, no problem man Glad I called you on that speed post If you hadn't responded to that you would still think you had a Berlie!!

91Zman....all pre-'84 Berlies had analog. It was only the '84-'86 ones that had digital.

 

I have an 83 Berlinetta and I have all analog dash. It's all original.

 

I have a 84 Berlinetta, with the star wars thing. It's pretty cool, the only problem is, the dash hardly ever works. Maybe GM should have worked a little harder on the design. What good is a digital speedometer if it stays at 0? I am pretty sure that the original color was silver, and the number says that my interior was sandstone grey. Just thought I would share. One question though, i am probably going to restore it, and I was wondering where i could get some pictures of Berlinettas with the original paint. I want it to be as original as possible when it is done. And, does anyone know where I can get some Gold Berlinetta wheels? Thanks
Evan

 

the 86 Berlinetta did not get a 2.8 motor..... I have about 20 Berlinetta gold rims,..... An anolag dash CAN be swapped in to replace the digital dash (I've done it - Big job !) and the best place to get the factory paint job pics is from the dealer broucures that chevy gave out.... (the stripping was changed in 85 on the berlinettas.)

did not get the CARB'ed 2.8 motor

(my mistake !)

John in RI

John in RI
Berlinetta@prodigy.net



[This message has been edited by John in RI (edited January 03, 2001).]