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'89 Formula convertible, factory original...........

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Old Jun 6, 2001 | 12:02 AM
  #1  
Tom Keliher's Avatar
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'89 Formula convertible, factory original...........

http://www.sc3gfb.org/_msgs/000068de.htm

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FORMULA 350 TK
Southern California 3rd Generation F-Body OrganizationŠ
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Old Jun 6, 2001 | 01:42 AM
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Mikos_89's Avatar
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From: So. Cal
Car: '89 GTA, '15 Camaro LS 6sp.
Engine: L98, LFX.
Transmission: 4L60, AY6.
Axle/Gears: 3.27's.
Wow! Very nice car Tom!

How was the guy able to get a Formula 'vert conversion from ASC? The only FACTORY authorized '89 Firebird convertibles that I know of are the 500(?) or so '89 GTAs converted by ASC for Pontiac.

Was the owner some kind of VIP with GM to get a Formula model done thru ASC? How many Formula 'verts did they make back in '89? Do you even know?

I do have two questions about that particular car though. First, did the guy LOWER it? It kinda looks like it has been lowered a little in the pictures. Second, it seems like the ORIGINAL "Formula" door decals and "Hood" decals are missing from the car. Did the "owner" remove these as well?

Thanks.



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'89 GTA: blk on blk with 5.7 liter, T-tops, leather, N10 dual exh with 76,500 original miles. 100% stock including the ZR50 Goodyear "gatorback" tires.
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Old Jun 6, 2001 | 07:47 AM
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I have no doubt that a dealer sent the car to ASC for a conversion, but officially Pontiac didn't authorize the convertible Firebird in any form until 1991. The 1991 Firebird brochure goes into some detail about how the convertible was new for 1991.
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Old Jun 6, 2001 | 09:36 AM
  #4  
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mikos_89:
How was the guy able to get a Formula 'vert conversion from ASC? The only FACTORY authorized '89 Firebird convertibles that I know of are the 500(?) or so '89 GTAs converted by ASC for Pontiac.</font>
2 answers:

1. Anyone could send or take their T-top car to ASC to be turned into a convertible. ANYONE. They didnt care if it was new or not either.

2. In 1989, the Firebird convertibles (all of them, including the GTA's) were considered by GM as an aftermarket conversion and were NOT factory authorized. I inquired about this in 1989 when these cars were for sale. Sometime in the 90's the story changed, and somehow they became authorized... lame.
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Old Jun 7, 2001 | 01:33 PM
  #5  
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From: Roanoke, VA
Car: '89 Formula, Black w/ gray interior
Engine: LB9, 230 HP, 305 ci, TPI
Transmission: 5 sp manual
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.45 limited slip
The frist 3rd gen I ever saw was in the fall of 1981 in southern california. I was in freshman auto shop class and our shop teacher ask us all come out back. And there in the driveway was a black 3rd gen ta, CONVERTABLE with a big gold chicken on the hood. I don't think they had even hit the showroom yet. I fell in love with car right there. I never got the whole story. My shop teach new everyone, so maybe it was a former student or friend who got a prototype from the van nuys plant. It took me 8 years before I finally got one of my own, but well worth the wait.

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Pat McGrath '89 Formula LB9, T-5
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Old Jun 7, 2001 | 01:40 PM
  #6  
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From: Troy, MI USA
Wow!

That's almost identical to mine.

Does anyone have his name? I need to contact him (or anyone with an '87-89) as soon as possible regarding the CHMSL and cover.

BTW, there was a junker down in South Carolina about a year ago, a front end total but otherwise complete.

BOB

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Bob
'87 Formula TPI 5-speed
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Old Jun 8, 2001 | 01:16 AM
  #7  
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From: cinti
panthro, that would have been a sweet one to see. You should try to find the whole story on that one.

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91 rs, convertible, K&N, Edelbrock open element cleaner, 3.73, B&M mega-shifter, goodmark cowl-induction hood,tinted windows,MacEwen Overlays
Coming soon......"Custom" non-red material.
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