Hi, I read here that there were absolutely no 350s with T-tops. However I found 89 IROC that had a 350 and T-tops, vin numbers syas 8. I looked for any kind of insignia that would give me a clue if these tops are factory or that conversion that did come with 350's. So far they look stock.

All I can think is that this car was probably converted for the T-tops and later someone replaced the tops with factory. However, I am not certain if they would fit and all that.

Can someone chime in and tell me whats up and what you think.

I am looking to buy this car. It only has 69K original miles, and the AC still blows cold. The car sure feels like a 350 car, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
The title is clean with the same vin# and I checked it already and it was indeed a 350 car.

How should I go about this????

 

I thought you could get the Iroc's with 350's and t-tops until '91

 

350's and T-Top's WERE available together from 87-90.

In 91 and 92 only Formula's were available with the 350 and T-Top's.

And Iroc's were only built form 85-90, then GM lost the license to Dodge, when the I.R.O.C. started using Daytona's.

 

I see. I guess I got the 350 and manual tranny mixed up with 350 and t-tops.

OK, well I am getting the car then.

Its got a 350 with t-tops. I thought I'd never get anything like that.

Do you think its worth 4grand.

She's got 69K miles and still blows cold air.

Do you think its worth it???

Its primered, all the body work already done to it. The sleeper look if you ask me.

 

What something is worth is always tough to answer. If this is the car you have been looking for, and you want your search to be over, then yes it's worth it. Keep in mind that a good quality paint job is another couple grand, but if the mechanicals are in good shape, and the mileage is really as you stated, then sure why not.

 

Just to clear this up even more....

Ttops were available with the 350 from 87-89. Once the airbag setup came out, the ttops/350 combo went away. That's the easiest way to remember what year it changed.

 

I guess it should be noted that they were unusual in 87 & 88, in 89 it was very commonplace to have T-tops and the 350, in 1990 there non-existant...

On Firebirds I have never seen an actual 87, 88, or 90 T-top 350 car. I have seen in person several 89's 91's & 92's...

John

 

My 89 Formula 350 has the TTOPs

 

Why is a car with such low miles in primer?

 

Well....can you say paint flake? The water based paint on these cars was very prone to flaking off. It even had a recall that the dealers would repaint them for free if you took it in. No longer available. I have been lucky to have been able to keep my car in a garage and out of the rain.

 

I Just purchased an 1989 Formula 350 Convertible and it needs paint too. The paint is OK, but its faded from living in Flordia & NC for most of its life.

It only has 36,000 ORIGINAL miles on it too.

 

I looked at the frame and underbody. Not a single sign of rust, its straight as they come. He said that there were few dings in the body, he is really maticulious with his cars. Big body guy, so he striped it down to get it really nice, but ran into trouble so he is selling it. Only 69K miles on it (carfax verified). He wants 4grand for it, as is. If he were to paint it he wants 6500.

I say, give it to me in primer for 4grand. I'll save up some money to paint it myslef.
The body is now perfect, the doors have been redone and close like a dream.

The car did have faded paint on it, and it was flaking in few spots. So he took care of it all.

 

Dont leave it in Primer, You will HAVE to re-paint it soon as most primers are porous and do not seal the metal from the elements, thus why there is always a 2 stage process Primer-Paint. It will rust if not painted.

JOhn

 

+1!

Do not let it sit in primer. It will rust.

 

Do you know why?

 

More power, more twisting. Chassis flex.

 

Honestly I am not exactly sure why they did not offer T-tops with the 350 to everyone. Although for the Camaro it seemed much more common the Firebird it was more unusual. One of the best explanations I have heard is GM did not want to make a lot T-top 350 cars because of the CAFE requirements. If they could convince people to get the 305 instead of a 350 then it would increase the average fuel economy for the fleet. Granted I got an HONEST 25 Mpg highway from Asheville NC to Flint MI in the Convertible 350 I just bought.

The Body Flex arguement is believeable but there are some simple work arounds that could have been implemented to limit that problem... Keep in mind that the 4th gen cars use the same stamping for the floor pans as the 3rd gens.

John