So tonight my buddy finally gave into reason and sold his 3000gt and picked up a thirdgen. He said it was and 83 firebird with an aftermarket convertible conversion. I asked him if it had 2 seats and not 4 and he thought wow!! How the hell did you know it had 2 and a body kit? So I told him about this site.

What do they call this particular kit so I can dig up some information for him?

Oh yeah he also said it had a factory 3 speed auto. Did 83's have th350's or 200r4's?

Thanks

 

roadster

 

It's probably an Autoform convertible. It has a big fiberglass piece where the rear seats should be.

 

Actually, if it has the original tranny from '83 it will have the infamous 200C (Chevette) slushbox. Look for the word "Metric" stamped on the bottom of the pan, that's your warning sign. My condolences if it does.

 

Is that a 3 speed or does it come with OD? What makes it so terrible? The gearing or it cant handle any power?

 

The metric 200 can't handle life, much less power. I've had them in G-body cars and they suck, big time. It is a 3 speed. The 2004R is the overdrive model. It is the same length as the 200, but to put it in your car you need a custom crossmember with a torque arm mount on it (like Spohn sells.) There is no provision at the back of the transmission to mount that torque arm on the overdrive trans, but your 200 is a "special" housing that does have the torque arm mount holes cast into it. Its best to get rid of it quickly hahahahha.

The good thing is that if you go to the junkyard, you should be able to convert it over with a 700R4 pretty easily. You will need everything, though, other than the trans. Everything is different.

Crossmember, torque arm, driveshaft, shifter, top shifter plate.

You'll need another torque converter, most likely, too. The torque converter for the 200 will interchange with a 2004R, or the 82-84 700R4. If your 700R4 is the better, newer one, then you have to have a different torque converter (31 spline, I think) versus the old 27 spline unit.

Good luck!

 

Kriss thanks for the detailed info. Good thing this is his problem though and not mine! LOL!!

Any other tastey bits of info on this particular car so I can send my friend a good "Welcome to the Club" card.

 

1983 you could have 700R4 or 200c. I am not sure if it was also dependent on engine selection. If you have an OD on the shift indicator it was 700R4

 

From what he tells me so far it is a 3 speed. Assuming for now it is factory is it a fair statement to say that it is the metric 200 and not a th350? I am not sure when he will get under it to look but I will point this out when I see him sunday.

 

If it is a 3 speed it is a 200c

 

So looks like he wants to sell it now. Without pics( coming soon), what are one of these worth today? It's in rough shape but seems restorable. Runs and drives. Some rust but not terrible. Will need new roof and major tune up, degreasing, and paint along with interior restoration. So everything basically.

Obviously this car is a bit more unique than most 3rd Gens. Does that increase its desireablity/value?

Appreciated !

 

Its a bad answer, but they are only worth what someone is willing to pay. You'll need the VIN to see if it was a Trans Am or just a base model that got cut for that roadster kit. Obviously, the T/A will be worth more.

 

Keep in mind that ANY part of ANY kind that has to do with the convertible conversion, except the cloth, will be for all practical purposes IMPOSSIBLE to obtain. Therefore if it needs ANYTHING that's part of the conversion, if it's broken wore-out missing or whatever, that's probably why it's for sale in the first place; and whatever it might be "worth" if it was intact, it ISN'T any more.

Having been around when those came out, I was seriously underwhelmed by their lack of engineering, in not doing a very good job of re-stiffening the chassis after its support (the roof) was removed. They never really drove very well, and CERTAINLY didn't take well to putting big power under the hood. If all you want is a curiosity, then it might be kinda "cool", at least to people young enough to not have been there at the time; but if you're looking for a driver, it's not a good choice.

 

Why did I think the 700R4 came out in 1983... I am 99% sure My 83 Trans Am has the 700R4... I though the last year for the 3 speed Auto was in 1982, unless you got the I4 which they still used a 3 speed thru 1985.

John

 

My 85 Yellow 4 cylinder bird had a 700R4 in it when I got it, and I have no reason to believe that it was a retro fit.

 

Maybe it was an option... or my memory is failing, or my data wrong... I do remember that the 3 speed and 4 speed lingered on longer with the I4...

John