thomson29

I just purchased a 1987 SLP formula firebird. I,m trying to find out if this is a rare car that is worth restoring. 305 manual shift T top, matching numbers.
I am a school auto mechanics teacher, this car was purchased as a parts donor car for another car we are building. I just wanted to know how special this car is before we scrap it for parts. I contacted SLP and the registries, but got no usefull information.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Post some pics.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Flesh out the details about this "SLP".

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Yes Pix. What makes you think its a SLP car? does it have the SLP package on it? Documentation?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

So far, I'd say that a 5 speed Formula with SLP parts should be the one that gets restored rather than being used as a donor car.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Okay, I happened to run across another post by the OP and here is the car:

http://autoshop.centralvermontacadem...s_Project.html

Apparently, they are going to graft the Firebird fascia onto to a Camaro convertible.

jdawg1276

I would restore slp I would buy it before other one they are selling

ternandes

iTrader: (7)

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

By graft you mean bolt?

Do they realize that the wheels wells are shaped differently and the car will look like ****?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Personally, I think that they would sell more tickets to their raffle if they simply restored the convertible.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

100% agreed

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Agreed 100%

Someone really screwed up that formula with the ground FX and goofy decals..

2007xl50

No idea about the SLP car, but I do know that Camaro's and Firebirds mixed are not cool. I would say restore both cars. I like the Vert better, but both seem worth the work. Please no more frankinmaros.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Well, the OP can do whatever he wants. But a nicely restored Camaro convertible will have value to many people. A "Corvette Summer-esque" Camarobird will have value to almost no one.

ternandes

iTrader: (7)

I agree completely... also had to laugh, because I didn't think anyone besides me even remembered that movie.

I'm quite partial to birds, but I'm in favor of restoring both cars as individuals.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I guess you have to be of a certain age to remember that movie.

I agree, if anything they should be restored individually.

87hellbird

I am partial to birds to and I have a g92 formula and that is rare, if its a true SLP car that being original and redone right would be worth a lot! The convertible Camaro would be worth something as well so both are great cars to have you should try and do 2 years for it or get both done and have 2 auctions haha

Slater126

iTrader: (1)

SLP started operation in 1987. I was not aware of any SLP F-bodies until 1991 when the Firehawk came out. The one in the pictures looks like someone went to Autozone and bought a decal kit and put it on a regular 'Bird. At least they spelled SLP right though!

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

According to SLP themselves, they were founded in 1986:

http://slpcars.com/?page_id=804

Though "founded" and "started operation" could be considered two different things.

Slater126

iTrader: (1)

I went by this but your citation is right from the source so I'd put more stock in yours...

http://firebirdfever.com/firehawkhistory.htm

Regardless, your citation says their GM approved speciality vehicle program did not begin until 1991. So I doubt that thing the cat dragged in is a real SLP car. So the kids can turn it into a Homecoming parade float or whatever without guilt.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

Agreed, unless some sort of magazine article from 1986/7 comes forward with information on a new "tuner" Firebird from a newly founded company "SLP" with that care on the cover, it's worth the same as any other rather beat up 87 Formy. Though even then it still wouldn't be worth much more.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

SLP had started in 86 and was working on the 50 state legal kits and more.
I have a catalog from 88or 89 listing all the parts they had then.See link below for the scans.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/alte...d-gen-slp.html
Also the parts could have been put on the car several years after it was new. (if it even has them)

okfoz

I thought as early as 1989 you could get the SLP Runners, exhaust, chip, stuff on a Firebird at the dealer

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I'm not 100% sure when the dealers picked it up. I do know it was in the 91 dealer brochure. I also have seen it in the dealer parts catalogs. I have some and will check the years I have

Slater126

iTrader: (1)

Correct but they didn't start selling complete cars until the Firehawk in 1991. The OP, and the cheesy decals on it, call it an "SLP Formula Firebird," which seems to say more than a car with just some SLP parts on it.

We'd need to see pix of the engine compartment to determine if it has real SLP pieces on it. I can already tell it doesn't have an SLP exhaust from that era (it would have two outlets on one side of course, and this has dual outlets). I have my doubts that it has anything else SLP on it but I'm open minded. These parts are exceedingly rare these days so it's cool to see them!

2007xl50

You right, but still mixed cars are not cool like I said LOL. I don't care if they make a 2 front end car for all I care-you know cut them in half and weld the 2 cars together, but was just putting in my 2 cents.

okfoz

The reason why Mixed cars never look right is simply the wheel wells... There are two subtle differences between the two cars,

Camaro wheel wells are more elongated, about 2" longer overall and the Camaro fender flairs are much more angular. There is a hard line where the flair meets the body.

The Firebird wheel wells are actually almost semi-circles, they are not elongated, and the fender flairs are smoother There is no hard line where the flair meets the body.

If you could overcome that, either put the flairs from one car onto the other, it might actually work.

Other differences between Firebirds and Camaros that most people do not realize. The B Pillar behind the doors are actually slightly different. The Camaro blends into the rear quarter more so than the Firebird. The Firebird has more of a pronounced highlight line. Other than that they have the obvious tail light differences and the firebird had the extra rear quarter light...

What is probably the most striking thing that people do not realize is the only body panels that Firebirds and Camaros share in common is the Doors and the hatch. The roof panel is also the same from the windshield to the rear windows, and that is it. Obviously the Glass is also the same

IMissMy86TA

not to sideline the thread... but how much power did the SLP kits really add? How much did they cost for that bounce and how hard are they to get now? and would they ever be reproduced new? and if you had it installed would be be collectible more or less? would it then be considered non-stock or psudo stock like a "Yenko" camaro? or a GTO "Judge" and more prized

okfoz

From what I can tell... The SLP kit would only increase the value if installed by a dealer back when it was new, and it must be accompanied by the receipt and the sticker...

IIRC, the power increase is something like 50HP, but I think that is a little ambitious without changing the intake and the heads.

John

IMissMy86TA

Thanks. Was just curious then it would be considered to be dealer stock... what kind of bump in price? I know if it was a firehawk SLP that would be some serious bump

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

SLPs 50HP E-legal kit cost around 2,500 retail.
Summit had it for around 1,500 (how I got my 1st kit. still have it and the receipts)
Base Firehawk conversion added 39,999.99 10k more for the comp package and then more for the seats, belts, fuel cell and aluminum block if you wanted it.

okfoz

Not many cars have come up with that to really make a solid determination of how much it would increase the value... My guess would be maybe... possibly, on a good day 10% - 20%.

IMissMy86TA

so even if you had a firehawk you would not get the value out of it at this point as that is a very high priced added on to an already 17K car! you would have to get around 57 K and I dont think that will happen soon

Richboll

Anymore info from the OP on this?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Its happened a LOT more than people know. The Hawks are big bux these days even in this economy

IMissMy86TA

for 50HP and some style?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The Hawks were 350 HP and up.

The SLP 50HP E-legal kit added 50HP on a good day.