83 to 86 convertible Z28 conversion!
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On Probation
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 353
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From: Holly Spring NC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z Camaro
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
83 to 86 convertible Z28 conversion!
Hey guys...think this is a good one you will enjoy...so I'm on another third gen FB page and someone posted a pic of something I was like "huh...what the hell is that thing"...come to find out its an 85 Z28 I believe that got the conversion done!!! I think it looks wicked cool...and somewhat urmmmm European influenced...probably wrong! Also I seen an IROC-Z that has this done in 86!!! Looks really cool!
So a couple of questions...I seen a Youtube video and said the conversion was like 5K back then!!! Seems like a lot...also only 2 places did them and were contracted directly from GM and that YOU could not just be off the street and want it done. Had to get it sent to the dealer to there etc...the official way shall we say. Said around 600 were done this way...also was this one of those things you kinda of had to know about to get? I imagine it would be...maybe the top dealership salesmens pushed it as an option for ppl
And lastly...lastly...does anyone know if there was an RPO code for this...and or maybe how the VIN numbers would look? And also if you have pics for god sakes post them!!!!!
So a couple of questions...I seen a Youtube video and said the conversion was like 5K back then!!! Seems like a lot...also only 2 places did them and were contracted directly from GM and that YOU could not just be off the street and want it done. Had to get it sent to the dealer to there etc...the official way shall we say. Said around 600 were done this way...also was this one of those things you kinda of had to know about to get? I imagine it would be...maybe the top dealership salesmens pushed it as an option for ppl
And lastly...lastly...does anyone know if there was an RPO code for this...and or maybe how the VIN numbers would look? And also if you have pics for god sakes post them!!!!!
Last edited by jeremyb1988; Sep 14, 2017 at 04:53 PM.
Thread Starter
On Probation
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 353
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From: Holly Spring NC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z Camaro
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Re: 83 to 86 convertible Z28 conversion!
http://www.firebirdgallery.com/autoformlot1.htm check this out!!! Sooooo cool!
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From: Florida
Car: 87 IROC-Z, 82 Pace Car
Re: 83 to 86 convertible Z28 conversion!
There is no RPO code or VIN designation for a pre 1987 convertible. It was a dealer option through many different companies. One of those companies was ASC, who just happened to be the contracted company starting in 1987, for GM.
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
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Re: 83 to 86 convertible Z28 conversion!
Autoform, Hi-Line, Matrix-3 and ASC all offered aftermarket conversions to dealerships. With the exception of ASC, they were not Officially licensed to chop the heads off of cars. Unless the VIN of the vehicle is identified as a Convertible a "3" for the 6th digit 1987 & up. Prior to 1987 (from 1984-1986 the VIN would be identified with a "67" for the (6th and 7th digit) There are No 3rd gen Firebirds or Camaros with the "67" in the 6th and 7th digits of the VIN.
This is not to say that these companies did not set up a distribution network. ASC for example had cars delivered from the factory or from a dealership to a specific dealer partnered with ASC to be drop shipped, converted, and then shipped to the dealership. These channels would have had to been set up with GM just like any other dealership. For example you could not order a car and delivered to your house, it has to go to an authorized dealer before you can take delivery. Autoform & later ASC had to set something up with GM to make this possible.
John
This is not to say that these companies did not set up a distribution network. ASC for example had cars delivered from the factory or from a dealership to a specific dealer partnered with ASC to be drop shipped, converted, and then shipped to the dealership. These channels would have had to been set up with GM just like any other dealership. For example you could not order a car and delivered to your house, it has to go to an authorized dealer before you can take delivery. Autoform & later ASC had to set something up with GM to make this possible.
John
Thread Starter
On Probation
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Holly Spring NC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z Camaro
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Re: 83 to 86 convertible Z28 conversion!
Autoform, Hi-Line, Matrix-3 and ASC all offered aftermarket conversions to dealerships. With the exception of ASC, they were not Officially licensed to chop the heads off of cars. Unless the VIN of the vehicle is identified as a Convertible a "3" for the 6th digit 1987 & up. Prior to 1987 (from 1984-1986 the VIN would be identified with a "67" for the (6th and 7th digit) There are No 3rd gen Firebirds or Camaros with the "67" in the 6th and 7th digits of the VIN.
This is not to say that these companies did not set up a distribution network. ASC for example had cars delivered from the factory or from a dealership to a specific dealer partnered with ASC to be drop shipped, converted, and then shipped to the dealership. These channels would have had to been set up with GM just like any other dealership. For example you could not order a car and delivered to your house, it has to go to an authorized dealer before you can take delivery. Autoform & later ASC had to set something up with GM to make this possible.
John
This is not to say that these companies did not set up a distribution network. ASC for example had cars delivered from the factory or from a dealership to a specific dealer partnered with ASC to be drop shipped, converted, and then shipped to the dealership. These channels would have had to been set up with GM just like any other dealership. For example you could not order a car and delivered to your house, it has to go to an authorized dealer before you can take delivery. Autoform & later ASC had to set something up with GM to make this possible.
John
John...thanks for that insight...also I some how found an older thread where you commented on the special edition Pontiacs/Camaros done by ASC (It was a pretty long thread) and how you came up with the idea of the special edition numbers below the dash emblem to as why there were all over the place and not in numerical order. Took me a while to read thru the whole thread but I'm glad that you knew that information at the end...that was the hardest piece of the puzzle to put into place imo...but made sense. The whole ASC conversion history etc is pretty interesting and its been interesting learning about all that and having members on here who use to work for the company comment on that older thread I recently stumbled apon.