I just got a 92 Z-28 Convertible via auction. I thought I got a pretty good deal on it, but when I got it in a body shop, they discovered extensive right front frame damage that had been marginally repaired - it looks like the frame had been straightened and welded back together. The front idler arm is missing and the rear transmission mount/transfer bar is missing. The paint is a $200 Macco special so it is peeling and stared. The interior is fair, no major rips, but very dirty. The back window also has a tear in it.

Right now I'm torn on what to do with it. It'll take about $1200 to get it past the state safety inspection. It's got a 305 TPI Auto with 122000 miles on it.

Is it worth restoring? How many were made in 1992? I don't want to go through the hassle of parting it out, so I have thought about selling it and trying to find a better one. However, I'm sure everyone knows how hard it is to find a good one in decent shape.

Any thoughts?

 

All 3rd gen convertibles are keepers IMO, I might be a little biased though . If you got a good deal on it, I think it is worth it. In my area, the only 'verts for sale are RS's for $8000+ which is double what I paid for mine.

 

wow, i didnt know there were any 3rd gen verts, wild., i thought they didnt make any since the first gen up until the late 90s ...
wild... must be damned low production numbers, or none in central IL..

hmmm...

good luck with yours !

 

There are at least two in east central IL, because in additon to mine there is another red one in my town - but it is an RS though. There is also a black w/heritage stripes 92 that is here occationally.

BTW, where in central IL are you?


Ken

 

no too rare..... i know they amde 3, 700 some in 88...well that was the 88 IROC convert......there are a few....keep you eyes open in the paper and you will see them pop up and disapear fast.

 

They may not be rare now.... just wait 20 years.

 

I'd say if you can get your money back out of the car and buy one thats in great shape, you'd enjoy it more. If the cars been abused, its been abused, simple as that. Finding nice convertibles isn't difficult, but they aren't cheap. I've had mine listed for about 6 months now for $10,000 and haven't had a single person look at it. Doesn't really bother me since if it doesn't sell I get to keep it. But its disturbing that no one appears to be interested in an all original low mileage thirdgen convertible.

 

Wait 'till springtime, Drew... once the weather warms up good, I'm sure you'll get a few calls!

 

Maybe, but as soon as the weather breaks I'm planning to take some good clear pics and throw it up on ebay. If I can get my money back out of it I can pay off all my debts and do the V8 swap in the V6 firebird... Then if I get the chance to pick up another extremely nice thirdgen in the future I wont have to hold back cause I already have too many.

 

Based on personal experience, now might not be the time to sell your car on ebay. Oldsmobile has a strong following and they seem to love low mileaged, rare (1 of ~1000) cars. My 442 has been up for almost a week now and I have 1 bid that doesn't get past reserve. I guess I need to relist it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1813154879

 

gchu, i don't know what you paid for the car, but if it's cheap enough and you're looking to unload it, email me at thewraith@poorformance.net. I am looking for a thirdgen vert.

 

ChevyKen, im in Lincoln on I-55 above springfield, wheres charleston at ?!

i cant recall ever seeing a third gen vert, neither here or on the road, ever, hmm, interesting...

 

Nice that all the amateurs chimed in Now for some facts:
There were 1254 92 Z28 convts made in 1992. They are the last of the 3rd gen body style. They received substantial body reinforcement over, say a 90 or 91. They changed the placement of the rear seat belts.
All 5spd 92 Z28 convts came with a 3:08 posi drum rear, no exceptions
All auto 92 Z28 convts came with a 2:73 posi drum rear, again, no exceptions.
Definately a nice choice for a 3rd gen convert. I have a registry of the 1254 started. I would like to add yours. I'll drop you an e-mail for the particulars.
Congrats on your purchase!

 

so was only in 92 ? i may be amateur with these cars, but am not amatateur with the trucks on 67-72chevytrucks.com forum, hehe, i know about the trucks what you know about these cars,

thanks

 

Fast 68, I was actually referring to some of the other posts, just giving them crap actually. 92's are just a favorite topic of mine, especially since I own one
Any pics of the car?

 

I just thought i would jump in and say i have a black 91 Z28 305 t.p.i convertable. I see them around here sometimes but they always seem to be rs and in crappy condition and also i was thinking of selling it cause i want a 5.7 coupe. If anybody wants to see pics of the car just e-mail me. Later

 

With those low production numbers I say fix it. If it has a clean title and engine go for it. You see RS convert's running around here in south florida but ver very rarely do you see a Z28 one. Nice car and comming from the auction I doubt you have much into the car and therefor spend it on restoring a rare car

 

Fast68,
Charleston is down in east central IL, south of Champaign-Urbana along I-57. Twin-city with Mattoon if you know where that is, and about 30 minutes north from Effingham.


Ken

 

I agree with what others have said here. It WILL be worth something SOMEDAY in great shape. The 92 is the last year of the third gen. I don't know what the production numbers are for the convertibles, ( I'm new here and did a search on the board, but found nothing yet. ), but I believe the percentage of Convertibles vs. T-Tops/Coupes is low. What it really comes down to is how much would you be willing / able to spend on a decent shape convertible? Once you determine that number, get estimates to "restore" the 92 you picked up at auction and see if you can get it fixed up for less. Good Luck!!

 

Hey Ken, yeah I know where all those places are, but I never head down that way ever, hmm...

pics of third gen verts look very odd to me, not used ot seeing that yet, i dont tihnk i ever will, just looks wierd seeing them, seeing one in person would have to be interesting..
wild,,,

 

Fast68, I didn't see it posted in this thread, so I thought I would add that the convertable once again became an option on f-bodies in 1987. Prior to that, the last f-body convertable was made in 1969 (although I have seen a few second gen custom 'verts). Now that you know they exist, you'll be seeing 3rdgen 'verts everywhere!

 

Hmm.... I was under the impression that 'verts were only offered as a factory authorized option after '91. But maybe that's just with Firebirds.... I've seen pre-'91 Firebird 'verts, but they didn't have the convertible code in the VIN.

 

well no wonder i dont ever see them, they only made them for 6 or 2 years of the third gen era... duh.... i was gonna say....

lol...

 

gchu, If you decide not to fix it, lemme know, I might be interested. I live about 10 miles from Philly, so its not to far either!

 

I thought you couldn't get a 5 speed 305 tpi combo with a vert after 89? Isn't it the same deal with the ttops?

 

umm no, I have seen a few with 305 5spd.....T-tops and Converts. YES Convertibles started at a factory option in 87, but Chevy Ken has an 86 that was does by Choo Choo Customs for a dealer....ask him , he know more...it's his car....LOL I have an 88 IROC Convert. Oh well I just posted about a 92 vert i found, I WANT IT SO BAD.......................................

 

<~ 305 tpi 5 speed...

 

so 87 for sure was the first new vert availability since 69 ?

wonder why they wouldnt make any for all those years ??

 

Yup... the only factory authorized anyways. Not sure how good a 2nd gen would look as a vert though. Dont think it would look too good.

 

I said tpi. I know you could get a 5 speed with the lo3 in a vert. And I also said, after 1989! So 1990 to 1992 you couldn't have a 305 lb9 combo with the t5 unless it was a hardtop. And for you people that claim to have seen them, get the rpo's and vin numbers, and prove it. I only know of one freak car that the numbers have checked out so far on.

 

Umm, sorry man but thats way incorrect. I have an 305 lb9 5 speed, and have seen a few others. And it IS factory. Granted I have a T/A, but Im sure they would do the same for Camaros as well.

 

well then I stand corrected. Thanks for showing me one! I think I am thinking of the camaros. I found out that you could get that combo and the ttop 350 combo with the firebirds but it was REALLY rare. From what I read on here though, there isn't any combos like that for the 91-92 z28. I'm still learning, sorry!

 

And my 92 Z28 convt 305TPI 5spd makes two and counting...
My research shows about 5 auto 92 Z28 convts to every 5spd.

Insurance companies and falling demand for convertibles in the 70's spelled their doom. Chrysler saw the market and came out with one in the mid-80's and everyone followed suit.

 

I think any 3rd gen convertible is a find, they are getting more and more scarse. I wish I could keep mine (just put it up for sale) I looked for years for this car, now financial situations force me to sell. Enjoy it.

 

I want a convertable now!