Hello All,

I'm a NorCal guy and am looking to buy a 3rd gen vert. I had an 82 back in high school and loved it. I'm married now have a couple of boys and want a car to tinker with and build their interest in cars. Anyway I am primarily looking for a convertible iroc or z28. I found a 91 red 305 TPI with a 5speed 85K miles and it's here locally. What I"m looking for is the "gotchas" on these cars before I buy one. The stuff that is not reproduced on these cars and weak areas to look for. I have done a lot of reading on this site but there is a mountain of information and I"m ready to buy one soon. I'm also looking at how to size up the one I have in my sites. I can buy it for 3,500 right now and have driven it once. The a/c is not working the top is bad the interior is okay not ratted out. Paint is not faded too bad it has a few dings and the front down low on the fiberglass trim has a small rip in it. No major dents or body damage. Appears to be straight. Guy says he put a new clutch in it but it needs to be adjusted I had to compress the clutch all the way to the floor to shift the car? I have a couple of pics please take a look and let me know what you think. I was planning on taking it to a good mechanic to be checked out before I buy it. It's the a/c that is the biggest question mark for me. I priced out new top, interior and know what new paint will cost. It's the unknowns for me like what is not reproduced so I can make sure I'm not missing something that is hard to find or impossible to find. What does it cost to convert the a/c on one of these cars?

Thanks in advance for your help on this
Neal

 

The parts that will cost you are vert specific. The header bows, they are usually cracked pretty bad and replacing them with NOS or good used is very expensive. Make sure the tonneau cover works fine, that the top reclines easily every time (parts get bent over the years and are hard to replace). The 91 will have seat belt guides for the front seats that rest just in front of the tonneau cover that often crack and also are expensive to buy. The rear sail panels and trim are vert specific and many people have cut those up to put speakers in.

It is very easy to tweek a vert frame so you may consider sfc at some point, otherwise you need to adjust the doors almost every time you jack the car if you're not careful.

 

Thanks I was beginning to feel unwelcome here being my first post and all. Anyway I'll check out those items more closely.

 

I love this site, but some of the regulars in the main forums are a bit, ----impatient---- we are a little more relaxed in here. Plus we hold bout 90% of the knowledge base anyway

 

In answer to your question, I wouldn't necessarily be checking every little vert only part and whether it is reproduced, DRIVE THE CAR, if it lacks power, leaks/squeaks/creeks, I'd be more worried about that. Looks like a decent ride from here!

All the small parts can be found, it's only a matter of $$$

 

It does look nice, and taking it to a mechanic is a good move. One post and you're feeling unwelcome? Patience young one. Maybe this will hold you over

 

Alas looks like I came off sounding like a young runt. But thanks for calling me young, something that does not happen much anymore. I'm 44 so i'm no young'in by any means.

I drove the car once but don't have much to compare it to of that age. The miles are low on it and the body damage is minimal. It's the convertible stuff I was wondering most about. I read on the site that there are somethings that can't be purchased if broken. I've done a lot of looking on craigslist to see what cars like this go for and 3,500 is a descent price. Just want to make sure I have not missed anything major.

What does it cost to do a conversion on the A/C?

 

Why A/C with a topless car? I don't get it? I yanked all my A/C a couple years ago and added the A/C delete plle to save a few pounds and ponies. Most shops that service A/C will let you know what they charge. Make sure they do a leak test with the colored dye to ensure a tight system. I paid over $100 to have my system re-charged and it leaked out overnight That's when I ordered the delete pulley!

 

Man if i got the chance to go back and by a car again i would find one with a 350 already that came with the car 305 need alot of work just to get some hp thats just me though.
kevin

 

Its a tough call on the horsepower vrs cruisin. In this forum there are some very sophistocated power makers and you need to decided if that is for you. You own a vert, and they are not really the fastest cars on the road nor the most stable (flex and all). Although it would be nice to have it all, I have decided that cruisin in a vert is enough for me and I will probably keep the stock 305 I have. However, should you dig speed, this is the place to be!

Lastly, you CAN get all the vert parts you need. They are available. But, to get one as complete as possible is certainly your best bet.