Sorry guys. I did do a search but I guess I searched wrong but I read somewhere that convertables werent made by the GM factories rather buy a company GM had hired to make them from hardtops. Is this true? If so can anyone link me to the info. Thanks

Kris

 

Yep, starting in 1987 GM had ASC do the convertible conversions. You do see pre 87 ones once in awhile, and they were done by various companies. Also, I believe they used TTop cars? Also, you could never get a 350 in the convertiables. Verts sure are nice though!

 

It is true. Do a search again for ASC. ASC originally stood for American Sunroof Company. Nowadays it refers to American Specialty Co.

Lon

 

Actually you can find 350 verts, however they were done aftermarket by dealerships.

 

Cool, I did not know that. Gotta love learn'in **** about camaros!

 

and firebirds.

so what about vert pre87? were they all made by "other companys" or did GM do those?

 

GM did no F-Body convertibles from 1970-1994. The ASC conversions (1987-92) are often referred to as "Factory" convertibles, because GM authorized them and worked closely with the conversion company (ASC), but they weren't assembled on a GM assembly line. The cars were trucked to ASC's factory and they were converted there.

You can find a LOT more info regarding the ASC convertibles and the other conversions done by nearly a dozen or so companies by searching the "Convertibles" section of this web site.

Lon

 

Thanks guys for the info. I had read it in Super Chevy a while back but seem to have lost the issue.

Kris

 

http://www.firebirdgallery.com/autoformlot1.htm

The link above tells the story of Auto Form Corps. conversions. They did convertibles on Camaros and Firebirds from 1983 to 1987. The amount of Pontiacs done was about half as many as the Chevys.

 

I was under the impression that 91 and 92 were actually factory built convertables, while 87-90 were factory authorized by ASC.

In fact the Standard Catalog of Firebird 1967-2002 states that 1991 was the first year for convertables since 1969, with the sixth digit of the vin being 2 for 2 door coupe and 3 for convertables. All other years only list the sixth vin digit being 2 for coupes.

 

1991 was the first year for "factory authorized" Firebird convertibles. The 1992-92 Firebirds were still converted at the ASC plant on Gale Ave. in the City of Industry (roughly 3 miles from my house). The factory didn't start building F-Body convertibles again until the 1994 model year.

Lon

 

Ah, good to know.

So did the 91-92 ASC conversion differ from the earlier conversions? Technically speaking.

 

Running changes were made during the entire production from 1987-92. There were some notable changes for 1991 and 1992. They stopped using modified plastic trim pieces in the trunk on the drivers side and passenger side and instead used molded carpeting. They also changed to the rear seat shoulder belt being attached to a post and the tonneau notched out to fit it when closed. Previously it had been attached to the underside of the tonneau and had to be pulled out and clicked into a slot on the lap belt. It was a PITA to raise the tonneau if you had rear passengers because you had to unsnap the shoulder belt and retract it before raising the tonneau. 1987 through either 1988 or 1989 had just a lap belt, so no shoulder belt to deal with. They also moved the tonneau release switch from the center console between the PW switches (same location as coupe hatch release switch) to the tonneau adjacent to the handle to realease the pin on the #5 bow. This was a great improvement. Previously you'd have to pull the handle to release the pin, raise the #5 bow, then duck your head to reach in to pop the tonneau release switch. There were 3 versions of convertible top. The early ones weren't lined. Firebirds have a different molded cap that covers the cut line on the body (running back from the door to the trunk) than Camaro due to the Firebird being wider. This makes replacing it on a 1991-92 Firebird problematic if yours is missing and next to impossible if you own a 1989 Firebird convertible.

Lon