Ideally looking for white / tan. Clean, low miles. Gonna be sitting next to the TTA in the garage!

Now that I have that out of the way, what are the common issues to look for when scouting a potential buy? Certain things that can't be replaced, etc.

I really appreciate all help.

Michael

 

Here's one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=120100120268

Guy wants too much for it though, it didnt meet the reserve last time at 10k. You'd really need to go see it in person, I can see from the photos there are convertible specific parts missing and at the very least the front headrests are wrong, maybe even the whole seat. There's a bunch of other things too, so if you're looking for something stock its going to take some work to get that car there. That said, the last one I remember seeing for sale in that color combo was mine in 2001. So they arent exactly growing on trees if you want a specific car. If the color doesnt matter, they come up every once in a while on Autotrader and eBay. Most important thing is any of the parts for the top esp. the plastic trim pieces as they are pretty hard to come by.

 

I've seen that one. I thought the guy was most certainly high on his price. Looks decent from the pics, but I can tell it needs some work. What did you notice was missing??

What trim pieces are you referring to? Is the A-Pillar trim different on verts? What other parts of trim are vert specific?

Thanks again.

 

GM made GTA Convertibles??....or is this a GTA that been converted to convertible?

 

I like this part of the eBay ad: "MILEAGE SAYS 80000 BUT SPEEDO IS NOT WORKING IN THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE ONLY PUT A COUPLE A MILES A YEAR ON IT JUST TO KEEP IT GOING..."

Great idea, disconnect the speedo to keep the mileage down. It's nice that he disclosed it, but we have no idea of the actual mileage on the vehicle.

Lon

 

Well, yes & no. GM did not make GTA covertibles in the factory. T-tops were sent straight from the factory, to ASC, I think there might have been a couple others throughout the years) and they were converted to verts.

So, factory authorized, just not factory built.

Check out http://www.gtasourcepage.com for more info. Frankie has uncovered a lot of info on the GTAs.

 

GM did not make ANY thirdgen F-body covertibles in the factory. T-tops were sent straight from the factory, to ASC.

GM did code the 1987-92 Camaros and 1991-92 Firebirds as convertibles in the VIN number though. No big deal IMO.

Lon

 

True Lon...I just referred to GTAs since that was the question, but Lon is right. NO verts were factoty made...RS, Z28, IROC, Formula, Firebird...none were factory built. Just factory autorized conversions, line the F*rd Centurions (4 door) F-150s.

 

Tnxs guys...I am aware that various companies did conversions and in 91/92 the Factory Authorized conversions were done by ASC. Guess what Im really trying to ask is were there any Factory Authorized GTA Convertibles made, ie, does the window sticker say GTA Convertible or just GTA?

I do know of one....it's a black one owned by a fellow here in ATL. I think the car belonged to the owner of ASC at one time. There is also a Convertible 20th Annv Turbo TA (owned by the same guy) that was a GM authorized car....but these are the only ones I know of.

just wondering...........

 

It'd say GTA.

 

to rehash:
1) GM did not make any 3rd gen convertibles, even the "Official" verts were all outsourced to ASC.
2) From 87+ just about all convertibles were done by ASC, this is a good thing since parts are interchangable, and they are Identical except for the fore mentioned VIN.
Not discussed:
3) Firebirds were slightly different than Camaro VErts... the caps, spoiler and 3rd brake light were different from 87-90... big deal.
4) I know a lot of people are looking for a 350 vert, Since GM never authorized this it places these cars in a pickel. On the one hand GM did not authorize it, on the other they are identical to a car that would have been, and people are looking for them. I think in many ways they are a better investment (WITH a 350) than a Factory Camaro or Firebird convertible. What really blows my mind is there were 2 verts on e-bay within the last few weeks, one was a 89 GTA 350 car, the other was a 91 Trans Am, both nice looking, both had same miles, both did not reach reserve, BUT the 89 350 GTA had a higher bid...

In 1989 There was 139 GTA 350 verts, and 42 Formula 350 verts, with a total of 324 Firebird verts...

there ya have it.

John