I just spotted a 87 GTA convertible for sale in my city. Problem is I cannot find one thread of info on any 87 GTA's with the convertible option ever being produced. The guy told me that there were 122 of them built. If anyone has some info on these convertibles please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

I know there weren't many produced in 89. I think the numbers are similar for 87 and 88 as well. There is a page on this site that lists production #'s

Just looked it up. They don't list any for 87 and 88. So I don't know if any were produced, or if they simply don't have the numbers for those years.

only 396 verts for ALL firebird/ta models were produced in 1989.

 

They were made in 87 and 88, there are even a couple 86's around (my understanding is there are 3). Numbers are few, who knows how many were really made.

 

Considering that the Camaro and Firebird are so similar I would not think it would be a far stretch for ASC to make a GTA 'vert even when they wern't technically offered.

My point:
#1) very possibly an ASC conversion,
#2) it probably would not be worth as much as an 89 or 91-92 where the 'vert was availble.
#3) a purist probably would not be interested, but as for something cool to drive Definately cool.
#4) How much is he asking.
#5) Since I am not a purist, where do you live?


John

 

It most definately was available through ASC because I own one. I have owned it since 1987. I would also beg to differ with your opinion on value. The '87 Camaro counterpart way outvalues the '88 and up versions so it would be very conceivable that the same would be true of the Firebirds.

And also to pmdclassics, the best number I have on the production numbers is 173 units made in 1987. That is directly from a gentleman I spoke to last year at ASC. And not to stir this all up again, that number could very well be incorrect, although I am sure it is pretty close. In short, that '87 vert you found is definately a rare find. If it is an ASC cut of course.

 

Thanks for all the info, how would I know if it was an ASC enhancement? The owner is asking $6,000 for the car and its in nice condition with 66,000 miles. Its a red car with charcoal or black interior. I am into the 67-76 Firebirds, but all of a sudden I have taken an interest in the GTA's. I am sure some day these cars will really take a jump in value.
Todd in Bismarck, ND

 

Heck, I have seen nice condition GTA's with 50K go for that amount. I wish I lived closer to ND and I had 6,000 to spend.

John

 

The reason an 87 Camaro convertible would have more value than an 87 GTA convertible is simple... Officially, in 1987 GM didn't offer the GTA as a convertible. It was a dealership/owner contract, not a GM contract. However, in 87 GM contracted with ASC to have cars converted. The Firebird convertible wasn't official until 1991. Even then, only the Trans Am and the base Firebird could be had as a convertible.

Its kinda like how a dealership has a contract with a local provider to have windows tinted on new cars. The car may be purchased new with tinted windows, but it doesn't increase the value simply because it was done after the car was created.

 

Thank You Drew for stating what I could not.

Actually I think the desirability would be slightly higher than a standard GTA. Although to a collector I would not think that it would be as desirable. But to the general public I would think it would sell for more.

does that make sence.

John

 

Camaro convertibles were done after the car was 'created' as well.

 

Mustangs, Oldsmobiles, Camaros, Firebirds Convertables were all POST production. I guess you can add ALL Firehawks, and ALL 4th Gen WS6's in the list too. But What I think he is referring to is after Pontiac lost control over the car say to a dealer, or to an individual the car was modified. Its like a Conversion Van, GM does not make them either.

John

 

Okfoz, I don't quite understand your last post. I can speak from experience. I ordered the car myself in '87. I don't dispute the fact that it was an aftermarket setup, but I do know that my car was sent from the facory to ASC directly. I didn't reach the dealer until the whole car was completed.

Also, the original question in this field was if '87 GTA was ever produced as a converitble. The answer is yes.

I would also like to ask Drew to clear something up for me. If the Firebird line was a dealership setup and not a GM setup, then why were restrictions put on the engine you could get? If GM had nothing to do with it I would currently have the 350 in my car instead of the 305. Also, how would warranty work on the vehicle be covered in the future? I don't think the dealership would take responsibility for repairing things just so they could offer a car to compete with the Camaro.

Like I stated, I realize it is an aftermarket cut, I just don't get it when people say it wasn't GM authorized.

 

I guess then since it came from ASC directly then I retract my statement. One thing to consider tho there is no known information from PMD that the conversion took place that I am aware of. Only the 89's there was limited info, and then you could get a 350 with a convert, and 91-92 it was "official"

The reason you probably have a 305 and not a 350 might be because the T-top 350 cars are uncommon in 87, and in some cases dealers could not or did not know how to order them. ASC converted T-top cars to Convertables, it would have been easier and cheeper than starting with a hardtop.

John