Finally found the one..Trans Am Convertible (Page 2/2)
82-T/A [At Work] APR 11, 08:47 AM
Very nice! I really like it.

I haven't seen a convertible 3rd gen in a long time. As you say, they were pretty rare. From what I remember (I used to have a 3rd gen), they weren't factory cars, but actually left the factory as hard-top cars, which went to a nearby specialty shop that would convert them to a convertible. I seem to recall they have a large "X-brace" that's connected under the body as well. These were highly sought-after for people who wanted to autocross their hard-top 3rd gens, so they'd get removed and re-installed in other cars whenever a convertible ended up in the junkyard.

Very nice...

EDIT: Also, check out http://www.thirdgen.org

[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 04-11-2022).]

ls3mach APR 11, 04:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by blackrams:


I'm just the opposite, I love road trips. Doesn't matter what I'm driving or riding. As I tell my wife, every trip is a new adventure. I can assure you, I've had some great and not so great experiences on the road.

An example of one trip that could have been a lot more fun but, was a real experience.



This is what happens when you get "dirty" diesel fuel.

BTW, that does appear to be one nice TA in the opening pics. I'd have one like it if, I had more garage space.

Rams



I like the trip part. If I ever have too much money I'm never driving again.

Was dirty diesel worse than the trip you found out F450s are about 2" wider?
blackrams APR 11, 05:27 PM

quote
Originally posted by ls3mach:


I like the trip part. If I ever have too much money I'm never driving again.

Was dirty diesel worse than the trip you found out F450s are about 2" wider?



Both were interesting adventures but, the F450 trip was much more expensive.
Had to buy a wider trailer to get the F450 trip done. In fact, the trailer my loaded truck was on is, that trailer I bought.
If life ever gets anymore interesting, I'll be bankrupt.

Rams
007DOUG APR 12, 12:21 AM
Thanks everyone, this really has been a multi-year hunt. Of the few hundred made per year, not all are Trans Am, many are base firebird w/V6 or TBI V8.

Trans am supply is much like the fiero supply....either damn near zero miles with a $40K+ price tag or 150K+ miles needing restored beyond its value. Very few in-between examples out there. Contrastingly the 87-92 Camaro convertible supply is very plentiful with many mid range examples.


quote
Originally posted by MidEngineManiac:Mine was green with a tan top and interior.


Found a metallic green with tan/tan and gold wheel in VA with 42K miles. It was my runner-up.

Really wanted white with tan/tan and gold wheel. Thats just a plain old beautiful combo. Never thought I'd find the gray in convertible form. Gray with black/black looks like its up to no good, sneaky. I like it!


quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
From what I remember (I used to have a 3rd gen), they weren't factory cars



Yep. ASC performed all conversions. 1991 was the first year dealer could order convertible directly from GM (think 88 C&C TTop Fiero). Previous years dealer ordered a TTop then drop shipped to ASC for conversion.


quote
Originally posted by ls3mach:Interior photos or we know you really didn't buy it.





Very Fiero-like...red 120, switches, shifter, radio


Seen this headrest before?..... look at the 2+2 Silver fastback concept Fiero


This is the only sign of wear. Previous owner rubbed leather getiing in/out. Fortunately only the color is worn off. I will try to match up dye.


3-point seatbelt is attahced to the parade boot (when in use)...seems odd.


quote
Originally posted by blackrams:

This is what happens when you get "dirty" diesel fuel.
Rams



Is the dodge on flatbed also towing a trailer? Or optical illusion? I've seen new horse trailers pulled like semi doubles. And once witnessed a bumper-pull flatbed (loaded) with a tow dolly on the end of it (loaded). Dangerous mix

[This message has been edited by 007DOUG (edited 04-12-2022).]

blackrams APR 12, 08:43 AM

quote
Originally posted by 007DOUG:

Is the dodge on flatbed also towing a trailer? Or optical illusion? I've seen new horse trailers pulled like semi doubles. And once witnessed a bumper-pull flatbed (loaded) with a tow dolly on the end of it (loaded). Dangerous mix




Both trailers are goosenecks and yes, the rear trailer is coupled to the truck on the trailer. That rear trailer is not coupled to the "in bed" hitch, if we had stayed coupled to the "In bed" ball, the ass end of the rear trailer would have been dragging on the asphalt. We had a 2 5/16th ball on the receiver hitch, coupled the trailer to it and loaded the truck onto the other trailer. As you can see, the rear trailer is sitting level.



If you blow up the image above, you can see what I'm talking about. 93 feet long, 650 miles from home. Kept the four way "emergency" flashers going the entire trip home. Passed several open weigh stations and at least 10 different Highway Patrol officers, two actually pulled up beside us and watched us for several miles but, we never got stopped. Stayed on two lane roads as much as possible. Kept our speed below the posted speed limits. Made some very wide turns. Would I recommend doing it again, no but, as I frequently say, where there's the will, there's always a way.

Edited: As a side note, we used every tie down strap and chain we had on board to secure that silver Dodge to the trailer it's loaded on. If I remember correctly, we used eight 10K lb. straps and four chains to ensure that load stayed in place. Yes, every trip is an adventure and no, I doubt it was legal but, we got home safely.

All this due to getting some very dirty diesel fuel at a Mom and Pop station. It was the only fuel station we could find open in that area at 2:00 AM. I never stopped at one again. Lesson learned.

Edit #2: On a side note, next week I'm transporting a 67 Chevelle SS. Looking forward to seeing, transporting and drooling over such a classic car.

Edit #3: Sorry, didn't intend to hijack your thread, nice ride you got there.

Rams

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-12-2022).]

ls3mach APR 14, 09:40 AM
I guess I didn't realize these were 2+2.

The Volkswagen CC was also a 2+2, but that was a sedan with 4 doors. Never understood that one.

Were they all 2+2? It's been decades since I've even sat in an F-Body let alone the backseat.
Raydar APR 14, 12:33 PM
Doug,
That's a nice car! I'm not sure I've ever seen a Firebird vert in that color. (It's kind of uncommon even for "regular" F bodies.)

One of the locals (West GA) has a yellow one. I think it's a T/A. Definitely a TPI, if I remember correctly.
I might have some pics from a show.
007DOUG APR 15, 09:11 PM

quote
Originally posted by ls3mach:
Were they all 2+2? It's been decades since I've even sat in an F-Body let alone the backseat.



The third gen Firebird/Camaro convertible began with Autoform, it was a crude kit with a giant decklid, exposed rivets & chrome hinge trunklid. Reminds me of the 60s batmobile. ASC took over the convertible conversions in 87






quote
Originally posted by Raydar:
That's a nice car! I'm not sure I've ever seen a Firebird vert in that color.



Thanks. I know you like gray, LOL

Its a factory color only a few years. Never dreamed I'd find one, so few made. It was on craigslist of all places. There's a medium blue thats really rare & beautiful.

[This message has been edited by 007DOUG (edited 04-15-2022).]

82-T/A [At Work] APR 18, 05:28 PM
If you start doing a restore / clean-up of the 3rd gen, I recommend posting the progress on ThirdGen.org, and then if you could, post a link here so we can follow.