I just acquired a set of Automoda conversion parts for my Formula - I acquired the pieces in a 'loose' fashion from someone who got them from someone else on eBay, etc... what I received is the following:
manually-operated top mechanism (fabric attached)
fabric-covered targa panels and 8 Dzus-style fasteners/retaining rings
underbody reinforcement frame (non-'X' style) with two loose additional small sections
Cleco set/pliers
O.K., never having seen with my own eyes a fresh, sealed-in-box Automoda convertible conversion kit, I have a few questions:
Do the sealed-in-box original Automoda kits come with an assembly/instruction/installation manual? Does anyone have one? May I beg/borrow/purchase a copy of this manual, if it exists?
Is there also an original Automoda installation video? May I beg/borrow/purchase a copy of this video, if it exists?
Were there any cutting templates that came with the kit/instructions? Beg/borrow/purchase copies?
Were there different top mechanism assemblies for the 'fastback' and 'notchback' body styles? (There is a curve along the outermost edge of the sail panel assembly that I wasn't expecting to see, and it doesn't match up with the adjoining area of the supplied fender top pieces - is this something where the fender needs to be trimmed to fit after the top mechanism is installed?) Did the previous owner receive a mis-matched set - notchback fender pieces and a GT-specific top assembly?
When the targa panels are attached to the top assembly, the outermost corners of the targa panels stick out beyond the downward curve of the top assembly (where the top rear corner of the door glass would be)... how is this intended to be reshaped/bent downward to match the lines of the top mechanism without damaging the fabric covering the targa panels?
Are there other parts of the original sealed-in-box Automoda kits that I am missing? (Parts not listed that are being mailed to me by the seller are the reshaped cap for the center console, and a set of instructions of some sort made after-the-fact by a second party, *not* instructions offered by Automoda.)
During installation, were there panels/brackets that you needed to fabricate yourself, or were all such parts (if any existed) included with the kit?
The videotapes I've seen show an automatically-operated (hydraulic? pneumatic?) top mechanism... mine is manually-operated. Is mine an exception, or are the automatic versions considered to be 'prototypes' that were discontinued before actual consumer release?
Thanks in advance for any and all assistance, and I look forward to joining your ranks.
------------------ Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com 1988 Red Fiero Formula - 1st Place - Stock Coupe - FOCOSEVA 2000 - 3rd Place - Stock Formula - FOCOA Nat'l 2001 - Class Winner - 1982 to Present - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2001 - Class Winner - Fiero: All Years - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2002 (hopefully to be a convertable soon)
[This message has been edited by LZeitgeist (edited 08-10-2003).]
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09:39 PM
PFF
System Bot
LZeitgeist Member
Posts: 5662 From: Raleigh, NC, U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2000
Also, I would *love* it if people would post pics of their conversion details... things like where the top fabric meets the fender panel, interior finishing details, pics taken throughout cutting/assembling - whatever someone has to offer would be greatly appreciated.
------------------ Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com 1988 Red Fiero Formula - 1st Place - Stock Coupe - FOCOSEVA 2000 - 3rd Place - Stock Formula - FOCOA Nat'l 2001 - Class Winner - 1982 to Present - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2001 - Class Winner - Fiero: All Years - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2002 (Automoda convertible conversion in the works)
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09:48 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
In this pic, it appears there is some curve along the bottom of the top on this 88 coupe.
Also, if I remember, the purple N* Fiero that Chris Moore built also is an Automoda convertible. Surely there are lots of pics of it, both with the top up and down.
Here's a view of Chris Moore's car so you can compare a GT conversion.
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09:59 PM
LZeitgeist Member
Posts: 5662 From: Raleigh, NC, U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2000
And yes, the one that used to belong to Chris Moore is definitely an Automoda conversion... I can't believe that I wasn't wearing out my digital camera with pics of it at the Nationals in Williamsburg a couple years ago. (But, back then, I had no idea that my dream would be coming true at this stage in the game...)
Are there any members in the North Carolina area with an Automoda conversion?
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10:10 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
I love mrfiero's convertible, did I tell everybody yet? He gave me a 70 mile ride back from the Milan dragstrip when the 20th was going on, sweet car, and nice guy.
------------------ If you liked my contribution, please give me a positive rating! ;) If you didn't, please give me a positive rating.
In Progress Restoration/Hot Rodding of a 1984 SE, to be powered by some sort of motor from the GM Line.
Future owner of an 84 SE converted with 86 GT parts, and 50,000 mile V6
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Friggen ROCKS on Xbox, you must buy it and an xbox if you don't have one, its worth getting the system for this game.
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11:13 PM
Aug 11th, 2003
Automoda Member
Posts: 318 From: Bluffdale, Utah, USA Registered: Sep 2002
To save me a lot of typing, lets just arrange a phone call. I installed my own, and I can talk you through your build up complete with scans of my build-up photos. Private message me and I'll give you my phone # and some good times to call.
------------------
87 Quad 4 HO convertible
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12:43 AM
LZeitgeist Member
Posts: 5662 From: Raleigh, NC, U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2000
PM sent... I haven't yet started on the car - still need to get the frame reinforced before I begin anything else, but I'm hoping to compile all the pieces of information that I possibly can between now and when I have the frame reinforcement done up.
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06:42 AM
PaulJK Member
Posts: 6638 From: Los Angeles Registered: Oct 2001
