July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
07-02-2021, 06:28 AM
#1
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July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
We had three really nice third gens for this months COTM. After the final voting okfoz and his rare and beautiful 1989 Formula 350 Convertible emerged as the victor! Congratulations!!!
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...vertibles.html
okfoz | 1989 Formula 350
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...vertibles.html
okfoz | 1989 Formula 350
07-02-2021, 07:15 AM
#2
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 liter V-8
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Congratulations!
This is one of those cars that I just drool over. I own a GTA now, but I've had two Formulas in the past and have to admit that they're still my favorite Firebirds. Your convertible Formula is rare and beautiful. I don't think any car looks better as a convertible than a 3rd gen, and your conversion was just beautifully done.
This is one of those cars that I just drool over. I own a GTA now, but I've had two Formulas in the past and have to admit that they're still my favorite Firebirds. Your convertible Formula is rare and beautiful. I don't think any car looks better as a convertible than a 3rd gen, and your conversion was just beautifully done.
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07-02-2021, 09:58 AM
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Congratulations!!! Awesome, super rare Bird!!
07-02-2021, 01:13 PM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 164 Likes
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
I wanted to thank everyone who voted for my car, I am deeply humbled. Both Vinny R and 86FyrBrd have beautiful cars and awesome builds, their detail to their craftsmanship is amazing.
John
John
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07-04-2021, 09:43 AM
#8
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Congrats!!!!
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07-25-2021, 01:05 PM
#10
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Congrats J, which one are you bringing to the T/A nats this year?
07-26-2021, 07:42 AM
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 164 Likes
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119 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
I am planning on the Yellow one right now... It has AC and my wife would melt.
07-26-2021, 04:28 PM
#12
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
We do need to get a few 89 verts together at the show sometime
Last edited by TTOP350; 07-27-2021 at 06:45 AM.
07-27-2021, 03:54 PM
#14
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 164 Likes
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119 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Are you planning on bringing yours this year?
I could see if I could get the AC fixed
I could see if I could get the AC fixed
07-27-2021, 09:20 PM
#15
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Still on the fence about bringing a car at all. Would like to bring the JY formy again but it hasn't seen any progress since last show.
Last edited by TTOP350; 10-10-2021 at 08:29 AM.
08-25-2021, 04:44 PM
#16
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Car: 91 Trans Am Convertible
Engine: LB9 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 5 SPD
Axle/Gears: Posi Rear
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
You have an awesome '89. Did you have the vert package put on when new or was it done later in its life? My '91 TA is original but I would have preferred the 350 as you have in your Formula.
09-01-2021, 09:15 AM
#17
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 164 Likes
on
119 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
The car appears to have been ordered and intended to be a convertible as it does not have rear defog. The GM Dealer invoice shows early June and It was converted by ASC the end of June 1989, so it was modified just as any other Factory ASC convertible, the dealer ordered the vehicle, drop shipped it to ASC, they could have had it delivered then shipped to ASC to be converted, but that seems unlikely. It was sold new from Sheehan Pontiac in FL as a convertible.
Because the 86-89 ASC Firebird convertibles are technically conversions, they were available with options which were not otherwise optional, for example the 350 engine was not available in the factory Trans Am because of fuel economy concerns. Fuel economy would also be the biggest factor to why the convertible was NA as a direct Pontiac option on the Firebird from 87-89. They would have probably been limited to the Trans Am with the L03 with the convertible with those years, which probably did not seem like a good idea since the TPI was available on the Camaro.
Keep in mind the TA and GTA were right on the cusp of fuel economy, even in 1987 in the USA with the GTA and 350 engine, not only could you not get T-tops with the 350, you could not get the rear shade or the subwoofer controls, it came down to weight and the EPA...
Structurally the car is fine with the stock 350, in spite of what people might think or say, or what they have been told, it all boiled down to Fuel economy.
John
Because the 86-89 ASC Firebird convertibles are technically conversions, they were available with options which were not otherwise optional, for example the 350 engine was not available in the factory Trans Am because of fuel economy concerns. Fuel economy would also be the biggest factor to why the convertible was NA as a direct Pontiac option on the Firebird from 87-89. They would have probably been limited to the Trans Am with the L03 with the convertible with those years, which probably did not seem like a good idea since the TPI was available on the Camaro.
Keep in mind the TA and GTA were right on the cusp of fuel economy, even in 1987 in the USA with the GTA and 350 engine, not only could you not get T-tops with the 350, you could not get the rear shade or the subwoofer controls, it came down to weight and the EPA...
Structurally the car is fine with the stock 350, in spite of what people might think or say, or what they have been told, it all boiled down to Fuel economy.
John
Last edited by okfoz; 09-01-2021 at 09:22 AM.
10-10-2021, 08:23 AM
#18
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Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Sheehan is still in the conversion (van) business and in normal sales times, has dozens upon dozens of conversion vehicles. I could not imagine in the late 80s, walking onto the lot and seeing your firebird.
How many conversions did Sheehan get?
They are still a GMC Dealer, and also have the Buick franchise, which probably replaced Pontiac:
https://www.sheehanbuickgmc.com/
How many conversions did Sheehan get?
They are still a GMC Dealer, and also have the Buick franchise, which probably replaced Pontiac:
https://www.sheehanbuickgmc.com/
10-11-2021, 08:37 AM
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Posts: 14,235
Received 164 Likes
on
119 Posts
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: July 2021 COTM "Convertibles" **WINNER**
Sheehan Got 6 for 1989.
3 GTA 350's (All with a Tan Top)
3 Formula 350's (All with a Black top)
I sent them an email asking if they had any information from 1989, I think I have done it a few times, and they never get back with me.
I do not know the whereabouts of the other 5.
John
3 GTA 350's (All with a Tan Top)
3 Formula 350's (All with a Black top)
I sent them an email asking if they had any information from 1989, I think I have done it a few times, and they never get back with me.
I do not know the whereabouts of the other 5.
John
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