Ron U.S.M.C.

First let me say this is my first build of any car and was (8 years ago) totally blind to what a Third Gen Camaro or Firebird really was.

I bought this Camaro for five hundred dollars and have had to find, fix or replace just about everything on it.
So……….

I bought a Hatch from a 1988 Sport Coup that had the “short wing” to replace the damaged one on the car. At the time I had no clue as to what it truly was, I just thought it looked good.

I was pushed hard by a friend (pro-painter) to save for a nice paint job that he would/could do for around $ 3,000.00 bottom line.

Working hard, and after one year, six months I had it.

I had to decide if I wanted to keep the “short wing” hatch that came with limo tint and a working defroster.

I looked at my other options and honestly, thought the "high rise" wing was too much and the little “duck tail” spoiler was not enough.

It has been suggested I replace it several times.

If its truly killing the look of the car I might be open to a few opinions, answers, and suggestions from the bored about the “short wing”.

Most of the paint on my car has never been touched by a bare hand let alone have a drill taken to the sides of it.

The paint on the car is immaculate so you can see why I don't want to touch it with ANY tools.

The best way to show the wing is to show the paint process.

Link = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...nt-photos.html

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

No need to defend the short wing. You never thought twice about it until it was brought up a few days ago right? Move on and let him put the high rise on his car if he want's it. Car looks great.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

The short wing is not a very common sight on these cars, at least not where I live. I only know of 1 camaro that has it, and oddly enough, the owner just moved in down the street from me.

If the usual lip spoiler is to small for your taste, try looking up the 5" spoiler Hawks offers. I love the look of it, and will eventually buy or fab one for my camaro. Look up member Kandied91z(pretty sure that's his username). He has some good pics posted of one on his camaro. Looks great with the candy apple red paint.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Its something that has come up a few times over the years and was just curious as to if it could be done.

I understand the hatch can be replaced but I would still have to drill two holes on each side. Is that even possible without damaging the surrounding paint.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

You should be able to prevent major damage to the paint by putting down a layer of masking tape, then scoring the paint with an exacto knife mounted in a standard compass.

NowhereFast

Why doesn't your car have the holes in the quarter for the duck tail? It's an IROC correct? All of them came with that spoiler.

willexoIX

You can always put a couple layers of tape over where you are drilling. Though there is always the chance you could marr the paint any way you do it I would think.

I like the usual lip spoiler, same as the one on my RS. I always thought I would grab a 2" cowl hood with the high rise (Iroc?) Spoiler would look great on my car. Since you have a smaller cowl hood IMO the stock, common small lip spoiler would look good on your car.

Though I do like the uniqueness of the spoiler you have, for me its just not wide enough. Kind of interrupts the lines in the back of the car. Your car is sweet regardless, so if you like the spoiler you have then it doesn't matter what any one else thinks, it's your car

willexoIX

Beat me to it, lol.

willexoIX

IIRC he got the hatch off of a different car.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Best reason not to do it?
"Custom Rally Red paint, Crystal Pearl Additive"
May have trouble getting a good match without blending into adjacent panels.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Those side holes where filled the same as the antennas hole. He welded a plate under the holes than filed in the top portion with a weld then sanded it down to a perfectly smooth surface. He also welded the small cracks that were on each corner of the window .
The hatch itself is directly off of a "88" Sport Coupe.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I really appreciate the sujestions about being able to drill but will that include material that has been welded ? Its not exactaly "tin" anymore.

I just wanted to hear "how" or "if" it could be changed without damage to the paint .

I thought about what my friend/painter did for me, and really don't think I could even ask his opinion on the subject. I can SEE his expression OVER THE PHONE....

As suggested , the seats done by "Lethal Interiors" are next. = http://www.lethalinteriors.com/

Spaceboy1980

iTrader: (6)

I like the short wing on your car, it is a subtle, seldom seen spoiler.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Thanks,

As all of us are trying to do, we strive to do the best we can for our cars.

They are being saved in one form or another, and mine is no different.

There are a few things on my car that are "not the norm", like style of tires/wheels/stance/staggered /wing ,etc.

My car is an expression of self. It fits me perfect .

This is one of my favorite photos.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

The car looks good as-is. Besides, you don't have an IROC hood, and you don't have IROC wheels, so I wouldn't worry about not having a stock IROC/Z28/RS/SC spoiler.

The stock spoiler was used on almost every Camaro from 1982-1992, with the exception of 1991-1992 Z28s and 1988 Camaros, making yours somewhat unique, having been used only in 1988. Putting a stock spoiler on it isn't going to make any difference in the car's "value," which will only ever be determined by its condition, not by "originality."

The car looks excellent, and the wing fits the deck lid perfectly. That's all there is to it.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

I wouldn't even bother. I'm a vocal opponent of that spoiler, and if it were my car I wouldn't sweat it in the least.

The only thing I would even consider is doing something crazy and custom to widen the spoiler you have. Cut it at the stripes past the pylons and add a couple of inches each side... A lot easier to color match black than the red... . But you're still left with ugly deck lid holes. Just leave it alone unless you think you can get a decent color match.

Good news is a real high rise spoiler will probably cover the holes on the edge of the decklid, but no sure about the center pylons being in the same place. But you can have it painted on its own and see how well it matches before you go making permanent modifications.

But like I said... I wouldnt even bother. LAFireboyd is entirely correct.... it's not like it's an IROC clone gone wrong.... it's just its own car at this point.

cdoyle

Keep the shorty, there isn't too many left around.
It's always been my favorite.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Random question but is your car an '89 RS or an '89 IROC? I've read different things in different places. I like the short wing, it's rare, and looks good on your car. It all comes down to what you want.

If you wish to put a different style on there, it can be done. You don't see many with it but the 2014 Malibu has a spoiler option. My Father ordered and installed it on my Mom's LTZ, white pearl paint. Didn't hurt the finish and it looks, I'd dare to say, better than if a dealer installed it. If you mark exactly where your holes need to be, take your time, mask it, and use the right bit, you'll have good results.

Wife'sCar

iTrader: (1)

Car looks amazing, don't change something because someone else doesn't like it. It's your car. If everyone built there car with the parts that the majority likes then we would all have the same exact car.

I'm even more weird with my builds, I choose parts based on how rare they are whether I like how they look or not, its cool to have people tell you "man I've never seen that before" or "I've been looking for one of those forever".

I've only been into the Camaro world for about a year so I'm not sure how hard that spoiler is to find but I don't remember ever seeing one before, that would be what would make my decision to keep it.

Plus its already painted and matches the car perfect.

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

Looks just fine from here !

padak

iTrader: (10)

Looks like an 89 Iroc with an 88 SC wing.

I think it looks good, I would keep it if I were you. Also, who cares what another guy wants on YOUR car, tell him put it on HIS car. I see too many high-rise or other, and I think yours is a happy medium.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Thanks guys,

Its an IROC-Z base model. 5.0,TBI,700R4 with basically all new exterior engine and interior parts, including the aftermarket hood.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Not trying to start a fight, just asking: if what I read in a previous build thread is true then it would make it an '89 RS that you cloned into a base IROC. I'm not trying to single you out(because I'm sure there are PLENTY of thirdgen clones out there), it just seems of even more importance with the context of this thread, if you follow my reasoning. You've gone through extensive lengths to make the car what you want it to look like (i.e. an IROC) but at the same time you also liked the short spoiler.

I just think it's further proof that it doesn't matter if it's a correct "IROC" spoiler so long as it's what you want on there (since the car isn't technically a factory IROC and you added the other stuff to make it what you wanted).

hope that makes sense lol.

skinny z

I think you've answered your own question.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I really new nothing about Third Gens. when I bought it.

The interior was pretty much gone or trashed including the gutted column and consol.

It was a Frankenstein with a , what I believe was a z28 hood, RS badging on one side and none on the other or back with RS style tail lights (held on buy three wing nuts).

I ran with the RS badging until the elusive previous owner (there have been three) said it had IROC-Z decals on the doors before stripping them off in an attempt to paint the car. It actually came out pretty good for a first timer.

I gladly rebadged it an IROC-Z.

That might be wishful thinking.

I will "not" be selling this car. And even if I did I would gladly explain its history.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Love the story, and how the car turned out. Make it your own and rock whatever spoiler you want...well, of course...so long as it's not this one :
https://www.google.com/search?q=craz...er%3B500%3B321

Ron U.S.M.C.

Thank You RedLeader289 ,
Heres some of whats been done to the car over the last 9 years. =

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/album.php?albumid=8814