Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Quakertown, PA
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
7 Posts
Car: 1992 Camaro Z28 Convertible Z03
Engine: 383 SuperRam
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
Some have the tonneau releases in the console, some in the cover itself.
Some have pull down hatches, some don't.
Some have plastic trunk panels, some have like a rigid carpet.
Some have lights under the speakers, some don't.
Black deluxe interior speaker side panels have the hatch pattern, red doesn't
I don't know the differences but apparently some have different style seat belts too.
A lot of this stuff is mixed in the same model years. I am sure there is much much more but is there any reason for any of it? I can't make sense of it but it makes figuring out originality much harder.
Some have pull down hatches, some don't.
Some have plastic trunk panels, some have like a rigid carpet.
Some have lights under the speakers, some don't.
Black deluxe interior speaker side panels have the hatch pattern, red doesn't
I don't know the differences but apparently some have different style seat belts too.
A lot of this stuff is mixed in the same model years. I am sure there is much much more but is there any reason for any of it? I can't make sense of it but it makes figuring out originality much harder.
#2
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Panhandle of Florida
Posts: 386
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 IROC / 92 Z28 Vert / 57 210
Engine: L69 / LB9 / LQ4
Transmission: T5 / T56 / 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 3:73 / 3.73 / ?.??
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
There are a lot of possible answers to this. Some could be as simple as since there were not lot of convertibles made, parts are hard to get, so when they break they get swapped from different years and made to work - leading to inconsistency.
Another is that since these cars were all converted and were never truly "factory" made like the mustang convertibles which were actually built and designed as a convertible, it could be when they updated the design of certain features they didn't have enough of the new style and because of this change they had to keep up with demand and to avoid getting backed up on the line so they used the older style on the shelves to push the car through.
I believe I also heard somewhere that some of these updates and upgrades happened mid year production which probably adds to the inconsistency. For example I think the tonnue switch was moved mid 91. The seatbelt risers were mid 92 if I remember right. All of these were probably on the fly design changes to make things work better and eliminate some complaints or problems people may have had with them. As these cars were all "custom" made in a sence its not surprising to me the level of inconsistancy..
Another is that since these cars were all converted and were never truly "factory" made like the mustang convertibles which were actually built and designed as a convertible, it could be when they updated the design of certain features they didn't have enough of the new style and because of this change they had to keep up with demand and to avoid getting backed up on the line so they used the older style on the shelves to push the car through.
I believe I also heard somewhere that some of these updates and upgrades happened mid year production which probably adds to the inconsistency. For example I think the tonnue switch was moved mid 91. The seatbelt risers were mid 92 if I remember right. All of these were probably on the fly design changes to make things work better and eliminate some complaints or problems people may have had with them. As these cars were all "custom" made in a sence its not surprising to me the level of inconsistancy..
Last edited by Da Spudro; 09-14-2013 at 10:18 AM.
#3
Moderator
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: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
Again, year to year changes. Since the Convertibles were basically T-top cars converted, and all T-top cars had the pull down (I think 1987-1991) the later 1991 and 1992 (again) had a different pull down mechanism. They were smaller, the advantage to this design was they could incorporate the earlier non hatch pull-down type mechanism. I ran into this on accident, I had an early 1991 that needed a hatch pulldown, and I went to the junkyard, found a 91 or 92 and got the mechanism, only to realize it was smaller than the one on my 87, 89 and early 1991...
Again change in 1991
The rear compartment plastic panels, and later carpet, there was 3 styles.
1) early thru 1989 VIN 158142 (Design 1)
2) (89) 158143 thru (91) 177402 (Design 2)
3) 177403 and up used the Carpet,
I believe all "factory" Firebirds had the carpet from 1991 & up.
Technically the plastic panels in the early cars I believe were all trimmed coupe panels... so if you like them, find them in a junkyard, cut and install.
Never seen lighting in the rear seat areas, only on the 4th gens have I seen this... not saying it does not exist, but not noticed them.
For example there was 20,532 Firebird's made for the 1990 model year because production stopped on Dec 31, 1989, Production of the 1991 started in Feb 1990, (oddly there was 13 1991 Firebirds and 13 1991 Camaros that were made in October of 1989) however one source shows 46760 because they included 26228 cars that would have been built if the model year was a normal model year. Some of this is available,
Last edited by okfoz; 10-23-2013 at 09:59 AM.
#4
Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Flatwoods WV
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Firebird Vert
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
My 91 Firebird vert has the rear pass compartment lighting so it does exist.
#6
Moderator
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: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
Might have been something introduced in 1991 then... Never noticed, sorry...
I wish mine did, it is a real pain seeing at night, could only imagine if the interior was black.
Could you get a pic? I wonder if it is not the same as the 4th gens...
I wish mine did, it is a real pain seeing at night, could only imagine if the interior was black.
Could you get a pic? I wonder if it is not the same as the 4th gens...
#7
Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Flatwoods WV
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Firebird Vert
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Trending Topics
#8
Moderator
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: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
I had a 1995 Formula Vert... All I remember is it was rectangular... It kind of looked like that but I just do not remember the specifics...
Wish mine had that...
The Courtesy Lamp part number is 12511358, includes the Cover and the housing with apparently a wire that goes to the harness.
I did just learn that you could still get the 16163615 speakers for the rear from GM... $31.20 each...
John
Wish mine had that...
The Courtesy Lamp part number is 12511358, includes the Cover and the housing with apparently a wire that goes to the harness.
I did just learn that you could still get the 16163615 speakers for the rear from GM... $31.20 each...
John
Last edited by okfoz; 10-24-2013 at 12:47 PM.
#9
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Quakertown, PA
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
7 Posts
Car: 1992 Camaro Z28 Convertible Z03
Engine: 383 SuperRam
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
Yeah, here in these pics you can see two differences mentioned. The black panel in the car now has the light and the patterned fabric up top. The red panel going into the car has no light (It will) and even though it came out of a car with the same pattern interior... solid textured fabric.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: Built T-5
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
I also had those lights in my Z28 vert. That car was a 91. I do not have a pic of the light though
#12
Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Amherst NH
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: Black 88 Iroc Convertable
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
My 88 Irocs rear speaker panels were originally solid black even with the rest of the interior having the textured black/gray.
Eventually found a matching black/gray set in a junkyard.
Eventually found a matching black/gray set in a junkyard.
#13
Moderator
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: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
Speaker has been discontinued :< Should have bought them when I could have
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (101)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Levittown Pa
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
Received 20 Likes
on
18 Posts
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
I have 3 pairs of factory rear convertible speakers if your interested
#17
Supreme Member
iTrader: (101)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Levittown Pa
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
Received 20 Likes
on
18 Posts
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
pics....the other pair I have is still attached to the rear speaker panels so i dont have any pics of those
#21
Senior Member
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
How do you change the rear light bulbs under the speaker? Mine are okay but it would be good to know how to get in there just in case.
#22
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Quakertown, PA
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
7 Posts
Car: 1992 Camaro Z28 Convertible Z03
Engine: 383 SuperRam
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
the whole housing clips into the panel. think you just carefully pry it out.
#24
Senior Member
Re: Why is there no uniformity with vert specific pieces on the car
Nice, thanks for the heads up guys.
As for the topic at hand.... I always assumed they just ran out of the nice plastic panels as others have speculated.
I wish I had the plastic ones instead of my dumb black carpet.
As for the topic at hand.... I always assumed they just ran out of the nice plastic panels as others have speculated.
I wish I had the plastic ones instead of my dumb black carpet.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1992 Trans Am
History / Originality
27
05-10-2023 07:19 PM