What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
#101
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Just throwing this out there that I've spent the last several months reading the suspension board and how to repair the infamous frame crack behind the steering gearbox. There is a lot of negative talk about the berlinetta having the weakest frame up front. They say it's almost guaranteed to develope the infamous crack behind the steering gearbox. Didn't see this info posted so I wanted to be sure it was brought up to help the berlinetta folks avoid the problem.
#102
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I had the frame crack happen to my 84 Berlinetta and had it welded up a few months back when I finished the restoration of it in November.
#104
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Cant tell you. They should be the same but maybe the gear box frame area is different since it's the luxury model.
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Ok -- not to hijack the discussion about the seats, but what in the heck are all of the 7 switches on the center console for? I don't think I've ever seen this. The only configuration I've ever seen is a three switch layout: drivers power window, hatch release and passenger power window. This pic clearly shows more than that. Anyone know what the others are for?
FWIW: A local guy here has a pristine 85 Berlinetta with the digital dash and radio on a stick that he puts into shows. It's a very cool car.
FWIW: A local guy here has a pristine 85 Berlinetta with the digital dash and radio on a stick that he puts into shows. It's a very cool car.
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I think the Berlinettas are cool, I had searched for one for a while, just for the unique features they have. I also really appreciate the base cars as well, doesn't matter who these cars were marketed too in my opinion.
FWIW I think there is a lot of odd biases on this forum for a site that is dedicated to enthusiasts of 3rd gens. There are a lot of complaints about the engine options, lack of power, decisions GM made option wise back in the day...I simply enjoy these cars, from the 2.5s up to the L98s for what they were. Nothing wrong with improving on the 3rd gen with engine swaps etc. but lately these boards seem to be more of a customization resource than a serious enthusiast community...just my $0.02.
FWIW I think there is a lot of odd biases on this forum for a site that is dedicated to enthusiasts of 3rd gens. There are a lot of complaints about the engine options, lack of power, decisions GM made option wise back in the day...I simply enjoy these cars, from the 2.5s up to the L98s for what they were. Nothing wrong with improving on the 3rd gen with engine swaps etc. but lately these boards seem to be more of a customization resource than a serious enthusiast community...just my $0.02.
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I think it's safe to say that the berlinetta can be braced like any other camaros your just starting with less.
#110
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
From what I've read, all camaros got the triangle braces starting sometime in the late 80s. I also have a 92 RS and I have the triangular braces. They attach the frame and k member. I wish I would have read about this before I cracked my frame. Would have been a lot cheaper to just buy a wonderbar than to have it repaired. I broke it autoXing. Everything I've read says a wonderbar is worth it's weight in gold (Got one for Christmas). What little I know I got from reading the suspension board and the search results for cracked front frame for hours a day to learn how to autoX my car without destroying it. Better late than never!
I think it's safe to say that the berlinetta can be braced like any other camaros your just starting with less.
I think it's safe to say that the berlinetta can be braced like any other camaros your just starting with less.
#111
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I personally don't have anything against them. Whether or not they were designed or intended for a certain group (after all Harley Davidson marketed the sportster for women and plenty of guys have purchased them, though I will say some I've met I've seriously questioned their masculinity). I think the concept and technology is cool, but I have always been an analog kind of guy. I like the look of analog gauges and I think all the technology clutters the inside of the car. Additionally the exterior looked very plain.
#112
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Found this one local to me:
http://cnj.craigslist.org/ctd/3479873592.html
Seems like a decent deal, though I'd rather it have the LG4 than the carbed V6. Otherwise, it looks to be in good shape (minus the faded white paint, and it looks like there was a bra on it for a long time due to the whiter colored front end).
Started to get the itch for another thirdgen (its been about 3 years since I've owned one), and was considering this one since the rest of them around my area seem to be mostly junk or too pricey for my wallet at the time.
http://cnj.craigslist.org/ctd/3479873592.html
Seems like a decent deal, though I'd rather it have the LG4 than the carbed V6. Otherwise, it looks to be in good shape (minus the faded white paint, and it looks like there was a bra on it for a long time due to the whiter colored front end).
Started to get the itch for another thirdgen (its been about 3 years since I've owned one), and was considering this one since the rest of them around my area seem to be mostly junk or too pricey for my wallet at the time.
#114
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I owned an 88 and an 86 IROC and after those two, I searched for a LONG time to find a clean 5 speed original V8 Sport Coupe, because I felt they had a cleaner look than the GFX cars. I am definitely in the minority saying that, but it's my car, and I made it look how I wanted it to look. No shame in that... Do what makes you happy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8281673118/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8281673118/
#115
Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
My buddy has a 84 and turnsignals radio ect all jacked up nothing works correctly and it is clean! nothing but problems car is now sitting waste away last two years.
#116
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
My friend owned one, Probably the only thing that I didn't like was the Radio Assembly. I don't think I have seen any more since his. I could care from 1967 to 2013, Plain to Blown, If someone has a camaro or firebird, I'll look at it even longer if someone treats their with respect.
#117
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I owned an 88 and an 86 IROC and after those two, I searched for a LONG time to find a clean 5 speed original V8 Sport Coupe, because I felt they had a cleaner look than the GFX cars. I am definitely in the minority saying that, but it's my car, and I made it look how I wanted it to look. No shame in that... Do what makes you happy.
#118
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
agreed..... normally i don't pay much attention to non GFX Pre 85 cars.... but I've got to admit... that car looks clean and very nice.... well done.
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Just throwing this out there that I've spent the last several months reading the suspension board and how to repair the infamous frame crack behind the steering gearbox. There is a lot of negative talk about the berlinetta having the weakest frame up front. They say it's almost guaranteed to develope the infamous crack behind the steering gearbox. Didn't see this info posted so I wanted to be sure it was brought up to help the berlinetta folks avoid the problem.
#120
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Just throwing this out there that I've spent the last several months reading the suspension board and how to repair the infamous frame crack behind the steering gearbox. There is a lot of negative talk about the berlinetta having the weakest frame up front. They say it's almost guaranteed to develope the infamous crack behind the steering gearbox. Didn't see this info posted so I wanted to be sure it was brought up to help the berlinetta folks avoid the problem.
#122
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Ive never understood why Berlinettas seem to get a bad wrap either.
My first camaro was a 85 Berlinetta. Sold it in 2000 to a friend after doing alot of work to it. It is now in Camaro Valhalla.
I really liked that car. It was fun to drive. Ok on power (lg4 305). Yea it could have used more power but dont they all.
I found that I really liked the digital dash with the side pods. It was interesting and cool. But dont ever slap the directional lever. Did that once. Had to go find another in the junkyard.
I did absolutely hate the radio. I planned to but never did change the car to a normal radio. That had to have been the stupidest thing about the car.
Body, suspension & motor wise they accepted everything camaro so that was good.
Mine ended up very much being a mutt when I was done with it. But I built it the way I wanted. It already had a iroc hood on it when I bought it so I removed the louvers and smoothed out the mounting bumps. Suspension, wheel & steering was all WS6 that I took from a 89 Formula 350, added in the iroc wonderbar for good measure. Painted the car back to its original Black but I didn't repaint the gold bottoms. Engine wise was simple, headers, edelerok intake & carb along with some other bolton stuff.
This was the only picture I have of it. Right after paint.
My first camaro was a 85 Berlinetta. Sold it in 2000 to a friend after doing alot of work to it. It is now in Camaro Valhalla.
I really liked that car. It was fun to drive. Ok on power (lg4 305). Yea it could have used more power but dont they all.
I found that I really liked the digital dash with the side pods. It was interesting and cool. But dont ever slap the directional lever. Did that once. Had to go find another in the junkyard.
I did absolutely hate the radio. I planned to but never did change the car to a normal radio. That had to have been the stupidest thing about the car.
Body, suspension & motor wise they accepted everything camaro so that was good.
Mine ended up very much being a mutt when I was done with it. But I built it the way I wanted. It already had a iroc hood on it when I bought it so I removed the louvers and smoothed out the mounting bumps. Suspension, wheel & steering was all WS6 that I took from a 89 Formula 350, added in the iroc wonderbar for good measure. Painted the car back to its original Black but I didn't repaint the gold bottoms. Engine wise was simple, headers, edelerok intake & carb along with some other bolton stuff.
This was the only picture I have of it. Right after paint.
#123
Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Post 24, well said. I am one of those females who bought a Berlinetta back in 84 and I am proud
to be able to restore it now.
to be able to restore it now.
Last edited by Berlinetta Baby; 07-10-2013 at 12:13 AM.
#124
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I don't like how they look, but then again, people don't like how my car looks, so whatever.
#125
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
Thread is a bit old but I wanted to share my opinion on the Berlinetta. I have an '82 which I love dearly, but, honestly '82 was not the best year for these cars, or at least mine. Mine came with all dial gauges, no extra pods, a simple radio ( not even a neat 8 track) the god forsaken 200c transmission , a 305 LG4, and an open diff with 2.73's and 26 spline axles, and completely different emblems than later year Berlinetta's. Pretty much all of the bad bits I can imagine without all the perks that the newer Berlinetta's got.
But over the years this car has been transforming into its own beast. Updated white gauges and stereo plus a dual A pillar pod setup, new engine, soon to be a recipient of a 700r4 and then a T56 down the road, eventual Moser 12 bolt, eventual forced induction, and once I find the combo I want I will add GFX and then paint it ( still stock for now)
They are a harder find that's for sure, I haven't seen one local that was not in a junk yard, and people always ask what it is because they have never heard of them. Over all, it wasn't my first choice, but it's easy to rebuild to something great.
But over the years this car has been transforming into its own beast. Updated white gauges and stereo plus a dual A pillar pod setup, new engine, soon to be a recipient of a 700r4 and then a T56 down the road, eventual Moser 12 bolt, eventual forced induction, and once I find the combo I want I will add GFX and then paint it ( still stock for now)
They are a harder find that's for sure, I haven't seen one local that was not in a junk yard, and people always ask what it is because they have never heard of them. Over all, it wasn't my first choice, but it's easy to rebuild to something great.
#126
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
They'll never be desirable, but they may someday be collectible to thirdgen historian types with excessive cash flow... which I believe is currently a crowd consisting of zero people.
#127
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Re: What's everyone got against Berlinettas?
I always like them, I just don't like the 82-84 sunk marker lights. I prefer the 85-86 cars, but eaches own.
Here's a nice 83 I found the other day for 1500.00
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3961575349.html
Here's a nice 83 I found the other day for 1500.00
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3961575349.html
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