Hey at least I'm still stuck in the 80's right? LOL
But one thing that I want to mention is Russ Wormuth's (Rus88ttop) support and help in gettnig my new project going...
I've been a member of this forum for some years now...a few...but I would like to commend a fellow Pennocks member that has gone above and beyond what others were willng to tackle....
All of you know about my demise of "The Dirty Rat" and be it what it may, it was a decision that I, with a heavy heart, have come too,,,
I have lost interest in the car...someone please buy it ( LOL ...shameless plug! ) but have found my calling in a convertible.
The story goes a little like this....
My boss wanted his dream car, a 1967 Firebird convertible. After a few CL disasters and such we found a beutifull 67 convertible. There was one issue though...I drove it. And with the top down. I WAS HOOKED. Not on the Firebird, but the idea of a convertible. Needless to say I had a company outing for a week in Boca Raton, Fl and I rented a 2011 Mustang vert. That really convinced me that I wanted a convertible....
Long story short, I found a 1989 Cavi Z24 vert. 92,000 miles or so....I posted a pic somewhere here on PFF. To be honest I wanted the Cavi for two reasons, 1) I had one back in the day and enjoyed the heck out of it and 2) It would use a lot of the parts I have bought for the Fiero...
One thing I was hoping for was reusing the seats out of my Fiero in the Cavi...Well there was a catch. It's called a back seat....
I did contact Mr. Mikes to see if he was willing to make me a set of seat covers to match my front seats that I bought from him years ago...To my dissmay he declined my request. Needless to say I was a little dissapointed since I have bought a few sets of seats skins from him in the past and who else would be better to make me a rear seat to match. So I persused the forum and found Russ...
I think I will let the pics speak for themselves. He has done a wonderful job matching the rear seat to what I had, also rebuilding the door panels FROM SCRATCH...at a very reasonable price.
I want to recommend him to any of you Fieroites...He does great work at a great price. Those of you that know what I went through with B&B know tha it takes a lot for me to recommend a person to all of you, but without hestiation, he is a great asset to the Fiero community and I am very greatfull that he has helped me with my Cavi even though it was not a Fiero...He's even a great guy to talk to in person...LOL
Here are the pics, judge for yourself...
I will update this thread as I make progress on the car....
Thank you Russ...
All cleaned up with the 19's on it...
And it begins...LOL
Front seats that are going in it. I wanted the back seat patterned to these...
New Juke padding...extra thick...will feel nice on the bare feet...
New carpet. Being a vert the old carpet was wasted. What a difference new carpet makes! Red visors and steering wheel transplanted...
Back seat installed. I think Russ did a fantastic job on duplicating the pattern from the front seats...
New door panels...Red stiching conveys throughout the interior...
[This message has been edited by chester (edited 01-19-2012).]
Sweet, hopefully kyunderdawg will come along and post up some pics of his for you. Not sure if his is a 89, but it is a 80's and a vert if I remember correctly. I know he has a thread on here for it and I remember him having problems fidning one when he was looking. Think he even had one sold out from under him (although I might be mistaken). His is pretty nice, and he's been working on restoring it. Think it was white on white with red interior.
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12:48 AM
V8 Vega Member
Posts: 508 From: Sylmar Calif a part of LA Registered: Jun 2007
I have a 89 Cavalier Z-24 and a 87 Fiero GT. Both are 5 spd. I got Fiero GT wheels from a wrecked Fiero for the Z-24 from Craigslist. I dont want to go look in the cold and dark but I think the Z-24 is about 180,000 miles and the Fiero about 160,000. Both run good and are driven regularly. Dennis San Fernando Valley CA.
I will tell you this having a vert is nice.. What i got to drive of my solstice last summer was a lot of fun.. had my old wrangler the summer before and i love them.. i used to be an all coupe kinda guy.. my 2nd car i had the choice between a t top bird and a vert bird.. i took the t top one.. the solstice was my 1st vert .. Well car vert..
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02:58 AM
cliffw Member
Posts: 36755 From: Bandera, Texas, USA Registered: Jun 2003
The Vega is the only car that I have had more of, than the Fiero. I had, most notably a 71 GT (first year) and a 73 GT Wagon. I did not like the later years. I ran the Don Hardy kit. The stock two speed power glides seemed to be popular with the 1/4 mile junkies as I sold a bunch of them. I have had both small block 350's and 400's tucked in Vega engine bays and had one with a sub frame added. What are you running ? Pics ? I don't remember handling being bad but they do not handle as well as a Fiero unless new ideas have come to fruition.
Sorry for the hijack chester, 'grats on your Caviler. I love topless too (CJ7) but do not like rag tops. 'Ya know, my Dad was big into Miatas. Many are convertibles and some have removable hard tops.
[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 01-19-2012).]
I got to enjoy the car for a couple of months last year while it was still nice. It was great. I love to ride bikes but fear the drivers around here. This is the next best thing...
One thing that really needed to be updated was the sound system...Now I wonder how 3800 watts of music will sound in a vert? LOL. Building some door pods, already installed some nice Polk MOMO 6X9's in the back quaters. Can't wait till it all comes together...
I'm trying not to go overboard on this cause I know I'll never recover what I put into it, but I am going to have a great summer car for cheap. (Compared to the ther project I had) LOL
Interior needed the refresh, it was the late 80's velour that has worn off and looked like canvas. Interior check
Sound system sucked - Sound system check
Possibly replace the top with a maroon canvas top. Currenly black pinhole vynil - I hate it...top replacement to come....
Then just drive it drive it drive it!
quote
Originally posted by pontiackid86:
I will tell you this having a vert is nice.. What i got to drive of my solstice last summer was a lot of fun.. had my old wrangler the summer before and i love them.. i used to be an all coupe kinda guy.. my 2nd car i had the choice between a t top bird and a vert bird.. i took the t top one.. the solstice was my 1st vert .. Well car vert..
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10:39 AM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
Now that brought back memories...I had a 73 Vega GT I was going to stuff a V8 in back in the day but that was back when I was young and broke so I never finished the project. Loved the body style back then though...
quote
Originally posted by cliffw:
The Vega is the only car that I have had more of, than the Fiero. I had, most notably a 71 GT (first year) and a 73 GT Wagon. I did not like the later years. I ran the Don Hardy kit. The stock two speed power glides seemed to be popular with the 1/4 mile junkies as I sold a bunch of them. I have had both small block 350's and 400's tucked in Vega engine bays and had one with a sub frame added. What are you running ? Pics ? I don't remember handling being bad but they do not handle as well as a Fiero unless new ideas have come to fruition.
Sorry for the hijack chester, 'grats on your Caviler. I love topless too (CJ7) but do not like rag tops. 'Ya know, my Dad was big into Miatas. Many are convertibles and some have removable hard tops.
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10:42 AM
tonycampbell86gt Member
Posts: 142 From: Richmond, KY, USA Registered: Aug 2007
Thanks! Very nice. We had an 88 Z24 in white when they first came out. Renee bought it new while I was deployed. Needless to say she was on her second set of tires by the time I got home to see it! LOL She tried to get Goodyear to replace them under warranty. They told her to quit mashing her right foot down! LOL
Like the color...
quote
Originally posted by tonycampbell86gt:
Nice cavy! Welcome to a completely different addiction! My first car was a Z24, and I still have it (and big plans for it!).
Pic after paint last summer.
Tony
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01:50 PM
snowblindburd Member
Posts: 535 From: Pardeeville, WI Registered: Jun 2006
Nice cavy! Welcome to a completely different addiction! My first car was a Z24, and I still have it (and big plans for it!).
Pic after paint last summer.
Tony
My first car was a 92 Z24, went through hell in the hands of my teenage arse but still held up. I really wish I could find another one but they are getting very hard to find. They are great cars, I've actually owned an 89 Z24 and an 00 Z24 on top of my 92. 89 was a piece of crap that sadly ended up getting crushed and by 2000 the J-bodies just weren't the same
Nice work. I liked this era of the Cavalier I think they have some style.
Not every car needs to be a Fiero and I can certainly see why you made the switch. Just having a drop top with a back seat/trunk in a car you like is a major plus.
Nice job on the seats and door panels. The rest of the car also looks great. I sure miss my 95 Mustang GT convertible-especially during the Spring and Fall.
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07:57 PM
kyunderdawg Member
Posts: 4373 From: Bowling Green, KY. USA Registered: Aug 2008
Well, I hate you already . I haven't had the extra $$$ to even put a top on yet and that's why I haven't posted any more progress on it . What little bonus I get from work will go towards it. Very nice Phase 1. I'll definitely be watchin' this thread. If you decide to put something other than that 2.8 like maybe a turbo 3400, the guys over at www.v6z24.com can help ya out.
Paul
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08:14 PM
kyunderdawg Member
Posts: 4373 From: Bowling Green, KY. USA Registered: Aug 2008
Sweet, hopefully kyunderdawg will come along and post up some pics of his for you. Not sure if his is a 89, but it is a 80's and a vert if I remember correctly. I know he has a thread on here for it and I remember him having problems fidning one when he was looking. Think he even had one sold out from under him (although I might be mistaken). His is pretty nice, and he's been working on restoring it. Think it was white on white with red interior.
I got a quote from my friend for doin' the whole car and whatever I had listed to do ( mild custom work ). Not a bad price I thought considerin' what all needs fixed and what he was/is goin' to customize for me.....$4000.
quote
Originally posted by 1988holleyformula:
I like the white wheels. You put it perfectly when you said they look more "SUMMER"
They will be goin' bye, bye since I've already picked out a set for it.
[This message has been edited by kyunderdawg (edited 01-19-2012).]
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08:36 PM
kyunderdawg Member
Posts: 4373 From: Bowling Green, KY. USA Registered: Aug 2008
Them's some mighty big wheels. Still lots of gap there too. *cough* suspension drop *cough* . I might recomend a strut tower bar from a '90-'91 Z24. '92-'94 has a different bolt pattern so they won't fit. or is it '90-'92 that'll fit? Get one for a '90 because I know it'll fit.
Anything you want to know about what can be done or has been done to cars like ours you can go to the previously mentioned site. There's guys on there that'll make poly mounts for a engine swap as well as burn a chip for it. Lots of info there for you.
[This message has been edited by kyunderdawg (edited 01-19-2012).]
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08:45 PM
htexans1 Member
Posts: 9114 From: Clear Lake City/Houston TX Registered: Sep 2001
I've seen Chester's car in person, it's a nice ride and I do agree, there's nothing like a vert.
------------------ Ron The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that) Always remember these words of wisdom.
"The Lord must truly love fools, for he made them in abundance."
Thanks all. I wish the weather was warmer so I could get further along with it but its safely tucked away in the garage...
I was thinking of lowring it about an inch. I saw where people have done motor swaps, etc but this in not my intention for THIS car. This is just designed to be a fun summer car.
I'm actually looking for a nice 300ZX twin turbo for my toy performance car. Nothing like gettting an EASY 400+HP out of a V6 with a drivetrain that will handle the power..I will have one by this time next year....
Thanks one thing that always worried me about The Rat - The tranny...
Rob D.
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01:50 PM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
If your looking for a 6 cylinder car that makes a ton of easy hp look at a supra. You can make 600 easily without touching the internals. And they look amazing. And a ton of fun to drive. I have owned and driven both and the z32 wasnt that much fun compared to a supra.
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06:32 PM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
I've considered the Supras and they are pretty sweet but I've always loved the body style of the 90's 300's...
But I may have to do some more diggin on the Supras.......LOL
quote
Originally posted by turboguy327:
If your looking for a 6 cylinder car that makes a ton of easy hp look at a supra. You can make 600 easily without touching the internals. And they look amazing. And a ton of fun to drive. I have owned and driven both and the z32 wasnt that much fun compared to a supra.
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06:45 PM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
Rob, Thanks for the compliments. Everything looks great assembled It was my pleasure to be part of you and Renee's build and thanks again for the opportunity We'll have to get together this summer Russ
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05:38 PM
Old Lar Member
Posts: 13797 From: Palm Bay, Florida Registered: Nov 1999
Makes me remember my old 91 Sunbird...LOL..ever gone mud-running across wet corn fields in a J-body ....dont let it get below 50mph, or ya waill sink in
Dont ask. LMAO--I think Jay remembers that one...
[This message has been edited by MidEngineManiac (edited 01-29-2012).]
Them's some mighty big wheels. Still lots of gap there too. *cough* suspension drop *cough* 
or is it '90-'92 that'll fit? Get one for a '90 because I know it'll fit. 
....dont let it get below 50mph, or ya waill sink in 
