87 Firebird "Convertible?

[collectorjunk]

I have a 87 Convertible that I understand is Factory built at McClarin. Was this a factory or dealer option or just something done independantly?I wonder how many were done.[/b]

[Larry]

You are not alone in wondering about your Firebird convertible origins (see article in On-Line Magazine about the 1983 Firebird Roadster).
I am wondering if your "McClairn" reference isn't actually "McLaren" who have been building speciality cars for a long time. I have dropped them a note asking for info on your car, but hold little hope that they will respond (they are mostly into the big dollar racing stuff now).
I have also found information that convertible tops are available from a large supplier for your car, but they do not specify manufacturer. I have dropped them a note also.
Back in the '80s a lot of companies were putting sun roofs into cars, chopping tops off, etc. to fill the gap from the factory offerings. We all know that McLaren was in the frey making speciality Mustangs and such. It is very possible they made your "conversion" also. Have you checked all over your car to see if there is any tags or something? I have seen mention of body tags on some convertible conversions. Are there other alterations also?

[Larry]

I have received some very interesting information from the owner of ARO 2000, a leading manufacturer of convertible tops and materials for the restoration aftermarket. It reads as follows:

this is the first time I've heard of a Firebird/McLaren. McLaren did a lot of work with Ford. I am aware of the "ASC" conversions, having visited them during production over the years with my partners from Germany to supply topping materials. I only have patterns for the ASC conversions. I'm not aware of any "McLaren" conversions - though there were a few well known companies capable of converting most any model. many are now gone by the wayside and the few units produced by those companies looking for tops now are "orphans" which must have the tops made to the car. Even the ASC conversions are no walk in the park, due to the very many changes/corrections made during the 87-93 production years. Firebird and Camaro shared the same components.
Your customer should locate the Mfg tag to see the date of manufacture and it should have the company who converted it listed on the tag.
Some of the companies who were big name converters:
American Sunroof Corp (ASC)
Hess & Eisenhardt
CarCraft (KarKraft)
McLaren
and about 6 other much smaller companies
Let me know if this was any help

As an added note, ARO 2000 has joined our PontiacRegistry.com Featured Commercial Suppliers offering a discount to our members for their convertible tops and related product needs.