I found this while perusing the local craigslist. What is it??

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/2553977257.html

 

I'd almost say a Pacific Avatar conversion, but I'm not sure if they ever had an actual trunk lid. All the ones I've seen have had the trunk area covered and molded with fiberglass. Looks like a proper conversion so if you have the money ****** it up. That's dirt cheap.

 

I could probably swing it, but I have no place to put it. I might go check it out, just to get more information.

 

Didn't the pacific avatar cars use a 323/GLC trunk lid? I seem to remember reading that in a book somewhere.

 

It seems...inconsistant:


(trunklid)

(no trunklid)


(no trunklid)

My best guess is that the S1 cars and S2/S3 were converted differently and/or there were different option packages for the top. These cars sure do look good as a roadster...

 

If you take a look at it please take more pictures!

Well worth the price

 

If that girl is there, tell her 84 called and it wants its toe back.

 

Dude, she's probably in her 60's by now.

 

I would have loved to suck on her "Toe"...

 

I don't think thats a PA conversion. The rear opening is the unmodified rear hatch
opening and they reused the hatch glass hinges to make a tonneau cover for it. It
looks like they chopped the B pillars and join them across. I wonder what the top
actually looks like because I see no exterior snaps or fasteners.

The PA conversions always extended the rear apron up to the back window that
was a more traditional convertible shape. I think a trunk lid was optional as well
and I think they did use GLC or 626 trunk lids for those.

 

Holy hell, if that were in TN it would be in my driveway by now. Someone go ****** it!

 

The more I look at it, the more it looks just...wrong

 

Yeah, if it's not a reputable shop job and just a backyard hack, I'd have to wonder if they did anything to reinforce the body. But still, for a grand... I think it's worth it. Some tubular steel, welding, and a custom top could make it pretty nice for less than some pay for a clean coupe.

 

go buy it and store it for me. I want it

 

If it wasn't for the fact that I'd have to spend the next decade dealing with the DMV and CARB bringing it into Cali, I'd seriously be thinking about it. Just "odd duck" enough to be interesting.

 

^^ You'd JUST have to find a way Glen... do it! save that 1st Gen Vert!

 

buy it and go to AAA , its ez .......... we did a rhd rx2 capella that came from florida

 

RX2's old enough to be smog exempt. Not so, this car. Very different process required to bring a non-Cali-compliant car into the state.

 

[QUOTE=glewsRx;10782491]If that girl is there, tell her 84 called and it wants its toe back.[/QUote

winner

 

wow,
starfox 7 sure got a good cross section of PA (pacific Avatar) cars there.
He is right, the PA cars are different than the one pictured. They used an early mercedes benz convertible top, with snaps, had a side wing window brace, long undercarriage braces
on both sides of the car, held on by bolts thru the floor and welded.
Nice find though.
I would be careful as the first gen folds up without the correct reinforcement under the car. Even with it, it can use a lot more: shock tower brace, etc
The PA article on the construction of the cars shows a lot of care taken ( and $$$ ) to reinforce it.
I installed the rack and Pinion kit on mine as it comes with a great front motor brace.
I really like the lines of the stock first gen with the convertible.

 

Can you post pics of this:

and perhaps the article on this:

Thanks.

 

I wonder if it is anything like the miata one?

http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept...0%20%201990-97

 

i will post this stuff - it is on my other cmptr desk top.
I will do a build thread on my ultima 1 pacific avatar mariah widebody as soon as i can.
You can see it in the thread 56k no way - by boostedrex - it has a lot of pics of the stuff.

 

nice find Sgt Fox
I had heard about the miata brace but I have never seen it.
It is far more space age tech than the poor PA bracing from 1985.
Did they even have CNC cutting machines back then? lol
The ultima chassis brace i refer to as a railroad track. lol
It looks like half a square long metal hollow railroad track w flanged edges bolted most of the length of the car under body. maybe 8'wide and an inch deep as I recall.
One on each side just inside the lower rocker panels.
It increases control of up and down flex but not twisting or lateral flex.
Word was that when a turbo Pacific Avatar car cornered it was too flexy.
I have added the front engine frame brace and it looks like a shock tower brace and a roll bar are future possibilities.

 

Several of the Rotary Rocket articles in the "More old Magazine Articles" sticky are about the convertible conversions.