Over on the Camaro forum there is an interesting discussion about a blue convertible top frame in 1st Gens Camaros. Has anyone ever seen anything but black frames on Firebirds? See: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=80101
They say it's a just 67 thing and then a guy pops up and says he has a 69 TA with a blue frame. Top frames are 'bolt-on' accessories that are interchangeable between 67-69 and also interchangeable between Camaros and Firebirds/TA's.
One thing I find truely amazing about some of the discussions is how many people think that their cars are 'untouched', 'unchanged', 'unrestored' ect. Like the guy who says that his frame has to be original blue because it has no black paint on it. I can remember people changing these cars around in the early 70's. I have a picture book that was created in the early 70's. It shows pictures of many Firebirds and Camaros. Almost NONE of them had their exact stock appearance. I think you can find more first generation Firebirds and Camaros that are bone stock now then you could in 1972. Why is this? Because people want them stock now more than ever and they are being 'recreated'. Some of these 'untouched' original cars could have went through a few makeovers. Some restorers are very ambitious and can totally restore a car in less than a year. These 1st gens could possibly have been 'reinvented' a dozen times and still fool most people into thinking they are untouched original.
No black paint on the frame so it had to be original blue? I used paint stripper in the early 70's!
I have a blue frame on my 69. The car came with a dark blue top, and dark blue interior. Just checked it, there is a lot of rust, but no black paint visible anywhere.
How much circumstancial evidence do you need for it to become the real deal? It's a faith thing, isn't it? The problem with faith, for me anyway, is just about the time you believe in it someone pulls the rug out. LOL
My triple blue '67 convert (Tyrol Blue exterior) had a black frame. It was black and only black in every nook and cranny after being stripped of the top. I find it highly unlikely by '70s bodyshop standards (of which I worked under) that a frame would be completely stripped prior to a color change. I also find it unlikely that the only color changes were from black to blue. Hence, I tend to believe there were some blue frames.
On a side note, some of the Camaro guys claim their converts did NOT come with a coat hook while have yet to see a Firebird frame without one.
Since these tops are bolt on, how can you tell the difference between years and even if it's for a Firebird or a Camaro? How can you be sure your car has the original frame be it black or blue?
