My name is Mark and I live in North Idaho, just over the border from reality and Spokane, Washington, where I work. After lurking around here since last summer, I felt I should finally introduce myself. I waited this long to see if I might fit in or be able to contribute and not just be an annoyance. Though I’ve owned and/or been involved with several J-bodies in past lives, what I knew about them was limited until I joined the JBO. I’m sure that few who casually stop by here realize the man-years of experience the information in the stickys and FAQ’s of this site represent. I’m grateful to all who have contributed and continue to.
You all know what Cavalier ‘verts look like, so I won’t post lots of huge pictures. (This one is from yesterday the 19th, between the last and next big snow storms.) This is my second ‘vert, a ’99 that I found on the internet in a Seattle, WA, suburb in very good shape and with virtually no rock chips! After making a deal over the phone, I flew over from Spokane one morning and drove it home that afternoon. Since then I’ve added a Tokico strut and spring kit, a set of the Z24 coupe 16” wheels and 225/50/16 tires, a decorative Sunfire dual-muffler exhaust, a header, secret cams, K&N, B&M ShiftPlus and probably too many badges. (I can take them off easy enough when I’m tired of them.) I’ve also done a bunch of detail repairs and things that I enjoy because I can take my time and scrounge the local Pull-N-Save yard. Hey, it keeps me off the streets at night.
I wish everyone the best and if I can help with anything convertible specific, I’ll gladly chime in. Take care. - Mark
welcome to jbody ... im a bit of a new jbody person too and close located in boise idaho, been in to jbodys since i was sixteen when i purchased my first cav now 22 and on my third and looking to purchase a vert this spring so I be hitting you up... welcome
dont hold back the big pics, post them hahaa... show your love for the verts... welcome to the org..
whats the deal with the "1 of 7627"?
Well, I was a little short of originality and creativity when I joined the JBO (probably still am). But, I've always been intrigued by the psychology behind convertibles and what drives manufacturers to build them. They're all money losers since the engineering dollars to build them are rarely justified by the miniscule production numbers. So, I found some scans on the V6Z24.com site from the Standard Catalog of Chevrolet here...
http://www.v6z24.com/history/production
...and looked up the numbers for the 3rd gen convertibles. The '99 is given as 7,627, so that's the name I took. That's pretty low considering the J-body total for coupes and sedans was at or over 200,000 or so a year. The other 3rd gen 'vert numbers shown are:
'95 LS 6,060
'96 LS 10 (can't believe that one)
'97 LS 1,108
'98 Z24 5,804
'99 Z24 7,627 (as I mentioned)
'00 Z24 5,420 (last year of the 'vert)
The demographics say convertibles are "chick cars", hence the less aggressive LS trim levels of the early models and the toned down Z24's later on without the suspension or wheels of the coupes. About '01 or '02, I was in a position to buy a new one, but they'd already been discontinued. It was quite a committment for GM to even build them on their entry level platform, but you'll notice they don't anymore. (Although a Cobalt 'vert would be an attractive car.) Sadly, the convertible parts for the J's are drying up and those that remain are very expensive. I'm trying to gather up what I can when I see them, but I can't afford (or justify) $300 weatherstrip parts or $500 top motors. (I did save up and shell out $200+ for a new OEM drivers' door window regulator though as I was tired of screwing around with junk parts and wanted to fix it once and for all. I probably got the last one in captivity.) I check eBay daily for used 'vert parts. Take care. - Mark
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, January 21, 2009 8:02 AM
I greatly appreciate the explanation. I think its pretty awesome that you own a rare J. Because like you said, they mass produced them. Execpt of course for your vert and a few others
BTW, very nice, clean car
