Index to Mikey's Camaro Pages:
|| Pg 1 (F-body Background and History) | Pg 2 (Factory Convertibles Return) ||
|| Pg 3 (Rare 87, Anniversary, Options) | Pg 4 (Tech Specs and Performance) ||
|| Pg 5 (Mods, Enhancements, and Fixes) ||
1987 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
-- Sold 9/2000 --
The Most Rare Camaro Ragtop:
This model -- the 1987 Sport Coupe Convertible -- is the most rare convertible Camaro model ever*. According to GM, total convertible production for 1987 was about 1005 units, while ASC numbers show the final total was closer to 885. With either number, ragtops comprise much less than 1% of the approximately 138000 Camaro production total. In addition, sources indicate that about 70% to 75% of the convertibles were Z28 (and IROC-Z) models, which puts Sport Coupe Convertible production numbers in the 220 to 300 range.
(*Statement based on production numbers for 1967 through 1996 models. Numbers for 1997 through 2000 production do not seem to be available.)
1987 Convertibles -- 20th Anniversary:
The 1987 model year marked the 20th anniversary since the introduction of the Camaro. In honor of the anniversary, Chevrolet dubbed each convertible a "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" with a special dash plaque. These anniversary markings were placed on the map pocket that is located directly in front of the passenger. Only the convertibles were officially honored to be the anniversary editions. 1987 also was the final year for GM's Norwood, OH assembly plant -- where this Camaro was built in May of that year -- in favor of the larger and more modern Van Nuys, CA site.
More Cruiser than Drag Strip Bruiser:
As it comes equipped from the factory, the 1987 Camaro Convertible is more of a cruising car than it is a sports car. The 305 V8 has plenty of power and torque for trips around town and for normal highway speeds. Compared to most cars sold today, acceleration in stock condition is merely adequate (though still better than some $35+K new cars). Further, with a cloth top and no roll bars, most track racing events are off-limits. In addition, the speedometer is numbered only up to 85 mph, and the needle pegs out against the trip odometer button at about where 95 mph would be. Besides which, the wind noise gets pretty noticeable around those speeds anyway... :-)
Topless by Day:
When the weather is nice, nothing beats dropping the top for some open-air driving fun. The warmth of the sun shines down, and the clouds and sky are not just visible far off towards the horizon, but wherever you care to turn your head. Driving down a street that is lined with overhanging trees is fine in a coupe, but top-down it's a completely new experience. Cruise down a city street in a hardtop and you'll miss most of the architecture unless you park and walk, but the open ragtop allows you to view even the tallest skyscrapers as you glide past.
Also by Night:
The open-air experience doesn't end when the sun goes down, either. Instead, it just changes slightly. When the sun's warmth fades and the night turns chilly, warmth is easily substituted by wearing a light jacket and turning on the heater to keep your feet warm. Finally, on a clear night, what better way to watch the moon and the stars than from the comfort of reclining bucket seats.
Interesting Options Choices:
The least-ordered option overall for the entire 1987 Camaro line was the plain AM radio with clock, at less than 180 units ordered. In contrast, more than 4,800 cars were ordered with the option to have no factory-installed radio at all. Eleven exterior colors were available to choose from for the 1987 Camaro line. Of those, the most popular choices were bright red [81U], dark red, and black. The three least popular colors were dark brown, yellow, and silver.
No 350 V8 for the Convertibles:
The only engine available for the Sport Coupe Convertible like this one, was the [LG4] carbureted 305-ci V8. The LG4 was also the standard engine for Z28 Convertibles, but the Z28 also had an optional engine choice -- the [LB9] 305-ci V8 with TPI (Tuned Port Injection). Due to concerns about excessive chassis flex in the convertibles, the 350-ci V8 with TPI -- which also made it's public F-body debut in 1987 -- was not available to the public in any factory third-gen convertible.
Items indicated [XYZ] are factory option codes.
