Let's say, for example, that you wanted to transform a older, simpler car like a 1967 Barracude coupe, into a convertible. Both bodies are very similar, most of the structural reinforcements are bolt-on. The roof and top motor is already designed. There's not a massive difference between the two except that the coupes can be had for a case of beer and a smile and the convertibles require a second morgage.

But is it doable?

Now, I already know that EVERYTHING is doable for a price. Nor is this a project I actually wanna do. This is just a fun mental exercise. What I mean is: Is it doable for significantly less than a convertible?

In my mind, it's just bodywork. And if you get a rotten enough car it might actually save you some time and effort by hacking off a crappy rusted out roof (like the Barracuda, whose roofs rust at the weld.) and replacing it with a convertible top. Hell, since you're rebuilding the damn thing you could probably ADD a bunch of structural stuff that would make the car even more rigid than a stock droptop.

I dunno, in my mind it SHOULD work. Any reason why it wouldn't?

I would not be scared to do it as long as I had a donor car. Without one it wouldn't worth the hassle. IMO

KevinP (Stabby McShankyou) wrote:
and I'm NOT a pedo. everyone knows i've got a wheelchair fetish.

of course it is. My friend had a (i think it's 1964) Lincoln Contential (the one with suicide doors). Like an total jackass he cut the top off of it, but at least did it after he secured the ultra rare braces from the equally rare factory convertable. Once it was done it looked awesome...like the one from the opening credits of "Entourage".

But the bad part was all the convertable hardware is no longer in exsistance. And few aftermarket companies make a few parts for resto jobs. Nobody made a complete kit...nor could you make one by buying various parts from various aftermarket places. There were a lot of parts that just are not made for whatever reason so even if he bought every aftermarket resto part to try and make one hed still have a vastly incomplete top set-up.

So he garaged it, and next year is going to spend the big $$$ to have it fabbed up professionally. He had to.

So, sadly your theory is right, that every thing is designed and "was" made. But not everything is still made. In the end you most likely will end up doing what you in essense didn't want to hear....but you'll end up spending good $$$ for it anyway because it may have to be fabbed. Unless: i want to note. You have a "popular" car (i.e. mustang, cuda, camaro/firebird, t-bird) They have a strong and well stocked resto catalog of parts.



"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net

Gotta be good at body work and dont forget to reinforce the frame since theres going to be alot more stress put on the middle of the car since there isnt a good roof anymore.

Its possible but for the most part its too much hassle but if you got the time and money go for it.





How many steps to heaven, Doc?
...Ah, metaphysics.

as long as its not a unibody vehicle, i dont see it being to much of a problem as far as structural integrity goes