Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: jml19621]
#1105288
11/01/11 07:22 PM
11/01/11 07:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575 The Netherlands
BigBlockMopar
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,575
The Netherlands
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I say Do It! If you have most of the convertible specific parts what could go wrong? It's only metal! Turning hardtop cars into convertibles is something that a couple of guys in Sweden have done a number of times on late fifties Mopars.
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: jml19621]
#1105291
11/01/11 08:22 PM
11/01/11 08:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 392 Mississippi
lahatte
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Posts: 392
Mississippi
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Ken Hopperdietzel is one of the best at doing this. In fact, he recently got a convertible challenger donor car, so he might have some good stuff for you. http://www.ebodyconvertibleconversions.com/However, be prepared for some expense, because it won't be cheap to do it right.
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: jml19621]
#1105296
11/03/11 12:47 PM
11/03/11 12:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,008 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,008
Salem
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Your Father's intentions are good ones, but...... Perhaps you should mention to him that one day the car will go into someone else's hands and you will have to upfront and honest about what you did to the car for liability's sake. The worst could happen, and like mentioned already: a true convertible is a different car. Chrysler had Engineers, blueprints, and metal specifications for a very good reason. I agree with what Dogdays said.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: Grizzly]
#1105298
11/03/11 12:51 PM
11/03/11 12:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
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Marysville, O-H-I-O
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if you're gonna do it, do it right. a hard top uni-body car uses the roof structure as part of the frame.
remove it and you get a floppy car.
so you'll have to add metal back in somewhere. either frame ties and other stifening members, or replacement 'vert metal and make it like the factory did.
it can be done, but it'll be a lot of metal work, much like doing a custom chopped top on an old 40s rod.
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: jml19621]
#1105299
11/03/11 03:17 PM
11/03/11 03:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada
DPelletier
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Kelowna, B.C. Canada
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Can it be done? Sure. But it's a horrible idea; it will take far more time, effort and expense than just buying a convertible in the first place AND to top it off, you have a worthless car when you're done 'cause NOBODY wants to buy frankenstein's monster and a convertible (even IF it was done 100% correctly) with a hardtop VIN isn't something anybody will want to buy. Dave
1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack
1974 'Cuda
2008 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Ram 3500 Diesel
2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel
2003 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Durango Limited
[url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: chargervert]
#1105303
11/03/11 06:48 PM
11/03/11 06:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,576 Sarcoxie, MO, USA
MoPar Jamie
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Sarcoxie, MO, USA
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I'd love to build my '72 Monaco into a 'vert but C-Body donors are getting hard to find as it would have to be a '69 or '70.
- MoPar Jamie
1972 Fury III 4dr 1986 D-150 LWB Royal SE
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#1105304
11/03/11 10:46 PM
11/03/11 10:46 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 337 Colorado
67plymouthman
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Quote:
if you're gonna do it, do it right. a hard top uni-body car uses the roof structure as part of the frame.
remove it and you get a floppy car.
so you'll have to add metal back in somewhere. either frame ties and other stifening members, or replacement 'vert metal and make it like the factory did.
it can be done, but it'll be a lot of metal work, much like doing a custom chopped top on an old 40s rod.
I agree! My friend made one out of a 73 satellite. It actually looks good. He made frame ties and welded some iron under the package tray (probably overkill). He sculpted the header (above windsheild) out of fiber glass. Its not a true convertible because it doesn't have a top. None the less, it looks cool and he only drives it on sunny days. Go for it if you want a cheap car without a top.
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: 67plymouthman]
#1105305
11/04/11 12:02 AM
11/04/11 12:02 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,018 Missouri
MOBodyman
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,018
Missouri
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A friend did this to a '72 e-body. He had a very rusty donor car so having the specific 'vert pieces made the job fairly easy. It's not really that big of a job for a competent bodyman or someone with good welding skills. The '72 build used subframe connectors for reinforcement instead of the metal in the rockers (donor was too rusty). Factory 'verts used an extra piece of metal in the rockers that really doesn't look nearly as heavy as subframe connectors. Of course the factory 'verts used the torque boxes, extra bracing in the rear wheelwell area, etc. If he has the skills and time, I would say go for it. The car won't be any less safe than many of the hardtop cars that have been cut into a dozen pieces and welded back together during their restoration. Dallas
2012 Rallye Redline Challenger, 1st new car! 2010 Ram 1500 4wd HEMI-hauler 2014 Dodge Dart-gas saver 4 projects and a bunch of parts cars, losing interest since buying the Challenger lol 1969 Dodge Coronet 500-'gonna fix 'er up someday!'
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Re: Making a car into a convertible, is it possible?
[Re: MOBodyman]
#1105306
11/04/11 12:34 PM
11/04/11 12:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada
DPelletier
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I Live Here
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Quote:
The car won't be any less safe than many of the hardtop cars that have been cut into a dozen pieces and welded back together during their restoration. Dallas
As the owner of a metal fabrication shop, I felt the need to comment on this common misconception: Welding (done right, of course) is stronger than the base material. In addition, these cars were welded together (poorly most of the time) from dozens of pces right from the factory.
The upshot is that as long as the work was done properly, there is no reason a car that has had replacement panels welded in can't be as strong or stronger than a factory job.
Of course if someone doesn't know what they are doing, they can compromise the strength of the unibody but the most dangerous car is actually one that has significant rust.
Dave
1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack
1974 'Cuda
2008 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Ram 3500 Diesel
2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel
2003 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Durango Limited
[url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
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