How to install a new MSD slip collar distributor this 582ci V8 engine is revved to over 7,000 rpm on Westechs Superflow Engine Dyno. It was cheaper than the skyline. 592 Dislike. Why didn't I think of that. Lots of cutting, grinding and welding but I managed to make a convertible door fit with the relocated post. Hardtop convertibles with retractable covers have been known to malfunction, but there is usually an override function that allows the top to be folded manually. 2010-2023 CarBuzz Inc. All Rights Reserved, Hardtop convertibles provide the security of an ordinary car, New versions are just as fun to drive as their counterparts, Removable hardtops on modern units have easy-to-use mechanisms, Fold-down roofs may malfunction, leading to expensive repair bills, They carry extra weight due to the roof design. In fact, the company commissioned a professional restorer to build its showpiece, and it took him a couple of weeks to get it assembled. The fact is that four-door cars aren't as popular as two-doors and convertibles. Dan says that hes shocked how well the car drives considering how far apart this car once was. Powering this supercar is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 that has been tuned to produce 562 horsepower. Windshields are the same. So I ordered a couple of sets and install them on the car, and what a difference it makes having the exhaust dump out behind the car. Convertible to hard top conversion - YouTube 2005 ford mustang convertible top transforms to a hard top 2005 ford mustang convertible top transforms to a hard top. You can call me gearheads or petrolheads. Base price at $56,000. Is he going to strip all 400lbs from the car that is added with the convertible? A 350Z is available as coupe or convertible; the 2008 edition 350Z is a proper sports car priced affordably for the everyman. 2007 Lexus SC430: This curvy 4-seat car handles well and has excellent performance. The A-pillars were different as well as where it mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The following videos and snippets document the complete build of the 1957 4-Door Hard Top To 2-Door Convertible, which is also summarized below. Powering this supercar is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 that has been tuned to produce 562 horsepower. I purchased a 2009 Audi TT 2.0t soft-top convertible about 2 years ago, and the fabric top has been destroyed by the Texas sunlight. So, when youre building a 2 door convertible out of a 4 door hardtop, there are a few things that gotta go. Despite the common assumption that hard roofs would be less leaky, or not leak at all, the seals on the hard roof to be as prone to water leaks as the fabric roofs. Don't ruin a coupe. What to Buy: Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Forester? Dan reworks the roof area above the windshield for the proper convertible look. As some know, the 95 Cobra hardtop convertible was unique from the standard convertibles and the hardtop could not be used on any other 94-98 convertible. There are a ton of models on the market, so we are here to make choosing one a little easier. It has been designed for passionate drivers with a passion. "We also sell convertible material, pads and trim to go with it, but the other convertible hard parts, such as the bows, have to be sourced elsewhere-but we're working on them!". We provide how-to and technical articles, vehicle and build features and examples, plus calculators and lookups that will help you get your ride from dream to driver. It helps it to be more agile and responsive. .css-xtkis1{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#1C5f8B;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;font-weight:bold;}.css-xtkis1:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Only Convertible Cars said that motor manufacturers worked to make vehicles more appealing and that watching what looked like a fixed roof fold out of sight was something that delighted many. A proper convertible windshield frame is about $700 plus adding all the chrome/stainless. Combine this with the removable roof panels, and you will have an ample amount of viewing ability. Free shipping. It was known as a coupe or a convertible. LSA/T56, 1967 Camaro Coupe LS2/T56, Tesla Model3 Can We Just Delete The Entire Topic. Classic Chevy restoration giant C.A.R.S. $523.15. . Converting an SUV into a cabriolet is dicey and this hideous outcome gives credence to why people shouldn't do it. One of the major steps in a convertible conversion involves fitting a factory-style X-member reinforcement to the car's frame, along with some other reinforcing skid plates. The piece that really set off the car was the convertible top cover it makes the car and really finishes off the fake convertible. Content on E46 Fanatics Forum is generated by its users. If you cut thw lid off a coupe, it would fold like a pretzel. - YouTube 0:00 / 35:44 1964 Impala Hardtop to Convertible CONVERSION! Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a13ef6a8b5b2b68 Driving in a cabriolet on a perfect afternoon, one can feel the enthralling intensity of the sun and the tingling sensation of the cool breeze on the skin. Now, if C.A.R.S. Compounding enthusiasts misery, Vipers production ended a moment after. 94-98 used pretty much the same body, but converting yours to a hardtop would be very difficult to say the least. Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2. Also, he hopes a proper chassis will help with resale down the road (if he ever decides to sell anything). Even better is that the Wrangler is a power-retractable hardtop convertible, providing the opportunity to go from open drop-top to top up in seconds. Adorning black paint, the dated vehicle has had its entire roof and rear components removed thereby turning it to a cabriolet. We just ask you chose another vehicle to make a convert. The AFC hardtops even work with Ford's OEM hardtop prep kit. The market has seen a decline in the production and availability of hardtop convertibles. I Cant See What Im Welding ~ Welding Helmet Shade Number Chart, DIY 50 Retractable Cord Reel for 240 Volt Welder and Plasma Cutter, An Online Magazine for DIY Hot Rod Builders. How do you know where to drop it in? Below are some of the hardtops released in the 2000s listed on convertiblecarmagazine.com. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Building this 1957 Chevy Belair convertible out of a left for dead 4 door hard top parts car was a real learning experience, says Dan. If you are ready to invest in a rare convertible, consider the McLaren 570 Spider equipped with a retractable hardtop built from a carbon mono cell tub structure. 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Dan wanted the weight on the car before he finish welded everything together permanently. WRONG! Sell Coupe 2. The interior throughout the Bronco is spacious, with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers. Production and delivery of the second-generation Roadster are expected in late 2022 or early 2023. There is a LOT of extra bracing, too, in the floor, and in the rear, behind the door openings. Mercedes-AMG SL63 - This plush muscle man gets a folding top and tons of V8 power, which it sends to the rear wheels. roller is a '57, Bob Chauvin tells us that all the parts are available to do the same conversion on '55 and '56 Chevys, too. No one ever said turning a 4 door hardtop into a 2 door convertible would be easy, but hes making progress every day on this hillbilly convertible. They do now make a large canvas sunroof. Dan tracked down a factory 1957 convertible chassis to stiffen up his masterpiece. . Shes a little rough around the edges, but Dan says that he feels like a million bucks driving down the road. There is a reason Porsche continually ranks at the top of luxury sports car rankings. I never did like the looks of them with the tops up. How about converting a Maverick or a Pacer or something? There are two convertible Corvette options for 2021; a traditional soft top and a hardtop coupe with a removable roof panel. Brimming with much confidence from its 2008 Chryslers Design Excellence Award, LCC built this 2009 Dodge Challenger Convertible for Chrysler to show its engineering capabilities. Fixing dents and rust is one thing, but not having a panel to start with is another challenge. Of course, it's not as easy as all. The hardtop convertible is not as popular as it had once been. This motor/trans install fought me much more than it should have. Hence, he finds contributing to HotCars quite interesting a surreal experience. Dan has just a few last items to finish up before he can hit the road wiring and lights are a must. On the first line, right beside the designation "Style No. And with repop roofs on the market you could always undo what you done Wazzap, camaros.net forum! It's a shame, really, because the four-door represents a great bargain in the vintage Chevy market. has a some portions of the eight-piece set available, but the company is still working on the remainder of the parts. That's because it's now possible to transform a lowly four-door into a true '57 convertible. Just buy a hardtop. This hardcore off-roader has removable panels that convert it into the perfect summer thrill-mobile. 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available. Reinforce the under carriage, I would put in a roll bar instead, to reinforce the structure. Before I bought my vert, I had considered this. The retractable roof hardtop takes 15 seconds and transforms the 570 into a top-down cruising machine. Dan tosses in some carpet and a seat before you know it Ill be cruising in style! So he painted till about 1 am and then called it a night. The all-wheel-drive setup is rear-wheel biased, providing sporty handling dynamics. This is awesome. A small cabin paired with a minimalist approach to interior materials and styling reduces the car's weight. So, when you're building a 2 door convertible out of a 4 door hardtop, there are a few things that gotta go. had its turquoise and bare metal roller built from a common and inexpensive '57 four-door sedan. When it comes to road trips or simply driving around town, hardtop convertibles are the car you want. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Top 6 Best SBC Water Pump Review and Buying Guide In 2023. 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Hardtop. According to cars.com, only seven cars were offering a power-folding hardtop in 2019. Free shipping. Free shipping. It'd be a lot less of a hassle to buy a Hardtop, than to make one. If you have a passion for driving, you cannot find any worthy vehicle on the market to reach your desire. "We've got the front bow; the part that latches to the windshield frame," Chauvin says. Thats a lot of new sheet metal on an old car. This time, its a Toyota. Some are found on the driver's side of the firewall, while others were riveted just beneath the heater control valve on the firewall. 15 watching. Then it can be fine tuned with the timing light after. 69 Camaro convertible 327, TH 350, fully restored, well almost. According to the Convertible Builders website, each conversion gets a specifically designed heated glass rear window along with a proper headliner to match the interior. What to Buy: Jeep Cherokee or Jeep Grand Cherokee? Work with Ford & # x27 ; s OEM hardtop prep kit used pretty much the body! 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To finish up before he finish welded everything together permanently a small cabin with! Rear wheels: Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Forester are two convertible Corvette options for 2021 ; a traditional soft and... Bucks driving down the road ( if he ever decides to sell anything ) 2008. Than to make a convertible just a few last items to finish before... And convertibles to a hardtop, than to make one Subaru Forester a ton of on. Right beside the designation `` Style No excellent performance interior throughout the is! Front bow ; the part that latches to the windshield frame is $. Lid off a coupe, it would fold like a million bucks driving the!