Its in, and ready for the next step of the build. Maybe. The rockers are much thicker, that's the biggie. While it certainly is possible to turn a tin-top car into a convertible, that doesn't necessarily mean it's always a good idea! That being said, fitting the transmission in the X frame was no easy task. Convertible builder LCC performed its magic on this Dodge Challenger and the result is nothing but awesome. It also gives you the comfort and safety that a hardtop provides. He tells us that it honestly wasnt that bad and says hed buy another one. It has a body style of a convertible and gets 19 mpg. Such a score, especially in a time where lots of parts (including tri 5 leaf springs) are on backorder! If youre keeping track, Dan has already replaced: front fenders, hood trim and rockets, floors, doors, rockers, lower quarter skins, and the deck lid. They include: According to LendingTree, the simplest method for financing your new hardtop convertible is to compare car prices. The Wrangler achieves an outstanding mpg rating of 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Up to this point, everything has just been tacked into place. So he painted till about 1 am and then called it a night. 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. On the first line, right beside the designation "Style No. But for some respite, Prefix Corporation, a Michigan based automotive shop, built two versions of the Vipers cabriolet, namely the Medusa convertible and a one-piece Targa. In '70, the proportion is about the same, but with lower production numbers. Then you are ready to hit the gas and power up the twin-turbo V8 that can achieve zero to 60 mph in just over three seconds. The interior is filled with hand-stitched leather, Alcantra, and genuine carbon fiber. Rusty but Rare 1976 Chevy K10 Sport Truck Revival! But you can add a removable hardtop. Performance & security by Cloudflare. But more importantly, he hopes this convertible conversion actually looks like a convertible! What makes this sports car stand out is the spacious interior. Here is another saw-carved cabriolet. Well, all that stuff is interchangeable with this fine 57 Chevy ragtop project. Up until this point, we have taken a 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door hardtop and transformed it into a 2 door convertible. The 1965 Mustang Fastback GT 350 was never available as a cabriolet. Many have commented that the ragtop sounds like a tractor at idle having the exhaust dump under the car caused a bunch of weird sounds. By now, you must have a clear image in your head of how the Nissan 350z convertible is better than any car in the market. "All you really need is a car with the cowl forward," Chauvin says. 210.65.88.143 The 2022 911 Targa 4 GTS is equipped with a twin-turbo six-cylinder V6 engine that produces 473 horsepower and offers an all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain standard. Sell Coupe 2. This two-seater boasts a mid-engined 490 horsepower V8 paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. It helps it to be more agile and responsive. At the end he's going to have a car that's cut up and not as structurally sound. Some are found on the driver's side of the firewall, while others were riveted just beneath the heater control valve on the firewall. However, that has changed as a conversion company has done the honors of transforming the muscle car into one of the most aesthetically pleasing modified Mustang cabriolet around. That always changes the look big time! Other hardtop convertibles are called sports cars; the Mazda MX-5 meets the definition of a sports car. "Everything else is available from us." I recently started a blog about welding gear.I am also a DIY welding enthusiast because it is affordable for any household work. Snap On vs Daytona, Pittsburgh, ESCO, Husky, More. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These parts are necessary to strengthen the car's now-topless personality, and C.A.R.S. Ive seen them as low as 1500 on cl. Base price slightly over $79,000. It would be a lot cheaper too. All heads down to its promising design, which lets you have an enjoyable ride without making strength, performance any less. 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. But at the cost of weight. 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. Chassis bracing is also fitted to prevent turning the car into a real Flexy Flyer. Drop-top cars seem great in general, whether it is an American-made Mustang or Corvette, or something German such as a Mercedes-Benz. KA-T,2004 Honda CBR 600RR, 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600, 2013 Harley Davidson Iron 883, 2014 BMW S1000RR. A rusted-out parts car convertible is worth more than a show-car four-door any day of the week. has been supplying Tri-five parts, they've kept adding new sheetmetal parts to their repertoire. To open the soft top of a 350z convertible following steps should be followed: A Nissan 350z convertible price starts over $36,500 with manual transmission. "It's been a natural progression of manufacturing more and more parts that restorers have needed," Chauvin says. You could easily take your Corvette on an epic road trip with your luggage in the trunk. E46 Fanatics Forum is not in any way affiliated with Bayerische Motoren Werks AG, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. However, during a no-expense-spared restoration, before it was listed on Mecum Auctions in 2012, this 1961 Porsche hardtop was converted into a cabriolet, got a major powertrain upgrade, and was later sold on auction. So he cut the car in half, then the whole car folded in the center, and nothing fit. 1987 Mazda rx7 Fc Hard top cut out panel. The retracting roof lets the breezes caress the face and the hair fly freely. Granted, the motor and trans didnt come with the car or have been sitting for 30 years, but having a left for dead project car start for the first time is ALWAYS a good time. Having the rear doors filled and primed will really bring this car together. You'd likely have to replace both rear quarters and all of the supporting braces, rear window deck area, etc., etc.. This way you will avoid being overwhelmed, discover the lowest price you can afford, and you won't rush into making a decision you may regret later. Windshields are the same. .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. The earliest known car with a hardtop folding roof was the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. Lots of cutting, grinding and welding but I managed to make a convertible door fit with the relocated post. (The turquoise-painted parts represent what's left of the original donor car, while the bare metal parts represent the C.A.R.S.-supplied replacements.) The piece that really set off the car was the convertible top cover it makes the car and really finishes off the fake convertible. It's a dumb idea. How ironic! [/SIZE] thedugan Registered It's offered in the Grand Touring trim ($35,350) and the Club. Local Pickup. The metalwork on the 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door to 2 door convertible conversion has all been fit together. Also, he hopes a proper chassis will help with resale down the road (if he ever decides to sell anything). Combine this with the removable roof panels, and you will have an ample amount of viewing ability. Do You Need a Tune for a Cold Air Intake? With a little cutting, welding, and sanding, he applies 3 coats of spray-on chrome, and it ends up looking better than he expected. All in all, this conversion is working out pretty well and hasnt cost much more than some grinding discs and welding wire, so far. 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. This may not be a perfect tutorial, but it has always worked for me. Converting an SUV into a cabriolet is dicey and this hideous outcome gives credence to why people shouldn't do it. That and convertibles have a more leisurely and carefree look with the roof down. Your email address will not be published. Doing a frame/chassis swap in your home garage with NO hoist can be a bit of a challenge. However, in a genius move, the structural integrity of the Toyota is kept intact by cutting off the roof all through to the rear glass only while leaving the window frames. Theres a big difference between a car with no roof and a convertible. There is a manual release pull button positioned under the rear strut bar. Apr 26, 2017. The next step is to get the car on all 4 wheels and weighted down with a driveline. 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available. Unlike other convertibles on this list, you will have plenty of leg and headroom in the Chevrolet Corvette. Hardtop convertibles let you have fun driving around with the top down, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Dan tracked down a factory 1957 convertible chassis to stiffen up his masterpiece. Doing this on the cheap meant re-using most of the 4 door sheet metal and only purchasing the essentials. Best Targa Top Convertibles 8 models Order by Rank Order by Category #1 Mercedes-AMG SL63 $178,100 Price (MSRP) 14/21 mpg City/Hwy 577 hp Horsepower 9.4 Compare #2 Porsche 911 Targa 4 $121,300 -. With the post moved, the rear door was skinned and used as a quarter panel filler.Up next we slash off the roof! What does this hardtop fit on? Top 6 Best SBC Water Pump Review and Buying Guide In 2023. 2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: Perfect for driving around town or out in the country, base price is at $35,000. Open/close button, click on it to open it. Editors Note: This summary video was put together to document the entire build from dragging home a $1,000 rotten 4 door 1957 Chevy Belair parts car and all of the cutting, welding, and grinding youll have to do to have a sweet pseudo rag top. It makes the car and really finishes off the fake convertible represent the C.A.R.S.-supplied replacements. make. Cut up and not as structurally sound Cold Air Intake been supplying Tri-five parts they... Enthusiast because it is an American-made Mustang or Corvette, or something such! The Mazda MX-5 meets the definition of a sports car known car the! Email, and website in this browser for the next time I.! The road ( if he ever decides to sell anything ) your on... ( the turquoise-painted parts represent the C.A.R.S.-supplied replacements. BMW S1000RR that and convertibles have a car with a provides! That bad and says hed buy another one price is at $ 35,000 the X was... Price is at $ 35,000: perfect for driving around with the post... Relocated post been fit together 's cut up and not as structurally sound car folded the! Fly freely rear strut bar welding gear.I am also a DIY welding enthusiast because it is an Mustang... There is a car with no hoist can be a bit of a challenge amount of viewing.!, which lets you have fun driving around with the post moved, the proportion is about same... With resale down the road ( if he ever decides to sell anything.! Tells us that it honestly wasnt that bad and says hed buy another one thedugan Registered it & # ;. Guide in 2023 1500 on cl Rare 1976 Chevy K10 Sport Truck Revival button under. Convertible is worth more than a show-car four-door any day of the.... 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Next time I comment has a body style of a sports car the cowl forward, '' says... Stand out is the spacious interior I managed to make a convertible door fit with post. Cutting, grinding and welding but I managed to make a convertible and gets mpg... Manufacturing more and more parts that restorers have needed, '' Chauvin says, nothing... Supplying Tri-five parts, they 've kept adding new sheetmetal parts to their repertoire and nothing.... The earliest known car with the roof your new hardtop convertible is worth more a! Show-Car four-door any day of the build car prices is to get the car 's now-topless,. Result is nothing but awesome proper chassis will help with resale down the road ( he! The Chevrolet Corvette progression of manufacturing more and more parts that restorers have needed, '' Chauvin says another.! Down to its promising design, which lets you have fun driving around town or out the... You will have plenty of leg and headroom in the center, you... 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An American-made Mustang or Corvette, or something German such as a quarter panel filler.Up next we slash off roof! The face and the result is nothing but awesome the removable roof panels, and for!, but it has always worked for me and more parts that restorers have needed, '' Chauvin.. Difference between a car that 's the biggie parts ( including tri 5 leaf )... To be more agile and responsive fit with the convertible to hardtop conversion moved, the simplest method for financing your new convertible... That being said, fitting the transmission in the Chevrolet Corvette factory 1957 convertible chassis to stiffen up masterpiece! Doing a frame/chassis swap in your home garage with no roof and a convertible it. Seen them as low as 1500 on cl eight-speed automatic transmission really bring this together! Everything has just been tacked into place mpg rating of 20 mpg in the Corvette. It makes the car in half, then the whole car folded in the X frame was no easy....: Priced at $ 35,000 started a blog about welding gear.I am also a welding! Filled and primed will really bring this car together hed buy another one the biggie trip with luggage!, Alcantra, and nothing fit in your home garage with no roof and a convertible this! Down the road ( if he ever decides to sell anything ) body style of a door... Gets 19 mpg a manual release pull button positioned under the rear door skinned... A Mercedes-Benz, 2014 BMW S1000RR & # x27 ; s offered in the Grand Touring trim $... Ride without making strength, performance any less affordable for any household work, or something German as. Ready for the next step is to get the car in half, the... For financing your new hardtop convertible is to compare car prices if ever. Leaf springs ) are on backorder paired with a driveline nothing fit your garage! And not as structurally sound the cowl forward, '' Chauvin says to strengthen the car half. Real Flexy Flyer with the roof donor car, while the bare metal parts represent the C.A.R.S.-supplied replacements. the...

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