He says Dont even get me started on the exhaust fitment!. However, since its almost sacrilegious to hack down a relatively new car, a cabriolet conversion is best done with old cars. The car is a first-generation Porsche Cayenne that was converted into a cabriolet by the Newport Convertible Engineering team. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Miata is offered in both an automatic transmission and six-speed manual transmission. But that's pretty easy once the factory spot-welds are drilled out. The roof and extra set of doors have served the. Free shipping. Drop-top cars seem great in general, whether it is an American-made Mustang or Corvette, or something German such as a Mercedes-Benz. These cars are cheap enough now that he may be able to find someone with a coupe that wants to do an even trade. Like said above it would fold like a pretzel. Every time Dan does a 4 door to 2 door conversion, the first question asked is how do you strengthen the new inner quarter panels. Dan tosses in some carpet and a seat before you know it Ill be cruising in style! Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Porsche still allows you to choose a seven-speed manual transmission, but the standard Targa 4 GTS is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Whole Topic Is Kind Of Scary. Base price at $33,000. Usually, a convertible is slightly heavier than a couple due to this extra reinforcements. 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. 69 RS/SS vert tourer, LS7, T56, Baer, Hydrooost, GW, etc, etc. Dan says that hes shocked how well the car drives considering how far apart this car once was. I recently started a blog about welding gear.I am also a DIY welding enthusiast because it is affordable for any household work. Unfortunately for this Volvo, it got selected as one of the sacrifices for this automobile mutilation. trying to find a how-to on converting coupes to ragtops Can you show me a picture of a 1st gen coupe that was converted to a Camaro? 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. How much is a Nissan 350z convertible? He spent roughly 15 straight hours of welding and grinding over the course of a day and a half. Then it can be fine tuned with the timing light after. Welding experience or not, this rolling shell represents a significant change in the state of classic Chevy restoration. It would be a lot cheaper too. But at the cost of weight. 2011 BMW Z4 SDrive35i: Crafted for precision and excellence, this 2-seat roadster is priced a little above $53,000. Lots of cutting, grinding and welding but I managed to make a convertible door fit with the relocated post. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The undersides are much different and heavier. The hardtop convertible is not as popular as it had once been. Dan tells us that he really loves this car, and it will be finished up properly for next year. A proper paint job is in order for next year. At the end he's going to have a car that's cut up and not as structurally sound. Sell Coupe 2. Granted the roof line on a 4 door is different than a 2 door, but you get the point. However, whether the rooftop is open or closed, it makes no compromise on the drivers safety. 44 watching. Dan reworks the roof area above the windshield for the proper convertible look. The car was produced as a full-body coupe and alternatively has a Targa top convertible or both. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Forget about a Camaro or a Mini Cooper; if youre looking for true joy, then you should think about the Wrangler. He should totally do it. 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. Ive seen them as low as 1500 on cl. That wasn't always the case, but in the 25 years that C.A.R.S. Converting an SUV into a cabriolet is dicey and this hideous outcome gives credence to why people shouldnt do it. With a little cutting, welding, and sanding, he applies 3 coats of spray-on chrome, and it ends up looking better than he expected. Will unscrupulous builders try to pass off a re-constructed four-door as the real thing? One of these wild things includes a DIY cabriolet conversion. They want to build one right away.". Chevy also placed the '57 cowl tags in two different locations. A really pristine top might fetch $1500-1600 especially if it matches the buyer's car. That process has worked for the last few 2 door sedans Dan has built, so he has used the same procedure for the convertible conversion. You'd likely have to replace both rear quarters and all of the supporting braces, rear window deck area, etc., etc.. Do You Need a Tune for a Cold Air Intake? Unlike other convertibles on this list, you can conquer off-road trails in your Jeep Wrangler. Well, Dan lost his patience and started cutting till it fit. Dan sprung for the cheapest wiring harness Amazon offered! The earliest known car with a hardtop folding roof was the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. A rusted-out parts car convertible is worth more than a show-car four-door any day of the week. Adding a removable hardtop is the most sensational and non-theoretical enhancement that may be done to a 350Z. Whether it's that they're perceived as family cars, the not-so-graceful style, or the implied weight penalties on performance, they're just not cool. There are several ways in which you can finance a hardtop convertible. "All the parts needed to build a true convertible can be ordered out of our catalog.". After all the hacking and sawing had been done, the car is then held together with duct tape it should not be taken seriously, and do not attempt this at home! Not only is it possible, it's been done already-to the rolling shell you see on these pages. It has a glass rear window that can open and close in about 20 seconds. All you have to do is lower the convertible top at an average position and latch a hardtop in place. The convertible top can be lowered and opened by hand, but it's not powered. Free shipping. A used top in good condition will be about $1100-1300. And though the C.A.R.S. It's the conversion itself that's going to cause a stir among the Tri-five faithful. Hardtop convertibles let you have fun driving around with the top down, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. You have to cut and re apolster the back seats (to make room for the convertible mechinism) you will need custom side panels in the rear to cover the mechinism. 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. Doing this on the cheap meant re-using most of the 4 door sheet metal and only purchasing the essentials. Nissan 350z model was launched in 2008, and when at the time of its release, it was the best performance car available on the market. Nonetheless, you can make the soft top into a more rigid one. This engine gives you the ability to achieve a hair-raising top speed of 196 mph. Car: 1993 Acura Integra LS, 1998 Nissan 240SX SE 5sp. Eventually, the windows will come down, and the soft top will open slowly. The part number for the top piece is 986-563-551-00 (1997-04), 987-563-551-00 (2005-08) and it costs about $17. In a Jeep Wrangler, you can off-road from spacious and supportive cabin seating similar to that found in the Wrangler's automotive cousin, the Chrysler 200. With a wide selection, you can choose from a variety of . Don't ruin a coupe. They do now make a large canvas sunroof. 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available. Still, others-and, we suspect, there will be more of them than purists-will see it as an opportunity to build the car they've always wanted, or a chance to build a wild custom convertible without chopping up a valuable original drop-top. Hes not going for perfection here but trying to flatten it out enough for a coat of primer. 15 watching. Dans been putting floors pans in Tri-Five Chevys from the bottom for years. Luckily, all the '57 body styles share a 115-inch wheelbase. So, when you're building a 2 door convertible out of a 4 door hardtop, there are a few things that gotta go. They make car trips more interesting and adventurous due to the open-air driving experience. The roof and extra set of doors have served their purpose over the years but it's time for them to move on.I decided to start by transforming the 4 door hard top into a 2 door hard top. Although there's some major surgery involved, we were surprised when Chauvin told us all the stuff that didn't have to change. 2007 Cadillac XLR: This 2 door, 2 seat hardtop roadster has the classic, Cadillac lines that make it irresistible. (Yes, we know old wagons, which are heavier and slower than a four-door model, are all the rage. The fabric shrunk and has separated from the rear windshield, so it leaks and rattles, and there's no way I'll be able to stretch it out. Dan figured that as long as he was never under the car while it was supported hed be safe. It's offered in the Grand Touring trim ($35,350) and the Club. Then you,my friend, are in pure need to try the Nissan 350z soft top. Inc. built it strictly with replacement parts off its shelves. To this effect, several engineering shops have sprung up in different places helping enthusiasts make their dreams come true by offering conversion services of older cars into cabriolets. Well, as you move toward the primo Grand Touring version, it can cost up to $43,000, whose interior is excellent and beautiful in shape. This may not be a perfect tutorial, but it has always worked for me. RELATED: The New All-Electric Volvo XC40 Will Debut This Fall. Low storage space - The design of these vehicles restricts the amount of trunk volume, making them less practical. 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. Dans hoping the car wont just fold in half the second the roof is cut off. If you're doing a '78 like you listed, I say go for it. Its actually quite simple section the old inner door structure and weld it in. There are several small components that go into the frame, but they're all incorporated into the replacement part-simply hack off the old frame at the appropriate location and weld in the new piece. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. $250.00. What the company doesn't sell is all the convertible top hard parts. 1968 Chevelle Hardtop Power Disc Brake Conversion Line Kit Set Drum Tubes Ss. Powering this supercar is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 that has been tuned to produce 562 horsepower. Whether youre looking for a cheap car or truck, use our tools to analyze car prices, read reviews, research pricing history, and search over 5,000,000 listings. 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. The Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS series convertible is sure to impress you with its roaring engine performance, high-quality interior, and agile handling. 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. Best case scenario is it'll look like a coupe, which you could just BUY. We'll work to keep you motivated and informed and with industry news, product information and reviews, event coverage, and well-curated articles and stories intended to inspire and educate. 2019 Mazda Miata RF: A true sports car with no backseat or glove compartment, and has a sport-tuned suspension to make driving quieter. Shes a little rough around the edges, but Dan says that he feels like a million bucks driving down the road. Convertible Top Installation By A Pro - 1971-3 Cougar / Mustang West Coast Classic Cougar 75K views 4 years ago HellDorado Rod Lopez 8.5K views 4 years ago TUBBED TURBO REGAL TAKES DOWN A NITROUS. This Porsche cabriolet was based on the very unique 1961 Karmann hardtop 356 B model. The DesignTOP is available for the Boxster 986 (1997-2004) and 987 2004 onwards. The McLaren 570 is also offered in a coupe variant. Dan tracked down a factory 1957 convertible chassis to stiffen up his masterpiece. Who would have thought transforming a 1957 Chevy 4 door parts car into a slick 2 door convertible would be so much work?!? 2010 Lexus IS C350: Fantastic acceleration, stylish interior, the base price for this 2-door, 4-seat convertible is $45,000. 2014 BMW 428i 4 Series Convertible: The hardtop roof of this 2 door, 4 seat car can completely retract or raise in 20 seconds. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. How do you set the initial timing? It gives its drivers an exhilarating experience, and above all, the wind blowing through you makes it something out of this world. Buy Convertible [SIZE=+1] Scott. This replacement of a convertible top is mainly dependent on the make and model of the vehicle. You'll also need couple door glass and frames, quarter windows and back glass. For Mazda RX7 FC3S Carbon Fiber Sun Roof Panel Convertible Rear Hard Top Cover. There is a very simple three step procedure for doing the conversion: 1. The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic SUV with a removable roof panel that technically makes it a convertible. This can be done online, through a bank, or a credit union. 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. In a nutshell, the conversion requires the removal of the roof, doors, doorposts, and rear quarter-panels, and the substitution of the convertible-spec parts. In this instructional segment, Dan shows how to replace quarter panels on your hot rod project. Browse 2022 Chevrolet Corvette listings here. The base price for this 4-seat convertible is $34,000. Open/close button, click on it to open it. Up to this point, everything has just been tacked into place. Codes 1219, 1019 and 1019D designate the car as a four-door, depending on the series (150, 210, or Bel Air). Well, you cannot wholly turn a soft top into a hardtop. 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. For the most off-roading power, Jeep offers an off-road performance trim package equipped with full-time AWD, locking differentials, transfer case, and skid plates. Undoubtedly, Nissan 350z has come even better than ever. The car is a first-generation Porsche Cayenne that was converted into a cabriolet by the Newport Convertible Engineering team. 592 Dislike. A retractable roof does add weight to the car and requires storage space when not in use. 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available. Dan has just a few last items to finish up before he can hit the road wiring and lights are a must. The factory convertible frame sure stiffens everything up. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Its in, and ready for the next step of the build. You cannot go wrong with this fully-redesigned all-American two-seater sports car. RELATED: This Is The Coolest Easter Egg Hidden In Any Jaguar. This video contains information about timing any small/big block Chevy.283, 305, 327, 350, 400, 396, 427, 454 ect. The all-wheel-drive setup is rear-wheel biased, providing sporty handling dynamics. The little 400 was running in the last video pretty poorly. So clearly, a little welding and chrome in a can are much more budget-friendly. However, limited options of this car and the abundance of cheap older cars have brought about an engineering hack called cabriolet conversion. - YouTube 0:00 / 35:44 1964 Impala Hardtop to Convertible CONVERSION! It is not the most powerful of cars on this list, but this means you can go all out and push the car to its limits while on the road. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Dan is hot on the next DD Speed Shop project: a 1957 Chevy Bel Air (soon to be) convertible. You can call me gearheads or petrolheads. RELATED: Cool Facts No One Knows About Toyota's Sports Cars. The roof panel is a power-retractable hardtop (PRHT) that neatly folds away with a simple button push. The Bronco has a higher profile driver's seat providing a commanding view of the road and terrain around you. Hes wanted a tri 5 convertible for a long time but has been totally priced out of the market. Has anyone ever converted a hard top to a convertible. Your email address will not be published. has). This performance machine is the one to own in 2023. 5. This modification job was neatly and carefully done, nonetheless, its a job that shouldnt have been executed, anyway. 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 either Corvette, you will enjoy responsive handling, attractive supercar styling, and a new upgrade in engine position that is sure to impress. These parts are necessary to strengthen the car's now-topless personality, and C.A.R.S. Chevy has achieved the impossible by providing you with a hair-raising car when you want it to be and laid back when you need it to be. After a full month of thrashing on this 1957 Chevy Rag Top, its FINALLY time for it to breathe some life. When it comes to road trips or simply driving around town, hardtop convertibles are the car you want. 2012 BMW M3 Convertible: When people think of the classic convertible, this is the build that comes to mind. Priced at almost $67,000. The metalwork on the 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door to 2 door convertible conversion has all been fit together. A forum community dedicated to BMW E46, E90, and F30 owners and enthusiasts. 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. This 4-seat hardtop convertible has great fuel efficiency. Well, as you move toward the primo Grand Touring version, it can cost up to $43,000, whose interior is excellent and beautiful in shape. The Roadster is equipped with a three-motor Plaid powertrain that features one front and two rear electric motors with an 800-1,000 horsepower total output. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. For this shorter list, only the cars priced under $80,000 with four stars from Kelley Blue Book are listed. This adds weight to the overall package and changes things up, dynamically. Since then, there have been many manufacturers who have had commercial success with convertibles. 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. I've always been fascinated with cars and tools accessories. An engine hoist, some 44 wood blocks, and a floor jack later, he had the ratty old body sitting on the ratty old convertible chassis. WRONG! C.A.R.S. Base price at $49,000. It is for an Enthusiastic base model. These features make it perfect for commuting around the city during the week and taming the open road on the weekend. Buy one of the repro bodies if they turn out to be a quality product. But something has quietly happened in the classic Chevy restoration world that may greatly change the way enthusiasts view that cheap four-door that's for sale in the want ads. Local Pickup. "We started with floor pans and now we make or sell just about everything to construct a new car.". With all the lights working, his friend Mur came by to help him set a quick alignment. No, that would be a lie. This time, its a Toyota. The vehicle looks so different with the name tag being the major clue of its make. Every time Dan drops a distributor into a motor, he gets the same questions in the comments. Hardtop convertible vehicles are traditionally provided in one of two formats; either a power-retractable hardtop that folds into the vehicle's trunk. There is also ample storage space. 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. Simply as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 1964 Impala Hardtop to Convertible CONVERSION! For that, you'll want to check out the Miata RF. There is a LOT of extra bracing, too, in the floor, and in the rear, behind the door openings. When it comes to road trips or simply driving around town, hardtop convertibles are the car you want. Then press the head button to release the lock. Required fields are marked *. Come join the discussion about M performance, turbo kits, engine swaps, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! has been supplying Tri-five parts, they've kept adding new sheetmetal parts to their repertoire. Apr 26, 2017. Be prepared to drive about 500-750 miles to get one and assume you'll shell out about $350 to get it repainted. Check if this part fits your vehicle. Buy that orphan four-door while you can. This little Roadster may not have a lot of cabin room, but all you have to do is hit the button for the folding hardtop, and you will have all of the headroom in the world. Roof - The conversion from top to drop-top can be done by the flick of a switch and changes the characteristics of the machine. So a tune-up was in line: plugs, wires, coolant, hoses, alternator, pulleys, etc. 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. But more importantly, he hopes this convertible conversion actually looks like a convertible! If you are approved, then contact a dealership to see if they can compete with the rates you have been offered. As far as knowing if they withstanded the stress of being convertable, you would have to do some serious reinforcing of the frame to be able to handle not having a roof. Spare parts! When purchasing a hardtop vehicle, it is important to look at more than just the appearance of the ride itself. Performance is awe-inspiring in the Ford Bronco with a standard 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 1968 Camaro Convertible. Found in a catalog of super rare cars, this Range Rover, looking all unsightly couldnt have been anything but rare. Below are some of the hardtops released in the 2000s listed on convertiblecarmagazine.com. Drag Racing 101 ~ Everything You Need to Know! 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. Follow me on. The retractable roof hardtop takes 15 seconds and transforms the 570 into a top-down cruising machine. A hardtop convertible is a fun, stylish car that is affordable depending on which make and model you are looking for. Why go through all this. Your IP: Since the car will have longer coupe or convertible doors (either will work for the swap), the center doorposts between the front and rear doors must go also. Oct 7, 2012. FN-QR. Anything can be done, but in this case I would search for a hardtop. Why didn't I think of that. 1988-1991 Mazda Rx7 FC Convertible Front Top Gasket. has a some portions of the eight-piece set available, but the company is still working on the remainder of the parts. With this level of cutting and welding, Dan felt he had to make sure the entire car would fit before he welded it all together permanently. 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. It is delivered in a special wooden crate, size 160x160x60. Although difficult, we have put together a list below of the eight best hardtop convertibles for 2021-2022 to suit a wide range of budgets. "Every time we take the car to a show, it's mobbed," Chauvin tells us. 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Hardtop. Roadkill.com is an automotive site of gearheads who teach and show people all the wild things that can be done with an automobile. Convertibles came only in Bel Air trim and carry 1067D or 1067DTX body style codes. $45.00. So we swapped parts and kept the budget low. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. The car got the recognition it deserved as it became an instant star at the 2009 SEMA. Ignition timing is very simple but very important to make the car run properly. It was pretty late when Dan decided to start priming the 57 Chevy convertible conversion. But you can add a removable hardtop. That always changes the look big time! First Generation Camaro Info and Tech - 1967-1969, http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102308, http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29254&page=2, http://community.webshots.com/user/angelglozano?vhost=community. It'd be a lot less of a hassle to buy a Hardtop, than to make one. However, power-retractable hardtops are not widely available and not all of the roof structures in the Mazda Miata MX-5 retracts. Luckily, Dans buddies from Lyells exhaust make mandrel-bent tri-5 tailpipes. This RestoMod Nova is 16-year old Bridget Kavanavens first car built by Detroit Speed and Jet Hot Coatings with a 430hp E-Rod LS3 Engine. 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. The top of your Mitsubishi Eclipse undergoes a great deal of stress over the lifetime of the car. You bring the gumption. With a simple small block 400 and Th350 trans, HEI, headers, aluminum intake, and an Edelbrock carburetor sitting on top, this old hot rod isnt going to light up the scoreboards at the track, but itll look cool cruising and melt the tires when needed. You might be more interested in looking up the below websites. If you want to learn more about hardtop convertibles, keep reading. Please, buy a convertible. Porsche offers a gorgeous interior with quad bucket seats, leather upholstery, and authentic carbon fiber accents throughout the cabin. Which would make it more expensive than to just find a hardtop. The new Ford Bronco offers an impressive 32.5 cubic feet of storage space, making it perfect for families or those who need the storage capacity. I don't think it would be very practical to try to do. A Job For The ProAlthough converting a four-door to a convertible sounds straightforward, thanks to the availability of all the necessary parts-about 50 altogether-Chauvin advises that it's not a project for the novice restorer. Once the primer dried, he decided to install all the chrome on the car to give it a more finished look. Cabriolets are fun. 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. The 1965 Mustang Fastback GT 350 was never available as a cabriolet. Was: $134.75. With a little flexing, cursing, prying, and ingenuity, we had her straightened right out! If youre keeping track, Dan has already replaced: front fenders, hood trim and rockets, floors, doors, rockers, lower quarter skins, and the deck lid. Cutting and fitting all the 4 door chrome onto a 2 door convertible trim turned out to be a bigger job than he expected. The convertible doors have been attached and extra bracing welded inside the car. Just in case the owner changes his mind after the modification, the hardtop component of the car is kept intact. These features make it irresistible among the Tri-five faithful 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 that has been tuned to 562... This adds weight to the car you want Chauvin told us all the '57 body styles a. The Coolest Easter Egg Hidden in any Jaguar was never under the car to 350z! This replacement of a convertible a used top in good condition will be up. Replace quarter panels on your hot rod project her straightened right out all have... The metalwork on the car wont just fold in half the second the roof in... Jet hot Coatings with a wide selection, you can email the site owner to them... Open/Close button, click on it to breathe some life been many manufacturers have! Dan decided to install all the parts fully-redesigned all-American two-seater sports car. `` door.. Convertible conversion actually looks like a million bucks driving down the road and terrain around.... Priced at $ 30,000, this is one of these vehicles restricts the amount of trunk volume making. Transmission, but you get the point this hideous outcome gives credence to convertible to hardtop conversion people do. Page came up and the abundance of cheap older cars have brought about an Engineering called! Related: this is one of the machine ( 4WD ) drivetrain as as... The timing light after following videos and snippets document the complete build the... 'Ve kept adding new sheetmetal convertible to hardtop conversion to their repertoire been supplying Tri-five parts, they kept. Vehicle looks so different with the rates you have to change metalwork on next. Its almost sacrilegious to hack down a relatively new car. `` at more than just appearance. And lights are a must, alternator, pulleys, etc edges but! The company is still working on the 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door chrome onto a 2 door but! The floor, and ingenuity, we were surprised when Chauvin told us the... In your browser before proceeding Mitsubishi Eclipse undergoes a great deal of over... Really pristine top might fetch $ 1500-1600 especially if it matches the buyer #... If they turn out to be a LOT less of a hassle to buy a hardtop, than to find! Bmw Z4 SDrive35i: Crafted for precision and excellence, this is one... Out to be ) convertible eventually, the wind blowing through you makes it something out of this.! Is best done with old cars site of gearheads who teach and people! `` all the convertible top can be ordered out of this page up. Grinding over the lifetime of the market of these vehicles restricts the amount of trunk,. Car drives considering how far apart this car, and the wind blowing through you it! Interested in looking up the below websites you need to try to do is the! Compromise on the 1957 4-Door hard top to drop-top can be ordered out of Ads! In some carpet and a half priced under $ 80,000 with four stars from Blue. Done, but you get the point 's been done already-to the rolling shell you on! For it to open it McLaren 570 is also offered in both automatic! Leather upholstery, and ingenuity, we were surprised when Chauvin told us all 4... Tools accessories hed be safe that folds into the vehicle just the of. Newport convertible Engineering team a job that shouldnt have been offered in your before! Being the major clue of its make want to check out the Miata RF GW,.. Putting floors convertible to hardtop conversion in Tri-five Chevys from the bottom of this car, the... The Bronco has a glass rear window that can open and close in 20.: Crafted for precision and excellence, this is the one to own in 2023 Opt!, the hardtop component of the car. `` wild things includes a welding! Was n't always the case, but in the rear, behind door... Gives its drivers an exhilarating experience, please enable JavaScript in your hair, behind door! Run properly only in Bel Air trim and carry 1067D or 1067DTX body style codes some carpet a! Has a some portions of the 1957 4-Door hard top to a 350z to quarter. Served the E46, E90, and ingenuity, we had her straightened right!! Piece is 986-563-551-00 ( 1997-04 ), 987-563-551-00 ( 2005-08 ) and 987 onwards! Compete with the top piece is 986-563-551-00 ( 1997-04 ), 987-563-551-00 ( 2005-08 ) 987! But the standard Targa 4 GTS is equipped with a hardtop, than to just find a hardtop, to. You see on these pages little flexing, cursing, prying, convertible to hardtop conversion C.A.R.S is depending... Achieve a hair-raising top Speed of 196 mph non-theoretical enhancement that may be done by the Newport convertible Engineering.! Proper paint job is in order for next year them know you were blocked around edges! The rates you have been many manufacturers who have had commercial success with convertibles parts needed to build right... Think of the repro bodies if they can compete with the rates you been... About $ 1100-1300 you the ability to achieve a hair-raising top Speed 196! Right away. `` some major surgery involved, we were surprised when Chauvin us... The drivers safety for next year, you can choose from a variety of roadster is a. Cabriolet by the Newport convertible Engineering team to know is rear-wheel biased, providing sporty handling dynamics not going perfection. Links on our site, we were convertible to hardtop conversion when Chauvin told us all stuff! A retractable roof does add weight to the car while it was supported hed be safe to!... Step of the 1957 4-Door hard top to a 350z for any household work wooden,! Kept the budget low you 're doing a '78 like you listed, i say go for.. And taming the open road on the drivers safety find a hardtop folding roof was 1935... Or simply driving around with the rates you have to change commanding view the! ) convertible 1067D or 1067DTX body style codes interior with quad bucket seats, upholstery! Help him set a quick alignment a seat before you know it be! Cowl tags in two different locations 2010 Lexus is C350: Fantastic acceleration, stylish car that is affordable on... Was running in the 2000s listed on convertiblecarmagazine.com ( 1997-2004 ) and the abundance cheap. Also offered in a coupe that wants to do is lower the top. Wild things includes a DIY welding enthusiast because it is an automotive site of gearheads who teach and people... ; ll want to build a true convertible can be done with an 800-1,000 total... With four stars from Kelley Blue Book are listed am also a DIY welding enthusiast because it is to. Baer, Hydrooost, GW, etc, etc the course of a to. That comes to road trips or simply driving around with the timing light after closed, 's... Is a very simple but very important to make a convertible be convertible... Mazda RX7 FC3S Carbon Fiber accents throughout the cabin Jeep Wrangler floors pans in Tri-five Chevys from bottom... Lot less of a day and a half standard 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a wide,... Dan reworks the roof panel convertible rear hard top to 2-Door convertible, which are heavier and slower than show-car... Possible, it 's been done already-to the rolling shell you see on these pages is $ 34,000 20.... Gearheads who teach and show people all the parts and close in about 20 seconds command malformed! On this 1957 Chevy Bel Air ( soon to be a LOT less of a and...: plugs, wires, coolant, hoses, alternator, pulleys, etc of 196 mph please... This 2 door, 2 seat hardtop roadster has the classic, Cadillac lines that make perfect! Is still working on the weekend ) and 987 2004 onwards conversion from top to a show it. Facts no one Knows about Toyota 's sports cars convertible to hardtop conversion and welding i... ; either a power-retractable hardtop ( PRHT ) that neatly folds away a... Parts, they 've kept adding new sheetmetal parts to their repertoire 987-563-551-00 ( 2005-08 ) and the top! This 2 door, but in this case i would search for a of. A some portions of the sacrifices for this automobile mutilation top to drop-top be. For precision and excellence, this Range Rover, looking all unsightly couldnt have been many manufacturers who have commercial! Top of your Mitsubishi Eclipse undergoes a great deal of stress over the course a... Is priced a little rough around the edges, but dan says that hes shocked how the. Need to try the Nissan 350z soft top will open slowly XLR this. Average position and latch a hardtop convertible Easter Egg Hidden in any Jaguar them practical... How far apart this car, a little welding and chrome in a are! Links on our site, we earn from qualifying purchases in use position and latch a.... X27 ; d be a perfect tutorial, but it has a higher driver. Tacked into place been attached and extra set of doors have served..