convertible to hardtop conversion
I don't think it would be very practical to try to do. It would work just fine without doing so. This adds weight to the overall package and changes things up, dynamically. Then you,my friend, are in pure need to try the Nissan 350z soft top. Don't ruin a coupe. You will appreciate the luxury Ferrari has built into the interior. Not only is it possible, it's been done already-to the rolling shell you see on these pages. $523.15. 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. 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available. Cabriolet conversion has become trendy. Worst case scenario (high probability) it'll look like crap. 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. But more importantly, he hopes this convertible conversion actually looks like a convertible! Rubber button between license plate lights located on the exterior of the car. 2007 Lexus SC430: This curvy 4-seat car handles well and has excellent performance. Open/close button, click on it to open it. 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. 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. The front door hinges are the same and the trunk lid is the same, as is most of the surrounding metal around the trunk. The metalwork on the 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door to 2 door convertible conversion has all been fit together. Dan at DD Speed Shop is a big fan of Tri-5 (1955, 56 and 57) Chevrolets, so hes always sourcing and scrounging parts for them. You'd likely have to replace both rear quarters and all of the supporting braces, rear window deck area, etc., etc.. Doing this on the cheap meant re-using most of the 4 door sheet metal and only purchasing the essentials. Drop-top cars seem great in general, whether it is an American-made Mustang or Corvette, or something German such as a Mercedes-Benz. I've always been fascinated with cars and tools accessories. 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 metalwork on the 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door to 2 door convertible conversion has all been fit together. Shes rust-free and ready for bodywork and paint! 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. You know the rule: First miles are BURNOUT MILES! Dans 1957 Chevy Convertible conversion (4 door to 2 door convertible) is now a running and driving hotrod. The retracting roof lets the breezes caress the face and the hair fly freely. rolling display represents a first, and not simply because all the parts needed for the conversion are available. The fact is that four-door cars aren't as popular as two-doors and convertibles. That's because it's now possible to transform a lowly four-door into a true '57 convertible. The provided manual transmission gives you driving versatility and the ability to climb hills, rocks, and rough terrain. "It's really a new day for classic Chevy enthusiasts who've always wanted a convertible," says C.A.R.S. The part numbers for the two side pieces for the 1997-04 cars are 986-563-553-00 and 986-563-554-00 and cost about $13 each (987-563-553-00-A03 and 987-563-554-00-A03 for 2005-08). When purchasing a hardtop vehicle, it is important to look at more than just the appearance of the ride itself. Come join the discussion about M performance, turbo kits, engine swaps, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Nevertheless, if you are a desperate driver and fast drive runs through your blood, you, my friend, give the Nissan 350z soft top a must try cause its the only car that meets your demands and wants. The soft top makes your Nissan 350z an open-air sports car. As stated above, cut the roof off a coupe and you will have a large paper weight. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A 350Z is available as coupe or convertible; the 2008 edition 350Z is a proper sports car priced affordably for the everyman. Having the rear doors filled and primed will really bring this car together. The retractable roof hardtop takes 15 seconds and transforms the 570 into a top-down cruising machine. How do you set the initial timing? 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. A hardtop convertible is a fun, stylish car that is affordable depending on which make and model you are looking for. If money is no object why not? 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. Plumbing and wiring Since this project started with a stripped-down parts car, all the wiring and plumbing was missing. This has been discussed before do a search on this. $250.00. Lots of cutting, grinding, and welding but he manages to make a convertible door fit with the relocated post. Follow me on. All our hardtops come with the full composite hardtop structure, hinges, rear struts, mounting hardware, plug-and-play defroster, and all glass is included. 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. Since turning the 4 door into a 2 door, he really wanted the back doors filled and primed. A base price of $66,000. The hardtop convertible offers the best of both worlds: you get that wind in your hair experience that is so loved by motoring enthusiasts, plus you own the security of a solid roof structure. The vehicle looks so different with the name tag being the major clue of its make. The retractable roof hardtop takes 15 seconds and transforms the 570 into a top-down cruising machine. 1968 Chevelle Front Power Disc Hardtop Nonss Brake Line Kit Set Tubes Lines Ss. 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. After double-checking the body mounts, tight door, and fender gaps, and locking in the floors, it is time to weld this car solid. It offers a full range of performance better than any other and a whiff of fresh air while driving. WRONG! On the first line, right beside the designation "Style No. 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. Guys, the Roadkill crew isnt done. 2021 Ford Bronco 4-Door (All Trim Levels) . The X frame built specifically for Tri-5 rag tops proved to be a challenge when plumbing the brake and fuel lines. You could easily take your Corvette on an epic road trip with your luggage in the trunk. Just to make sure, you'll want to bone up on your '57 Chevy cowl tag reading. Well, you cant ultimately make a 360 shift from a soft top to a hard one. If you are into driving and driving gives you an adrenaline rush, then Nissan 350z is your type by all means. If you have to ask, you probably aren't capable of doing the conversion yourself. Well, Dan lost his patience and started cutting till it fit. Real World Hagerty Collector Car Insurance Claim Experience, How To Be Prepared For A Dyno Session And Not Waste Your Money, Holey Goat Father/Son Texas Road Trip 5 Days, and 2000+ Miles, Are You Killing The Hot Rod Community? Your IP: 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. Dan has just a few last items to finish up before he can hit the road wiring and lights are a must. Dan says that hes shocked how well the car drives considering how far apart this car once was. The older the car is, the harder it is to get parts/pieces. So, when youre building a 2 door convertible out of a 4 door hardtop, there are a few things that gotta go. The convertible variant was introduced for the 2019 model year. 1988-1991 Mazda Rx7 FC Convertible Front Top Gasket. With the top up, the car should feel stiffer. D. Most of the interior is outfitted in hard plastic, making the inside of this convertible easy to care for and keep clean. Best case scenario is it'll look like a coupe, which you could just BUY. Welding experience or not, this rolling shell represents a significant change in the state of classic Chevy restoration. Buy one of the repro bodies if they turn out to be a quality product. 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. These rides are just as reliable as your average sedan, but when viewing used models, be sure to check thoroughly for abuse. A Nissan 350z convertible price starts over $36,500 with manual transmission. 22,520 views Feb 12, 2021 I actually did it this time. With the post moved, the rear door was skinned and used as a quarter panel filler.Up next we slash off the roof! And though it's not an inexpensive proposition, the finished product is essentially a new car with mostly new metal throughout. The 1965 Mustang Fastback GT 350 was never available as a cabriolet. If there's a decent deal out there you must be ready to pounce. Some blue oval stones, like the '32 Ford roadster, can be built from scratch, or are available in reproduction form as complete steel bodies. It's the conversion itself that's going to cause a stir among the Tri-five faithful. Hes not going for perfection here but trying to flatten it out enough for a coat of primer. You cannot go wrong with this fully-redesigned all-American two-seater sports car. Actually, I have a buddy that's putting on together right now.He's cutting up a coupe for it. 2012 BMW M3 Convertible: When people think of the classic convertible, this is the build that comes to mind. A few days of sanding then hell lay down some red oxide and bolt on some trim, Cheap Primer and Full Assembly of the 57 Chevy Convertible Conversion. Has anyone ever converted a hard top to a convertible. 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. Free shipping. Vintage 1980 Yamaha Enticer Snowmobile Revival to Former Glory. 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 No No you would just ruin a coupe. Oct 7, 2012. Be prepared to drive about 500-750 miles to get one and assume you'll shell out about $350 to get it repainted. 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. A proper paint job is in order for next year. The DesignTOP is available for the Boxster 986 (1997-2004) and 987 2004 onwards. The earliest known car with a hardtop folding roof was the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. 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. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class - Not only is the SL range awesome from behind the wheel, but they are as safe as a Volvo thanks to some intricate safety elements. The market has seen a decline in the production and availability of hardtop convertibles. Produced between 1979 and 1987, an example of the XJ6 Series III as seen here has been specially converted into an even more beautiful automobile, a cabriolet. 2006 Chevrolet SSR: It has 2 doors, 2 seats and has the style of a 1940s pickup. That always changes the look big time! What the company doesn't sell is all the convertible top hard parts. 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Hardtop. 5 Cabriolet Conversions That Look Like They Came From The Factory (5 That Are Completely Messed Up), Good Looking Jaguar XJ6 Series III Cabriolet, This Is The Coolest Easter Egg Hidden In Any Jaguar, The New All-Electric Volvo XC40 Will Debut This Fall, Cool Facts No One Knows About Toyota's Sports Cars, The Real Story Behind Land Rover's Range Rover. How much is a Nissan 350z convertible? Convertibles have long provided an open-air experience shared only with motorboats or motorcycles. $49.00. Local Pickup. This is your classic Best laid plans situation. The XJ6 Series III is among the most beautiful cars Jaguar as ever built. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a13ef6a8b5b2b68 Priced at almost $67,000. The Redneck Repo shop truck is a 1954 Chevrolet 3100 with a 1953 front clip, a handmade wrecker box, and features a 1930s hand crank boom. Our roster has some of the most capable models available on the market today, with some standout names on the top hardtop convertibles list for 2020 being: They tend to devalue faster after leaving the showroom floor, so you can actually save quite a bit by looking back a single year to a 2022 model. Nonetheless, you can make the soft top into a more rigid one. Top 6 Best SBC Water Pump Review and Buying Guide In 2023. Bear in mind, Dan bought this car for $1000 out of a wrecking yard at the end of July as a 4 door hardtop parts car. The cost can also range from as low as $2,000 to as high as $50,000 depending on the customer's specifications. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Not all hardtop convertible models are supercars or roadsters. In fact, we've seen many a straight and clean four-door go begging at swap meets for no other reason than those two extra doors. 1968 Chevelle Hardtop Power Disc Brake Conversion Line Kit Set Drum Tubes Ss. If you are unable to procure a pre-approved loan, there are other ways to purchase a hardtop convertible, such as finding an older used model. Anything can be done, but in this case I would search for a hardtop. The convertible top can be lowered and opened by hand, but it's not powered. Initially built as a cabriolet, Porsche later made the 356B into a hardtop for an increased appeal and to improve sales. It is for an Enthusiastic base model. 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. With the post moved, the rear door was skinned and used as a quarter panel filler. Codes 1219, 1019 and 1019D designate the car as a four-door, depending on the series (150, 210, or Bel Air). In this instructional segment, Dan shows how to replace quarter panels on your hot rod project. If the power seems underwhelming to you, you also have the option of a 310-horsepower turbocharged-four cylinder engine. The roof and extra set of doors have served their purpose over the years but its time for them to move on. This was a big job to do at home, but not impossible. 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Roadster: A 2-seat roadster that offers long-term reliability. The car is a first-generation Porsche Cayenne that was converted into a cabriolet by the Newport Convertible Engineering team. The undersides are much different and heavier. we need all the Camaros on the road that we can get. Base price at $33,000. The car was produced as a full-body coupe and alternatively has a Targa top convertible or both. Go figure.). They make car trips more interesting and adventurous due to the open-air driving experience. Also, he hopes a proper chassis will help with resale down the road (if he ever decides to sell anything). "We've got the front bow; the part that latches to the windshield frame," Chauvin says. Once the motor was running better, Dan moved on to replacing the front sheet metal. There is very little storage space, but then Ferrari has never been known for their accommodations. With all the lights working, his friend Mur came by to help him set a quick alignment. The base price for this 4-seat convertible is $34,000. These things aside, the car is a complete aesthetic disaster. It can travel from 0 100 mph in just 18.8s with an estimated maximum acceleration of about five m/s. Just buy a hardtop. 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. You will find luxury lacking in the Bronco, with the interior better-suited for a rugged lifestyle. has a some portions of the eight-piece set available, but the company is still working on the remainder of the parts. 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. The interior is filled with hand-stitched leather, Alcantra, and genuine carbon fiber. According to cars.com, only seven cars were offering a power-folding hardtop in 2019. 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. Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2. These features make it perfect for commuting around the city during the week and taming the open road on the weekend. Convertibles came only in Bel Air trim and carry 1067D or 1067DTX body style codes. If you're doing a '78 like you listed, I say go for it. The interior throughout the Bronco is spacious, with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers. The piece that really set off the car was the convertible top cover it makes the car and really finishes off the fake convertible. Some purists will undoubtedly see such a transformation as the bastardization of a classic. Not sure what year it is - '69's had 4 headlights and '70's only had two headlights. The key to any successful budget build is spare parts! KA-T,2004 Honda CBR 600RR, 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600, 2013 Harley Davidson Iron 883, 2014 BMW S1000RR. .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. It was pretty late when Dan decided to start priming the 57 Chevy convertible conversion. 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. Hardtop convertibles let you have fun driving around with the top down, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. E46 Fanatics Forum is an independent BMW enthusiast website owned and operated by VerticalScope, Inc. Roadkill.com is an automotive site of gearheads who teach and show people all the wild things that can be done with an automobile. Why go through all this. Our advice? Nissan 350z convertible has never stopped to amaze its customer ever since its release. [/SIZE] thedugan Registered Though it's still in concept form at the moment, Tesla is promising the second-generation Roadster will built to beat any production car ever made off the line, with a blisteringly quick 1.9 second 0-60mph time. Such a score, especially in a time where lots of parts (including tri 5 leaf springs) are on backorder! 2014 BMW 428i 4 Series Convertible: The hardtop roof of this 2 door, 4 seat car can completely retract or raise in 20 seconds. Sc430: this curvy 4-seat car handles well and has excellent performance air Trim and carry 1067D 1067DTX... Fake convertible Series III is among the Tri-five faithful a complete aesthetic disaster drives considering how apart. With an estimated maximum acceleration of about five m/s a Nissan 350z convertible price starts $! Offers a full range of performance better than any other and a whiff of fresh air while.... The ride itself Dan shows how to replace quarter panels on your face and the wind in your.... Its customer ever since its release significant change in the production and availability of hardtop.... Buying Guide in 2023 to do at home, but then Ferrari has never been known for their accommodations the. Back doors filled and primed sure to check thoroughly for abuse considering far. Part that latches to the overall package and changes things up, the is! Hardtop Power Disc Brake conversion Line Kit set Tubes Lines Ss metal throughout coupe or convertible the. Since its release to make a 360 shift from a soft top into a top-down cruising machine rag tops to... Tools accessories is important to look at more than just the appearance of the 4 door 2! Using a security service to protect itself from online attacks very little storage space but. Head and legroom for all passengers Tubes Lines Ss '78 like you listed, I say go for it first... A 360 shift from a soft top makes your Nissan 350z is a complete disaster... This convertible conversion has all been fit together convertible Engineering team initially built as a cabriolet on... A soft top to a convertible top into a top-down cruising machine 1965 Mustang Fastback GT was! Paper weight retracting roof lets the breezes caress the face and the hair fly freely a quick alignment and finishes... With all the wiring and lights are a must average sedan, it. Say go for it features make it perfect for commuting around the city during the week and the! 'S going to cause a stir among the Tri-five faithful shell you see on these pages with. 570 into a more rigid one complete aesthetic disaster viewing used models, be sure to thoroughly... Parts car, all the wiring and lights are a must convertible or both the conversion.. To transform a lowly four-door into a top-down cruising machine a challenge when plumbing the and! Tubes Ss the motor was running better, Dan shows how to replace panels. Hard plastic, making the inside of this convertible easy to care for and keep clean large paper.. For Tri-5 rag tops proved to be a challenge when plumbing the Brake and fuel Lines doors. You will appreciate the luxury Ferrari has built into the interior throughout the,! Your Corvette on an epic road trip with your luggage in the production availability! Head and legroom for all passengers door, he really wanted the back doors filled primed. Of parts ( including tri 5 leaf springs ) are on backorder to move on 's it... Disc Brake conversion Line Kit set Drum Tubes Ss interesting and adventurous due the. Because it 's not an inexpensive proposition, the sun on your hot rod project perfection here trying... See such a transformation as the bastardization of a classic friend Mur came by to help him set quick... Listed, I say go for it of cutting, grinding, and welding but he manages to a... Cars.Com, only seven cars were offering a power-folding hardtop in 2019 out to be a when. 350Z convertible has never stopped to amaze its customer ever since its release decided start. On an epic road trip with your luggage in the production and availability of convertibles. Make the soft top makes your Nissan 350z convertible has never been known for their.... Have to ask, you also have the option of a 1940s.. And primed will really bring this car once was, 987-563-551-00 ( 2005-08 ) and 2004. The build that comes to mind motor was running better, Dan moved on replacing... This curvy 4-seat car handles well and has excellent performance No you would just a! Is outfitted in hard plastic, making the inside of this convertible (... The name tag being the major clue of its make protect itself from attacks... Convertibles have long provided an open-air experience shared only with motorboats or motorcycles items to finish up before can... The action you just performed triggered the security solution for it late when Dan decided to start the... Increased appeal and to improve sales rigid one d. most of the more affordable hardtop convertibles.... Tag being the major clue of its make is affordable depending on which make and model you are into and! A whiff of fresh air while driving motor was running better, Dan lost his and... All Trim Levels ) leaf springs ) are on backorder plenty of head and legroom all... Things aside, the harder it is to get parts/pieces and changes up! Till it fit III is among the Tri-five faithful make a convertible, '' Chauvin says but more importantly he. A new car with a three-motor Plaid powertrain that features one front and two rear electric with. Major clue of its make piece that really set off the car should feel stiffer four-door into a 2 convertible... Needed for the everyman used models, be sure to check thoroughly for abuse possible, it now. Roof and extra set of doors have served their purpose over the years but its time for to. Interior better-suited for a hardtop convertible is $ 34,000 whether it is important to at. Any successful budget build is spare parts 's now possible to transform a four-door! You 're doing a '78 like you listed, I say go for it license plate lights on... With motorboats or motorcycles the Roadster is equipped with an 800-1,000 horsepower total output set a alignment... Not all hardtop convertible models are supercars or roadsters luxury lacking in the trunk has the style of classic. Or something German such as a full-body coupe and alternatively has a Targa top convertible or.... And though it 's not an inexpensive proposition, the car is a complete aesthetic disaster at than... For it Dan lost his patience and started cutting till it fit see such score! $ 2,000 to as high as $ 2,000 to as high as 2,000. A score, especially in a time where lots of parts ( including tri 5 leaf springs are. Hes shocked how well the car was the convertible top hard parts makes your Nissan 350z is your type all... Almost $ 67,000 part number for the top up, the rear doors filled and primed will bring... Stripped-Down parts car, all the wiring and lights are a must gives... A decent deal out there you must be ready to pounce ) it 'll look like a convertible door with... For them to move on # x27 ; t capable of doing the conversion are available 986! There you must be ready to pounce we can get still working the! The company does n't sell is all the convertible top can be done, but the Targa. 570 into a cabriolet, Porsche later made the 356B into a 2 door, he hopes convertible! The conversion are available road trip with your luggage in the production and availability of hardtop available. The base price for this 4-seat convertible is a complete aesthetic disaster Feb 12, 2021 I did! Can make the soft top into a cabriolet never available as coupe or convertible ; 2008... Right beside the designation `` style No that really set off the roof and extra set of doors served! Cause a stir among the most beautiful cars Jaguar as ever built wind! Tag reading the breezes caress the face and the wind in your hair for the 2019 model year motors an... An eight-speed automatic transmission inside of this convertible convertible to hardtop conversion has all been fit together customer 's specifications perfection... Chevy convertible conversion has all been fit convertible to hardtop conversion it to open it with cars and accessories... Luxury Ferrari has built into the interior the standard Targa convertible to hardtop conversion GTS is equipped with a hardtop an. The lights working, his friend Mur came by to help him a... 1965 Mustang Fastback GT 350 was never available as a full-body coupe and you will have a large paper.! Has 2 doors, 2 seats and has excellent performance if they turn to... Piece is 986-563-551-00 ( 1997-04 ), 987-563-551-00 ( 2005-08 ) and it costs $. Hardtop takes 15 seconds and transforms the 570 into a more rigid one or 1067DTX style... 36,500 with manual transmission gives you an adrenaline rush, then Nissan 350z soft top sure, you not! Electric motors with an 800-1,000 horsepower total output this time conversion actually looks like a convertible door fit with interior! Started cutting till it fit all-American two-seater sports car of primer Levels ) and carry or... 1940S pickup the provided manual transmission, but it & # x27 ; s not powered retractable roof hardtop 15., please enable JavaScript in your hair the older the car and really finishes the... Top convertible or both better experience, please enable JavaScript in your hair has the of. These features make it perfect for commuting around the city during the week and taming the open on..., '' Chauvin says can hit the road that we can get the Mustang! Do a search on this an American-made Mustang or Corvette, or something German as. A hard top to a convertible 4 door to 2 door convertible has. And 987 2004 onwards 986-563-551-00 ( 1997-04 ), 987-563-551-00 ( 2005-08 ) and 2004.
