View Poll Results: What's the most you would pay for a coupe to vert conversion
2500
17
32.69%
5000
19
36.54%
7500
9
17.31%
10000
7
13.46%
Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll
How much would you pay
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
How much would you pay
...to have your coupe chopped into a convertible? The work would be performed by guys who chop cars all day long (mostly rat rods), are expert fiberglass and painters, and produce show-quality cars on a regular basis.
I'm gauging interest in this as a service, so this thread isn't for purists, and if this isn't something you would be interested in then please keep your comments to yourself. There have been a couple of members who did this on their own, and many other members who seemed interested in the results but not in actually trying it themselves.
So, if you were interested in doing this and there was a shop you could drop off your coupe at today and pick it up a month from now as a convertible, what's the most you would pay for this? Keep in mind there are some hard costs to consider in addition to labor and paint - the fiberglass, the window glass is different, the soft top and hardware, etc. How much would you pay for a turn-key, "looked like it came that way from the factory" chop?
I'm gauging interest in this as a service, so this thread isn't for purists, and if this isn't something you would be interested in then please keep your comments to yourself. There have been a couple of members who did this on their own, and many other members who seemed interested in the results but not in actually trying it themselves.
So, if you were interested in doing this and there was a shop you could drop off your coupe at today and pick it up a month from now as a convertible, what's the most you would pay for this? Keep in mind there are some hard costs to consider in addition to labor and paint - the fiberglass, the window glass is different, the soft top and hardware, etc. How much would you pay for a turn-key, "looked like it came that way from the factory" chop?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: destin fl
...to have your coupe chopped into a convertible? The work would be performed by guys who chop cars all day long (mostly rat rods), are expert fiberglass and painters, and produce show-quality cars on a regular basis.
I'm gauging interest in this as a service, so this thread isn't for purists, and if this isn't something you would be interested in then please keep your comments to yourself. There have been a couple of members who did this on their own, and many other members who seemed interested in the results but not in actually trying it themselves.
So, if you were interested in doing this and there was a shop you could drop off your coupe at today and pick it up a month from now as a convertible, what's the most you would pay for this? Keep in mind there are some hard costs to consider in addition to labor and paint - the fiberglass, the window glass is different, the soft top and hardware, etc. How much would you pay for a turn-key, "looked like it came that way from the factory" chop?
I'm gauging interest in this as a service, so this thread isn't for purists, and if this isn't something you would be interested in then please keep your comments to yourself. There have been a couple of members who did this on their own, and many other members who seemed interested in the results but not in actually trying it themselves.
So, if you were interested in doing this and there was a shop you could drop off your coupe at today and pick it up a month from now as a convertible, what's the most you would pay for this? Keep in mind there are some hard costs to consider in addition to labor and paint - the fiberglass, the window glass is different, the soft top and hardware, etc. How much would you pay for a turn-key, "looked like it came that way from the factory" chop?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: west babylon new york
with both tops it would be between 10 /15 grand at least if it was a drop off service,as i thought about doing it to my 72 coupe, all the way till i taped it up to be sprayed,then decided i could not do it to a 40,000 mile original coupe i have to find another train wreck to do it to, maybe a 76 or never as the value isn;t that high right now
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Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Burgaw North Carolina
I own a vert but in my future I plan on buying a 73 coupe to go with the vert. I feel the lines on a coupe look sharp. Also, I appreciate it for what it is.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I would think the dollars would depend a lot on the condition of the car.A nice car would cost less.With both tops and done nicely I would expect to pay $7500-$10,000 if the car going in is not a POS.If you can get your guys to do it in their spare time while on salary you wouldnt be losing money unless you consider you could have them on a project with a much better resale value. I'll cast my vote for $7500
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Well, I am glad my project meets everyone's requirements. 81 coupe, $3000, very good interior, very good frame, rotten rocker chanels and a owner that loves challenges and something different. I too would not do this to a car in good shape.
For a turn key job I voted 10k. Do it yourself and it really isn't that expensive. Matter of fact the tops will set you back more than the replacement deck and lid.
I someone were to approach me about doing this for them, then I would have to say that 5k plus the cost of the parts may interest me, which will put you in the 7.5-10 range total and then you still gotta paint the thing.
Bottom line, if you can't do the work yourself and if you don't have a coupe in need; buy you a vert and forget it.
Last edited by kevinator80; Sep 13, 2008 at 09:14 AM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: destin fl
...to have your coupe chopped into a convertible? The work would be performed by guys who chop cars all day long (mostly rat rods), are expert fiberglass and painters, and produce show-quality cars on a regular basis.
I'm gauging interest in this as a service, so this thread isn't for purists, and if this isn't something you would be interested in then please keep your comments to yourself. There have been a couple of members who did this on their own, and many other members who seemed interested in the results but not in actually trying it themselves.
So, if you were interested in doing this and there was a shop you could drop off your coupe at today and pick it up a month from now as a convertible, what's the most you would pay for this? Keep in mind there are some hard costs to consider in addition to labor and paint - the fiberglass, the window glass is different, the soft top and hardware, etc. How much would you pay for a turn-key, "looked like it came that way from the factory" chop?
I'm gauging interest in this as a service, so this thread isn't for purists, and if this isn't something you would be interested in then please keep your comments to yourself. There have been a couple of members who did this on their own, and many other members who seemed interested in the results but not in actually trying it themselves.
So, if you were interested in doing this and there was a shop you could drop off your coupe at today and pick it up a month from now as a convertible, what's the most you would pay for this? Keep in mind there are some hard costs to consider in addition to labor and paint - the fiberglass, the window glass is different, the soft top and hardware, etc. How much would you pay for a turn-key, "looked like it came that way from the factory" chop?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
IMO thats a little strong.Some of these cars are destined for being parted out or sitting in a vacant lot and rotting away to nothing.If these guys want to take their time and money to bring these cars back to life with a "face lift" and "boob job" so to speak I dont think its such a bad thing.The guys on the lambo door thread have a point,it does help to keep things interesting (providing IMO this kind of thing is limited to the rubber bumper cars).
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,366
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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IMO thats a little strong.Some of these cars are destined for being parted out or sitting in a vacant lot and rotting away to nothing.If these guys want to take their time and money to bring these cars back to life with a "face lift" and "boob job" so to speak I dont think its such a bad thing.The guys on the lambo door thread have a point,it does help to keep things interesting (providing IMO this kind of thing is limited to the rubber bumper cars).
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
would pay to NOT have my t-tops chopped personally, but as the post read, this is not for purists. i think there's a place for that conversion, especially the 80-82 crew where verts weren't available. now, one may argue that if you like the 80-82 styling but want a 'vert you'd be better off finding an early 70's 'vert and changing the bumpers. hmmm, ok. but it really matters what you are ABLE to get and what you are starting with. i would think that there are a handfull of people out there for which this service would be valuable. unfortunaly, i would tend to think that most of them wouldn't be on this forum. just a hunch. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I voted for the $5000 but think that would be a little high because of the years that would likely be chopped. I seriously considered doing this to my 81 and those that have done it end up with a great looking car.
I think the problem is the value of the cars when done. I doubt you'd find too many 81 verts that would get more than $12k tops, regardless of the condition. If the mod was any more than $5k, I think you'd end up costing more than half the value of the finished product.
Interesting idea though. If this service was available, I would have considered it.
I think the problem is the value of the cars when done. I doubt you'd find too many 81 verts that would get more than $12k tops, regardless of the condition. If the mod was any more than $5k, I think you'd end up costing more than half the value of the finished product.
Interesting idea though. If this service was available, I would have considered it.