C3 T Top Removal
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Beaufort SC
C3 T Top Removal
I kow it is heresy but here goes. I have a 74 from the North, lots of rust. All data plates gone, small block, auto, plane jane nothing special hodge podge of parts T top.
I want to remove the targa top and build a sunny day, Cobra Kit car killer.
Was thinking of glass reinforcement of rear deck from the under side before I shave of the Targa.
Any thoughts?
I want to remove the targa top and build a sunny day, Cobra Kit car killer.
Was thinking of glass reinforcement of rear deck from the under side before I shave of the Targa.
Any thoughts?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York
It also provides significant torsional resistance. Not only will she fold in (may not see it to the naked eye, but your doors will be really tight, especially when you're in the car), but the car will twist over bumps. Have you ever heard of cowl shake in verts? Yeah, like that, but 5x worse since verts are reinforced just like Curtis said.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
either way it wont be good
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: SK
Well is it a T-top or a targa? There is a difference, T-top is self explanatory, while a targa is pretty much the same, minus the T-bar. So to my thinking a targa should already be frame-reinforced due to lack of the T-bar support, no?
Roofed vehicles are in need of the roof for structural integrity, hack off the roof and u could compare it to a wet cardboard box.
Roofed vehicles are in need of the roof for structural integrity, hack off the roof and u could compare it to a wet cardboard box.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BBH,
I believe the frame for a coupe and convertible are the same.
There is a difference in the birdcage, of course. The reinforcement consists of 4 braces with brackets added to the cowl behind the dash. They're there mostly to stop the steering column from shaking so much.
Check your AIM, UPC 1, Sheet A 2.
This whole business will be a lot easier if you don't intend to have a top. If you do, please follow Easy Mike's advice.
Check the coupe to convert thread.... a tremendous amount of work.
Regards,
Alan
I believe the frame for a coupe and convertible are the same.
There is a difference in the birdcage, of course. The reinforcement consists of 4 braces with brackets added to the cowl behind the dash. They're there mostly to stop the steering column from shaking so much.
Check your AIM, UPC 1, Sheet A 2.
This whole business will be a lot easier if you don't intend to have a top. If you do, please follow Easy Mike's advice.
Check the coupe to convert thread.... a tremendous amount of work.
Regards,
Alan
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 94
From: I buy all my days at the same place where the girl sells her nights
I kow it is heresy but here goes. I have a 74 from the North, lots of rust. All data plates gone, small block, auto, plane jane nothing special hodge podge of parts T top.
I want to remove the targa top and build a sunny day, Cobra Kit car killer.
Was thinking of glass reinforcement of rear deck from the under side before I shave of the Targa.
Any thoughts?
I want to remove the targa top and build a sunny day, Cobra Kit car killer.
Was thinking of glass reinforcement of rear deck from the under side before I shave of the Targa.
Any thoughts?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Olympia Washington
I agree. I own both C3 coupe and convertible, and they are definitely reinforced differently. I would go for finding a convertible and sell the t-top, if a convertible is in fact what you want. You will be doing too much damage to the car to cut it up.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Beaufort SC
Thanks Allan,
Seems from your picture that you to are an enthusiest and perhps not a radical puriest.
Yes the t top will be gone forever with no top. Was even planning to loose the windshield and going with a windscreen only. The lighter the better. Will check the assembly manual about additional bracing for the door mount/cowling area. Was thinking about a front and rear roll bar with a low door bar. Could tie the cowl assembly to the front bar for additional rididity. Thanks for your responce.
Seems from your picture that you to are an enthusiest and perhps not a radical puriest.
Yes the t top will be gone forever with no top. Was even planning to loose the windshield and going with a windscreen only. The lighter the better. Will check the assembly manual about additional bracing for the door mount/cowling area. Was thinking about a front and rear roll bar with a low door bar. Could tie the cowl assembly to the front bar for additional rididity. Thanks for your responce.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Beaufort SC
What ever happen to just having fun with cars. If this unit was a candidate for anything close to a stock resurrection, I would go for it.
Have already pulled the body after the frame broke in half. Have rebuilt a used frame and ready for the body work. The body sub/sheet metal is all but gone. So I was thinking about a light weight fun project, no frills and something different. Was thinking of a Lister look if any of you are familiar with the Vette based racer from the 50's. A basic roll cage would solve the structural issues raised. Thanks for all the input.
Have already pulled the body after the frame broke in half. Have rebuilt a used frame and ready for the body work. The body sub/sheet metal is all but gone. So I was thinking about a light weight fun project, no frills and something different. Was thinking of a Lister look if any of you are familiar with the Vette based racer from the 50's. A basic roll cage would solve the structural issues raised. Thanks for all the input.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York
Well there's having fun with cars and doing something impractical with cars. What you describe could easily be done with vert. All you would have to do is remove the top, glass in the rear deck lid for a "converted coupe look", and remove your windshield for the windscreen (make sure you brace for that too). It would probably be more economical to buy a vert body and go from there.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
And you would be correct. Convertibles had some underdash bracing the coupes don't have, but that's about all. The AIM for any year of converitlbe production has a diagram of the under dash braces and the original GM part numbers, including the attaching brackets and the spot welds. Ditto for the windshield headers; coupes and convertibles are different.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 3, 2008 at 03:46 PM.
