c3 convertible conversions
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
c3 convertible conversions
I have read some of the threads on this subject. I am looking to convert my 73 coupe into a convertible. I would love to hear and see the progress of any of the same projects out there.
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Someone recently posted a pic of a t-top/convertible - something I never saw before that you might want to think about if you are going to start chopping. Couldn't find the link to the thread but maybe someone else might be able to help. Was actually pretty cool - had the t-tops but then the entire top including the t's would come off too.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
Likes: 4,311
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi n73,
There have been several threads about convertible conversions; perhaps they were finished, but the threads ended before the finished product was shown.
I think that convertible conversions are a lot like conversions to chrome bumpers.... what ever you think of those.
I can understand doing a convertible conversion on a model year when convertibles were no longer available, but not on a 73.
Personally, I'd sell my coupe and buy a convertible.
Regards,
Alan
There have been several threads about convertible conversions; perhaps they were finished, but the threads ended before the finished product was shown.
I think that convertible conversions are a lot like conversions to chrome bumpers.... what ever you think of those.
I can understand doing a convertible conversion on a model year when convertibles were no longer available, but not on a 73.
Personally, I'd sell my coupe and buy a convertible.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Agreed - you could sell the '73 for enough money to buy an '81 and the parts to convert it.
Basically - you need the rear clip off a KIA vert - and then you graft the right parts on. It's been done.
-W
Basically - you need the rear clip off a KIA vert - and then you graft the right parts on. It's been done.
-W
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Here's the thing. I picked up this 73 for next to nothing. It is already frankenvette with non numbers matching 454 and a crunched nose. (I already have the front clip) I am already going to be doing serious restoration on the car. I just like the look of a convertible so much better. I am not afraid of the work. I just wanted to see how some of the other projects turned out. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I agree with Alan and Clams: less of a hassle to purchase a convertible.
If you actually want to take a look at the chore, my suggestion would be to purchase the 73 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and pay specific attention to the coupe body build diagrams, including the birdcage. Compare those with the stock convertible build, often on adjacent AIM pages. At that point you will know what has to come off the coupe and what will need to be added for your swap.
If you are careful when removing coupe parts, you may be able to sell them or swap them for some of the convertibles parts you will need.
This one has popped up on eBay a couple of times; not sure it ever sold for what the seller hoped.
Not a '73, but the swap is the same.
If you actually want to take a look at the chore, my suggestion would be to purchase the 73 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and pay specific attention to the coupe body build diagrams, including the birdcage. Compare those with the stock convertible build, often on adjacent AIM pages. At that point you will know what has to come off the coupe and what will need to be added for your swap.
If you are careful when removing coupe parts, you may be able to sell them or swap them for some of the convertibles parts you will need.
This one has popped up on eBay a couple of times; not sure it ever sold for what the seller hoped.
Not a '73, but the swap is the same.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 24, 2011 at 07:23 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Here's the thing. I picked up this 73 for next to nothing. It is already frankenvette with non numbers matching 454 and a crunched nose. (I already have the front clip) I am already going to be doing serious restoration on the car. I just like the look of a convertible so much better. I am not afraid of the work. I just wanted to see how some of the other projects turned out. Thanks
'73's are a "one year off" car. So if you fix the nose right and paint it the factory color - the NOM Big Block won't kill your resale too badly.
I still say you'd do better to flip the '73 and start over with one like in the picture - thay can also be had very cheaply.
-W
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
There are some that have been completed. I have links saved but not on this computer. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't do it. I am too far into it to turn back. Once I finish it I will be happy but it has just kept my car in the garage for the last 2 years trying to get the time to do the work. One thing leads to another and now I am pulling the body off and starting with a freshly painted frame. I will have a lot of time invested but not really that much money. I have shopped and found everything used so I kept my $$$ way down. I just have never done fiberglass work before and it is a learning process.
Make sure that you have the proper motivation before you start it. If you need any help I'll offer what I can.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I know of a 82 vert perfectly done, nice car.
But I also saw a 77 vert that had no softtop, only hardtop. They didn't use the complete vert *** end , so a soft top would not fit.
Don't know why one is going through all the hassle of converting and then misses the soft top installation. Unusable car without.
No way you can make a full day trip over here like this. Even if the sun is out in the morning and the weather forecast is great, one will return in the rain in the evening. Murphy's law.
If you go for it, do it correctly. It is possible as there are several conversions around.
Rgds. Günther
I know of a 82 vert perfectly done, nice car.
But I also saw a 77 vert that had no softtop, only hardtop. They didn't use the complete vert *** end , so a soft top would not fit.
Don't know why one is going through all the hassle of converting and then misses the soft top installation. Unusable car without.
No way you can make a full day trip over here like this. Even if the sun is out in the morning and the weather forecast is great, one will return in the rain in the evening. Murphy's law.
If you go for it, do it correctly. It is possible as there are several conversions around.
Rgds. Günther
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Here is a link to the thread mentioned earlier - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578415253-post6.html
If you really want to go the conversion route, maybe you can look into that convertible t-top, and let everyone know how it works. I think there has been a consensus that it appears to be rare, and even better, it looks cool!
If you really want to go the conversion route, maybe you can look into that convertible t-top, and let everyone know how it works. I think there has been a consensus that it appears to be rare, and even better, it looks cool!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
Here's the thing.
'73's are a "one year off" car. So if you fix the nose right and paint it the factory color - the NOM Big Block won't kill your resale too badly.
I still say you'd do better to flip the '73 and start over with one like in the picture - thay can also be had very cheaply.
-W
'73's are a "one year off" car. So if you fix the nose right and paint it the factory color - the NOM Big Block won't kill your resale too badly.
I still say you'd do better to flip the '73 and start over with one like in the picture - thay can also be had very cheaply.
-W
As i knew i was going to drop an LS/4L60 combo in and do a custom interior, i was thrilled to find an 82 already done in primer for under $5K - it drives so i have an engine/trans to sell off and the trans setup is identical for the swap.
IF i had wanted a pre-75 vert, i would have just looked for a beat up original ragtop instead of trying to swap a coupe into one as GM already made some.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
A little late but, I'm doing a 77 big block, convertible conversion plus a whole lot of other mods. I'm of the thought you can do what ever you want, as long as you have the time, place, enough dough, and enjoy doing it. 
. Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions, I'll try to answer them.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/album.php?u=213691
www.vettemod.org
ikwhite
. Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions, I'll try to answer them.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/album.php?u=213691
www.vettemod.org
ikwhite
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
You can also look at this thread were seventysixvette posted links to his convertible conversion and some other members also posted.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ible-chop.html
ikwhite
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ible-chop.html
ikwhite
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
IDK Clams- Most 78-82 conversions i've seen go for $14-18K (like the one pictured above). I watched them for 2-3 yrs. hoping to one day snag one.
As i knew i was going to drop an LS/4L60 combo in and do a custom interior, i was thrilled to find an 82 already done in primer for under $5K - it drives so i have an engine/trans to sell off and the trans setup is identical for the swap.
IF i had wanted a pre-75 vert, i would have just looked for a beat up original ragtop instead of trying to swap a coupe into one as GM already made some.
As i knew i was going to drop an LS/4L60 combo in and do a custom interior, i was thrilled to find an 82 already done in primer for under $5K - it drives so i have an engine/trans to sell off and the trans setup is identical for the swap.
IF i had wanted a pre-75 vert, i would have just looked for a beat up original ragtop instead of trying to swap a coupe into one as GM already made some.
-W
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Since you are dealing with a '73 it is much wiser to sell what you have and buy a fixer upper convertible or maybe find one being parted out and buy the body/frame. Not worth the hassle and expense for a year that there are already ones made. Now if you wanted the later 70's to early 80s looks in a convertible then go for it.
It is alot of work to track down all the small things that you will need and aren't reproduced. I bought all my stuff used so the cost has been kept down but it takes a long time to track everything down.
It is alot of work to track down all the small things that you will need and aren't reproduced. I bought all my stuff used so the cost has been kept down but it takes a long time to track everything down.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Milos right, it takes a while to gather up parts for a conversion. The rear clip above is extremely interesting. I had this much money in my rear deck, hinges and hinge brace.
I'd do my conversion again though. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about the car.
It was something interesting to do. Some install LS engines, some install Tremic transmissions, others turn their doghouses into full tilting front ends.
They're just cars. Modify 'em and drive 'em like you stole it, or restore 'em and cherish 'em like a child.
But enjoy whatever you're doing.
John
You have to do a little research too. Some parts like deck hinges were different year to year. Decide whether you are going early or late C-3 convertible before you start.
I'd do my conversion again though. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about the car.
It was something interesting to do. Some install LS engines, some install Tremic transmissions, others turn their doghouses into full tilting front ends.
They're just cars. Modify 'em and drive 'em like you stole it, or restore 'em and cherish 'em like a child.
But enjoy whatever you're doing.
John
You have to do a little research too. Some parts like deck hinges were different year to year. Decide whether you are going early or late C-3 convertible before you start.
Last edited by seventysixvette; Oct 2, 2011 at 02:21 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
How ya been seventysixvette? Haven't seen you around in awhile. I'm still working on my conversion. Tons of things have put it off for way too long including pulling the body off and start from the ground up now.
I wish I just had more time. I'd like to see some pics of what yours looks like now.
I wish I just had more time. I'd like to see some pics of what yours looks like now.
