From a styling standpoint, it looks ungainly with that big bumper hanging off the back end without the glass and roof to compensate for that bulk. I wouldn't call it ugly, but it looks awkward.

 

I appreciate you point of view, but I actually think, from a style point of view, that it looks balanced with the front bumper. I always thought that I preferred the bumper size of the mid 70's like the 76/77. Smaller without the low spoiler. The convertible seems very balanced. But I like dark beer and you like a pilsner !! THat's what keeps us going! Boy, I need to be careful on my 82 of curbs, driveways, etc. That lower spoiler in the front has a 2" black rubber piece. You can barely see it in the picture, but it makes the clearance in the front about 2". It hits things before the wheels have a chance to walk over . That's why Corvette Central still makes replacement rubber for the front air dam.

 

I don't get where you see that. I think it looks better than the hardtop and I don't even like convertibles.

 

There was a company called ASC (American Sunroof Company) that worked closely at the dealership level to install sunroofs, T tops and even convertibles. While you couldn't order it from the factory, you could still buy it new off the showroom floor if the dealer had a relationship with them. Add the passing of time or multiple owners and presto!....factory convertible. /:\

 

I wonder if they are talking about Duntov convertibles?

Anyway:

 

Here is an '81 on craigslist that acknowledges it is a conversion. The late C3 convertibles do look nice.
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/2533767039.html

 

He still kinda pretends it's a GM thing...

CONVERTED BY AMERICAN CUSTOM
TOLEDO,OH.
USING ALL ORIGIONAL GM PARTS.
AMERICAN CUSTOM WAS AN AUTHORIZED GENERAL MOTORS
SUPPLIER OF CUSTOM CARS.
CAR WAS DONE TO OEM SPECIFICATIONS


I guess those ground effects were those rare "origiOnal" (SIC) GM parts.

 

Agreed, but at least he only "kinda pretends"

 

As a convertible, the back bumper looks like it was tacked on as an afterthought. Had GM made a convertible Corvette in 1981, they would have redesigned the rear bumper.

 

Well the nice thing about the T-Top is that you have the best of both worlds. May times I have froze my butt off in a convertible that was up. They are so thin that, no matter how much the heat is on, the wind still blows through. That's the great thing about our sport, the many incarnations of the Vette!

 

Not to me it doesn't.

 

Seeing how the 80-82 top lip forms a slight spoiler clearly borrowing from the 68-72, I'd have to disagree. I think it looks much more natural than the stock bumper cap on the 74-75.

Its the plain 74-79 tail that is commonly improved with a pace car spolier or replaced by an 80-82 tail cap, not the other way around.

 

how much to have this done to an 80 ?
Pete.

 

If my memory is working properly this morning, American Custom Industries built the Duntov convertibles. This was a joint project between Duntov and American Custom Industries. They were available as stock 81-82 convertibles, or about as modified as you wanted.

The Duntov's were available with flairs, custom exposed headlights, custom wheels and turbochargers. The basic convertible conversion was about $10,000, making the base price around $27,000. Depending on other options and modifications, they could get into the $60,000-$70,000 range. I think Duntov planned to build 200 cars, but in the end only built 35-40 convertibles (though he also built about another 50 as Duntov coupes, with the turbos, flairs, etc.).

American Custom Industries was and is a manufacturer of Corvette fiberglass. They're still around today, and were a Corvette Forum Supporting Vendor. People may be more familiar with them now as ACI.

There were some other companies doing conversions also. Most, if not all of them, were using original "off the shelf" GM parts to do the conversions. All the fiberglass and structural pieces were available from GM, as well as the soft top frame and all latches, hardware, etc. There was no reason for a company to go to the time and expense of designing and engineering a conversion, when factory 74-75 pieces were a direct bolt on, already existed, and were readily available.

 

That's a very nice car. I wonder what became of it.

It would be interesting to know if those conversions came with convertible frame/birdcage braces. If not the cars might be a wee bit loosey/goosey.

 

That horizontal brace across the bottom there is incorrect for a '72 vert, at any rate......

 

Pete - your fellow Canuck (mike ward) posted the link to a company still doing them above. Let us know what they tell you.

I'm only guessing, but I doubt its gotten cheaper than the $10K pricetag from back in the early 80's !!!!!!!

 

Correct for 1974.

 

Just my .02, but I think the conversion looks fine. Styling is possibly a moot point. The workmanship looks top notch.

From the same Bay listing.

 

Do you remember what it sold for?