Enjoy that beautiful convertible.
'72 Convertible Conversion, no going back now
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Yep, the ol' Rustuelum roll job. Painted it that way back in '05, held up surprisingly well, especially since it sits outside under a cover most of the time. Just gave it a good clay barring every year or so. Thinned the paint it out with almost 50% mineral spirits, kinda goes on almost like a white wash, so it takes 12 coats. Now the rear clips looks like a spray job with severe orange peel. So I start with 800 wet paper and then work down to 1500 grit. Then the 3 grades of 3M compounds with the orbital, and it ends up looking like a good one stage laquer job. Takes about 6 quarts to paint a car, plus $40 worth of sandpaper and another $60 worth of compound (enough for 2-3 cars), total paint job for about $150 in materials.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
I gotta mention this again. a cop who knows vettes will look at this convert and this coupe vin number and think he just caught a car thief. keep a couple of build pics in this car at all times...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
I will, thanks. I'm getting impatient though, still 3 more days until I can start color sanding.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,600
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
That gives you time to get a "pocket album" of the conversion ready.....and print some google maps of your first three roadtrips that you will be making!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 199
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton TX
But I think this is a very low probability thus Risk = LOW.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,106
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2018 C2 of Year Finalist
The vin number is tied to the owner which of course he is. Many states titles are listed as "Tudor" as opposed to body style. I currently own 2 Corvette convertibles in MO and both titles show "Tudor" for body. I'm sure various states have different wording but I wouldn't give this a second thought.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
The vin number is tied to the owner which of course he is. Many states titles are listed as "Tudor" as opposed to body style. I currently own 2 Corvette convertibles in MO and both titles show "Tudor" for body. I'm sure various states have different wording but I wouldn't give this a second thought.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Spent most of the day color sanding and compounding the rear deck and decklid. Still gotta do the tail light panel and both rear fenders, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Well, 5 weeks and approx $2300 later (including the purchase of a removable hardtop), it's essentially done. I'm just waiting on weatherstrip to arrive. Thanks for all the words of encouragement and advice along the way. Seems like a long time ago when I first picked up that sawzall. I finally got the Vette I've always wanted.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
The vin number is tied to the owner which of course he is. Many states titles are listed as "Tudor" as opposed to body style. I currently own 2 Corvette convertibles in MO and both titles show "Tudor" for body. I'm sure various states have different wording but I wouldn't give this a second thought.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Thanks, everyone, I think the hardest part was figuring out how to change my avatar.
Still got a couple of projects. I want to replace the linear actuators on my headlights and wiper doors with headlight motors. Went to Pic A Part today and only found 1 Miata and the motors were gone, but I got a couple out of a late 80's Honda Accord for $20 each. I also needed window weatherstrip for my Hardtop and the OE stuff is so expensive. So I found a '74 Dodge Dart hardtop from which I took the window rubber and channel. The rubber was only so so, so I also took the window rubber off a Lexus ES which was in great shape, and lo and behold, the rubber fit the Dodge channel. And the angle is close to the one on my Hardtop. $10 for all of it.
Still got a couple of projects. I want to replace the linear actuators on my headlights and wiper doors with headlight motors. Went to Pic A Part today and only found 1 Miata and the motors were gone, but I got a couple out of a late 80's Honda Accord for $20 each. I also needed window weatherstrip for my Hardtop and the OE stuff is so expensive. So I found a '74 Dodge Dart hardtop from which I took the window rubber and channel. The rubber was only so so, so I also took the window rubber off a Lexus ES which was in great shape, and lo and behold, the rubber fit the Dodge channel. And the angle is close to the one on my Hardtop. $10 for all of it.
