rear hatch conversion?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
I have an 82 CE and just went through making the hatch work and stop leaking. So I am a little familiar with a working hatch.
Off the top of my head, the things that you will need assuming the bodies are the same:
Rubber gasket that goes around the car where the glass rests - $200.
Two struts - $100
Two hinges - $300
Latches for the window to grab - say $200
Cable and pull handle to open hatch - say $100
Window - Say $600
Interior - This is the part that I am fuzzy on. On the CE, the plastic is different. Where the struts attach to the car, there are holes in the plastic. The interior ceiling is different at the rear window to accomodate the hinges and those parts are not cheap. You can probable cut your but not sure. If you bought new pieces, I would allow $500-700.
So the whole deal would be around $1500-$2200 in parts.
Just my best guess.
Obie
Off the top of my head, the things that you will need assuming the bodies are the same:
Rubber gasket that goes around the car where the glass rests - $200.
Two struts - $100
Two hinges - $300
Latches for the window to grab - say $200
Cable and pull handle to open hatch - say $100
Window - Say $600
Interior - This is the part that I am fuzzy on. On the CE, the plastic is different. Where the struts attach to the car, there are holes in the plastic. The interior ceiling is different at the rear window to accomodate the hinges and those parts are not cheap. You can probable cut your but not sure. If you bought new pieces, I would allow $500-700.
So the whole deal would be around $1500-$2200 in parts.
Just my best guess.
Obie
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: High Ridge MO
My 79 has a hatch from an 82 collector. The conversion is not that hard to do but you will need all of the hardware and small parts and interior trim pieces etc. The glass is no longer manufactured and I have heard that they are going for upwards of 2000 dollars now. Just Corvettes in ST. Louis will charge you at least 2000 for the glass but they have most of the small parts nos. Finding a wrecked 82 would be the only suggestion I would have. I was told from a man that ownes Frumar Fiberglass "Corvette Center of St. Louis", that years ago there was a conversion package with everything you would need but I could never find any info on it. Mike 636-376-2175
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
At one time the thought of putting the hatch on my '81 went through my head, so I checked into it. The kits are no longer made, and if you find the parts, they will be expensive. But the biggest downer is that most of the people with them say they are pretty well useless. They tend to leak and are not really convinient to load stuff through. Bottom line, not worth it at all. God bless, Sensei
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Expensive if you don't have all the parts to start with.I've got an 82 CE and with the help of Steve in providing me with his hinges and struts I'm home free with a lifetime of operation.I din't see any problen loading stuff in the back with the hatch open.Also cleaning the inside window is a brezze..I would however put the project on the back burrner until you stumble accross a bunch of parts.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Yes I did.I got them from a forum member that built them out of 1in 6061T6 AC bulliit alum.Look beautiful.Way better than the GM ones.Will never streach.Go the the 82ceregistry and look for the posts about the hinges.You will have to e-mail steve as he don't hang out there very much.Very well worth the money.These will never give you any more grief,ever!!!best $$ I ever spent on my car,bar none.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
My 79 has had the rear hatch installed by a company that supposedly built the kit in conjunction with GM engineers. It was as a prototype for the 82CE model. That is the story I was told anyway. I like the rear hatch for the convenience of accessing items stored in the back. The hinges are chrome plated steel and unlike what was produced in 82. Here are a couple pics.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Copter,
Went there and had to send a personal message to Steve. Don't know if he will pick it up. He has no email address on his profile. Do you have an email for him.
I have to agree with Paul67...beautiful car. I really like the paint job.
Obie
Went there and had to send a personal message to Steve. Don't know if he will pick it up. He has no email address on his profile. Do you have an email for him.
I have to agree with Paul67...beautiful car. I really like the paint job.
Obie
Last edited by hey_obie; Dec 17, 2006 at 08:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
My 79 has had the rear hatch installed by a company that supposedly built the kit in conjunction with GM engineers. It was as a prototype for the 82CE model. That is the story I was told anyway. I like the rear hatch for the convenience of accessing items stored in the back. The hinges are chrome plated steel and unlike what was produced in 82. Here are a couple pics.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Thanks for the compliments! It has some flaws that 10 feet and good light cover. I haven't seen any other pre 82CE models with the rear hatch glass. It seems the modification would require considerable effort.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Maryland
RED 69,
Great looking Vette!
The previous owner of my '82 Vette converted it to a rear hatch using all NOS parts. Can out just like factory and I absolutely love it! All C3 sloped windows should have been Hatchbacks.
I am wrapping up the restoration and have some parts left over. I know I have a set (Left and Right) rear window interior trim pieces. These are the pieces over the drivers and passengers head where the hinges mount.
I also went to Pep Boys Auto store and picked up the hatch struts for $35. The early model C4's are the same length and tension.
Has anyone found out more on the billet hinges available from Steve? Please post any info on this thread.
Thanks
Great looking Vette!
The previous owner of my '82 Vette converted it to a rear hatch using all NOS parts. Can out just like factory and I absolutely love it! All C3 sloped windows should have been Hatchbacks.
I am wrapping up the restoration and have some parts left over. I know I have a set (Left and Right) rear window interior trim pieces. These are the pieces over the drivers and passengers head where the hinges mount.
I also went to Pep Boys Auto store and picked up the hatch struts for $35. The early model C4's are the same length and tension.
Has anyone found out more on the billet hinges available from Steve? Please post any info on this thread.
Thanks
