convertible conversion
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: MI
Doors are almost the same window glass is different. Found that out late in the conversion. You have to swap the coupe glass out for a set of convertible side windows. I havent done that yet, been looking for bargain glass besides I have too many other thing that still need to be done.
The doors are not exactly the same because convertibles have an extra guide at the top of the inside of the door jamb. I was told the early ones did not have this but it was added to add rigidity to the body. Hard to explain unless you look at an original convertible car. I dont plan on adding these because it will work without and I dont care if it rattles a bit extra at this point, I want to drive. Coupe doors can be modified but cutting the notches out and welding in the socket otherwise the doors have to be changed out too.
The doors are not exactly the same because convertibles have an extra guide at the top of the inside of the door jamb. I was told the early ones did not have this but it was added to add rigidity to the body. Hard to explain unless you look at an original convertible car. I dont plan on adding these because it will work without and I dont care if it rattles a bit extra at this point, I want to drive. Coupe doors can be modified but cutting the notches out and welding in the socket otherwise the doors have to be changed out too.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Thanks for the info on the glass. I was afraid of that. So will the glass fit ok in my 78 doors or do I have to switch doors and glass to get a proper seal? I got a hardtop for it and would like to have a good seal for bad weather days.
I will have to go find a convertible to look at so I can see what you are talking about. I saw some convert windows for sale the other day but don't know if they'll ship them.
Is there anything else that you can think of that I might not have planned on? I know about the support under the dash. Going to look for that part and am pulling dash anyway.
I will have to go find a convertible to look at so I can see what you are talking about. I saw some convert windows for sale the other day but don't know if they'll ship them.
Is there anything else that you can think of that I might not have planned on? I know about the support under the dash. Going to look for that part and am pulling dash anyway.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: MI
sorry for the delay, I was going to post some photos of my progress. The other thing you need to find is the convertible windshield top stainless trim where the t-top trim used to be. This isnt made as a reproduction and I havent much luck finding one yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
I forgot, no one ever wants to buy a non-orgional car do they? Besides if you like the 80-82 front end and want a vert you have to do it my way or figure out how to swap out the front ends, which must be harder to do since no one makes pieces for the conversion.
I also enjoy working on my car more than I enjoy trading cars.
Thanks for the credit, but just because it makes no cents to you doesn't mean it can't make sense to someone else.
I also enjoy working on my car more than I enjoy trading cars.
Thanks for the credit, but just because it makes no cents to you doesn't mean it can't make sense to someone else.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Expen$ive..... Or, not all that much more, if you just trade a coupe for a vert. Oh, then you could find folks who want to buy an 'original' car, if you decide to sell it later on. {just a thought}
I really DO commend the ingenuity to tackle a project like this. I just don't think it makes any cents, from a 'value' point-of-view.
I really DO commend the ingenuity to tackle a project like this. I just don't think it makes any cents, from a 'value' point-of-view.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Corvertible conversion
Hello, My girlfriend just inherited a 1968 with a hard top... she would like to add a soft top... would this be hard to do? What would I need to convert it? I would think it would only take a soft top..... I am assuming that they bolt on the same place a hard top does? Thank you for any information!
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Did you ever do your conversion?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Hello, My girlfriend just inherited a 1968 with a hard top... she would like to add a soft top... would this be hard to do? What would I need to convert it? I would think it would only take a soft top..... I am assuming that they bolt on the same place a hard top does? Thank you for any information!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
I'm glad someone brought this post back from the dead, first in 2010 and now 2012. Anyway, I really, really want a chrome bumper vert. "Cheaper to buy a vert than to make it a vert." Has anyone seen the prices on 68-72 convertibles? There was a decent one on ebay I was following, nice vert with no engine, $13k was the buy it now price.
I think a coupe can be made a vert for under 3k including the complete paint job if I were to do all the work. If I can find a local 68-72' coupe for under $5k, it would be worth it.
I think a coupe can be made a vert for under 3k including the complete paint job if I were to do all the work. If I can find a local 68-72' coupe for under $5k, it would be worth it.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I did the conversion back in the 90s and I got a really good deal on the parts. I had help from a guy that did a whole bunch of conversions back in the late 70's when they stopped making the verts. He use to take brand new 76-82 vetts and make them convertibles. A bit of interesting trivia is he is also the same guy that built Evil Knievels rocket that ended up going in to the river.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
After removing the origional deck
Bonded in place
side view
I am still in the middle of doing my 81. The parts I have bought are:
rear deck and lid, around $800 from Vanacor.
rear deck hinges $100
bonding adhesive $160
It is really not that expensive if you can do the work yourself. Right now I don't plan on having a top. I may make a bikini type top just in case I get caught in a rain shower. This will be strictly a Sunday afternoon car for me. I will fab my own latches or buy some that will work or install some of those little shocks that will hold it down and up. You really start running into money when you buy Corvette parts, top frames, covers etc. If I ever put a folding top on it, you can bet it will be my own design because I refuse to fork over $1k for a rusty hunk of metal. You also have to cut the inner fenders for a vette top to fold away properly (so I have been told).
Don't forget you can off set the cost by selling parts off the car. I have sold the t-tops, interior parts no longer needed, tbar trim, rear window. All of this adds up to near $1k.
Look up member Justforfun, he has a very nice conversion that was done by a body shop. I think he did some of the finish work himself and is very knowledgeable on what it takes. According to him, it can get very expensive to do it "right".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,292
Likes: 1,578
From: Western NY
Back in '79, I went to Fort Lauderdale, FL with a couple of friends. We were driving down Federal Highway, and saw what appeared to be a brand new Corvette convertible in the showroom of a Chevy dealer. That immediately piqued our curiousity, so we went into the dealership to look at the car.
It was indeed a brand new '79 that had been converted by a shop in the area. The work was top notch. I doubt that the shop is still around, maybe some CF members from that area would know. The shop was called "Corvette World by Roy Sines", and I vaguely remember it being located in a sort of industrial area, west of I95, in Fort Lauderdale.
It was indeed a brand new '79 that had been converted by a shop in the area. The work was top notch. I doubt that the shop is still around, maybe some CF members from that area would know. The shop was called "Corvette World by Roy Sines", and I vaguely remember it being located in a sort of industrial area, west of I95, in Fort Lauderdale.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas Nevada
The guy that did mine here in Vegas has done a bunch of them. Mine has a operational soft top or I can bolt a hard top to it. He is a friend of mine and doesn't own his Corvette shop anymore, he builds airplanes now. He might would consider doing another one.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
I don't really see it being any cheaper to pay someone than to buy an original vert. Maybe if you want it in a year that didn't come vert, but the idea is that you can save thousands on making a chrome bumper vert rather than buying one.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Totally agree. If I had it to do all over again I would buy a 69-72 convertible.