C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Hatch Back Conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2003 | 05:01 PM
  #1  
dsagers's Avatar
dsagers
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT USA
Default Hatch Back Conversion

Thinking about converting my 1981 to a hatchback by using the parts from a 1982. I found a wrecking yard that has all the parts, but I don’t know if there are other modifications that will need to be made to the ’81 for this conversion.

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with this conversion?
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2003 | 05:20 PM
  #2  
JRODDVETTE's Avatar
JRODDVETTE
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Coventry CT
Default Re: Hatch Back Conversion (dsagers)

i am also interested in any available info.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2003 | 01:32 AM
  #3  
BSeery's Avatar
BSeery
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Default Re: Hatch Back Conversion (dsagers)

Only the 1982 CE's had the opening hatches. The glass is VERY expensive and rare.
There is a lot of work to be done and from the people who have them, they wish they were sealed up. Most wind and water leak, have problems with hinges or weatherstripping and the struts don't work anymore.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2003 | 03:32 AM
  #4  
Desertdawg's Avatar
Desertdawg
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Default Re: Hatch Back Conversion (BSeery)

Yep, wind and water leaks, bent hinges, and worn out lift struts.

The rear hatch is a great item, but it was more of a R&D item for the C4 that needed lots of refinement. Look at a C4 and you will see that they didn't use any of the 82 design.

You will also need the $250.00 gasket, I'm sure the junkyard one will not come off in one piece.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Hatch Back Conversion





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:43 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE