Hatchback Conversion for 79
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Hatchback Conversion for 79
Does anyone make a hatchback conversion for the sloped rear window for a 79? This would be a much better way to store things in the "trunk" area rather than going over the seats to get to store baggage etc. If so, who makes them and what are the cons?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Does anyone make a hatchback conversion for the sloped rear window for a 79? This would be a much better way to store things in the "trunk" area rather than going over the seats to get to store baggage etc. If so, who makes them and what are the cons?
Rick B.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Bernie, Eckler's sold the kits when the C-3's were in production. i haven't seen a kit listed anywhere lately. however i have seen a black corvette a few times here in my area. if i can get the owner to sit still one day i snap some pictures.
from what i've seen it is fairly complicated. besides the rear roof panels,the bumper and the fuel tank have to be changed. the filler is relocated in the center of the rear bumper ,between the lights.
hope this info helps
robin
from what i've seen it is fairly complicated. besides the rear roof panels,the bumper and the fuel tank have to be changed. the filler is relocated in the center of the rear bumper ,between the lights.
hope this info helps
robin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
The company that put the kit together for GM to use on the 82 CE was Cars&Concepts. They also sold a conversion kit thru Ecklers and others for all 78-non CE 82's called a Hatchvette kit. It was nothing more than the GM parts in kit form. They went out of business in the early 80's. You can still find them around (I did) but they are big $$$$. Most people who've done this conversion did the junkyard removal route from a wrecked 82 CE.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
My 81 had the conversion done by Bubba at some time in the past. I've replaced the rubber, but it still leaks. And those hinges... sheesh! If you use the hatch at all, they tend to stretch. One of my latches has a tendancy to pop while driving down the road on me. I've been half tempted to put find an original fixed window and put it back in, just to be done with the hassel.
Last edited by Xakk; Dec 9, 2004 at 10:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Thanks for all the posts on this mod guys. Although I like the idea of being able to open the rear window for ease of storage, this one sounds like it should be left alone. My 79 is garage kept but I do take it on trips and could see rain on occasion. It doesn't leak now and I want to keep it that way. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 2,515
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
this has been asked fomr time to time here. The bottom line is that you would have to get the piece parts from a '82 Collectors Edition, as this was the only model to ever have the feature. I am told the piece parts are very rare and expensive even used. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Xakk
I've been half tempted to put find an original fixed window and put it back in.
Leaks, wind noise, and alignment problems, Not to mention the expense, why would anybody want to convert to this headache...
