hatchback to convertible
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
hatchback to convertible
i looked all around for info and or help as i wanted to make my 2001 hatchback into a convertible. i started out buying a 2001 corvette with a blown motor(spun bearing) not a big deal for me but the previous owner got quotes for between 6,000 and 10,000 just to rebuild and re-install motor i feel bad sometimes for non-gear heads... as it cost me a total of $500 for reman crank(couldn't be turned) new main and rod bearings and one new rod and another $200 for a good set of mls head gaskets and $100 for new head bolts. so i am now into the car for $6800 
yea for me.
yea for me.
Popular Reply
Jun 23, 2014, 08:31 AM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 28
From: Oviedo Florida
Holy ***** you did it! You are one ballsy SOB my friend! Actually doesn't look like it was all that hard and once the panels are paint matched you'll never know from looking at it. I'm thinking a high five is in order! 
I don't think he bought the car to sell guys, and coming up with the car he wants (a vert) with a popped motor and for the price he wants to pay just isn't an option so he took lemons and made some spiked lemonade! So in the end he has a vert vette with a brand new motor for well under 10k that he can drive the wheels off of and once cleaned up and finished will look just like one that would have cost him twice as much. And did it all in the back yard under a pop up tent!!!!!!
I'm totally down with the idea you had. Good for you man, I can't wait to see what else you can and will do.
I don't think he bought the car to sell guys, and coming up with the car he wants (a vert) with a popped motor and for the price he wants to pay just isn't an option so he took lemons and made some spiked lemonade! So in the end he has a vert vette with a brand new motor for well under 10k that he can drive the wheels off of and once cleaned up and finished will look just like one that would have cost him twice as much. And did it all in the back yard under a pop up tent!!!!!!
I'm totally down with the idea you had. Good for you man, I can't wait to see what else you can and will do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
now comes the hard part. the no turning back ... grab a drill and drill out the pop-rivets located around the lip of the trunk tub so that you can take off the top piece of the tub as the bottom tub is the same in all three models of c-5's
after done drilling out the rivets grab a painters tool called a 5 in 1 or some kind of thin wide chisel the 5in1 worked best for me i tried a bunch of tools including a body saw a saw'zall puddy blades etc.. take the 5in1 and hammer the seem apart being careful to maintain the horizontal lip very important to keep that lip as rigid as possible.
after done drilling out the rivets grab a painters tool called a 5 in 1 or some kind of thin wide chisel the 5in1 worked best for me i tried a bunch of tools including a body saw a saw'zall puddy blades etc.. take the 5in1 and hammer the seem apart being careful to maintain the horizontal lip very important to keep that lip as rigid as possible.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
cut off the halo i used my trusty sawzall it makes it easier to dill out the factory spot welds you don't actually have to cut off the roof halo. but now is the time to drill out those p.i.a. spot welds...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
now your ready for convertible parts... i sourced mine from a corvette junkyard in ohio they sold me the complete back half of a 2001 convertible minus the rear bumper cover as i new i mine was the same as a convertibles.. i think i got a great deal $1200+shipping got me the parts needed and some interior parts that were missing from my car. the bare requirements you will need for the conversion are
both rear quarter panels
convertible top
toneau cover and hinges and seals
trunk cover and hinges and seals
the top section of a convertible tub
the brackets that bolt the convertible top to the car
both rear quarter panels
convertible top
toneau cover and hinges and seals
trunk cover and hinges and seals
the top section of a convertible tub
the brackets that bolt the convertible top to the car
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
ok now time to put the tub together the proper stuff to use is expensive and not needed i just bought some windshield adhesive from a glass store and i also predrilled the tub together with sheet metal screws worked perfect.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
now you need to install your latch assembly i got a new one with my purchase but it is not necesarry to buy on as your hatchback already has two just drill out the rivets and line up the latch in the middle bolt up you trunk lid on and close it then latch the trunk onto the assembly then mark holes in the tub to mount it to the tub. and now you can reassemble the body panels..
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 328
Likes: 12
From: frankfort new york
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
It looks good so far but I doubt anyone would buy the car, let alone pay convertible prices for that. A VIN check will show it is a coupe and that will most likely turn off a buyer. If you are going to drive it into the ground then that is fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 28
From: Oviedo Florida
Holy ***** you did it! You are one ballsy SOB my friend! Actually doesn't look like it was all that hard and once the panels are paint matched you'll never know from looking at it. I'm thinking a high five is in order!
I don't think he bought the car to sell guys, and coming up with the car he wants (a vert) with a popped motor and for the price he wants to pay just isn't an option so he took lemons and made some spiked lemonade! So in the end he has a vert vette with a brand new motor for well under 10k that he can drive the wheels off of and once cleaned up and finished will look just like one that would have cost him twice as much. And did it all in the back yard under a pop up tent!!!!!!
I'm totally down with the idea you had. Good for you man, I can't wait to see what else you can and will do.
I don't think he bought the car to sell guys, and coming up with the car he wants (a vert) with a popped motor and for the price he wants to pay just isn't an option so he took lemons and made some spiked lemonade! So in the end he has a vert vette with a brand new motor for well under 10k that he can drive the wheels off of and once cleaned up and finished will look just like one that would have cost him twice as much. And did it all in the back yard under a pop up tent!!!!!!
I'm totally down with the idea you had. Good for you man, I can't wait to see what else you can and will do.
Last edited by Pirateslife4me; Jun 23, 2014 at 08:34 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Alberta
Holy ***** you did it! You are one ballsy SOB my friend! Actually doesn't look like it was all that hard and once the panels are paint matched you'll never know from looking at it. I'm thinking a high five is in order!
I don't think he bought the car to sell guys, and coming up with the car he wants (a vert) with a popped motor and for the price he wants to pay just isn't an option so he took lemons and made some spiked lemonade! So in the end he has a vert vette with a brand new motor for well under 10k that he can drive the wheels off of and once cleaned up and finished will look just like one that would have cost him twice as much. And did it all in the back yard under a pop up tent!!!!!!
I'm totally down with the idea you had. Good for you man, I can't wait to see what else you can and will do.
I don't think he bought the car to sell guys, and coming up with the car he wants (a vert) with a popped motor and for the price he wants to pay just isn't an option so he took lemons and made some spiked lemonade! So in the end he has a vert vette with a brand new motor for well under 10k that he can drive the wheels off of and once cleaned up and finished will look just like one that would have cost him twice as much. And did it all in the back yard under a pop up tent!!!!!!
I'm totally down with the idea you had. Good for you man, I can't wait to see what else you can and will do.
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
That's a great write up and project.
makes me think... I have the roof and trunk lid from my wrecked Z. All I would need is the tub and rear quarters...
makes me think... I have the roof and trunk lid from my wrecked Z. All I would need is the tub and rear quarters...
