At press time, C.A.R.S. 2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: Perfect for driving around town or out in the country, base price is at $35,000. In turn, this can reduce storage space that could typically be used for other things. But for some respite, Prefix Corporation, a Michigan based automotive shop, built two versions of the Vipers cabriolet, namely the Medusa convertible and a one-piece Targa. No, that would be a lie. He found a cheap set of driver-quality fenders so he snatched them up and bolted them into place. They do now make a large canvas sunroof. The car was produced as a full-body coupe and alternatively has a Targa top convertible or both. Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. It's the conversion itself that's going to cause a stir among the Tri-five faithful. On the other hand, Hardtop convertibles offer the best of both worlds, offering an open-air experience, all-weather protection, a more secure cabin, and the structural integrity of a fixed roof. "All the parts needed to build a true convertible can be ordered out of our catalog.". Having said that, I'm hunting around trying to find a how-to on converting coupes to ragtops, and I'm gonna do it irregardless of whether you help me or not so since this is the camaro forum we might as well be buds and help each other do our projects, right? 94-98 used pretty much the same body, but converting yours to a hardtop would be very difficult to say the least. I am trying to decide between buying a convertible or just buying a hard top and making a convertible. Doing a frame/chassis swap in your home garage with NO hoist can be a bit of a challenge. However, whether the rooftop is open or closed, it makes no compromise on the drivers safety. Our advice? Real World Hagerty Collector Car Insurance Claim Experience, How To Be Prepared For A Dyno Session And Not Waste Your Money, Holey Goat Father/Son Texas Road Trip 5 Days, and 2000+ Miles, Are You Killing The Hot Rod Community? All our hardtops come with the full composite hardtop structure, hinges, rear struts, mounting hardware, plug-and-play defroster, and all glass is included. Up to this point, everything has just been tacked into place. Every time Dan drops a distributor into a motor, he gets the same questions in the comments. In this instructional segment, Dan shows how to replace quarter panels on your hot rod project. Brave New WorldRe-creating a Tri-five Chevy from scratch is a relatively new concept, although not unique to the restoration hobby. So he cut the car in half, then the whole car folded in the center, and nothing fit. A new piece between the trunk lid and the convertible top is needed, but it's a standard '57 Chevy piece and, of course, its available. The metalwork on the 1957 Chevy Belair 4 door to 2 door convertible conversion has all been fit together. Converting an SUV into a cabriolet is dicey and this hideous outcome gives credence to why people shouldn't do it. The roof and extra set of doors have served their purpose over the years but it's time for them to move on.I decided to start by transforming the 4 door hard top into a 2 door hard top. JavaScript is disabled. 2021 Ford Bronco 4-Door (All Trim Levels) BMW 4 Series Convertible - a car that is hard to beat when it comes to steering dynamics and good looks, especially with the roof down. Buy Convertible [SIZE=+1] Scott. Such a score, especially in a time where lots of parts (including tri 5 leaf springs) are on backorder! 2009 Lexus SC430: 4 seats, 2 doors. Other hardtop convertibles are called sports cars; the Mazda MX-5 meets the definition of a sports car. Sell Coupe 2. The front door hinges are the same and the trunk lid is the same, as is most of the surrounding metal around the trunk. Anyone capable of doing such a conversion would not have to ask about it. Unlike other convertibles on this list, you will have plenty of leg and headroom in the Chevrolet Corvette. Inc. built it strictly with replacement parts off its shelves. You'd likely have to replace both rear quarters and all of the supporting braces, rear window deck area, etc., etc.. The Ford Bronco is another hardtop convertible on this list that is not a sports car but a purpose-built SUV. Maybe. The AFC hardtops even work with Ford's OEM hardtop prep kit. The X frame built specifically for Tri-5 rag tops proved to be a challenge when plumbing the brake and fuel lines. The factory convertible frame sure stiffens everything up. 1964 Impala Hardtop to Convertible CONVERSION! How do you set the initial timing? Powering this supercar is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 that has been tuned to produce 562 horsepower. Anything can be done, but in this case I would search for a hardtop. The retractable roof hardtop takes 15 seconds and transforms the 570 into a top-down cruising machine. Despite the common assumption that hard roofs would be less leaky, or not leak at all, the seals on the hard roof to be as prone to water leaks as the fabric roofs. Content on E46 Fanatics Forum is generated by its users. But at the cost of weight. What to Buy: Jeep Cherokee or Jeep Grand Cherokee? (050B) Audi TT Hard Top Stand Storage Trolley Cart Rack & Hardtop Dust Cover (Fits: More than one vehicle) $123.52. Free shipping. 2012 BMW M3 Convertible: When people think of the classic convertible, this is the build that comes to mind. Relatively easy. A used top in good condition will be about $1100-1300. That always changes the look big time! Well, you cant ultimately make a 360 shift from a soft top to a hard one. Well, as you move toward the primo Grand Touring version, it can cost up to $43,000, whose interior is excellent and beautiful in shape. How about converting a Maverick or a Pacer or something? What started out as a rotten 4 door hardtop is hitting the road for the first time in years as a 2 door convertible. C.A.R.S. The sumptuous leather will wrap around you as you sink into the perfect driving position with the 18-way power-adjustable seats. This little Roadster may not have a lot of cabin room, but all you have to do is hit the button for the folding hardtop, and you will have all of the headroom in the world. Go figure.). Hardtop convertibles with retractable covers have been known to malfunction, but there is usually an override function that allows the top to be folded manually. The soft top makes your Nissan 350z an open-air sports car. The convertible variant was introduced for the 2019 model year. This convertible conversion is turning out nice enough that I think it warrants the added expense. Was: $134.75. Lift the butterfly doors and slip inside, and admire the ample amount of luxurious materials at your fingertips. 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(The turquoise-painted parts represent what's left of the original donor car, while the bare metal parts represent the C.A.R.S.-supplied replacements.) This Porsche cabriolet was based on the very unique 1961 Karmann hardtop 356 B model. So clearly, a little welding and chrome in a can are much more budget-friendly. Another win and another step closer to driving this hot rod down the road. The provided manual transmission gives you driving versatility and the ability to climb hills, rocks, and rough terrain. Dans been putting floors pans in Tri-Five Chevys from the bottom for years. These, as well as other great features, have made cabriolets an alluring option to car buyers. There is nothing more iconic for a carefree look than someone driving down the road with their windows rolled down and the roof is hidden away. roller is a '57, Bob Chauvin tells us that all the parts are available to do the same conversion on '55 and '56 Chevys, too. In this video, he strips all the trim off of the car and grinds all the welds down flush and applies filler, then brought down with varying sandpaper grits from 40 to 320. There is very little storage space, but then Ferrari has never been known for their accommodations. However, that has changed as a conversion company has done the honors of transforming the muscle car into one of the most aesthetically pleasing modified Mustang cabriolet around. He had to pay up a little for the proper chassis but with all the added stiffening and supports, it was worth the cost. The fabric shrunk and has separated from the rear windshield, so it leaks and rattles, and there's no way I'll be able to stretch it out. Unfortunately for this Volvo, it got selected as one of the sacrifices for this automobile mutilation. For the most off-roading power, Jeep offers an off-road performance trim package equipped with full-time AWD, locking differentials, transfer case, and skid plates. Unlike the newly popular Chevrolet Corvette, the cargo area in the McLaren is low profile, limiting how much you can stow in it. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available. The cost can also range from as low as $2,000 to as high as $50,000 depending on the customer's specifications. One should always think of factors such as standard features, safety levels, and performance. Sawsall makes a hardtop of anything into a convertible. RELATED: The New All-Electric Volvo XC40 Will Debut This Fall. The interior throughout the Bronco is spacious, with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers. Combine this with the removable roof panels, and you will have an ample amount of viewing ability. In the previous video, Dan went for a teaser cruise around the block. Driving in a cabriolet on a perfect afternoon, one can feel the enthralling intensity of the sun and the tingling sensation of the cool breeze on the skin. The conversion of this Volkswagen was done by Paris Beetles, a Volkswagen conversion specialist, but the job should be a case study on how not to do a conversion horrendous. They include: According to LendingTree, the simplest method for financing your new hardtop convertible is to compare car prices. Make sure you have the car on a solid flat surface and it's perfectly level due to flex and off measurements. Don't ruin a coupe. In our reviews, weve found the best similar offerings from Audi and Lexus. 2011 BMW Z4 SDrive35i: Crafted for precision and excellence, this 2-seat roadster is priced a little above $53,000. 592 Dislike. In a Jeep Wrangler, you can off-road from spacious and supportive cabin seating similar to that found in the Wrangler's automotive cousin, the Chrysler 200. You have to remove the luggage floor trim by removing the rear floor box and luggage floor finisher upper. But something has quietly happened in the classic Chevy restoration world that may greatly change the way enthusiasts view that cheap four-door that's for sale in the want ads. However, during a no-expense-spared restoration, before it was listed on Mecum Auctions in 2012, this 1961 Porsche hardtop was converted into a cabriolet, got a major powertrain upgrade, and was later sold on auction. Also, he hopes a proper chassis will help with resale down the road (if he ever decides to sell anything). we need all the Camaros on the road that we can get. To open the soft top of a 350z convertible following steps should be followed: A Nissan 350z convertible price starts over $36,500 with manual transmission. There is a large 10.3-inch touch screen with an infotainment system that makes the Portofino feel modern. It acts to shield the interior from heat from seeping in. 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