57 chevy convertable conversion kit
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Sid, look back through the old posts in this section there was the same topic several months ago with much good info.
In your conversion there will be much welding and reinforcing, there are no kits available to my knowledge. Find the old post look through and if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.
HK
In your conversion there will be much welding and reinforcing, there are no kits available to my knowledge. Find the old post look through and if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.
HK
As HK stated there would be much welding to do as a convertable is made differently than a hardtop. Also the frame would have to have additional braces added for support. Additional braces would have to be added to the floorpans, etc. Of course you could halfass it and cut the top and possibly have a Carson top made. If it is a convertible you are after I would sell what you have and keep an eye out for one. They are still out there but price does go up everyday. You can still find ones that need work though.
Kevin
Kevin
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21 Posts
There is a place in Campbellford Ont. Canada that reproduces a complete body kit in fibreglass for the 55-57 chev convert.The owners name is Dave Carlaw,I could find his phone # and address for you. You might look in a Kit Car magazinnne.BOB
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hi i think there is a place called cars in oak park mich that sells the kit you are looking for.i saw this kit ruffed in on a car they had 57 pretty simple job if you can weld they give you a upper windshield frame complete top frame and panels for the well.check it out
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1,459 Posts
Here is reality!
If you want a convertible, buy a convertible!
A cut up hardtop made into a psuedo-convertible becomes a nothing. A nice hardtop is a worthy desirable car, a nice convertible is a worthy desirable car. The alternative you propose is going to accomplish the destruction of a hardtop, period. You will sink your money, time, and heart into a pit that probably won't ever see the light of day.
I'm sorry to be so pessimistic, but truth is truth.
Find a convertible and love it!
Best of luck!
I love technology.
If you want a convertible, buy a convertible!
A cut up hardtop made into a psuedo-convertible becomes a nothing. A nice hardtop is a worthy desirable car, a nice convertible is a worthy desirable car. The alternative you propose is going to accomplish the destruction of a hardtop, period. You will sink your money, time, and heart into a pit that probably won't ever see the light of day.
I'm sorry to be so pessimistic, but truth is truth.
Find a convertible and love it!
Best of luck!
I love technology.
Wise words...
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42 Posts
converting 57 hardtop to convertible
knew of a person back in the 80's that used the 4 doors for converting, had basic frame construction as convertible, took minor bracing of frame, watched a video on it from a friend that was very upset because of this person passing them on as original convertibles. my friend is a national judge of restored 57 chevies, and judges sometimes at hersey penn. but if you do some search you may find neede info. i would not destroy your 57, just find a cheaper 4 door.
knew of a person back in the 80's that used the 4 doors for converting, had basic frame construction as convertible, took minor bracing of frame, watched a video on it from a friend that was very upset because of this person passing them on as original convertibles. my friend is a national judge of restored 57 chevies, and judges sometimes at hersey penn. but if you do some search you may find neede info. i would not destroy your 57, just find a cheaper 4 door.
OK
First, the question is 6 years old.
This was sidtracy's last post.
Sidtracy did not say his 210 was a hardtop. Chances are excellent it is a post car.
All that being said, I would have to agree that cutting up a 2 door (or a 4 door hardtop) would not make sense. A four door sedan on the other hand probably would make sense. Real 57 convertibles are up there high enough that if - A. you really want a 57 convertible - B. you can latch on to a 4 door sedan cheap enough and - C. you have welding and bodywork skills - you can have a convertible for a lot less money than a real one.
Danchuk has most of the parts needed to turn a 4 door sedan into a convertible. Not available as a kit as far as I can tell. Based on my past experience with them, a call to them should get you a list of everything you need.
http://www.danchuk.com/03_03_conv_x_frame_assy.html#3113
As you can see, it is not going to be cheap. But I think a guy could definitely bring one in for a lot less than the $50K to $100K that real ones are bringing.
First, the question is 6 years old.
This was sidtracy's last post.
Sidtracy did not say his 210 was a hardtop. Chances are excellent it is a post car.
All that being said, I would have to agree that cutting up a 2 door (or a 4 door hardtop) would not make sense. A four door sedan on the other hand probably would make sense. Real 57 convertibles are up there high enough that if - A. you really want a 57 convertible - B. you can latch on to a 4 door sedan cheap enough and - C. you have welding and bodywork skills - you can have a convertible for a lot less money than a real one.
Danchuk has most of the parts needed to turn a 4 door sedan into a convertible. Not available as a kit as far as I can tell. Based on my past experience with them, a call to them should get you a list of everything you need.
http://www.danchuk.com/03_03_conv_x_frame_assy.html#3113
As you can see, it is not going to be cheap. But I think a guy could definitely bring one in for a lot less than the $50K to $100K that real ones are bringing.
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