Possibly a dumb idea, and I apologize for that, but I was curious so I figured that I'd ask the experts here at CrossfireForum.org.


Anyway, is it possible to convert a Crossfire Coupe into a Crossfire Roadster?

If it is possible, what would be the estimated cost for a manual/unpowered retractable convertible top?

Cost for a automatic/powered retractable convertible top?


Again I apologize for the possible stupidity of this question.

 

The frame would require stiffening and the whole conversion would be cost prohibitive. It would be cheaper to just buy a roadster.

 

Git 'er done...

 

Max, you forgot the golf unbrella for the 'manual retractable top'..........


MikeR

 

possible yes, but probably not as good as factory. for the time and cost you'd be pretty mindless to attempt. sell the coupe and buy a roadster= best answer.

 

Step away from the....fill in blank........

 

What even made you think this would be a good idea for a second? There is a reason that a convertible is heavier then a coupe for a reason, the amount of chassis flex is multiplied exponentially on a car without additional rigidity support from a fixed roof. You would have to reinforce the entire frame that means stripping the entire car down and rebuilding the stuff. Not to mention that cutting of the roof at the top of the poorly reinforced A pillars without a roll bar would be downright dangerous. You'd have to cut down on the B pillars also and the C pillars which would make the car completely unsafe in roll over conditions. And what about the hatch, where exactly is that supposed to connect too? At that point you'd have to take off the hatch and you would have an open trunk all the time. You'd have more luck making a targa or t-top. The T-top would be a better design with the additional running bar but would still require additional strengthening.

 

I even said that I apologize for the possible stupidity of the idea, and yet I still get bashed, read the entire post people...

 

Yeah ! What KitFox said !!!

 

I apologize.

But after you think about it, doesn't it deserve a bit of bashing?

Trade 'er in. Or install a sunroof?

 

Between 15k-18k I would think for the whole project. I will sell you my convertible top for 18k, and throw in the rest of the car for free! I couldn't resist, sorry. I would sell the coupe and buy a 'vert, unless you have $$$ to burn and lots of time.

 

Chip Foose has done this at least twice on Overhaulin' so the trick is getting your car on that show. Then all you have to pony up is the taxes on the cost for the changeover.

See, there's always a solution to every problem, you just gotta think outside the box. Or, in this case, outside the coupe.

 

Its worth saying that this is very possible, although extremely cost prohibitive. The body and chassis of coupes and roadsters are usually much different.

Makes much more sense just to buy a roadster. Although a targa top or better yet a t-top could be possible for much less money.

I've seen custom t-tops done and without brainstorming too much here, you could do it for under 10k, probably for under 1k if you knew how to do body work and weld.

My hypothetical way to do this, A decent welding shop could reinforce the chassis. You'd then need some sort of support rear roof section of the car as it would lose a lot of rigidity if spaces were cut from the roof for a targa or a t-top (I imagine the best solution would involve some sort of rollbar setup being adapted to reinforce the roof, it wouldn't be pretty though). The removed roof piece(s) would need closed and sealed with weather stripping being installed as well. finally you would need the pieces mounted in place while front and rear latches were fabricated and installed.

 

As soon as you finish, I'd like to see if you can utilize the same techniques to turn my Kenworth into a Ferrari Enzo.

 

Actually, it would be easier to create a "coupe" out of a roadster. But no question is too far "out there". After all, a fairly large number of Ferrari Daytona coupes from the early 70's have been turned into "Spyders" (roadsters) over the years. But one shop that was doing the custom "chop jobs" said they were going to keep all the Daytona roofs they cut off, just in case.
But a Roadster would be the best place to start, if anybody wanted to attempt to build an actual "T-Top".

 

It would be much easier to do T- tops, remember those?

 

They converted a sedan into a vert in Animal House.

 

gullwing the doors like a 300SL gullwing. hinge them at the center spine along the roof.

 

The a frame-less door window makes that impossible.

 

I would not cut up my coupe... I bought a coupe since I wanted a coupe. The estimated cost would be your car!