What's it take to make a 2nd gen a convertible?

[66 BADBOY]

I posted this in another forum with a different name for the thread. Didn't get much attention, so I thought I'd try it here.

Hey guys,

I keep looking at a few pics of guys that converted their 66/67 hardtops to convertibles, and I probably should quit looking....because I am starting to seriously consider trying it. My 2nd gen is so far gone, that I pretty much have a blank canvas to do whatever I want with the car . I have a really good opportunity to do some serious frame stiffening on it.

One 2nd gen convertible conversion was a 67 with a 1st gen vert top at the Charlotte Auto Fair (see pic below). I talked to the owner, and it definitely was a 67 that had a 1st gen top put on it. I climbed around the best I could under the car, and I see that they added metal to the rockers, and also did a ladder type support going from rocker to frame rail. I've seen a few undercarriage pics of 1st gen convertibles, and I can tell that the inner rockers are different from hardtop inner rockers, and the orange 67 definitely did not have 1st gen rockers.

I've heard stuff about the cowl/windshield area but I don't know what they meant. I also saw a distant pic of a brace inside the car by the front of the doors/vent/floor area.

So basically, does anyone know the differences between hardtops and convertibles? I know some guys re-skin a 1st gen convertible with 2nd gen skins, but I know it can be done the other way....so what would it take to modify a 66 to receive a 1st gen convertible top? This is the only way I can do it. My car is a 2nd gen, and there's no way I can get a 1st gen to reskin.

The 67 at Charlotte: (and my son chowin' on a cookie)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/DSC06194.jpg

[1badnov]

Simply put, you need a 1st gen convertible:yes:

[DriveWFO]

A sawsall and a case of beer :confused:

[2 black ragtops]

Simply put, you need a 1st gen convertible:yes:

ditto!!
the best way i've seen is to re-skin a factory 'vert with 66/67 sheetmetal.this is not something i'd enter into lightly UNLESS you have extensive bodywork experience.my friend is building one right now and has faced all sorts of challenges.the cowl area is different,the inner fenders are different,there's extra bracing in a vert,the striker pillars are different and finally...what dash would you run?!?!?
if you get 1/2 into this project and can't finish it,you would have wrecked at least 2 cars trying.very cool when completed,but a major project to undertake.good luck!
leftcoast carl.

[66 BADBOY]

ditto!!
the best way i've seen is to re-skin a factory 'vert with 66/67 sheetmetal.

That is probably the best way, but some of the inner rocker work the orange 67 guy did is the same thing I was going to do to mine anyways. I already have a good candidate for the 66 to start on (see signature pics), and I might have a lead on the parts taken from a 1st gen convertible. Since I saw the 67 fitted with a 1st gen top, I thought "why not mine too?" since I'm in a pretty good position to try it.

there's extra bracing in a vert,the striker pillars are different

That is the kind of info I'm trying to uncover...what are the different places, and how are those places different? I gotta try to hook up with a local guy that has a 1st gen convertible, and see if he'll let me look around his car.

All I know, is that if the 67 in the picture I posted can be fitted with a 1st gen top, why couldn't it be done to mine? I just gotta figure out exactly where the extra bracing places are. From what I've seen so far, I think I can handle supporting my car in those places, and then I gotta see how much it would cost to incorporate the top....I know I can't handle that myself. The finished body work of blending quarters and rear window areas is too much for me too take on. If it all adds up to be too much headache and $$$$$, then I'll just stick to my original plan and finish it as a hardtop. But right now, this convertible conversion thing has really got me lit up.

[1966RAT]

A Dream, Good Family and Friends and a Good Body Man!!!!!!:devil::devil::D:D

[66 BADBOY]

A Dream, Good Family and Friends and a Good Body Man!!!!!!:devil::devil::D:D

GREAT!! I can dream really well, I love my family, my friends are all good people, and yup...I'm a man with a good body!!! HA!!! Looks like I got it covered.:p

[EdwardsSS]

66BADBOY,

Did they use a first gen windshield, pillars, etc? It would seem, to me, that if you begin with pulling the roof off and replacing the windshield and pillars with a first gen that would be the first step? I'm not sure if second gen. windshield and pillar aren't the same? Anyone else on this question? Cutting down...is it called the sail panel (?) on the rear quarter after removing the roof panel?

Then, find a wrecked/rusted first gen. 'vert and pull out all appropriate structure to transplant to your second gen.? Sounds almost easier than doing it I'm sure.

I have a '63 Vert, but it's not torn down to send you pics. Perhaps someone else can help you out with that.

Sounds like a great project. It would be nice to have someone accomplish that on Steve's and document the procedure.

Good luck, Ed

[Little Red Wagon!]

Simply put, you need a 1st gen convertible:yes:

X2 here. I personally would want to do that to a 2gen, but that is just me.

[mrrepodude]

"What's it take to make a 2nd gen a convertible? "


a sawzall:D

[Mad_Max]

Badboy- If that is a 2nd gen with a 1st gen top it's the first one I've ever seen. The first one I saw was back in 1986-7 and it, like the few I've seen, have all been 1st gen coversions. Sounds to me like you need to play 20 questions with the owner of that one (or find out where it came from and who did it.) You might try contacting Wayne or Shirley Bushey at NNN and see if they've ever heard of that being done.

[66 BADBOY]

66BADBOY,

Did they use a first gen windshield, pillars, etc?

Sounds like a great project. It would be nice to have someone accomplish that on Steve's and document the procedure.

Good luck, Ed

Thanks Ed. Yes, he did replace the windshield pillars, that is a must for sure. Trust me, I'd love to try and pull this off, and if I did, it would be well documented.

Badboy- If that is a 2nd gen with a 1st gen top it's the first one I've ever seen. The first one I saw was back in 1986-7 and it, like the few I've seen, have all been 1st gen coversions. Sounds to me like you need to play 20 questions with the owner of that one (or find out where it came from and who did it.) You might try contacting Wayne or Shirley Bushey at NNN and see if they've ever heard of that being done.

I have the phone number to one of his buddies who is a member on here, so at least I can get to him somehow. And I do know for sure it was a 2nd gen with a 1st gen top.

[sgtsteve]

Badboy- If that is a 2nd gen with a 1st gen top it's the first one I've ever seen. The first one I saw was back in 1986-7 and it, like the few I've seen, have all been 1st gen coversions. Sounds to me like you need to play 20 questions with the owner of that one (or find out where it came from and who did it.) You might try contacting Wayne or Shirley Bushey at NNN and see if they've ever heard of that being done.

I saw a white 66 4 door awhile back on Craiglist, that was modified into a convertible. Looked like it was a hackjob for sure, and it didn't have a top to it. Pretty sure he didn't do any reinforcing of the frame either...
He had it advertised on Craigslist for quite awhile somewhere in California (Inland Empire, I believe) I guess he found a sucker to buy it.

[FunkyNova66]

Man...this car looks awfully familiar~!:rolleyes::D Who is that dude driving it?:eek::D Not sure who's post car that is in the backround!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/FunkyuNova66/DSCN00940001.jpg

The owner of this car has two convertible 2nd gen Novas and I believe the same guy in VA built them both. Sammyb67SS is very good friends with him and can probably answer all your questions.

[FunkyNova66]

Bad Boy....Did you come from MI to this show?http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/FunkyuNova66/smileys/WOWgif.gif

[66 BADBOY]

Bad Boy....Did you come from MI to this show?http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/FunkyuNova66/smileys/WOWgif.gif

Hey Dave,

Yes sir I did, but it was part of a family vacation. It was the Charlotte Auto Fair about one month ago. After that, we went to North Myrtle Beach (man, that was AWESOME there....thanks Mr. Deeds!!), and headed back home up through your neck of the woods.....really nice areas by you!!

MAN, I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

EDIT: Here's my nasty attempt at photochopping the roof off to show what it looks like when its down. (I know, I know, you should be able to see the canvas convering the open top). And you can also see my new superhero....Mr. Orange-Triangle-Head-Man!! Anyways, I think the car looks like one sweet rocket rod with the top down....ME LIKEY!! ....off to the school of Chip Foose I go to learn some new tricks on how to do this kind of work!!

EDIT#2: Dave, I just saw your comments below your picture of the car. The owner really didn't seem to know much about how a 1st gen convertible body was different. He did show me some of the places the builder made framing supports on his car though. The owner of the pictured car is a real nice car guy. Talked to him for a while out in the nasty drizzly rain...he didn't mind at all. I had Sammy's number before the Autofair, so I think I will call him and see if I can get ahold of the owner, and maybe even call the shop in VA. Not sure if he'll divulge any info, but its worth a shot!!

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/DSC06192.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/convertphotochop2copy.jpg

[DANNO]

Here's one from the 2004 Super Chevy Show in Denver:

http://thumb3.webshots.net/s/thumb4/3/59/34/175535934pMfZCR_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1175535934043465303pMfZCR)

http://thumb3.webshots.net/s/thumb1/3/67/35/175536735FRHdGD_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1175536735043465303FRHdGD)

http://thumb3.webshots.net/s/thumb3/3/76/73/175537673wIPTav_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1175537673043465303wIPTav)

[66 BADBOY]

Thanks Danno!! I am loving these conversions!!!

[Gota66]

More fuel to the fire.:devil:This is my buddy's car. He lives in Cincy and his father-in-law built this car about 12 years ago. He has been building cars for many years, and like some said, not something to jump into lightly. It has extensive modifications to strengthen the chasis. It is very well done and a blast to cruise in. People are always coming up going" I know that's a Nova, but I've never seen a vert like this."
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a115/bigorangevol/Novas/NovaDown.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a115/bigorangevol/Novas/NovaUp.jpg

P.S. I wouldn't want a vert without the roll bar.

[66 BADBOY]

More fuel is right!!! I gotta make me one of these!!!

[66 BADBOY]

Well guys, the good news is that I found out what it takes to do the conversion. The bad news is that its more work than I can handle :(

I talked to the guy that built the orange one (and a few others too). He said to do it his way, you need a 62/63 convertible donor car, and a 66/67 hardtop or sedan to put the convertible parts on. Hardtop or sedan....it doesn't matter which.

From the convertible, he said you will need the windshield header, door glass, quarter glass with track system, and everything from behind the front seats back to the front of the trunk (including the pieces that go from the trunk lid springs to the wheel tubs and the inner quarters by the quarter glass). Plus the stainless around the windshield, the stainless around the quarters, back seat upper and lower, and the interior panels that go on the outside edges of the rear seat.

In the 66/67, he cuts off the sail panel (plus a bit more I think) off the quarter panels, cuts out the rear seat W brace, package tray, trunk spring supports, and the whole inner quarter panel structure where the quarter glass mechanism sits. Just leaves the sail-less quarter panels, rear seat pan, wheel tubs, and trunk floor.

In a nutshell, he then puts in the pieces from the convertible....not sure if it goes in as one piece (I don't think it would), or if he cuts/splices different things in there.

As for bracing, it sounds like he runs his own weld-in frame connectors which go all the way up to the bolts on the front subframe. He also runs a 1x3 inch tube along the inner rockers. I will have subframe connectors already as part of my TCI 4-link, but if I go convertible, I would have to stiffen up the triangle section of the frame rails (where the 4 bolts come in from the front clip).

He then ties a "ladder" type system of braces that go from frame rail connectors to the new inner rocker 1x3 square tubes.

The stiffening part I can handle, but its the splicing jobs that I can't pull off. Anyways, just thought some of you might be interested to know a snapshot of what it took. It would have been a lot easier if GM would have just made these at the factory!!!

[Gota66]

Here is a pic of the interior. A lot of the structure stiffening is handled by the roll bar system. I have some pics of the back somewhere, I'll see if I can find them. It is definitely not a project to jump into lightly, that's for sure. It makes for one hell of a cool car though. IMO

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a115/bigorangevol/Novas/NovaInt1.jpg

[66 BADBOY]

Here is a pic of the interior. A lot of the structure stiffening is handled by the roll bar system. I have some pics of the back somewhere, I'll see if I can find them. It is definitely not a project to jump into lightly, that's for sure. It makes for one hell of a cool car though. IMO

Thanks for that pic too!! Do you have any pics looking inside the trunk?

[sammyb67SS]

Well guys, the good news is that I found out what it takes to do the conversion. The bad news is that its more work than I can handle :(

I talked to the guy that built the orange one (and a few others too). He said to do it his way, you need a 62/63 convertible donor car, and a 66/67 hardtop or sedan to put the convertible parts on. Hardtop or sedan....it doesn't matter which.

From the convertible, he said you will need the windshield header, door glass, quarter glass with track system, and everything from behind the front seats back to the front of the trunk (including the pieces that go from the trunk lid springs to the wheel tubs and the inner quarters by the quarter glass). Plus the stainless around the windshield, the stainless around the quarters, back seat upper and lower, and the interior panels that go on the outside edges of the rear seat.

In the 66/67, he cuts off the sail panel (plus a bit more I think) off the quarter panels, cuts out the rear seat W brace, package tray, trunk spring supports, and the whole inner quarter panel structure where the quarter glass mechanism sits. Just leaves the sail-less quarter panels, rear seat pan, wheel tubs, and trunk floor.

In a nutshell, he then puts in the pieces from the convertible....not sure if it goes in as one piece (I don't think it would), or if he cuts/splices different things in there.

As for bracing, it sounds like he runs his own weld-in frame connectors which go all the way up to the bolts on the front subframe. He also runs a 1x3 inch tube along the inner rockers. I will have subframe connectors already as part of my TCI 4-link, but if I go convertible, I would have to stiffen up the triangle section of the frame rails (where the 4 bolts come in from the front clip).

He then ties a "ladder" type system of braces that go from frame rail connectors to the new inner rocker 1x3 square tubes.

The stiffening part I can handle, but its the splicing jobs that I can't pull off. Anyways, just thought some of you might be interested to know a snapshot of what it took. It would have been a lot easier if GM would have just made these at the factory!!!hey badboy this is Sammy i have picked up a rust free 67 sedan with a heidts clip on it a few weeks ago ,looked around for a while found 63 vert rusted car but all convertible parts are great ,talked with jim gave me some tips ,also have both of Tommys verts to look at any time, we will be starting this adventure in couple of weeks stay tuned pics will be coming soon on both cars

[Markgyver]

I was at the Loveland Colorado Goodguys show on Sunday and a guy had a 62/63 convertible top for $400.00 I did not get his # though.....

[66 BADBOY]

hey badboy this is Sammy i have picked up a rust free 67 sedan with a heidts clip on it a few weeks ago ,looked around for a while found 63 vert rusted car but all convertible parts are great ,talked with jim gave me some tips ,also have both of Tommys verts to look at any time, we will be starting this adventure in couple of weeks stay tuned pics will be coming soon on both cars

Where did you find the vert?

Keep us updated with pics!!! I LOVE THESE CARS!!

[65Nova4door]

I saw a white 66 4 door awhile back on Craiglist, that was modified into a convertible. Looked like it was a hackjob for sure, and it didn't have a top to it. Pretty sure he didn't do any reinforcing of the frame either...
He had it advertised on Craigslist for quite awhile somewhere in California (Inland Empire, I believe) I guess he found a sucker to buy it.

He was trying to sell it for around $1800. My roommate and I went up to take a look at it. We made the mistake of opening up both front door at the same time. My roommate couldn't get his door shut!

It was a hackjob for sure. I think I saw it a while back for on craigslist again, but this time for around 4k...

one of the teddisnoke has an idea for doing this, but if he does it, he'll do it the right way. For me, there aren't really any muscle cars that I like as convertibles - there appeal for me has a lot to do with their roofline.