[PonchoV8]

I want to make a hardtop into a convertible. Crazy, stupid, foolish, maybe. But I want them.
I need the upper surfaces from a convertible car off of a parted junk lemans/etc., if someone has them. Has anyone got a crappy, junk car that I can cut the convert specific metal out of? The obvious part is the top of the 1/4 panels to the rear bumper including the decklid opening from side to side, and from door to bumper. I may not need the parts inside the car, like the rear seat back support, and cove for the cylinders--assuming they are the same parts back to 68.

[78 GHOST]

Doug, that sounds like a good project. I think you'll need the windshield header as well as all the junk for the latches, etc.

Steve Barcak at Pontiac Heaven carries a lot of inventory, perhaps you could find a donor car there. He's a top notch guy.

Good luck to you, Matt

[goatless]

Doug, you must have waaaaaaaayyy too much time on your hands to even consider the project.

[PonchoV8]

Still thinking of doing this. I have the boxed frame pieces from another car. I have a 68 convertible that I could use all the windshield pieces from. I need the sheet metal stuff now. A junk rusty car POS would be great to use.

Can anyone tell me if the inner 1/4 braces are the same for 68-72? I need something like this blue section all the way back to the tail lights to be sure I get the correct lines. THe upper part of the 1/4 is the important part. The lower is not important to me at all--since they're all rusty anyway.

[steve v]

Doug,
I know the outer wheel houses are different on the converts.....not sure if the HTP ones would interfere with the convert 1/4's or not? The rear seat area is narrower than the HTP also.....sounds like a lot of work to me & I'm usually a glutton for punishment! LOL!

[Forrest]

My GOD! What a job. any reason why you didn't just buy a rust bucket convertible body and go from there? Might have been easier .............

[dr-doug]

Doug, It must be something in the name. I did this once, kindof. I took a hog lot 57 chevy vert and drug it home(the frame cracked in half when I pulled in the drive. I had a 4 door hardtop and cut the entire top of the car away except the cowl bottom. Then welded the entire vert on the floorboards and added the top of the windshield. I went off to college and lost interest, but basically gave it to a buddy. He finished it with the help of his classroom of students at the tech school.
Somebody owns a copper, once 4 door 57 chevy, now vert and is probably none the wiser, my buddy isn't my buddy anymore, he's a crook....Doug

[PonchoV8]

Forrest, that's just an example of what I'm looking for--the blue part all the way to the back and from side to side, but NOT cut into pieces like that one. That's not the car. That's just a 69 that I have a complete 1/4 for--different deal. I'm serious about the conversion for a 70-72 body.

Yeah the convertible wheel wells have a pocket in the 1/4 for the top and cylinders to clear--shorter seat too. I have those parts already. I really need the outer body parts, so a junker will do. Something with a total wiped out front end is good for what I need.

Doug, I'm a sucker for a convertible. A friend owns an antique junkyard. He says the old convertible shoebox Pontiacs all disappeared because they were cut up to make convertible 55-57 Chevies. Pity. I know of one lone 59 out there.

[Forrest]

So Doug, are you looking for a 68-72 or just a 70-72 shot/toast a-body convertible body, maybe I can help

[PonchoV8]

I'm looking for 70-72 for this project. If you have something else, I'd like to hear bout it too, but for a down the road project.
Email me at dammm@knology.net

[PonchoV8]

What I'm looking for--
dammm@knology.net to anyone that has a lead. I can travel to get the parts and cut them out too. First choice is a basket case car as this will destroy the donor car.

[steve v]

Here you go Doug:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...spagenameZWDVW
$400 opening bid, are you ready for a road trip?

[PonchoV8]

It's perfect.
But it's too far by about 4-5 hrs. It' 12 hrs from here.
Thanks for the link though.

[steve v]

Doug,
Here's another that may be a little closer to you.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting
Looks like it was smacked hard in the 1/4 but may be a good donor.

[PonchoV8]

Thanks Steve. I emailed him but it's no longer an active auction, and he didn't respond to my offer. He must've sold it.

Would've been a good one.

[md1twal3]

Doug, I know you say 70-72, but here's a 68 GTO rag...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=130258657022

[PonchoV8]

Thanks, but it's got to be a 70-72 for the sheet metal body parts.

[steve v]

Doug,
This looks like the same car as the last auction only it's the tub only now.
Still in SC so it's not that far from you.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...mZ120315230123

[shineybike]

I thought about doing this with a 1968 Cougar, using convertible parts from a mustang. They have the same substructure. I have no skills to do the work and after talking to a body shop decided not to pursue it. I thought it would have been pretty cool to own a '68 Cougar convert since they never made one from the factory. Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

[Region Warrior]

How about making it a roadsteer?
I almost did that to a 68 FB once.