Customs 1959 BelAir 4DR to 2DR conversion?!!

The OPs starting car is a nice car.
Don't ruin a nice over your fantasy, you should have saved up or sold some of your other projects or what not, to get the right car.
Just fix this damn car and drive it as it.
You would be surprised how many of these "conversion" project go dead real quick and you have less than what you started with.
Swallow your pride and drive the 4 door you bought. You may like it and there is nothing wrong it.

 

yeah...but they're so damn ugly! at least those mid-late 50s Chevys are, with the little quarter window.

 

I think My 60 Pontiac has the same roof and glass as some chevy's. And I agree with Squirrel The little Quarter window is not appealing.

 

Good job I like it then, each to his own!

 

Leave it alone! That would make a cool family cruiser! You're looking at a ton of work and it'll never look exactly like a 2-door. Save your money and skills for something more feasible! I love the look of the car, as it is. Leave it alone!

 

My two cents:

If you've got metalworking skills, a donor hardtop that is rusted out below the beltline, space to work, the appropriate tools, and a healthy budget, proceed with your plan.

Otherwise, try to flip this car for a profit and go hunting for a decent hardtop project.

 

I hope you have skills cuz going from sedan to hardtop will be a challenge. Obviously it would be best to find a rusty donor with a good topside. Differences are numerous.

Way easier to make a cool 2 door sedan or better yet, a convertible!

Good luck and let me know when you need parts...

 

https://picclick.com/1959-1960-Chevrolet-Impala-Sport-Coupe-Top-2-162265411793.html

 

I suggest you go find one of these. More money but a much better start.

 

This is what I would do, and I'm not just saying that, as I've done it a bunch of times already. No one is going to convince me that it's not a huge improvement.

(I'd also ditch the 70's rally wheels for something more period looking)

 

59-60 GM cars all have the same greenhouses on each body style except for the Electra 225 and a big Cadillac hardtop sedan that share a round top rather than the flat one.

 

I think what you have done is weld up the rear doors and remove the divider for the quarter window. leaving the front doors and B pillar stock? It appears to work on this style of body? On a 1950 two door sedan delivery the doors are the same as 4 dr front doors/

 

The photoshop has longer front doors. The 2 door sedan doors are like 8 or 10 inches longer than the 4 door fronts. If you just eliminate the back doors, the proportions get really wacky.

 

This old shot popped up on the "This Was Americar" page on Facebook, yesterday.

 

Indeed my friend. Thats the great part about building a custom ride. I really like that idea

 

I'm stationed at Ellsworth AirForce Base. In Box Elder, South Dakota.

 

Holy no!! 12G's..!!!??? The seller must be smoking crack. No engine or trans..... It doesnt even have floor hahaa.... Yeah thats over kill. But I really appreciate you adding this to the convo.

 

Thats is bad ass. But I still dislike the post... But as someone else stated. Suicide the rear doors, convertible conversion Or just build it and leave it as is.... It does have the original motor and tranny. So I already have everything there. I also have the original wheels... What it really comes down to is the fact that I just want to build on something thru the years or year. Being in the military, away from everyone and everything you love takes a toll. So having something to build, to make you really feel normal again. Is why this idea was created.
But fellas I really appreciate your time and advice. I also have a 65 impala, 2DR. I could just sell them both to put the money toward a actual 59 2DR. But still alot to think about.

 

Let me just say, convertible conversion is probably 2 or 3X the amount of work that a 2 door hardtop swap would be, assuming you're doing it right, factory style with a full folding top and correct length doors. If you mean just cutting the roof off, that would be a huge waste of an otherwise decent car. You either have to do it properly with a donor car or don't do it at all, IMO.

 

listen to squablow-2 dr sedan conversion would follow the same plan as the 55-57 conversions that turn out nice.Hardtop conversion would most likely be on craigslist in a year as a project car.I do agree though the first thing I think of when I see a 4 four door is"poor guy couldn't afford a 2 door

 

you will need all this and more to do this right. probably more bracing in the floor and maybe a different back seat? earlier hardtops had different back seats.... blobs on what you don't need....

 

Man, that is gorgeous! Like a chubby girl in yoga pants. All about the comfortable ride and extra fries with the shake!

 

I’ve done the 4 to 2 door conversion thing on a 55 Chevy. It sucks, don’t do it. There’s so many 59 2-doors out there that need love, just save your pennies and buy one. Enjoy your more door as is, it’s plenty cool already. I drive a 63 more door every day, and for daily those extra doors are handy.

 

Is this for sale?!


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What’s up with this?!


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Where in the world is that place with all those non-rusted un-molested cars?! With snow on the ground too!
New Mexico? Arizona?(or South Dakota..duh Just read the post)
Just wondering,
6sally6

 

Hey guys have just brought 2 59 4 door post cars with the intention to restore one to factory and make a custom out of the other. Quiet rusty. My question is is the roof the same in a 4 door post car and 2 door post car? I'm aware doors are different etc.

 

Well, what is the progress on this project? Waiting to hear. I would like to see a conversion, but I agree on the convertible option.

 

Well, "quiet rusty" is better than "quite rusty," right?