Technical Can the B-Pillar be removed from a hard top

fordsum · Apr 10, 2014

I have a 1949 Chevy can the B-Pillar be removed from a hard top without losing the structural integrity, and still have functional windows I was think about swapping out the doors for convertible doors and cut the remaining B-Pillar.

gimpyshotrods · Apr 10, 2014

I have bagged numerous sedan and hardtops. On cutting the frame, I observed that the hardtop frames have an additional thick strip of metal inside the top of the top-hat channel in the frame. In other words, the hard top frame is stronger than the sedan frame.

How much this will affect you operation is hard to say, but the factory did see fit to make them stronger. Finding out the hard way might not be fun.

squirrel · Apr 10, 2014

You don't have a hard top. The hard top cars have quite different bracing in the body.

Can you do it? Maybe...how much it moves around, you'll see when you get it done.

Boones · Apr 10, 2014

you have a coupe or sedan (not hardtop). factory hardtop do not have a B piller. The roof is different between a hardtop/ convert and your car (window is alot shorter). if you remove the post you will have a gap between glass. I have seen folks use a slide in window when doing this.

of course if you plan is to chop the car, you can make anything fit.

young'n'poor · Apr 10, 2014

A hard top wouldn't have a B-pillar. I think you are asking if you can remove the B pillar of your car and make it a hardtop. People have done it before, but I can't comment on how structurally sound that is. I will say that unless you plan on putting a hardtop roof, or a Carson style top, on the car, it will make the roof look goofy. IMHO that is.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

Tman · Apr 10, 2014

Search for the Hoffman Chevy here on the HAMB. many threads about it, very cool hardtopped sedan!

pdq67 · Apr 10, 2014

I think that he is talking about a "steel hard top" vs a "convert soft top" here is all.

pdq67

Tman · Apr 10, 2014

pdq67 said: ↑

I think that he is talking about a "steel hard top" vs a "convert soft top" here is all.

pdq67
Click to expand...

And folks are correcting his terminology to keep from perpetuating his mistake.

gimpyshotrods · Apr 10, 2014

pdq67 said: ↑

I think that he is talking about a "steel hard top" vs a "convert soft top" here is all.

pdq67
Click to expand...

Coupe, sedan, and hardtop all have steel roofs. Just being hard does not make it a hardtop. That's a specific model designation, and, in this case, a different frame, body shell, and roof.

Most often, a hardtop, when all windows are rolled down, has no roof supports, except for the windshield posts (A pillar), and the C-pillar. It is just one big wide open expanse.

Convertibles, or cabriolets (French for convertible), also have no posts, as there would be nothing to attach them to. They, as well, have stronger frames, and different body bracing.

Generally, the major body structural elements are not interchangeable.

fordsum · Apr 10, 2014

Tman said: ↑

Search for the Hoffman Chevy here on the HAMB. many threads about it, very cool hardtopped sedan!
Click to expand...

 Thank you. Bill Hoffman Chevy is the look I would like to have that's a cool ride

Yes Im talking about a steel hard top Vs a Convert soft top
 I know its not a True hard top but I that look i would like to have

Thank You

Tman · Apr 10, 2014

fordsum said: ↑

Thank you. Bill Hoffman Chevy is the look I would like to have that's a cool ride

Yes Im talking about a steel hard top Vs a Convert soft top
I know its not a True hard top but I that look i would like to have

Thank You
Click to expand...

One way is to look for a convertible frame. They are braced differently. The bottom of the B pillar has more support as well. No reason you can not take what you have and modify the frame AND body to work pillarless.

49ratfink · Apr 10, 2014

people do that all the time thinking it is an improvement of some sort. the body of an actual hardtop has a bunch of different pieces that support the quarter panels from flapping in the breeze, which is what a postless coupe will be doing without them. plan on uneven door gaps and either no side glass or glass that does not seal out wind noise and rain.

very few people pull this off where the car doesn't just look stupid.

abc123 · Apr 10, 2014

At the risk of being a "Mr. Obvious," why not sell the sedan and buy a hardtop?

twochops · Apr 10, 2014

I removed a B-Pillar on my 49 Merc and made it into
a hardtop. It didn't lose any structural strength . You
shouldn't have any problem.
TwoChops

nelson845 · Apr 10, 2014

Wow, somebody that actually did it chimed in!

Wolfcreek-Steve · Apr 10, 2014

If I were going to do it, I would carefully look over a true hardtop and notice the modifications the factory did to make it work. Biggest problem I see is finding the glass to make it work without leaks.

Tman · Apr 10, 2014

Wolfcreek-Steve said: ↑

If I were going to do it, I would carefully look over a true hardtop and notice the modifications the factory did to make it work. Biggest problem I see is finding the glass to make it work without leaks.
Click to expand...

I noted the mods. But as far as glass, Bill Hoffman made upper and lower channels for the glass to slid in from the front. The front edge of the glass(his was plexi for weight since he drag raced his) had your typical HT rubber seal that mated with the door glass.

49ratfink · Apr 10, 2014

you really want to do this to your car?

Tman · Apr 10, 2014

49ratfink said: ↑

you really want to do this to your car?
Click to expand...

Yup, Iconic!

Ole don · Apr 10, 2014

The frame is much different. A gentleman I know said it took four big strong men grunting to lift the center crossmember for his 51 Chev. convert.

adjustablejohnsons · Apr 10, 2014

twochops said: ↑

I removed a B-Pillar on my 49 Merc and made it into
a hardtop. It didn't lose any structural strength . You
shouldn't have any problem.
TwoChops
Click to expand...

How did you determine that it didn't lose any structural strength?

mashed · Apr 10, 2014

I immediately thought that too.^^^^^^^^^

motoandy · Apr 10, 2014

twochops said: ↑

I removed a B-Pillar on my 49 Merc and made it into
a hardtop. It didn't lose any structural strength . You
shouldn't have any problem.
TwoChops
Click to expand...

And you did well sir!

49ratfink · Apr 10, 2014

Tman said: ↑

Yup, Iconic!
Click to expand...

iconic hack job. on a positive note, it would be very easy to put them back the way he did it.

R Pope · Apr 10, 2014

On the '49-'54 Chev frames that are a hat-section with a bottom plate welded on, the convertibles and hardtops have additional side plates welded on the vertical sides of the "hat". Most other brands have some similar reinforcement. That said, lots of custom builders "hardtop" pillared coupes all the time. Of course, I don't know how much actual road time any of these cars ever see.....

fordsum · Apr 10, 2014

Thank you all for the info. I like the way it looks without the pillar but it seems like it may be more trouble than its worth. I don't want rain to stop me from driving if I can't get a good seal or lose the integrity of the structure

H.A.M.B. mobile app

Tman · Apr 11, 2014

49ratfink said: ↑

iconic hack job. on a positive note, it would be very easy to put them back the way he did it.
Click to expand...

With your line of thinking we should not do ANY modifications to our cars.

fordsum said: ↑

Thank you all for the info. I like the way it looks without the pillar but it seems like it may be more trouble than its worth. I don't want rain to stop me from driving if I can't get a good seal or lose the integrity of the structure

H.A.M.B. mobile app
Click to expand...

The way Hoffman sealed his uses factory seals on the front of the QTR windows that seal as good any late 60s GM factory hardtop. The bracing needed is not that much, your steel roof still retains a LOT more rigidity that a cloth top. Stiffening the B pillar for the door latch is your main concern.

49ratfink · Apr 11, 2014

Tman said: ↑

With your line of thinking we should not do ANY modifications to our cars..
Click to expand...

look at the car. look at the door top still on the door. all he removed was the post itself. my line of thinking is if you want to make your car a hardtop, make your car a hardtop. that car is just goofy looking with the post missing

Tman · Apr 11, 2014

49ratfink said: ↑

look at the car. look at the door top still on the door. all he removed was the post itself. my line of thinking is if you want to make your car a hardtop, make your car a hardtop. that car is just goofy looking with the post missing
Click to expand...

Yes but customs are not meant to be displayed with the doors, hood and trunk open. Everyone knows that. When that car is closed up it flows like butter. Compared to a factory hardtop the post cars have 10+ inch longer qtr windows. This makes them looked chopped already when hardtopping them. A timeless look.

Log in or Sign up

Technical Can the B-Pillar be removed from a hard top

fordsum Member from SO CA

Attached Files:

With Bpillar.jpg

with out Bpillar.jpg

gimpyshotrods ALLIANCE MEMBER from San Francisco, CA

squirrel Member from Sierra Vista AZ

Attached Files:

360708_13897741_1950_Chevrolet_Bel+Air.jpg

Boones Member from Kent, Wa Northwest HAMBers

young'n'poor Member from Anoka. MN

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

pdq67 Member from Columbia, MO

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

gimpyshotrods ALLIANCE MEMBER from San Francisco, CA

fordsum Member from SO CA

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

49ratfink Member from California

abc123 Member from East of Pomona, California

twochops Member from Scotts Mi.-Venice-Fl.

Attached Files:

5027493903_b2506b63ef.jpg

nelson845 Member from Sewaren,NJ

Wolfcreek-Steve Member from Central Wisconsin COE's (Cab Over Engine)

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

49ratfink Member from California

Attached Files:

bill.png

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

Ole don Member from St. Michael, Minnesota.

adjustablejohnsons Member from I bounce around. SouThe Villages, FL..Key West..N

mashed Member from 4077th

motoandy Member from MB, SC

49ratfink Member from California

R Pope Member from Saskatchewan

fordsum Member from SO CA

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

49ratfink Member from California

Tman Member from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

fordsum
Member

from SO CA

gimpyshotrods
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from San Francisco, CA

squirrel
Member

from Sierra Vista AZ

Boones
Member

from Kent, Wa

Northwest HAMBers

young'n'poor
Member

from Anoka. MN

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

pdq67
Member

from Columbia, MO

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

gimpyshotrods
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from San Francisco, CA

fordsum
Member

from SO CA

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

49ratfink
Member

from California

abc123
Member

from East of Pomona, California

twochops
Member

from Scotts Mi.-Venice-Fl.

nelson845
Member

from Sewaren,NJ

Wolfcreek-Steve
Member

from Central Wisconsin

COE's (Cab Over Engine)

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

49ratfink
Member

from California

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

Ole don
Member

from St. Michael, Minnesota.

adjustablejohnsons
Member

from I bounce around. SouThe Villages, FL..Key West..N

mashed
Member

from 4077th

motoandy
Member

from MB, SC

49ratfink
Member

from California

R Pope
Member

from Saskatchewan

fordsum
Member

from SO CA

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota

49ratfink
Member

from California

Tman
Member

from Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota