I know people have done 2 door conversions and all that. Just wondering if anyone has done this and what was involved...I know there would be quite a bit of work but nowadays 2 doors etc are gettin expensive, and their pretty scarce over here!
Always works out perfect, as long as ya don"t need side windows....OLDBEET..Ya! ask me why I know!......Think before you jump!
To make it all work, you practically need to have a hardtop parts car for numerous things. There's also the frame stuff you'll need too.
Seems like ther would be serious structural problems to be considered-like what's going to keep the remainder (below the window opening) of the center pillar from waving around once you cut it loose. If I recall, the 4 door hardtops had a massive structure across the floor pan and up the inside of the pillar. The longitudinal body sills would probably need some serious stiffening to keep the floor pan from sagging. Asides from that, there is a tremendous amount of detail fabrication/bodywork to make it come off looking professional. You might check out the series that's been running in the last three issues of R & C.
Its tricky on a tudor, but near impossible on a fordor. That center pillar gets like a wet noodle when you cut it from the top. That being said I had a friend who did just what you are thinking about on a fordor. He had gussets going back behind the front seat to stabilize the pillar. Drove that car all over the country for a lotta years. Depending upon how level the area was where he parked, he could occasionaly get the doors to shut on the first slam.
That's right, the post on how to solve the side window problem, on the original HAMB chop, went on for weeks.
Let me just say I once went to Tijuana and after that I know Nothin is Imposible! On a side note i hard toped my four door lincoln continental just added the 1/8 plate to the floor, new glass and voula it was done
They made a 4 door hardtop in that time period. You would have to get the equivelent of a rag top chassis or beef the hell out of the chassis you got. I'm not a big moredoor type myself, but that one is a looker the way it is. I think if I was going to do anything at all to it I'd lower the lid just a skosch, but that would only be if I was bored and neede something to do.
Hey guys thanks for the info, I should of said my car is actually a 63. I dont have a good clear sideshot of it so i used that local 62 pic... Doesnt sound like this job is done too often...!
Killer did an extended cab Chevy truck... He chopped it and turned it into a hardtop. He'd probably advise against it.