Thread: camaro cutter

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got the new camaro project locked down. the body is a T-TOP but ive always wanted a convert. I remember reading that the 3rd gen convertables were t-tops first because they get extra frame support. the camaro i just got is a t-top and my thought is to cut the center bar like a targa and the cross piece down the middle removing the hatch and bringing the sides down to help support the rear deck getting a trunk lid and working the rest of the deck out of fiber glass. with the support thats already in place do I need to weld i cross bars to hold the body true, or will it be alright? Again this is all in my head right now but i realllllllllllly want to do this thing ! al

Just bringing the sides down will offer little support....you're going to need some bracing.

I use to have vending machines in the ASC plant in the City of Industry that built all the Camaro "verts before they closed the Van Nuys assambly plant....
Every car that went throug there T top or otherwise they welded frame connectors on to support the body before they cut the top off....

One thing I never under stood is why all the cars came in complete except for the back glass and or T tops... Then they would take this car all apart cut off the top and put it all back togther

MM64

does'nt the frame bracing that was done when the t-tops were cut give the needed that you lo se?

does'nt the frame bracing that was done when the t-tops were cut give the needed that you lose from cutting the top crossbar?

Originally Posted by al tillman

does'nt the frame bracing that was done when the t-tops were cut give the needed that you lose from cutting the top crossbar?

I doubt some minimal bracing under the car will do anything to support the sides of the car when the roof is cut off.

Originally Posted by al tillman

does'nt the frame bracing that was done when the t-tops were cut give the needed that you lo se?

I don't recall seeing any extra bracing on t-top cars....what and where is it???

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I doubt some minimal bracing under the car will do anything to support the sides of the car when the roof is cut off.

They ran the car over the pit ... welded frame connectors on it...... the next stop was to cut the top off no other bracing was ever put in the car... even the tops of the 1/4's where the roof came down were cut open clear back to the tail lights and it was only capped with a glued on fiberglass piece never welded...

I had that account 5 to 6yrs and watched this done many times



MM64

Originally Posted by MrMopar64

They ran the car over the pit ... welded frame connectors on it...... the next stop was to cut the top off no other bracing was ever put in the car... even the tops of the 1/4's where the roof came down were cut open clear back to the tail lights and it was only capped with a glued on fiberglass piece never welded...

I had that account 5 to 6yrs and watched this done many times



MM64

Wasn't talking about yours, I was talking about the stock t-top car the dude has who started this thread.. I don't recall seeing anything extra on t-top cars...

thats just it they sent them out to be chopped. convs.were cut from t-tops.the article said that there was factory frame bracing that was added for sopport in place of the roof section that was removed when the t-top was origanally cut open. idon't guess theres more research to be done before we start cuttin anda choppin PS. JUST FOUND OUT I'VE GOT ANOTHER CREW MEMBER ON THE WAY! AL