Thread: Convertible conversion?

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I am interested in chopping a hardtop bel air (55) and converting it to a convertible. Is this possible?? or am I getting into an area that is reserved for professional customizers?

Pros/Cons???

Any references or web links would be appreciated.

Thanks
-Ron

The most difficult part would be the top bows, motors, and mechanism. Might not be too bad to do if you had a donor ragtop to pull the peices off, otherwise it might be a great big can of worms. Could maybe consider making it a removable hardtop, that might be a lot less involved. Just my 2 cents worth.

I'm going with Dave, all u have to do is, chop it off and buff up the cuts then, fabricate or buy some latches.

Boy, I read this thread and had to scratch my head. I guess I don't understand why anyone would even want to chop the top off of a 55 belair, and convert it to a ragtop? There are stock 55 ragtops everywhere. Would seem much easier and cheaper to just get a 55 convertible to begin with. I also can't see that the value would be there after such a conversion.

Now, I could see converting a model that never was produced as a convertible, such as a 67 or 68 Cougar.

yeah, but sometimes it works to take what you got and build what you want.

I'll bring the sawzall, if you bring the beer...

chop it!, it's your car...and if you want to cut it up, then cut it up.

Everyone makes fun of mine..."when you gonna paint it?"...."when will it be done?"..."what did you do that for?"....

I like it, and that's all that matters.

Same goes for your ride. NEVER let people discourage you or keep you from doing what YOU want with YOUR car.

Flame on!

Thanks for all the interesting replies. I can see this is a lively group!

I do not know what I will do next. Just needed a sanity check.

Thanks again
-Ron

For the uninitiated what do complete with minimal rust Ragtop/Coupe/Hardtop Belair 55s (projects)) go for these days?