Hardtop to Convertible?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 226
From: CA
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Chrysler made a similar but they went full bore. No half measures
They’re version is called a roadster
Before you get all serious, I’m just ribbing you on a Sunday morning.
That is an interesting look but may be impossible due to structural concerns and if possible, really expensive to pull off. I saw a solstice at a dealer showroom in their last year of production equipped this way.
It looked great
They’re version is called a roadster
Before you get all serious, I’m just ribbing you on a Sunday morning.
That is an interesting look but may be impossible due to structural concerns and if possible, really expensive to pull off. I saw a solstice at a dealer showroom in their last year of production equipped this way.
It looked great
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,590
Likes: 977
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
From all I have read, the photos above are of a car that is unsafe to operate on highways. The Roadsters, I am told, have reinforced cabins to compensate for no roof - the structural design of the cabin in the coupe lacks this consideration.
If you look at the weight of the coupe versus roadster, you will see evidence that what I have read is true.
But there are those here who more more than I do, it will be interesting to see what they say.
If you look at the weight of the coupe versus roadster, you will see evidence that what I have read is true.
But there are those here who more more than I do, it will be interesting to see what they say.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,429
Likes: 613
From: Ontario
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
From all I have read, the photos above are of a car that is unsafe to operate on highways. The Roadsters, I am told, have reinforced cabins to compensate for no roof - the structural design of the cabin in the coupe lacks this consideration.
If you look at the weight of the coupe versus roadster, you will see evidence that what I have read is true.
But there are those here who more more than I do, it will be interesting to see what they say.
If you look at the weight of the coupe versus roadster, you will see evidence that what I have read is true.
But there are those here who more more than I do, it will be interesting to see what they say.
Has any one got a pic of the roadster without the fabric on it?
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,590
Likes: 977
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
I'll bet George or John in TN does - they both have replaced more than one top.
But that mechanism does not consist of very much mass, Dave. Again, I have alerted Clint (former engineer at Chrysler during the "Crossfire" years, he worked on the SRS/Airbag and TPMS systems), I am curious as to what he says.
But that mechanism does not consist of very much mass, Dave. Again, I have alerted Clint (former engineer at Chrysler during the "Crossfire" years, he worked on the SRS/Airbag and TPMS systems), I am curious as to what he says.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Even with T-tops, i think it would be cool to do. However, if their are structural risks than that's something to take into consideration. A good engineer could perhaps get around or improve? I'm just curious to know if anyone here as done this, how, and what are the obstacles to accomplishing.
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 13
From: Olathe, KS
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Last edited by bmccubbin; 03-04-2019 at 04:44 AM.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,590
Likes: 977
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Clint posted on Facebook:
Clint Spevak As Mark noted, I was and am NOT the body structure expert about Crossfire. But can certainly confirm that substantial structure was added to the lowest parts of the roadster body. There was bragging at the time the roadster version was introduced about the convertible having several times more torsional stiffness than the (intact) coupe (and higher stiffness than perceived competitors at the time), due to the additional parts added. As an even more every day practical concern than what would happen in a crash: how would such a modified couple body keep the door openings from closing up, preventing the doors from operating? Would be interesting if anyone has a clue about the source of that Instagram photo (from August 2016) to report on how the car survives now - or not.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,834
Likes: 453
From: Orange County CA.
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Years ago I had a Renault Caravel removable hardtop convertible and when the top was off, you had to pull up in the doors to close them because the body gave in the middle. Finally one night, while parked on the street, a drunk driver crossed the street and hit it head on with a VW. When the tow truck hooked up to it to tow it away it broke in half. I was so glad I never got in an accident while driving. On one trip to San Francisco I actually averaged 65 MPG back then. Of course you had to build up speed going down hill so you could get over the next one.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,429
Likes: 613
From: Ontario
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Years ago I had a Renault Caravel removable hardtop convertible and when the top was off, you had to pull up in the doors to close them because the body gave in the middle. Finally one night, while parked on the street, a drunk driver crossed the street and hit it head on with a VW. When the tow truck hooked up to it to tow it away it broke in half. I was so glad I never got in an accident while driving. On one trip to San Francisco I actually averaged 65 MPG back then. Of course you had to build up speed going down hill so you could get over the next one.
This car used the floor pan of another Renault product, the Dauphine and I knew of an incident with that car. A friends father was sitting at some traffic lights in the UK when some yobbos decided to grab hold of the rear bumper and bounce the car up and down, when the lights changed to green the somewhat shaken driver floored it and took of as fast as 50hp allowed. Inspecting for damage when he got home he found two fingers caught between the bumper and body work, He thought it wise to keep quiet about the incident and did not report it to the police. He got away with it as no one pointed a finger at him. Ouch!
0 to 60 took nearly 17 seconds in these cars I believe, which in the models latter years had engines of just under a litre.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,834
Likes: 453
From: Orange County CA.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,429
Likes: 613
From: Ontario
Re: Hardtop to Convertible?
Remember we look upon those times as the good old days. Cars those days were death traps, unsafe at any speed.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jha
Troubleshooting & Technical Questions & Modifications
1
07-27-2004 02:28 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)