Can you make a convertible out of a coupe??

BBRaceGuy · Post by **BBRaceGuy** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 12:45 pm

O.K. It may have been done or talked about before but hey.. I'm new. Is there info out there on what you would need to do to make a coupe into a convert?? I am planning to build a vintage racer and would like a convert(but they are harder to find). There will be some sort of rollhoop and no windshield (just a small lexan windscreen). No interior ect. is needed.
What year is best? Is there a difference on chassis strength between the two cars?? Are filler panels available to "fill-in" what is missing?? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

John Kelly · Post by **John Kelly** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 2:11 pm

Hi,

I've converted a ghia coupe to a convertible. It was way too much work, however it sounds as if you are talking about a roadster from your description. The convertible has an extra stiffner in the rocker panels, and a brace at the bottom of the windshield pillar (inside the sheetmetal). Even so, the stock convertible is weak structurally, and benifits from a roll bar with side impact bars. See my web site for a Ghia roadster with a short lexan windshield. If you are actually going to convert a coupe to a convertible, and need the parts, let me know. I have them.

Cheers, John www.ghiaspcialties.com

John Kelly · Post by **John Kelly** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 2:12 pm

Oops, bad URL! Try www.ghiaspecialties.com

BBRaceGuy · Post by **BBRaceGuy** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 2:51 pm

Thanks for the info, it sounds quite "do-able" if all I need to do is add some stiffeners. Should be easy for a race car with a roll cage. I guess it will be roadster as I will never need a top for it.

Great roadster and those metal flare's I'd kill for! Seattle is close too... by spring I should be ready, I'll contact direct then.

Any road racer's out there with good websites, information on racing these things?? I see alot of drag racers but not much for roadcourses?? I won't keep up with Sunbeam Tiger's we have here but the MG's should be no problem!!

Travis · Post by **Travis** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 3:37 pm

Who/What sanction are you planning to run with? Some classes of the SCCA and others are fairly strict as to what you can and can't race and what can and can't be done to the car if you want to compete. You might want to check into all that before you get armpit deep into your project.

Aside from that and assuming you have a pretty bad condition car you are planning to hack up, (need we tell you that the Ghia Gods don't look kindly on cutting up a primo vintage automobile) making it for the cool-toy factor sounds like a great plan to me

I got as far as cutting the roof off of a SB and doing a little body work before deciding it was more than I though it would be.

Good Luck

Travis

------------------
The Story of a Ghia

[This message has been edited by Travis (edited 09-06-2001).]

nicanor · Post by **nicanor** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 4:04 pm

http://www.bgwspectre.com Go to this site. They make roadster kits for VWs with chopped windshileds or stock size.

BBRaceGuy · Post by **BBRaceGuy** » Fri Sep 07, 2001 11:19 pm

They are pretty lax up here with the rules(Western Canada), no trophies, no prize money, its just a good time and the more vintage racers the better. Just don't put a FORD into your VW, ect.. The club goes by the SCCA rules, but more importantly we go by the philosphy of vintage racing, have fun don't crash your MG/ whatever into the GT-40 ect (big $$).

It would exclude me from those great U.S. races tracks like Elkhart, Laguna, ect. but hey that's what race car #2 (someday) is for.

I wouldn't dare cut up a complete ghia (offend the gods and all that), and I am currently looking for a suitable "stripped car/ parts car" in the Western Canada/ Upper U.S. area if any of you are wanting to unload.