Saloon to Convertible.

[youngcamper]

I've just Won a nice early '63 2 door on ebay which looks like it needs some welding its completely dismantled and It could've easily gone to the scrappers. After Lily I'll be doing her up and I am looking into making her into a convertible, what are the key things you have to do ? and how much would something like that cost?


Cheers,

Will

[cadetchris]

http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=4503

these people do the complete kit for converting a moggy

[ASL642]

Kit is roughly £800 which includes the metal strengthening panels that need welding under the dash and down the windscreen and B posts. You will have to "chop" the roof yourself and locate the top rail from a doner convertible which will then have to be welded onto the top of the chopped windscreen.

[youngcamper]

What are peoples opinions on the sill strengthening pieces? they look pretty flimsy compared to ones found in a real convertible.

Cheers,

Will

[cadetchris]

presumably if they are welded in properly then they will be as strong as the originals

[rayofleamington]

the biggest issue for strength is the total strength of the sills.
The original had double skin inner step and an extra channel section inside the sill - this is often in a poor state on original convertibles and the car will sag in the middle. As it gets worse the doors wont close!

When making a post-production convertible you will need to do a sound job on the sills as these will be under a massive amount more stress than on a saloon.

[MarkyB]

they look pretty flimsy compared to ones found in a real convertible.

Are you saying they are thinner gauge metal?

Most of the strength in car body panels comes from the shape created when they are welded together.
Consider the difference in stiffness between a sheet of steel and a box section.

[youngcamper]

I could well be wrong but looking at them they don't look all that substantial, I guess if they are sold they should do the job but this isn't always the case.

I will be checking the Sills and making sure they are in sound condition prior to fitting the strengtheners.

Has anybody used them? what are the results like?


Cheers,

Will