Converting a 2-door

[Dominic]

Hi All
I'm considering buying a 2 door Minor, with a view to converting it to a convertible at a later date as funds allow.

I noticed that a "well known company in Bath" can do this job for about £2750. This assumes that the existing floor structure is strong enough. I thought that all conversions needed a strengthening section inside the sills, as well as under the corners of the dash.

Is it a relatively easy job for my local garage who have some experience in classics? Or should it be entrusted to a specialist garage?

What sort of costs are likely does anyone know?

Cheers,

Dom

[MrIan]

I'd personally take it to someone that has done convertible conversions before. You'd need to add strength to A and B posts or the car would buckle (seen that happen) , also cross bracing to stop front to rear twisting in the door gaps and maybe even bracing to stop scuttle shake which a lot of convertibles suffer with.

[bmcecosse]

If you can't do it yourself, then yes - take it to EXPERTS....... It's frankly unlikely the floor/sills etc will be strong enough, unless they have already been comprehensively replaced ? I would avoid ' Bath '...... But in any case, the 'funds' will never permit, so if you want a Convertible - better just to face up to it now, and buy one !

[Dominic]

Thanks Ian & Roy

Good advice. I was frankly surprised by the assumption by "Bath" that the floors and sills might be strong enough...
That lovely cathedral city in Kent convertible company have a nice example on their website right now... can anyone lend me £15k at 100% negative interest by any chance?

[ianmack]

I think the estimate given is not so much an assumption that The floors and sill will be good, more a ball park figure for the basis of the conversion, including the strengtheners which are included. Any and all repairs will no doubt be 'extra'.

[bmcecosse]

Be very aware of any 'extras'..there have been some sad stories.......

[Dominic]

Be very aware of any 'extras'..there have been some sad stories.......

There's a wonderful book called "The Honeywood File" and it's sequel "The Honeywood Settlement" (H.B.Cresswell) - about the building of a house - with many examples of "extras" which cause untold misery.
Written in the form of the architect's notes, with annotations by the author, a very funny read.
My recently departed father, a fine architect of the old school, introduced me to them.
Be it cars or houses, the moral is the same, get everything agreed in writing!
PS Do try and read the books, very entertaining!