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Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:38 am
by 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
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:40 am
by cadetchris
http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=4503
these people do the complete kit for converting a moggy
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:12 pm
by 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.
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:06 pm
by youngcamper
What are peoples opinions on the sill strengthening pieces? they look pretty flimsy compared to ones found in a real convertible.
Cheers,
Will
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 5:26 pm
by cadetchris
presumably if they are welded in properly then they will be as strong as the originals
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 5:33 pm
by 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.
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:00 pm
by 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.
Re: Saloon to Convertible.
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:20 pm
by 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