Can a 70 RR coupe/ht be converted to a convertible?

[NJRR]

Anyone know if this was done or can be done? What is involved? I know that the convertibles had some frame stiffening but what else is different? I'm pretty sure hood, fenders, doors, trunk, bumpers are interchangeable. What about the quarters? Is it just a matter of cutting off the top, finishing/trimming out the quarters, stiffening/reinforcing the frame, and installing the convertible top and needed parts? Thoughts?

 

[Richard Cranium]

Anything can be done, but what you are proposing isn't financially practical. Think of cutting up two 10 dollar bills (front and rear) and gluing all the numbers and pictures onto a 1 dollar bill and trying to pass that 1 dollar bill as a 10 dollar bill.

Makes no sense, does it?

 

[NJRR]

Anything can be done, but what you are proposing isn't financially practical. Think of cutting up two 10 dollar bills (front and rear) and gluing all the numbers and pictures onto a 1 dollar bill and trying to pass that 1 dollar bill as a 10 dollar bill.

Makes no sense, does it?

Lousy analogy. If you want a 70 convertible which are hard to come by and don't care about originality, a conversion might be viable. It would look, drive and function like a convertible. Call it a resto-mod. My question was more to the details of the actual conversion.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Lousy analogy. If you want a 70 convertible which are hard to come by and don't care about originality, a conversion might be viable. It would look, drive and function like a convertible. Call it a resto-mod. My question was more to the details of the actual conversion.

If you (now) don't care about originality, then find a decent Satellite convertible and just slap on Road Runner emblems, but don't butcher a higher value Road Runner and chop it all up.

Lousy analogy, pfffft!

 

[moparnation74]

I would find a viable convertible body and convert from that point versus butchering a solid car. Convertible parts are near impossible to find to boot and parts will be more of a challenge than finding a convertible body that may have the majority of those parts......

 

[1967coronet440]

Sure it can be done, real question is do you have the tools, skills, and the finances to do it.

 

[Bruzilla]

There used to be a member on here who converted a 70 into a convertible Superbird. Who was that?

 

[NJRR]

There used to be a member on here who converted a 70 into a convertible Superbird. Who was that?

Are you talking about Moparstuart? I thought his started out as a convertible.

 

[tnfastback]

Not Mine
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Plymouth-Satellite-/132161681102

 

[NJRR]

Not Mine
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Plymouth-Satellite-/132161681102

That's been on ebay a few times. It would cost $18k to get it to me before any restoration. That's a pretty high starting point.

 

[NJRR]

If you (now) don't care about originality, then find a decent Satellite convertible and just slap on Road Runner emblems, but don't butcher a higher value Road Runner and chop it all up.

Lousy analogy, pfffft!

If you compare a 70RR and a 70RR/Sat convertible in the same condition, the value for the convertible will be higher. Also, the number of 70 RR/Sat convertibles was under 2000 made combined. So, not easy finding either one for cheap. We can debate the philosophy of whether or not to do it all day, but that was not the intent of my post.

That all being said, anyone have any input on the actual process of doing that type of conversion? Specifically, parts interchangability? Frame differences and modification required?

PS- RC, totally ridiculous, off the mark analogy!

 

[Richard Cranium]

I think you need to talk to this guy....

 

[kiwigtx]

There was an Aussie Valiant (Dodge Dart / A-Body) over here a few years ago. Never a convertible from the factory, but someone built it locally. Haven't seen it for a while now. Not sure how well it was built, or if it survives to this day.
I think a better proposition would be to find a Convertible body to start with, and clone from there.....just my opinion.
There are occasionally rough convertibles for sale on the bay.

 

[garrett1308]

You'd need to cut the roof and B/C pillars out. Strengthen the frame, factory convertibles had front and rear torqueboxes (will further strengthen the frame in my 70 rr droptop don't want any flex). Your wheel well houses will need to be modified to fit the convertible, (can get more info on that later, modifying a set from AMD to replace my rotted ones). Modify the rail above your windshield to allow for a top to latch down. Find a top (good luck finding one...). Get, route, and wire in the hydraulics. Make some mounts to for the top. Shorten your back seat width wise so the top can fold down. Cut the package tray out. Weld in a support for the top. modify your Dutchmen panel to allow the top to rise up.

There's likely a lot more, have hardly started doing my convertible, may be able to provide you with more info as time goes on. Will be more than happy to get you pictures if you need them.

 

[Mark B]

Probably the toughest part would be the rockers. Convertibles had considerably thicker rockers to help strengthen the body.

 

[eldubb440]

the most practical way would include a convertible donor car....... and at that point, you just rebuild the donor

 

[NJRR]

You'd need to cut the roof and B/C pillars out. Strengthen the frame, factory convertibles had front and rear torqueboxes (will further strengthen the frame in my 70 rr droptop don't want any flex). Your wheel well houses will need to be modified to fit the convertible, (can get more info on that later, modifying a set from AMD to replace my rotted ones). Modify the rail above your windshield to allow for a top to latch down. Find a top (good luck finding one...). Get, route, and wire in the hydraulics. Make some mounts to for the top. Shorten your back seat width wise so the top can fold down. Cut the package tray out. Weld in a support for the top. modify your Dutchmen panel to allow the top to rise up.

There's likely a lot more, have hardly started doing my convertible, may be able to provide you with more info as time goes on. Will be more than happy to get you pictures if you need them.

Garrett- This is the kind of info I was talking about. Are you restoring a 70? Pictures would be great, especially of any frame work/torque boxes. Is the quarter on the convertible the same as on the HT, with just the pillar removed? I guess the Dutchmen Panel has to be cut for the convertible boot molding. It really doesn't seem like that much modification and fabrication. Thanks for the insight. Do you have a build thread for your restore?

 

[conv67bdere]

Probably the toughest part would be the rockers. Convertibles had considerably thicker rockers to help strengthen the body.

Add a set of frame connectors ( like I did to my convertible ) for additional longitudinal body strength . . .
also added rocker to rocker ( with built in drive shaft loop ) connectors too.

 

[NJRR]

the most practical way would include a convertible donor car....... and at that point, you just rebuild the donor

I sold my first 70 Satty convertible to a guy not far from me about 20 years ago. It was all rotted out back then. I think he still has it in his yard. I think it would be useful as a donor car but not as a rebuild, too far gone.

 

[NJRR]

Add a set of frame connectors ( like I did to my convertible ) for additional longitudinal body strength . . .
also added rocker to rocker ( with built in drive shaft loop ) connectors too.

Are these available aftermarket or do they have to be fabbed?