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Convertible Drag Cars

Frustration

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Thought this might be an interesting thread. I am putting a '64 Fury together for my son. It's a 'vert. I've been looking for photos of similar cars for fun. Anyone have some good pics of convertibles doing their thing? This one's a 440-4 speed. Street/Strip.
Fury original purchase.jpg
Maiden voyage.JPG
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Fury final steps.JPG
vert with Cragars.JPG
 
They are real easy to install a roll bar into!! :D Had a 67 Belvedere rag top and gave it a hard thought before deciding that I already had too many projects and sold it.
 
Love it - got a 67 Belvedere convertible that I'm working on now
 
I think your son's car is INCREDIBLE!

I've drag raced a couple convertibles & the BIG limitation on the track is you need at least a 5-point (or 6-point) roll bar when you go faster than 13.50sec in the 1/4-mile in a convertible. In a hardtop car, you don't need a roll bar until faster than 11.50sec in the 1/4-mile.

Can't remember the exact time break, but down to some point (ET=?) your roll bar can be "bolted in" if it's welded to a 6"x6" steel plate on top, which bolts to a 6"x6" steel plate under the floor.

I've considered making a "removable" roll bar for a convertible using the steel plates. Could you build a "un-bolt & lift-out" roll bar for a convertible & use a driver-side (or both sides) removable "swing-out" side bar?

It would be interesting to lower the top, remove the back seat & snap-in boot well, bolt in the main hoop/back braces. Then install the swing-out side bar & put the top back up...done. Reverse order to remove the roll bar & re-install the back seat. All you'd have "extra" on the car is the driver's swing-out bar's hinge by the kick panel. Is this even possible by NHRA rules?

The tough part is figuring out how to install the back braces with a convertible top in the way.
 
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Thanks Beeper. I have an old Lakewood 3-point bar I was considering welding into the car. My concern is for him while driving on the street. Get rearended...get a head injury! I considered the bolt-in route. Not sure what to do. We have a dedicated N/SS car, and my road runner/street car runs low 11's. I may just leave it a streeter. I'll see if I can find the photos of the Lakewood bar in the car. I definately don't plan to race it on a regular basis, but I'd like to try it once or twice to see how it runs.
 
Here are some photos from the build process. As you can see, it was no "peach" when I purchased it for $200 and rescued it from the crusher. I wanted no parts of a 'vert for the reasons mentioned above concerning racing. I'll see if I can find some of my saved photos as well.
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I raced a 65 Fury convertible. Besides a rollbar, Frame Connectors!!
I had metal cracks in the firewall from the car flexing (12.35 in quarter) before I had frame connectors. I had a removable 3 point rollbar just for the track.
 
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Street car. 4 point. Legs welded to 6X6 plates and then plates welded to rockers and wheel tubs. Main reason was to enable use of 3 point seat belts. A lap belt made me feel unsecured on the bench seat. The cross bar removes for access to the rear seat. The top functions fine. Purchased all parts from Alston. No way is this a legal NHRA bar. And, yes, I always wear a crash helmet when I drive my car...
 
Love the red 'vert! Nice job on the roll bar. Very clean! Beautiful interior as well.
 
Tom you might remember the one in my Avatar... Lost all pics years back when my PC crashed..
 
QuickBpBp is this Brett M? Thought I recognized the car. Haven't seen it in years!
 
QuickBpBp is this Brett M? Thought I recognized the car. Haven't seen it in years!

Yep been sitting for years, life gets in the way with two boys and having to go into business for yourself when you lose your job after decades of being at the same one limits things also...
Found the pic of the framed pic. Credit Track Photographer Bob Stone who passed away awhile ago..
1964 Polara.JPG
 
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Those Furys are really great looking "older" cars.
Congratulations to the OP on getting a good deal and turning it into a really GREAT car.
Man-440 4 speed, beautiful old school look and a drop top to boot!
 
I remember back when my buddy had a Pontiac Leman's vert running like 12.0's on motor with no roll bar. Track told us to slow down. Last pass of the day he said hell with and sprayed it. Went 10.70''s and we got kicked out.
 
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