CONVERTING A CAR INTO A CONVERTIBLE: Any experiences with this? Reccomendations in the Muncie, IN area?

Question

I know they do many of these conversions in Mexico (even auto manufacturers have many models converted there), but I am too far from there & it wouldn't be feasible. I want to have a Volkswagen Golf TDI (diesel) made into a a Cabrio, since this combo was never offered in the USA. I believe this should be an easier conversion to make, since all the parts would be availible from a stock VW Cabrio (which IS a Golf) & therefore can be purchased from VW. Any suggestions?

I want a diesel convertible for the 50 mpg benefits (plus want to do the waste vegetable oil 'greasecar' thing) ...if you can name any stock, available convertible that achieves that, let me know!

Answer 1

Do you want a safe car?. There are seven main welded brackets between a convertible and a non-convertible that stops the body from expanding when you don't have a top. Because this is a unibody--they can not be cut out of old ones and still be good. I really question about the guy cutting up "Bugs"--he is ether leaving out a lot of information about the kits--or most likely used his arm over the door to hold the doors on. " Cal Buggy Works" in Santee, Ca in the late 1970's also made chop tops--but they had to weld in brackets before they cut the top off. So that they had the same stiffening that my convertible Bug had when it was made.
The VW Cabrio is a true convertible--was made to be one from when the floor was being welded together. Not like the Ford Mustangs prior to the recent body change-or others that are pulled off the assembly line and converted.
It would be cheaper to buy a VW Cabrio with a blown engine and transfer your drive train,fuel, and exhaust system---and end up with a descent car. ---or if you don't really care, have SAWS-ALL will travel.
last but not least--what is wrong with a newer VW bug convert. with a diesel (TDI). those you can find here. You won't have to mangle anything, better resale value, safer to drive..........................

Answer 2

Yes - but the only practical way is to have a donor convertible. I recently helped in converting a '66 Mustang hard top into a convertible - with the help of a '65 convertible donor car which was clearly beyond any restoration attempt. I doubt that it would have ever been completed if the countless necessary parts had to be hunted down and obtained. The undercarriage and rocker panels on the hardtop also need to be braced and boxed with additional metal - (much the same as the original convertible.)

Answer 3

Removing the top from a car that came with one weakens the structure and makes it crappy to drive. Factory convertibles have internal reinforcements that cannot just be added on. Even so, they are not as strong as a the equivalent hardtop.

That is why most convertibles are heavier than the same car with a hardtop. Just buy a convertible if you really want one.

Answer 4

actually it is pretty easy to make a car into a convertable i used to chop the tops off of vw beetles for a company in california that made them convertable we could have a car a day done easy. if you can get all the parts then get them and take lots off measurements or find a body shop in your area to do it

Answer 5

The only question I have is why spend as much converting a vehicle to a convertible as it would cost you to buy another make/model that IS a convertible??? It would cost a lot more than you think...

Answer 6

In the movies they drive real fast under a low I beam or truck trailer and shear off the top (i.e. Smokey and the Bandit). You may not want to do it this way because it is not be safe, but it does seem to be quick.

Answer 7

if you absolutely need it , find the body you want with trashed mechanicals and swap , it will be safer than a conversion to a cabrio.

Answer 8

i have no recomendations.