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Old 10-13-2019, 01:52 PM   #1
thom
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Default Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

What all would be involved in converting a 28-29 Sport Coupe to a Cabriolet?
Probably won't, just thinking.
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Old 10-13-2019, 01:57 PM   #2
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

$$$$$$$$$$&$$$$$$$$

Sell your Sport Coupe and buy a nice Cabriolet.
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Old 10-13-2019, 02:02 PM   #3
Charlie Stephens
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

Simple 2 step process. Sell Sport Coupe, buy Cabriolet. Anything else is like trying to change a coupe to a roadster. A lot of work and you end up with something that is difficult to sell.

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Old 10-13-2019, 02:02 PM   #4
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

I cant seem to see any pictures ??
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Old 10-13-2019, 04:25 PM   #5
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by keyswitch1 View Post
I cant seem to see any pictures ??
Sleep on it !!
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Old 10-13-2019, 04:26 PM   #6
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

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Here is a photo of a Cabriolet and a Sport Coupe, use the recommended procedure in post #2 and #3
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1929_Ford_Model_A_68A_Cabriolet.jpg (35.7 KB, 74 views)
File Type: jpg Sport Coupe 3.jpg (176.9 KB, 72 views)
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Old 10-13-2019, 04:28 PM   #7
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

You could likely make it look “somewhat” like a cabby but way too many differences.
Most if the body parts at not even close to similar
WHN got it right lmho
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Old 10-13-2019, 05:29 PM   #8
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

The largest difference is the Ford coup pillar compared to the Fordor style pillar with the covered fuel tank and hood with extended belt line.

I think it could be done using the same basic design top and mechanism with the actual folding landau bars. This type of stuff would likely have to be fabricated since the dimensions are likely off between the sport coupe body and the cabriolet. The doors would have to be cut and modified for fully framed door glass as well. It would be a lot of work but would be a better idea than a coupster mod. Those things just never quite look right. A lift off hard top that looked like a sport coupe top might be another way to go but it would still basically be a coupster. I've seen similar cars on the HAMB.

The Brookville roadster body would likely cost a person less time, resources, and energy than converting a sport coupe body to a cabriolet. It's like climbing a mountain. Folks do it because it's not common. This forum doesn't have the tolerance for customs that the HAMB does but there are a few customizers that frequent here.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 10-13-2019 at 05:35 PM.
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Old 10-13-2019, 06:19 PM   #9
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

Like I said, I was just thinking. I wouldn't want to wind up with anything like (most) of the "stuff" I've seen on the HAMB.
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Old 10-13-2019, 06:56 PM   #10
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

I was just thinking this the other day. I had no idea there were so many differences in a sport coupe and the cabriolet. I just assumed the top came down on one and not the other.

I've never understood why they even made a sport coupe. It's weird how my fancy changes from one style A to the next the longer I'm in this hobby. Or is it a way of life??????????


Thom,,, Let me know when you wanna come up and change the gas gauge out. I'll solder the replacement float on for you also. It's a quick job once you've done one.
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Old 10-14-2019, 12:34 PM   #11
Gary Karr
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

Keep in mind that the Cabriolet bodies were manufactured by Briggs and completely different from the Ford built Sport Coupe bodies. The hoods, cowls, doors, subframe, and all around sheet metal are different as well as the top, windows, windshield, and on and on. As mentioned above, if you want a Cabriolet, buy one and leave your Sport Coupe as is.
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Old 10-14-2019, 01:20 PM   #12
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

The Cabriolet cars have extensive wood framing that supports the sheet metal and doors. The sheet metal is just an outer skin. The wood frame was built to hold the body to be more rigid while the top was down. The main bow in a sport coupe has a lot to do with keeping the body rigid. If a person substitutes a Cabriolet style main bow on the Sport Coupe type body, it may need some more steel in the body to beef things up a bit more for structural rigidity.

The roadster body belt line sets lower for that reason plus it has extra gussets at the B pillar to hold the door latching more rigid. It has small light weight doors. With the body lowered down, it had more structural metal behind the seat to hold the quarter panels better. Now a coupe body with no top would require something more to hold the heavier doors for latching and to keep the quarter panels from moving around. All that stuff would have to be considered.
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Old 10-14-2019, 01:52 PM   #13
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by 160B View Post
Here is a photo of a Cabriolet and a Sport Coupe, use the recommended procedure in post #2 and #3
Do you have a photo of the Cabriolet with the top up?

David Serrano
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Old 10-14-2019, 03:45 PM   #14
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

two much work.
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Old 10-14-2019, 04:44 PM   #15
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Default Re: Sport Coupe to Cabriolet conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by California Travieso View Post
Do you have a photo of the Cabriolet with the top up?

David Serrano
Here is a couple of photos.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20170520_121417 (2).jpg (90.6 KB, 39 views)
File Type: jpg 68B Andalusite Blue.jpg (89.9 KB, 36 views)
File Type: jpg $_58.jpg (92.8 KB, 37 views)
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