Can I make my '76 a Roadster ?

[dumptruckphil]

I have a kinda rough, but running '76, 4-speed that I would love to make an open car.

Can it be done ? What mods need to be done to maintain body &/or chassis integrity ? I'm not looking to have a working soft top, just an open car to use on nice days.

TIA for any advice I may get.

 

[jdp6000]

Yes you can make it a roadster. Biggest thing is to reinforce the frame underneath. Go to Ebay...find some roadsters with pics of the undercarriage and not the differences.

Also do a search on google for "how to" instructions. I seem to recall seeing something.

If you are going to do it you may as well go all the way. You still need to fibreglass in the body where you cut. You may as well get the lid and ragtop for it. The lid to use is off the pre 75 or was it the 74?...So is the ragtop and framing.

Jim

 

[TJay]

Anything can be done, but at what cost. You might be better off selling your coupe and buying a roadster. The equipment, time, knowledge & money, out weigh just buying.

 

[jdp6000]

tJay,

I know someone looking for a 1972 Sunflower yellow vette. Is yours a big block??? Interested in selling???

Jim

 

[TJay]

Jim, my 72 is a 350, 4sp, below is my 71 (WarBonnet Yellow) it's a 454, 4sp. Sorry neither are for sale at this time, but when I find a nice 69-72 Vert one will be sold. (both frame off completed) Thanks for asking.

Sorry dumptruckphil for highjacking your post.

 

[ahoover]

You might be better off selling your coupe and buying a roadster. The equipment, time, knowledge & money, out weigh just buying.

I agree, there should be fixer upper out there that will be less work than what you have planned. Roadsters also have reinforcements on both sides of the cowl behind the dash to minimize cowl shake.

 

[dumptruckphil]

Thanks everyone for your advice. This is strictly a low budget car and I see it may not be feasible to do.

 

[applevette]

Its your car, do what you want. I love the idea myself.

Ecklers sells the deck lid http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=31954&dept%5Fid=1434

You can weld in a roll bar to strengthen the frame.