To convert or not to convert?

[jrnorton4]

Hi everybody:
Got a question. I have an 82 crossfire vette, runs and drives good, great car. Gonna need front and rear bumper covers before too long, was set up in the sun before I got it and they started waving, now paint is peeling. I have always loved a 69 convertible, and have begun debating with myself about chopping the whole back end off and putting on one from a 69 convertible, then changing up the front end to look like a 69 too. I know it will be alot of work, but I think I would be happier with the car when it was done. Am I nuts for wanting to cut on a good car? Will the 69 back end match up right? Sorry to ask dumb questions, but this is my first vette.

 

[bill81vette]

I've never heard of someone making a '69 out of the '82
I suppose you could try and take the 2 bodies and make it work.....
however you should keep in mind that the 82 didn't have chrome bumpers...

 

[6880 Mike]

Nuts might be a bit far, but this type of swap is much more involved and expensive than you think it might be.

...Will the 69 back end match up right?...

No and niether will the front clip. Almost everything between these two models years is different. The 69 was early in the C3 run, the 82 was the last example. The type of fiberglass used on the two cars also changed.

You can purchase the 69 and 82 assembly instruction manuals and literally compare the two cars.

My advice would be to sell your 82 and purchase the 69 you want.

 

[TimAT]

OR go back and rework the 82 to fix the bumper covers and give her a nice new coat of paint. For what you'll spend either converting it back to a 69 (big bucks) or buying a good 69(even bigger bucks), you could repaint, AND do a heart/lung transplant on the 82.

 

[jrnorton4]

Thanks for the replies guys. Been looking at other options since I posted this, and I think I have decided to keep her an 82. However, I am seriously considering making it a convertible or changing the back deck to a 73 style with removable rear glass. Going to plan on new bumper covers and one or the other of these rear deck mods. Hardly seems worth cutting it up just to make it a coupe again though. Anybody got any experience with either of these?

 

[Bob Heine]

Thanks for the replies guys. Been looking at other options since I posted this, and I think I have decided to keep her an 82. However, I am seriously considering making it a convertible or changing the back deck to a 73 style with removable rear glass. Going to plan on new bumper covers and one or the other of these rear deck mods. Hardly seems worth cutting it up just to make it a coupe again though. Anybody got any experience with either of these?

If you want to do the convertible conversion, you might want to visit Sports Cars Unlimited in Panama City. Their site has a page on the convertible conversion: David Steele , Panama City, Convertible Corvette Conversion

If you want to graft the removable rear window onto your '82, you 'll need a '72 or earlier donor piece. The '73-77 have fixed backlite windows.

 

[6880 Mike]

...I am seriously considering making it a convertible...

Also extremely expensive and more involved than you think.

...or changing the back deck to a 73 style with removable rear glass...

Better take another look.

 

[JohnZ]

However, I am seriously considering making it a convertible or changing the back deck to a 73 style with removable rear glass.

Either option will cost more in parts and labor than the car is worth now, and will devalue it to far less than it's worth now. :eyerole

 

[frank_nesta]

It is not as crazy as you think. I am just about complete converting my 1977 into a convertible. I had mine converted at The Fiberglass Body in Hawthorne, CA. Scott Kenning and his team did the work for the cost about $7000.00 not including Paint. See Attched Photo.

 

[topless82vette]

My 82 was converted for around 1100.00 ... Bought a 74 rear clip and a 69-75 hard top. I never have liked the soft top so while it has provisions to mount it I never added one. It isn't that hard to do.

 

[uncleo]

Greetings from Long Branch NJ,Americas first seashore resort and 7 time US summer capital....Hey jrnorton 4 check out Custom Image Corvettes for Chrome Bumper conversion kits....may be what you are looking for.
Lee

 

[minifridge1138]

It is your car, you're free to do whatever you'd like to it.

I think having a professional shop do the work is the way to go, if you decide to do that.

It's very unlikely you'd ever be able to get your money back if you decide to sell the car.

Have fun and good luck!!!