making a hard top into a convertible

[californiadoug]

I am interested in making a convertible out of my 70 Cuda and was wondering the cost for materials. Is there a kit? And is it very labor intensive. I restore Chargers  but have obviously never made one into a convertible... well once I did but it was temporary. 

[Carlwalski]

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay.


It's your car and all but don't be surprised to get bashed for doing this. Cudas are rare cars and to permanently chop the head off one is just sad and wrong in my personal opinion. Unless, it's totally rooted and the roof is like cheese. Please think about it before pursuing this idea any further. Have you thought about actually buying a rag top project car? I know they're not cheap but bargains can be found and it's better for the car + hobby.

[Aussie Challenger]

     If you do intend to go ahead with the topless version of the Cuda I think you will find to do it right it will cost more than starting out with convertable in the first place. Try swapping or selling your Cuda and put the money towards a convertable.   

[torredcuda]

To do it rigth and find and buy all the parts will probably cost you as much if not more than finding a decent `vert to start with.If it`s a rusted out 318 car then go for it but please don`t hack up a real `cuda. 

[backtobasics]

I know of a 73 Challenger "roadster"
Roof was Swiss cheese.  So he put a rollbar in it, subframe connectors, and wrapped the vinyl on windshield frame.  Plum crazy, with 4 speed.

It was an awesome cruiser in nice weather, but would suck if caught in the rain.

[GCC]

I owned both a hardtop and convertible Barracuda; they are quite different.  The conversion can be done, but it is extensive.  The rear inner wheel houses are unique; there are stiffening rails inside of the rockers; the doors/door jambs have a 2-piece brass striker for flexing/vibration; the rear interior panels are different; the top windshield frame may need screw mounts for the top latches; the rear view mirror is different.

[californiadoug]

For some reason I thought Cuda hardtops were commonly made into convertibles since there seems to be alot of them online for sale and they often say clones. Maybe the sellers are talking about the 440 or hemi motors and not the convertible part of the car. Didn't mean to step on any toes and will not make it a convertible. Like you all said, better to find a fixer convertible and sell this one that I got. I found a fixer convertible for the mid $20k price. Is that about average?

[73Chally]

You are correct about the clone term.  They are saying that with regards to turning a 318 original hardtop into a 440, etc.  I have seen a couple instances where a roadster was made from a hardtop, but never a conertible from a hardtop.  I'm not saying its never been done, but would be huge  .

[cudaguy71]

I am interested in making a convertible out of my 70 Cuda and was wondering the cost for materials. Is there a kit? And is it very labor intensive. I restore Chargers  but have obviously never made one into a convertible... well once I did but it was temporary. 

Here is a link of the people that have done the e-body convesions...
http://www.convertible-conversions.com/

Eddie

[A R T]

You are correct about the clone term.  They are saying that with regards to turning a 318 original hardtop into a 440, etc.  I have seen a couple instances where a roadster was made from a hardtop, but never a conertible from a hardtop.  I'm not saying its never been done, but would be huge  .

We had a customer in with a very very badly rusted 71 Challenger Convertible. He LOVED this car, and had just inherited some ca$h. Our estimate to repair the metal on his car was north of 15K. He was devastated at that. We offered him an alternative, Find a donor car, then take his convertible parts and put them on the donor car. We found a slant six, hardtop in New York, brought it in, and started cutting. Back then (1997) our labor rate was $50/hr. We spent 110 hours between the 2 cars. It wasnt that difficult, seeing we had the 2 cars side by each. I dont think I would/could do it today, but 11 years ago, it was not that big a deal.