C-Body Question?

[greasemonkeyman]

Just out of curiosity,I was wondering if there is any difference in the body structure between a coupe and convertible,specifically a 1967-68 body style.Just was curious if anyone's ever taken a coupe and created a convertible out of it? I'm assuming that the convertible body was stamped with more reinforcement to the body structure but does anyone know the differences? And why didn't Chrysler ever make a convertible New Yorker in 1967,when they had a Newport and 300 available?

 

[detmatt]

There hadn't been a NY vert since '61 and I think it was based on demand. There's really no difference in the structure of the vert compared to a coupe I don't think.

 

[greasemonkeyman]

So,if someone would want to do some major reconstruction they would be able to turn a coupe into a convertible? I'm sure this wouldn't be cost effective though,unless you happened to have a convertible parts car,some good welding skills and a lot of time on your hands!

 

[commando1]

Please don't give anybody any ideas.......

 

[bluefury361]

So,if someone would want to do some major reconstruction they would be able to turn a coupe into a convertible? I'm sure this wouldn't be cost effective though,unless you happened to have a convertible parts car,some good welding skills and a lot of time on your hands!

With the above being said ...... It could be done. Best senareo would be to have a convertible parts car. Most of the sheetmetal unique to a convertible were panels to adapt a coupe body to a convertible.
I once had a complete 69 300 convertible parts car and concidered converting a 71 300 coupe I had access to ..... Better judgement and good sense prevailed.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

Their useta be ah guy in Houston that bought red paint in 55 gallon drumz and tried that with ah few 300 letter carz. He might have been released from the Gray Bar Hotel by now for altering and swapping vinz, but I'm pretty sure he'z doing other thingz to keep beenz in the pot now! Unfortunatly theirz ah few carz out there that even the FBI didn't know about and those ownerz to this day think they've got one off convertz!

 

[mr. fix it]

I think the vert side rails are quite a bit heavier than the coupe/hardtops since the verts don't have a lid to help with the structural strength of the unibody box

 

[detmatt]

By side rails do you meen thr rocker assembly?

 

[Stormer]

:chain saw:

There's a guy on facebook who chopped the top off of a 69 Imperial coupe.....

 

[detmatt]

Yet another reason to hate Facebook.

 

[vdk2010]

:chain saw:

There's a guy on facebook who chopped the top off of a 69 Imperial coupe.....

Do you have pics or the name?

 

[Ironwolf]

Yet another reason to hate Facebook.

Since when did we need a reason ??? :yes_no:

 

[vdk2010]

Found it, if you meant this one?! Seems to be a donor car.



I only know this one.



On Overhaulin', they cut a roof off of a thunderbird. Maybe you find some interesting facts in this episode.

 

[Ironwolf]

Hmmm I wonder if the convertible roof from a 69 Sport fury would / could be adapted ?? :icon_scratch:

 

[MrMoparCHP]

I think the vert side rails are quite a bit heavier than the coupe/hardtops since the verts don't have a lid to help with the structural strength of the unibody box

I do not think this is the case. Convertibles are strong enough on their own, coupes are stronger and sedans are stronger yet.
Aside from the convertible top well and related crossbracing as far as i know there are only some additional gussets and boxing of some areas. So basicaly anything that is common one the cars is.

Alan

 

[mr. fix it]

By side rails do you meen thr rocker assembly?

Yes the rocker panels.. they are re-enforced to add rigidity to the body.

 

[greasemonkeyman]

Well,the good thing would be that if you've got a car with a badly rotted roof and a convertible parts car,you now have two options....turn it into a full time roadster or make a convertible out of it using a good parts car.Does anyone know if the side rockers were heavier for sure? Or is this just a guess? Anyone have a mopar body parts manual from the factory showing a part number or numbers of their being two separate rockers? I would think they would use a beefier structure for the convertible but they seem to be a pretty stiff structure already considering they only have a front subframe and the rear 3/4 of the car is unibody.

 

[detmatt]

I think that they're not different and I do have a '68 parts book so I'll have a look when I get a chance. I do know there's no difference in the B & E bodies.

 

[Stormer]

Found it, if you meant this one?! Seems to be a donor car.

View attachment 23946

That's the one. I don't know the gentleman but I just joined the Imperial group on facebook & he's there. He says that he intends to complete it...

He also has several other 69 Imps.

 

[greasemonkeyman]

Here's an interesting thought that came to mind......what about taking a two door hardtop(67-68 fastop) and grafting a shortened four door roof in it's place.That might give the car a stranger,more formal look to those two door coupes.You'd need to fabricate some kind of special side glass for the rear quarter window.I think the door glass would stay the same unless the formal roofline(windshield) is at a different angle than the coupe.Otherwise,maybe it can be grafted just aft of the front A-pillar posts.Now,that might look interesting(sort of like the 65-66 Coupe roofline. It would become a 67-68 two door coupe formal roofline.I'm sure the factory must have done prototypes of this idea back then. Why,you say?......because the mind is a terrible thing!