C-Body Question?

[greasemonkeyman]

I found these two pics of a Newport on the internet.Anyone good with photoshop? How about grafting that four door roof onto that convertible to make it a two door formal roofline coupe ( ala Imperial Coupe)?

 

[has2bmopar]

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. 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?

Yes they are different.

The convertible has different inner rear wheel houses and an additional crossmember between them.

Also I believe the rear spring hangers are boxed in like the Hemi cars.

Also as Matt stated there are several years that New Yorker didn't have a convertible. On the full size I believe '61 would be the last.

They also to my knowledge didn't have a New Yorker 2dr ht from '62-'64...

Here again... $800 without the wheels. Needs 2 floor pans and some quarter work as far as rust goes.

 

[detmatt]

I will stand corrected, I have been informed that the rockers, among other parts were stamped out of heavier gauge metal for the convertibles and likely all convertibles.Thanks CLover! I will never stop learning.

 

[greasemonkeyman]

I would have to think they would beef up the undercarriage for removing the top.Boxing things in makes sense.I guess they were pretty rigid bodies for their day,considering the rear 2/3 of the car is unibody.I would wonder if other parts of the sheetmetal is also thicker,not just the rockers.I can understand the rear inner wheelwells being different to accomedate the lowered to.Does anyone have any pics of the undercarriage to show some comparisons?

 

[detmatt]

The A pillars may have been the heavier gauge as well, I'll check my parts book for '68 tomorrow.

 

[polara71]

everyone talks about the extra bracing on a ragtop compared to a hardtop. I havent seen anything different under my cars to prove this theory

 

[commando1]

everyone talks about the extra bracing on a ragtop compared to a hardtop. I havent seen anything different under my cars to prove this theory

I too, have heard the thicker gauge rocker story. I don't think that would be readily apparent just by looking at them.

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[polara71]

Yes they are different.

The convertible has different inner rear wheel houses

Thats right........... they are "flat topped" for the top to set on to

 

[vdk2010]

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.

Found the group! I hope he will complete the car! Not many left of them...

 

[greasemonkeyman]

OK,who's going to be willing to torch out a piece of their rocker panel to prove this theory on thickness? s_dancing2:

 

[bulldogchesty]

I have my convertible cut for rust repair. Where do you want me to measure.

 

[commando1]

You can't...

 

[bulldogchesty]

Maybe the other side.

 

[bluefury361]

I referenced the 69 parts book on Cbody rocker panels. Interesting.
Plymouth, dodge & Chryslers used a different part. The Plymouth & Dodge convertibles each used a unique part # and the Chrysler convertible & hardtop shared a part number.
A side sill inner panel reinforcement was the same on all model P,D,C & Y.

There is no special torque boxes listed for convertibles.

Of course there were several additional body reinforcements, braces & parts used in convertibles

 

[detmatt]

I found the same in the '68 parts book. The inner and outer rockers have the same part # for coupes and convertibles.

 

[cm23uoc]

I could imagine hardtop coupe and convertible rockers still to be thicker than regular sedans; after all the missing b-pillar on the hardtops is a weaker structure than post sedans. I know of such practice with some European hardtops.

 

[Mr C]

The 69-70 Chrysler convertible used a different quarter panel than the 2 Dr hardtop. Where the body line kicks up by the rear side glass is a lot shorter on the convertible. On the Coupe (this line was two-toned on the Hurst) it kicks up behind the side glass.

 

[Mr C]

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.

That looks like a conversion of a Chrysler Newport or 300 convertible into an Imperial, not a chop job. You can see the convertible top mechanism and that he's swapping over the Imperial sheet metal. Ought to look great when it's done.

 

[Stormer]

That looks like a conversion of a Chrysler Newport or 300 convertible into an Imperial, not a chop job. You can see the convertible top mechanism and that he's swapping over the Imperial sheet metal. Ought to look great when it's done.

I asked him for some details & I'll let you know.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Can't believe they didn't build torque boxes since they can't be that difficult especially if you stamping all the pieces to a car.