damnyankee36
Member
Posts: 121

Reg: 04-16-03
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11-09-21 02:47 PM - Post#2830523
I'm at a bit of a conundrum. My wife loves the 70-73 models. She also loves T-tops.
Soooo, do I find a 78 and up and convert it to a 70-73 or find a 70-73 and graft in a T-top roof?
I am well aware of the difficulty of a late to early conversion as far the rear body is concerned although I am not gonna worry about installing the small rear window. I also don't plan on converting the interior.
I am wondering what the structural reinforcements are on a T-top car. If it's just the roof that's reinforced that might be a plus if I can find a T-top roof donor.
I'm not interested in discussing why I would "ruin" a perfectly good car to do this I just would like to get educated on what my options are and what I am up against. Once I get this preliminary research done I can decide if I even want to consider this project. If I can talk her into a non T-top car, problem solved!
Thanks!
Larry
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wagonman100
Site Ambassador
Posts: 15802
Loc: Baltimore, MD
Reg: 11-27-04
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11-10-21 09:58 AM - Post#2830573
In response to damnyankee36
I am no expert by any means but I can tell you what I believe. First off, Gearz is doing this very conversion with a later model T-top Camaro, so check it out. Secondly, I don’t believe there is any added structure to a T-top car that you wouldn’t be adding anyway by grafting on a T-top roof to a non T-top car. The only other structure that might be different that I can think of would be maybe the T-top cars had different inner rockers or an additional brace between the out and inner rockers. But I am doubting that considering the way these cars twist, especially with no tops in place. If you ever watched Smokey and the Bandit there is a scene near the end where he makes u-turn through a median and when the driver turns, the rear wheel actually leaves the ground the car twists so much.
Jay
Friends don’t let friends drive Fords.
1999 Silverado Z71 4X4 extra-cab short bed
1983 Malibu Fauxmad - tubbed
1978 El Camino Kustomized
1972 Monte Carlo
1957 210 handyman wagon
1957 Nomad sport wagon
1957 Cameo Carrier |
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Tony1963
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2448
Loc: Orlando Florida
Reg: 07-09-18
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11-10-21 01:13 PM - Post#2830580
In response to damnyankee36
I am no expert here either, but from what I can remember, the roof panels are double-walled with an inner structural piece. When the T tops are cut in, there is a frame welded in that holds the seals in place that effectively bonds the two panels.
That's probably the extent of the structural integrity.
My recommendation is to go to a supplier who rebuilds T top panels and ask how those roof panels are reinforced differently. I'm guessing that the framework that I'm referring to is the extent of it.
People fear change because it threatens what they know, or what they claim to know. |
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BigDogSS
"16th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5138

Loc: SoCal
Reg: 12-21-01
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11-15-21 12:40 PM - Post#2830890
In response to Tony1963
All 1976-1981 Firebird and Camaros started out as coupes and the T-tops were cut in. But I'm pretty sure no welding was involved due to the T-tops being install after the car was painted.
I'm helping to restore a 1976 Trans Am 50th Anniversary LE with Hurst Hatch T-tops. For the Hurst Hatches, there is a metal U-shaped piece that is pinched between the inner and outer structure. about ¾" wide by eighth inch thick. This piece is not welded to the car. No other structural changes were made to the car.
Fisher T-tops are different and I do not know much about those, except I understand they had better latches.
You could gather all of the parts and have the T-tops installed on your existing roof. I think I'd prefer the Fisher T-Tops
1967 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible 327 - Ermine White C1 - VCCA Senior Award
1967 Chevrolet Impala SS Sport Coupe 396 - Marina Blue FF - personal "barn-find" lol
1965 Chevrolet Malibu 4D Wagon |
Edited by BigDogSS on 11-15-21 12:56 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Tony1963
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2448
Loc: Orlando Florida
Reg: 07-09-18
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11-17-21 02:05 AM - Post#2830964
In response to BigDogSS
Yeah, good point about the non-welding.
People fear change because it threatens what they know, or what they claim to know. |
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