Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible
03-07-2003, 09:50 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible
what exactly would be involved? new rear "shell", modified/new doors, new windshield? I think one of the places chevy missed the boat was by not making a 78 pace car in a convertible in 1978. Would love to hear your thoughts.
JimBRO
JimBRO
03-07-2003, 09:57 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
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Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
This is what I am after
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168
half a continent away!
JimBRO
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168
half a continent away!
JimBRO
03-07-2003, 10:15 AM
#3
Safety Car
Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
Your gonna cut up a pace car? Why not just buy a plain jane '78 and build a convertible replica? Value of the end result would be about the same and you save a pace car.
I must admit, that is a great look and well worth doing.
Hans
[Modified by Wrencher, 7:16 AM 3/7/2003]
I must admit, that is a great look and well worth doing.
Hans
[Modified by Wrencher, 7:16 AM 3/7/2003]
03-07-2003, 10:21 AM
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Burning Brakes
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Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (Wrencher)
Really like the color combination for one. Silver interior with shark blue/silver exterior.
But your right, I could find any 78-82 and modify it and give it the same color combination, but this would would already be there :yesnod:
Not sure who did this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168
But your right, I could find any 78-82 and modify it and give it the same color combination, but this would would already be there :yesnod:
Not sure who did this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168
03-07-2003, 12:08 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
I'm with Ganey on this one. Hers's a picture of a car over here that was done that way. It's also had some running gear mods to up-date/up-grade it. I know the car, and it looks great. Cant imagine it would be hard over there to obtain a 78PC interior if you want to go that way....
03-07-2003, 12:27 PM
#9
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Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
I might be able to help....I'm in New Jersey, and there has been a classified ad in my local paper (The Record) for over a year, maybe longer, for a '1978
Corvette w/ Ecklers custom convertible package". Now I have never seen or called about it because Mods are not my cup-o-tea, but it might be worth a try
checking out their website and calling the guyif you're interested.
Good Luck.
Corvette w/ Ecklers custom convertible package". Now I have never seen or called about it because Mods are not my cup-o-tea, but it might be worth a try
checking out their website and calling the guyif you're interested.
Good Luck.
03-07-2003, 02:31 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (Troublemaker 71)
Something doesn't sit right to me about the rear of that car... maybe chopping the top mad the azz look bigger?
03-07-2003, 02:36 PM
#11
Safety Car
Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (Stephen Irons)
This is the way to go. Looks cool as well. That late nose looks great with no roof!
Hans
Hans
I'm with Ganey on this one. Hers's a picture of a car over here that was done that way. It's also had some running gear mods to up-date/up-grade it. I know the car, and it looks great. Cant imagine it would be hard over there to obtain a 78PC interior if you want to go that way....
03-07-2003, 02:40 PM
#12
Team Owner
I think the 81 body looks amazing as a convertible. It even looks great with the top up. A forum member has one also. (A black car with a 502 sticking slightly out of the hood?). I say "go for it!" If the job is done well you will have a unique car "that Chevy should have built" :) No shortage of low mileage pace cars out there. Many were purchased as investments and put away, and have performed slightly better than dotcom.com shares.. :lol: Pacecars with more miles on them are quite reasonable. MJ
03-07-2003, 03:28 PM
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Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (Ganey)
Best way would be to start w/ a 74 :eek: or 75 conv. & convert.
:cool:
:cool:
03-07-2003, 06:47 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
There are a few guys who have done this conversion on this forum. Whatever you do though, please don't chop the top 3 inches like the owner of the car in the ad did. I think the raked windshield and low top looks like crap on that car, not to mention the other body mods. The silver conversion in this thread looks more like the way Chevy would have done it if they had built one, IMO, except possibly for the stainless windshield trim. Good luck, it certainly will be a unique car. :cheers:
AC
AC
03-07-2003, 07:35 PM
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Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
JimBRO....
I own one of those conversions. From what I can gather you can buy a complete rear deck for a vert and cut/splice it in with fiberglass. The owner that I bought this conversion from replaced the whole rear clip with GM fiberglass. The frame was completely gone after living on the Canadian side of one of the Great Lakes(I mean right on it), so I guess he decided to just convert it when he changed the frame. Personally? I would never buy another vert conversion as there are too many quirks.
I own one of those conversions. From what I can gather you can buy a complete rear deck for a vert and cut/splice it in with fiberglass. The owner that I bought this conversion from replaced the whole rear clip with GM fiberglass. The frame was completely gone after living on the Canadian side of one of the Great Lakes(I mean right on it), so I guess he decided to just convert it when he changed the frame. Personally? I would never buy another vert conversion as there are too many quirks.
03-11-2003, 12:07 PM
#19
Premium Supporting Vendor
Re: Modify a 78 pace car to a convertible (JimBR0)
We are making an 80 convertible now for a customer. It's A LOT of work. He is going to have about $30K into but we also did a frame off restoration as well. The car does look good but I'm not sure you'll get your money out of it when it comes time.
