Or really any or the tri-5's. But I'm more interested in a 55. Just wondered if anyone here has actually done one. Or might know where some pics of someone doing it, or even someone describing it. There's a ton more nice cond. & reasonably priced 4drs out there to start from than rotted out real hardtops & sedans.
Here is my conversion...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179492&highlight=shananigans
use to have a neighbor in Northridge who was doin' it to a '57 chevy... last i saw, it was coming out very nicely, but it had been a long-term project. he took an overhead projector (like the kind in school), with a side-view tracing of a '57, and shined it upon the 4 door... lined everything up, drew out his cut lines and such...
There are a couple of posts on www.chevytalk.com regarding the conversion. I don't remember the specific post name to help you search, but you could find it there if you try hard enough. Also, I believe one of the guys actually only converted one side and left the other side a 4 door version, effectively turning the car into a 3 door. Not sure why you would want to do that but it was interesting. Frankly, I would think it would be a whole lot easier to just pick up a two door body in the first place, but I know one of the guys just had a car that was well done and had some sentimental value so he added the conversion. There is a 56 four door on that side that is really pretty nice as a 4 door. I think a more door can look good too...
that 4 dr hdtp looks cool.. is it yours? About 15 years ago dad and I bought a 56 canadian pontiac 4d hdtp to do this conversion.. It has been on the back burner for long time...... We were going to go about the side chrome differently though, we are going to use a door divider off a 55 wagon , and two tone it - body one color, roof - the other, like a belaire wagon.
I used to have a 55 Olds 4 dr ht, I always thought of doing the 2 dr conversion if I got it back...but the roof and back window are way different than that of a 2 dr ht. Might look awkward.
The idea could go a lot of different directions. A lot of people don't realize how many different body styles there were in Tri-Five Chevs, not to mention Pontiacs, Olds, etc. There were over 60 distinctly different models of the three years of Chevys. While many of the parts interchange, many of the pieces parts are no where near interchangeable. For example, a lot of people don't realize that a sport coupe hardtop roof is almost 2 inches lower than a sedan and uses much shorter glass... The blue four door hardtop above is interesting because I believe GM only made a 56 and 57 4 door hardtop. And so it would appear that someone took a 56 and put the 55 front and rear, along with side trim on the car (and of course quarter panels, etc, etc). Quite a bit of work, but it would make a unique car. I would think any kind of conversion would be MUCH easier if you already had a 4 door SEDAN and wanted to make a 2 door SEDAN. THAT conversion would be relatively easy if you had access to various 2 door body parts... A HARDTOP conversion from a 4 door to a 2 door would be a ridiculous amount of work. Any conversion from sedan to hardtop or hardtop to sedan would make even less sense. None of this is even taking into consideration the lack of availability and subsequent cost of stainless window trim, etc. My two cents for what it is worth. Here are some interesting websites that show the various body styles that were available. http://55classicchevy.com/body-styles.html http://56classicchevy.com/body-styles.html http://57classicchevy.com/body-styles.html Even though these websites show what is supposed to be the complete listing of body styles, they are leaving out solid side sedan deliveries and the even rarer special order cars like sedan deliveries with windows (yes, believe it or not, they made and sold them...) I know this is all slightly off topic, but if you are really considering the conversion and aren't aware of these issues, you might want to do some homework (or you might just decide that a reasonable cost 4 door can be cool too). Good luck.
that 55 4dr hdtp conversion would be hard to do using a 56, since the rockers and rear door/ wheel wells would have to change along with the rear 1/4ers. That is why we chose a canadian 56 pontiac. Same rear wheel wells, and rockers as a 55, all we have to do is change over the rear 1/4ers , the dash, and bolt on a 55 front clip. to get back on topic though.... we changed over a rusty- shot up 55 conv. on to a 4 dr sedan cowl , floor pan and frame. It was actually a pretty smooth conversion. there was a spot on the front roof post dog leg where the factory welded them together. ( the basic cowl and dash are the same.) drilled out the spot welds on the center door post, and the same with the conv. then in the back we split the 1/4 ers along the factory seam under/and over the taillight. then we saved the rear seat braces, and acouple body mounts that were conv. specific, and we were in business.
try explaining to the prick bastard STATE TROOPER that just got dumped by his best gal........Honest mr officer "SIR" it's really a 4-door as he hooks the fucker.......OUCH
Definitely seen this one. The guy started with a 4 door 210 and pulled some metal from a 4 door hardtop 56. Turned out pretty cool. I think I saw on the web somewhere. But beleive its been done more than once.
i was at goodguys in charlotte in 03, and there was a guy there advertising with a 4dr. 55 there and he converted it to 2dr. it really looked good! nice lines, and if i remember rt. he was doing it for 2000.00 with the parts!! ready for paint!
Do a search on this one. Same rules apply 4 to 2-door conversion on a 52 chevy, with pics ! Good luck
Pir8darryl seems to know what hes doing. He just posted this recently http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234187
Saw one at a show several years ago, was walking by with my son, & saw this clean 4door 55, as i walked I noticed the license plate says " WASA4DR" as I got to the drivers side of the car, that side was in primer & was now a "TWO DOOR SEDAN". The Owner had some pic's laying on the dash of the actual conversion. It was the neatest !!!! I'm sorry I didn't bring the camera!! Thanks, for the Memory!!!
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