Customs Hardtop Conversions Picture and idea thread

exk, would be alot of work to go one piece gl***,the door edge goes in towards the windshield post where the vent window starts, so for a straight flat one piece gl*** you would have to rework top of door,then i don't know how it would line up with a pillar

 

I still have a spare Chevy roof and front door someone left here while on tour of the country a few years ago.

 

Here is a pic of a 53 Olds & door opening we hard toped that is simulare in desgine to your 51 Chevy. I did have to straighten out the door gl*** opening and also the roof but it worked out well.

 

I forgot about this car, I ***ume that the window has to be down some to open/close the door?

 

I did a 50 merc a long time ago and did run into a problem with putting a one piece powerwindow to elimate vent window , Had to make sure door where the vent window was renforced because when closeing door without renforement the door flex breaks window,I found out the hard way.I am sure you knew that.Joe

 

shot two works real well lower the front fender well 2 inchs and its done nice ride

 

Yes you are correct. You must roll the window down before opening or closing the door.
I used the orginal door handle to keep it looking old school but it is not mecanicaly hoked up. The door handle is conected to an electrical switch that powers the window down before it can unlatching the door.

 

Thats a pretty slick idea !

 

Steve I would say put some door tops on it and be done with it . It ****s having the rain come in if you happen to get caught in the rain . Always thinking about the floors and wet carpet ( rust ). That is the quickest fix by far . If you still want the hardtop look then there is always next winter but that would put the 47 on the backburner for sure. You got some decissions to make friend . It is definately a cool old chevy though . I will be looking for it this July at the nats . Andy PS , subscribed !!!

 

I did mine a different way and it doesn't leak and I DON'T
have to put window down to get out.
TwoChops

 

That's helpful.
Thanks ...

 

This part of a hardtop conversion separates the men from the boys. And there seem to be a LOT of boys out there!
Most conversions are really ****py. They don't work well, and look even worse. Leaks, non functioning windows, poor looking vent windows ( boy, the one welded to the rooff takes the cake!), odd cuts between vent windows and door gl***.
The "easiest" and good looking way is to find parts off a hardtop version of your car and convert everything over. You can probably custom fabricate parts to do the same function and look great, but most folks don't have the tools and skills to pull that one off.
You can even use hardtop (or convert.) parts off a later model car, even a different make car. I chopped a shoebox Ford sedan, and used 56 Olds hardtop roof rails to make the conversion. We used Ford Vicky vents ( hardtop, in case you didn't know), and made the window frames, in true hardtop fashion, they were attached to the gl***. The Olds flippers made opening the doors with gl*** up, a viable option. Not real difficult, but a bit more work.

But looking "right" is always worth the effort!!!!!!!!

 

It's pity that you guys, who seem to know it all, won't post pics of your successful deeds.

 

twochops did, as I recall. Did you check the photos of his Merc? Succesful hardtop conversion, the OP's Chev, not so much.

Brian

 

Two Chops Merc is hard to tell it wasnt born a Hard Top ! But he had access to some heavy duty equipment to make what he needed and it shows ! There just arent enough hard top parts cars and junkers around here to find some stuff for a conversion it might take a year to find anything...so I am gonna start planning the swap to put door tops and B pillars back on. I got a 4 day weekend coming up in a couple of weeks and am hoping to get all the welding done in that weekend ,maybe some temp plastic windows we will see how the time goes . I would love to re create JamesD's photoshop buy I wanna drive the car and not work on it all summer, gotta throw some time at the Ford
eh

 

Why don't you start watching Ebay, there's gotta be a set of vent windows out there for an early '50's chev HT, or better yet, a pair of doors with the regulators, window tracks and all. The rear you could do as a slide in windows.

Brian

 

Hell, even here in NJ, where you rarely see an old car in a junkyard, I found the 56 Olds roof for the shoebox. The rest of the car was almost disintegrated, but the roof wasn't too bad. I'm sure you can find something!

 

Thanks Brian.

I'll see if I can finds a link ...

 

VW Bug cabrios have a decent chrome set of wind down side windows. Might be a good starting point and maybe easier to find?

 

He's got pics on his profile page.

 

Is'nt IT Interesting ?, How. After, Soo Mant Hart Tops are DONE !'

They're, ALL DIFFERENT !!!!!!!!!! That's what makes ALL THIS , FUN !

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"wear Clean Underwear,......An, Behave Yourself ! ".........

 

he must not have them set so everyone can see them.