Has anyone made a roadster from a coupe?

I did a search on this but couldn't find a similar thread. I may have a chance to buy a 28-29 Model A "leatherback". This coupe has vinyl on the back covering wood where metal was on regular coupes. The car has been sitting inside a machine shed since 1980 when the current owner's husband died. The owner is a very nice lady who says that her kids wanted it. I think she may sell if the price were right. If her adult kids wanted it, it wouldn't be sitting in a machine shed for 30 years... I won't push her but still. (incidentally I bought a 40's Tokehiem gas pump from her that came with the same story) I don't know if she will sell the "A" or not but I am planting that seed, just not at the risk of being an ass.

The body wood inside is totally rotten but the rest of the car is mostly rust free. It is too far gone for a restoration (in my opinion) as the wood kits are over $1500.00 alone. I think it would make an awesome fenderless roadster. I have attached some stolen pictures of a similar model that is for sale on ebay. THESE ARE NOT THE PICTURES OF THE CAR I AM LOOKING AT. I am curious to see if anyone has done the conversion and how it worked for them. Specifically how they did the doors and area above the beltline. Is it do-able or is it a truckload of work? I completely restored a 1930 coupe that was given to me by my father. I have promised not to rod it and that I would give it to my kids. The hot rod salt flat car thing is itching me something terrible. Any suggestions (especially with pics) would be appreciated.

 

Here are some pics of the one that I restored. I realize that this is not a hot rod, however, it's got loads of setiment.

 

My quick response would be don't even think about it. The result in most cases will look terrible. Do a search on the word "coupster" and you will find a lot of information.

Charlie Stephens

 

They never look right I would not do it!

 

Looks like a nice car, good job. I originally was going to do what you are talking about doing, after seeing one at a large car show. I thought it looked good,untill I looked at more "real" roadsters. They can be done and look O.K., but they are never going to be a roadster.

 

Whats wroung with a leather back coupe? They are not commonly seen as hotrods and it would be somewhat unique. Not the same old coupe or roadster. If you just have to be like everyone else just paint it flatblack with red wheels. He He

 

Its ALOT of work...
I would recommend finding a roadster body if you want a roadster

no matter what you do, it will always be a coupe with the roof cut off

Heres one I built.... http://www.suhrsc.com/1928sportcoupe
(You can click the photos to make them bigger)

good luck in any case
Zach

 

This is why the HAMB rocks! I can't think about cutting my current coupe. My hearts desire would be to have it's twin brother that is chopped like so many other cool ones that I have seen. I know about all the catalogs that sell "A" parts (trust me, small fortune spent on the current model) Is there away to rebuild the top and make it like a "normal" coupe? I've never seen a metal roof kit. The "A" is too scarce to find a donor. I don't care for the leather type and I think the price on the one that I am looking at could be really cheap. (I'll be fair, but... maybe I am an asshole after all) hahahaha. Perhaps I will take a deep breath and move on. I haven't even spoke to her about buying it yet. Here's some pictures of a chopped 36 chevy I just sold this last summer.

 

The ones you can't tell from 10 feet away,...... you can from 5 feet and closer,.... DON"T DO IT !,..... sell the Coupe body and buy a Brookville roadster body. IMHO

 

My father made one out of a model a sport coupe,a lot of work. look up lkrodder on here ask him for some pictures car came out really nice plus the added leg room

 

I would not do it. Sell it off or traade it for one, someone will be willing to put it back in shape.

 

Could it be? 1955's Americas most beautiful roadster trophy winner tied with Blackie's T (which wasn't technically a "roadster" either) was actually a cut down coupe? Yup...

Generally speaking, I think a true roadster looks better most of the time. But that's not to say it wasn't done or a coupster can't look good.

 

Search "coupster". Should be able to find more pictures. I am not big on coupsters but they are traditional. They are not roadsters.

On the 28/29 coupes, the roofs from the beltline on up bolt on. A standard coupe roof and the leatherback (special) are interchangable. Same with sport coupes.

With some time, standard roofs show up for around $500 and up.

Neal

 

The pictures of the truck were for "street credit". I was trying to illustrate that I think chopped cars are tough and that I had been down that road and liked it. Plus there's a picture of my kid and any day you get to show your kid and a car you built is a good day.

 

I agree with what J'st Wandering said. A 28-29 special coupe and standard coupe, and sport coupe share the same rear quarters. If you can find a standard coupe top section it will bolt right on. There are a few real nice special coupes around here and look good if done right. If you really want a roadster, get a roadster. Nice job on the restored A, and the 36 chevy truck. I restored a 30 coupe years ago, and am currently building a truck similar to yours.
Red

 

Sell your Ford,buy a Brookville.

 

i think my dad's 31 used to be a coupe but it was done before he got it and the car has been apart since before i was born....

 

Yep !,..... I would hate to see that "A" coupe body screwed up. and I have NO problems with a Brookville Body. (You would be surprised how many Traditional Hot Rods have them !)

 

Coming from a guy who fucked up an otherwise decent Coupe, don't do it!!

 

First one is a picture of mine,(in work) the second one is Alex's. (metalshapes) search for his thread. Its one Badass car.

I paid $600.00 for a beat up coupe body. I really wanted a roadster. They are $6500.00 from Brookville. I could not find some one willing to give me $6500 for my coupe body. So I made a roadster.

 

Theres a coupster in the parts classified's right now that the owner is wanting to trade for a coupe.

 

Although not a roadster someone prior to my owning it turned my avatar into a cabriolet style from a 5-window.

The 5-window roof was removed (for whatever reason) and a f-glass lift-off made for it. The top was just a couple layers of glass with a huge back window - I worked on it to strengthen it, used a 36 Ford cabriolet window out back and, following Don Montgomery's books, upholstered it to give it a late 40s, early 50s look to it. I just took from what I had and ran with it. It looks good with the top on - with it off, it seems to gives it a "raw" look that's growing on me. Time will tell how it will remain - I will get side curtains at some point.

 

Here is mine, but its alot off work make it nice, mine is build from difrents model a parts and cut to peaces every where to make more like a roadster. Sell the body and buy one, its so fucking chaep for you gays in the us.
Sorry bad english

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ4nZsddCmY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIzDDHUBfY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLX1uiS0tmc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mKZhl5Qh8Q

 

This was a sports coupe, lots of work to get them to look 'right'.

 

please. do not.

 

They dont always look terrible. In fact they can look great! Check out my buddies 36 "5 window"

Just please be careful

http://www.slide.com/r/cAGrP3KG7D9ZDhx-sSMjMnXzeTtd-HTj?map=2&cy=un

 

Niklas, love your car but we're not all gays over here.

And believe me, your English is way better than my Swedish.

 

i did one ! because i found some quarterpanels in germany, and they are from an sportscoupe ! then i want to build a coupe, but haven`t time for such a big project. so i stretched the panels and do an coupster/roadster....
we have barns in austria, but not with old american tin in it, so i have to build what i found....