Just looking for some clarification. Model A Roadster - Has an open car windshield and no side windows. Model A Cabriolet - Has a closed car windshield and roll-up side windows. Model A Sport Coupe - Has a closed car windshield and closed car doors. So my question is. can you take a cabriolet or a sport coupe and change out the doors and windshield and make a roadster. I know it won't technically be a roadster. But if it looks 99% like a roadster, I'd be OK with that. Or, is there other differences that I am missing. Any help appreciated, Mitch
Mitch, To me it would look 99% like a car that someone butchered trying to save money and make a roadster. Others may not share my opinion. The doors will be too long and too thick. The cowl/windshield area will lack the graceful lines of the roadster. It would be more expensive to make one look right than to buy a roadster body. Attend a large street rod event and you will find at least one attempt at this. They are generally referred to as "coupsters" and you should be able to find information using the search function. Charlie Stephens
The year of Model A's we're talking about here will make a big difference. They varried quite a bit between years. Especially the Cabrios. In fact, the 1931 Cabriolet was offered with a slant windshield.
Every major panel is different between a roadster and the other two. Gas tank, decklid, and the panel below it are about the only sheet metal that would exchange. That said, there have been plenty of nice open cars made from cut up cabriolets and sport coupes. It's been done pretty much since the beginning so don't let someone tell you it wasn't.
Well, I have some A's. I can help in this topic. A '31 Roadster Deluxe and '30 68B Cabriolet and 31' Coupe. They are different. Here is what I see on my cars. Cab' was originally wood subframed and also with wooden inner door parts. It has closed car style cowl but no visor. Coupe windshield fits ( I know that because I have also '31 coupe and have swapped those). I rebuilt the cab body using new coupe steel subrails and qtr repair panels and door lower patch panels. There were about 1/4 length difference on panels but were modified to fit. Coupe door has a lower bead where Cab' door had originally separate filler panel on wooden subframe. I have built steel inner door parts copying my Coupe and have new Coupe window regulators fitted. Cockpit is much longer than Roadster's so Cab' can have much more leg room. Panel behind seat is shorter and the panel below decklid is shorter but the decklid is the same one. The same rumble hinges also fit. Cab' rear body lines are bit different than Roadster's and Cab' has T-strips between qtrs and deck drip rails.
Why not just leave one as a sport coupe? not many out there, and they can look really cool. Here's my 28 sport coupe, built by Clark at So What speed shop.
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