I want to convert one of my pv544 sedans into a coupe.I've talked to a couple guys in Sweden who have built them.They both used very early vintage mercedes rear roof sections.Could you guys/gals recommend a donor roof here in the states.Options on how to complete the conversion would be great.
Glad to posted the photo of the gray Coupe, gives us an idea of how your car could look. Good luck with the project, I think some 46-48 Ford parts may get used. Bob
There has got to be a 48 Ford coupe that got washed in too hot of water and shrunk. Would make a good roof donor.
American cars just aren't that small. I don't think you'll find an easily available donor in the states that the turret really lends itself to.
Year of production? Don't forget that this forum is international beyond North America. However, more to the point, isn't already a coupe? Or is it bettered termed a two door sedan?
I think any 40's coupe roof is going to be too long to pull that off. For the roof section, I'd look for a late 30's 4 door sedan roof, it'll drop off a lot shorter than a big coupe roof will. Something like this '37 Pontiac would work nice. Not to mention 4 door donors will be easier to find. You'll probably have to narrow it up some but that's OK. For the trunk, I'd look for a small 70's Euro sports car, like an MG Midget. All you really need is a small lid with some curve on the end and the surrounding sheetmetal, everything else you'll have to fab. I've seen complete Midget parts cars for a couple hundred bucks, once they're rotted out they're dirt cheap.
I had a 1958 Volvo PV544 at one time, really was a neat car. I would like to have one again with maybe a V8-60 or a V6. I am glad you included the gray coupe to get a better idea what it would look like. Even though it is a clone of a Ford it was still hard to visualize the conversion. Hope you succeed, post photos when you do.
I've found more than a handful of pontoon Mercedes in my travels. They aren't that rare at least compared to any other old car. Might try to just find one. As far as an American car roof an early Ford roof like 48 and earlier maybe. I would quarter it to shrink it in size with the rear window removed then cut the window down to the appropriate proportions and graft it in. I've converted a 40 Ford sedan into a coupe. Didnt use a coupe roof just butchered up the sedan roof. Pics in my albums.
That an be a slick little coupe but there is not going to be any free lunch as far as the build and amount of metal work required to do it. I thought you might be able to lay the deck lid down like they do on a chopped fast back but further and shorten the length of it using part of it for the catwalk but I'm not sure that will work all that well and get the look the gray and black one has. I'm like a couple of the others you will have to find a donor roof that you can cut the back half off and probably a donor trunk that has the bustle look to it as the laid down/cut down stock deck lid will have a lot of slope to it. Looking at this you have your work cut out for you Looking at the coupe conversion it looks like they raised the bottom lip of the deck lid opening several inches to lay the deck lid over more (a lot more) and then shortened the decklid using part of it as the catwalk.
Did anyone make a 1/24 model of the Volvo? I think an Exacto saw and a model would be a big help in laying out cut lines. Bob
For your side of the pond maybe a Morris Minor or VW coupe roof back could provide the curved rear roof above the rear window (though there's probably good reason others have used the Mercedes). Use your Volvo rear window section and lay your trunk lid down. You'll need to form the quarter tops to the side deck lid openings and form a catwalk between the lid and base of rear window (you may be able to utilize your Volvo or another donor roof panel for this). Shorten the side quarter windows. Once all this is tacked into place, the only sheet metal you'll need to fill in will be the rounded roof top above the rear window section and the sail panels. There's some Sedan to coupe/conv. projects on the HAMB such as the Zephyr from Europe and 40's Cad from Australia.
Forget the coupe and go with a sedan. Obtain one of those 40 Ford frontend's that they produce to go on a VW and fit that to Volvo. Change the rear window to a split window something like a 40 Ford sedan, and there you go.
Since you are on my "side of the pond" (MISSOURI), I wish you luck on this project. Going to be a lot of fabrication for sure. I remember these Volvo's in the early to mid 60's in Cleveland, Ohio. I always thought they would make a great hot rod. Always reminded me of 42-48 Fords that shrunk a little. Maybe Schollmeyer's might have some 40's car roofs. There used to be an old junk yard close to me that had mostly VW & Corvair stuff but had some trucks & cars. I know they had a 48 Chevy coupe roof. That was 10 years ago.
I would look into split window VW back windows, I think they are repoed and would be sized right. Then adapt sail panels or have them made (easy for me to say)
Great idea for a project. Been wanting one of these for a long time. Stupid prices have doubled in the last few years. Is it "traditional"??? Not really, but it's cool. Look at how much attention this car got. And NOT even as good looking, IMHO..despite turning out great and the builder is rad! Ratatouille: 1954 Renault https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/kustom-from-outer-space-france-calling.941560/ JT
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