Greetings,
I have a 190D parts car that runs and drives. Can I take a sawzaw to the roof of this thing and make it a convertible? It's not worth anything since the speedo broke at 165K and has rust at each jack point. I don't think the car will fold in half, but I'm not going to do an ANSYS analysis on it. The car serves as a donor for my 1985 190D that is cherry!

Let me know your thoughts.

I wouldn't bet on it.

I have not done this but have done some rather strange body modifications.
"driveable parts car" ... Is this hack job for practice or for use on the road? Most convertables require reinforcing the body and windshield pillars for roll over protection. Without this, an insurance co. will void all coverage.
I assume you know getting a retracting top to work is a VERY SKILLED task.

Who said anything about a working top?

I would just use it on sunny days and throw a cover over it till next season or until my good car needs parts. Does the car have frame rails? Let me know or I may have to resort to a targa top! HAHAHAHA

As I recall the 190 is a unibody car, so it will need if roof line to maintain body integrity, and not fold in half.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Weld the doors shut that should do the trick

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I'm surprised you havent been banned for such an idea yet =)

My brother and I did this to an A2 (1987 IIRC) VW Jetta. Yeah, it was ***really*** flexible after the chop, but I drove it...I mean...I was in it when it was going 60mph (on a road safe to do so) and I was kinda surprised how bad it wasnt.

It was really wierd, the front wheel would hit a bump, and youd feel the front of the car flex, then the back wheel would hit the same bump and youd feel the back of the car flex...

I wouldnt recommend it if you plan on driving it more than once. but if you aren't worried about insurance or taking it on long drives at high speed, do it.

not sure what a cop would say/do if he saw you (my bro and I took ours out at night, it went to the junkyard the next day. Be sure to get pics =)

-John

__________________
2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

man its no different than a chop top bronco.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Were Broncos unibody cars?

Let's see now...rusty rockers and cut the roof off...yeah, that ought to work

Seriously...if you know what ANSYS is then you probably know something about structural intergity and moduli of elasticity. The car, taken as a cross-section cut right though the middle has its highest stresses at its outer most points...the rockers and the roof being the strongest fixed points. With no roof and effectively no rockers there is virtually nothing left holding the car from either bending or flexing. Cutting the roof off a healthy body would be dangerous but taking one which is already compromised and removing the stiffest part would probably make for a good video for AFV. I'd bet a nickel you couldn't even open or close the doors if you cut the roof off it.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I say DO IT!!!!

Just make sure you take TONS of pictures and post them here!!!

if you cant turn it into a convertible i wonder if it would hold up better with a chopped top? you could also look into putting a carson top on the convertible if you can secure up the car so it doesnt flex.

there is a hot rod sector for vw's
http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/