Here's a company in Florida which does conversions. I called them a few years ago regarding the W123. I was quoted "in the ballpark of $100,000." I will not forget that quote for a while. lol.

Either they did not want the job OR it really does take a lot of engineering, R&D, et cet.

Company Profile | Drop Top Customs by Convertible Builders, LLC.


They do a handful of makes and models, and their fees are not too horrible IMO.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Very hard to properly do a unibody car frame upgrade.... a factory has test tracts and machines to look for soft spots... and feedback from sold cars to use as R and D... but one off customs don't.... very different from a frame and body situation....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

No doubt. I bet that is why they picked a few popular brands, dumped a bunch of money into those cracking the code, and then sticking to those. Plus, I don't see the W123 crowd spending $10-$15K for a convertible conversion even if the company did crack the code for the W123.