I'm contemplating getting a very cheap and run-down coupe and cutting the roof off. I have TIG welding equipment and will fabricate frame stiffeners. I also have a covered place to keep it for the six months of wet weather we get here in the SF Bay Area.

I see the big convertables and think they are just the classiest things on Earth. Sure, this one would have a $300 paint job and be in need of some decent upholstery but it's not the flashiness I'm after. $1000 for the car, a couple hundred in fabrication supplies, $100 for some seat covers and $300 for the paint, that's $1600 for a very fun ride.

What would I be getting myself into here?

__________________
89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000

The word " Jello" springs to mind....


_____________________________________________________

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

How much reinforcement do you think I'd need? I was thinking diagonal bracing in the door jambs, using 1.5"X1.5"X.125" steel box beams, tying into 2"X3"X.125 steel box beams welded longitudinally along the floor, one each side. I was also thinking about a lateral brace between the tops of the front fenders at the tops of the springs, and a lateral brace behind the back seat.

I'm not too worried about the cosmetics. I can tig or braze sheet metal at the rough edges at the back to give everything a finished look.

Part of the problem here is that I enjoy welding and have run out of projects

Thanks,
Robert

__________________
89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000

Maybe some inspiration?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6315&item=4551279662&sspagename=rvi%3A1%3A1v_home

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

wow, a four door:

door frames frame fully reinforced with 2 inch x 4 inch by 1/4 inch thick box beam inside of rockers and tied together side by side

Interesting, but I think a four-door convertable with the B-pillar and the window channels is a bit unusual. Hilarious license plate. I would think he'd need a CHP 11-99 Foundation license plate frame to avoid getting pulled over all the time.

Robert

__________________
89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000

We don need no stinkin' FOUR door .......Def' need to do a coupe.

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

I wonder when this chop-top project is going to be updated:
http://www.mbzponton.org/pax058/people/litkowiak/project1.htm

__________________
89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000