250 s going to get its head(roof) chopped off, any advice welcome

[have mercy]

You will need to reiforce frame, have cut these cars apart, they get weak when you remove top.I would make it um boltable it would be easyer.
Here is car pic taken at royal motor cars-Hollywood Ca. And man did some one buicher that car.

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by have mercy

You will need to reiforce frame, have cut these cars apart, they get weak when you remove top.I would make it um boltable it would be easyer.
Here is car pic taken at royal motor cars-Hollywood Ca. And man did some one buicher that car.

This car has a frame (or at least more of a frame than a 108). A 108 is a Unibody car, so chopping off the roof is quite a bit different.

I like the idea of a "U" going under the car to support the B Pillars, in conjunction with two "I" beams (one under the driver's side running front to rear, the other on the passenger) and the "X" for the cross bracing, it may be stiff enough to support it well enough to be driveable - and not get killed unless it rolls over. Just make sure you do all the reinforcement BEFORE removing the top!

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by have mercy

I have sean it done to a 58/300d two time 1they made it a convetable [In hollywood Cal.], the other thy made the top unbolt [that car is in iran]. But those cars as coupe windows go against top. What do you plan
to do about windows closing. And yes you have to do frame work underneath, and at doors piller they will move if you donot. I still have a few pic,s if want will email.

Unlike a 250S, a '58 300 has a sparate tubular-steel chassis, and Mercedes did build a number of them as 4-door convertibles.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[have mercy]

Yes they did build a 4 door convertable in the 300 but that is not one.the frame is different on the 300's but they still had to reinforce door post i wish i had a pic of how they did it. and they never made a 108 4 door convertable. He is going to have to go from where front end bolts on to where rear bolts on on both sides,and to help with door posts they will need support, And if he could get chrome off 109 cut down back door chrome. it would look better around windows/door post.anyway I would never do that would go for big sliding roof like on my 190 he would not have all that work to do. Any way send a pic when it finished.

[gs sparhawk]

He doesn't want a top--just an open car. Rain is warm and the chickens can fly out just the way they flew in. A few holes in the floorboard would be a good idea. Wild Man, they don't make em like you anymore. All tooo conservative and serious now. We used to to chop em off and ride with the body to the wind and no seat belts. Made it more reason to hold on to the steering wheel a little tighter. A couple of channels underneath would also make good skid plates for the jungle roads. Might as well take the windshield off too. Put on a couple of those little racing things---cool.

sparky

[Mark DiSilvestro]

I suppose, anything goes in some parts of the world.
Here in my part of the world, vehicle safety, and the potential for lawsuits, could be issues.
And, after having seen too many old Benzes lose major amounts of metal from natural causes, the thought of deliberately hacking-up a decent one makes me wince!

Happy Motoring, Mark

[have mercy]

I never want to see a benz, with chickens in it again.
Went to look at a 56 300 one time walked around the house there it was, chicken living in it,flying in and out, gave the guy $5.00 for the clock. and walked away that was 10 yrs ago. car set there 5-6 yrs then I guss they hauled to junk.I will never forget how that car looked inside.

[t walgamuth]

This project has money pit and safety disaster written all over it.

Much better idea to buy a car that came as a convertible in the first place and be done with it.

My experience is that even from the factory the sixties and seventies US built boat convertibles were real flexifliers which if jacked up on a corner you could not open doors sometimes.

Trying to do it with a local blacksmith shop welder guy just is not a good idea at all.

[tram]

Do all the reinforcing BEFORE you remove the roof! Yes, you'll need to reinforce the "B" pillar and that's going to take some engineering.

Don't forget: Reinforcements front to rear underneath are one part of it. You'll need to reinforce the body inside side to side as well. This can be done inside behind the back seat (or in the trunk) and just inside the hood. This will be necessary to keep the windshield from shaking and to make it drive without flex side to side.

If you're going to do an actual cabriolet top, you'll need to narrow the rear seat back to allow the folding top to clear in the down position.