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The other concern is the convertibles are two doors. Not as long a span between the door openings. Someone with structural engineering skills would know more, but I'm guessing some reinforcement under the door sills will be required, even with a reinforced frame. Since the top of the door post (rear door) is not supported, door alignment may be a problem. Both front and rear.
If you weld the rear doors closed, and put reinforcement inside, might be a solution. But the door glass will have to go. Unless you're thinking of a removeable Carson top, the fronts might as well go too.
The only 4 door convertable that come to mind are the early 60's Lincoln's, with the suicide doors. I know there was a lot of insulation, big motor, etc., but dad's '62 weighed 7000 lbs. The covertibles were more. There was a lot of steel in there someplace .
miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ
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Sorry, can't find the edit delete for the double post
miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ
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Just my thoughts, DONT'T DO IT! You have a nice driver quality car now, enjoy it and find another project. What you are thinking of doing would be a major project for a qualified fab/ body shop. I not saying it can't be done, but the amount of work and expenses would be enormous. I have seen too many projects in scrap yards and out behind barns that the owners lost interest in or discovered they were in over their heads.
Glen Henderson
Freedom is not Free
Letohatchee, AL
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Thanks DJ for the frame pic, that is very helpful for me to understand the serious frame reinforcement required for convertibles. That is a pretty serious looking x-member.
Without knowing anything else, I assumed I would need a roll-cage like structure in the trunk bracing the frame to the body to give the rear support, and then I also assumed I would need some type of very strong additional support where the rocker panels are under the doors if I hoped to have a functioning door, just like Miker says, it is such a long unsupported span. I was hoping to provide enough support with these alterations and welding the rear doors (and maybe passenger front door, I really only need a driver's door) shut to avoid needing to make a serious frame modification, but after seeing DJ's pic it seems a frame modification would likely be mandatory.
My desire to do this has been like a pendulum, but the pendulum has been on the "do it" side about 65% of the time over the last few years. The rational side of my brain knows that Glen is right, the risk of this being a dead-end project that ruins a (relatively ) functional car is very high. But I REALLY want a convertible, and a 50's convertible would be amazing...but with no funds in sight for the next 18 years or so, I will need to wait until retirement before I can afford a driver 50's convertible (by then they will likely be selling for $1,000,000 so even then I won't be able to afford them). By that time the vision of my wife and two young kids and I going for ice cream in a cool open top will have been long past.
thanks all for your thoughts, my enthusiasm has died down....for now.  
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Buy another that is in pretty rough shape, do what you want, and you can call it a rat rod if it doesn't work out. If it does work out, you've had practice and have figured out how to do it to a better car.
Lawrenceville, GA
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Just buy a 10-15 year old mustang convertible. Good, reliable and modern-ish and relatively cheap. No, definitely not as cool as a 50's convertible, but affordable and fun and your kids will have the memories. Keep and enjoy the 4 door and remember your grandparents or uncle (I forgot the specifics) of who previously owned the car. If you don't want 2 cars sell the one you enjoy least once you decide. Glad you decided not to butcher the 4 door.
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My T-Bird is pretty flexible with the X frame. In my opinion it would be way more time and money than it would be worth.
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Without the X member the car would flex and crack the windsheild.
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You will also need doors off a 2dr or a convertible. You won't be able to get into the back with 4dr front doors. You will need the front seat from a 2dr/convertible
You will need the convertible window frame as it I has extra bracing for the screen.
As others have said it is a M A J O R conversion. 3 times rule. 3 times harder, 3 times longer and 3 times more expensive than you think.
Just enjoy what you have.
Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!
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