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Big6ft6
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 9 Years Ago
Posts: 241,
Visits: 347
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Meandean, it is funny you mention the 15 year old mustang convertibles...I've been watching 86-93 mustang convertibles on CL thinking they would serve as an antidote to my convertible need. When I was in high school and just starting to understand cars and engines, when someone told me that the 5.0 on the fender meant it had a V8 in it, I was BLOWN AWAY that a little two-door would have a V8, this was one of the defining memories for me when I started really getting in to cars and memorizing engines and transmission combos on the cars i saw on the street. So those boxy fox-bodies though 93 have some memories for me. BUT....I'd like a classy convertible someday, a slow cruiser....and the mustang is cool....but I don't quite consider it classy (might get one anyway someday!).
charliemccraney, you said "buy another one in rough shape" mine is about as rough as you can get and still drive it, I can see though both driver's floorboards, interior is falling apart. The pics make it look much nicer than it is. Rick55 - I figured the kids could jump into the back seats so no need for rear seat access from the door...but all this aside......I'll leave it a 4-door.
Nate - Madison, Wisconsin 56 Ford Customline Sedan
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MoonShadow
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 2 hours ago
Posts: 4.5K,
Visits: 37.1K
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All that is fixable. You can get floor pans to put in and complete seat covers in the Ford aftermarket. It may not be a flashy car but it is 58 years old! Chuck
Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.
 
MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire
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Big6ft6
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 9 Years Ago
Posts: 241,
Visits: 347
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Thanks Chuck, yes seat covers and floors can be fixed, if I'm so moved some day....but I need a fix for my convertible lust!  I see you have a cool roadster in your signature, you've got your roof-less fix taken care of.
I had a brief relationship with a 69 Mercury Marquis convertible in high school...it only ran for a few days...but it was amazing, I loved it being six and half feet tall, the big boat was just by size...it was towed while I was away at college for being parked illegally in the winter. I had no money so I gave it to the tow company to cover the towing costs and a few extra bucks to pay the pile or parking tickets. Boy i wish I could undo that decision. But back then I had other priorities.
Good things come to those who wait. I will wait, save up, and some day have my convertible fix fixed.
Nate - Madison, Wisconsin 56 Ford Customline Sedan
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Vic Correnti
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: Last Week
Posts: 345,
Visits: 12.1K
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Nate, I know that this post will not be popular, but this is my opinion.
I am all for making a car more usable, more fun to drive and doing it. If a convertible from a old 4 door is what it takes to make that happen get the sawzall out and get to driving it before the snow flies. I met a guy a couple of months ago who has two T-birds as I do. I asked him if he drives them much his answer to me was he polishes them and trailers them to shows. Now, they are too nice to drive, I drive mine as much as possible, it will never will be a show car. Who is enjoying their cars more? There is some pristine 4 doors out there but yours is not and probably never will be. There is nothing better then hearing the Y-block exhaust from a convertible. I would tie the top of the door posts horizontally and start cutting. If then the doors do not open (which I doubt) the fix would be to add gussets at the door posts inside the car forward and rearward to the frame. Upholstery could cover a lot of unwanted issues. I am about 60 miles south of you if I can be of any assistance.
 Vic Correnti
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Big6ft6
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 9 Years Ago
Posts: 241,
Visits: 347
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Vic, those are dangerous words of encouragement! The little ember of imagination and creativity that was about flicker out, now has returned to a continuous warm glow. What do you think about the windshield cracking? This was the most horrific of the potential negative outcomes listed so far.
I think I need to bring the car from storage to her new home (my new place has two pole sheds, one with a heated shop  !) so I can drive her more often and sit and stare at her and look more closely at the details. This alone will take a month or two to accomplish and should give me plenty of time to contemplate. I am allured by the risk in a sinister way, and the challenge to make it work. So much of my life right now with a young family and 9-5 job is mundane and without adventure, this could give me back my youthful feeling of adventure and a project to obsess over.
If everything fails and the car is destroyed, my low-mileage Y-block drive train becomes the centerpiece in my design for a future hot rod. 
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charliemccraney
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Group: Moderators
Last Active: 8 hours ago
Posts: 6.1K,
Visits: 437.9K
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Remove the windshield, too. Wear goggles. And you won't have to stop to eat. You'll have a steady supply of protein.
Lawrenceville, GA
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slick56
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 3 Weeks Ago
Posts: 460,
Visits: 4.4K
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Big6ft6 (6/12/2014)
What do you think about the windshield cracking? This was the most horrific of the potential negative outcomes listed so far.
If you are going to do this, i would consider a hardtop Victoria windscreen, they are two inches lower.
South Australia
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PF Arcand
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 8 Months Ago
Posts: 3.3K,
Visits: 238.8K
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As has been pointed out, the car will need substantial reinforcements with the roof removed. Remember, Sunliners were 2 drs. & had a folding top to boot.. + if you ever have to sell it, it's likely next to worthless.. As discussed, buy an older Mustang convertible..save a nice old 4 dr.
Paul
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Brian_B
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Hitting on all eight cylinders
Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 10 Years Ago
Posts: 6,
Visits: 49
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As far is this gentleman cutting the roof off his..that is his choice. I cannot imagine chopping up something that came from my grandfather. No..it may not have much monetary value. It has sentimental value. Unless you are highly dedicated, have knowledge, skills, tools, equipment, it may very well end up in a scrap yard or ebay like so many other projects (especially chopped tops) that are never finished and then you do not have your grandfather's car. Both of my grandfather's passed when I was just a toddler. I do not even remember them. I just could not get rid of something that was theirs.
I would get it safe, road worthy, reliable, and drive the wheels off it all the time. make it a cruiser...enjoy the ride. Every time you drive it (with your family?) you will relive those memories of your grandfather. I wish I were that lucky.
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rgrove
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Group: Forum Members
Last Active: 3 Years Ago
Posts: 498,
Visits: 3.5K
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How about something a little less drastic? Cut a massive hole in the roof, basically leaving only an inch or 2 around the edge, reinforce that with some steel, and even make a roll up canvas top to snap in in case it rains? Would need less reinforcement, still gets an open air feeling (great view for the kids in the back!) and cheap.... Just a thought. (And probably not a popular one at that!)
Ron GroveWauconda, IL
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