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

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.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

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

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. 

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

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

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!).

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

There has to be plenty of cheap convertibles around rather than butchering up a classic like these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Thunderbird-Convertable-1966-ford-thunderbird-convertable-64-000-original-miles-in-storage-/331220827657?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d1e4cbe09&item=331220827657&pt=US_Cars_Trucks


Gary - 1958 Star Customline and 1940 Ford Deluxe Hotrod

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!!

Without the X member the car would flex and crack the windsheild.

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.