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11-03-2009, 02:38 PM
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#1
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DC Crew
Posts: 13
Member #93350
Member since: Oct 2009
Location: Holland, Michigan, USA
My Corvette(s)
c3 74 convert, 76 with big block, 82 coupe, c4 84 speedster, and 74 Bricklin
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Off with the top coupe to speedster
I've just finished whacking the top off my 1984 coupe. It was a lot of work with some welding (reinforcement and seat belt anchors) and about 50 pounds of fiberglass and epoxy. I'm considering building a custom removable hardtop. Problem is it's much more fun using it like a motorcycle, fair weather means cruise, rain means "bud-30" at the boob tube. What is the resale factor, I need some help here. The brother-in-law says I should make kits. Also an open question. I'm looking for advice from other vette freaks.
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11-03-2009, 03:47 PM
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#2
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DC Pit Crew Boss
Posts: 15,093
Member #36958
Member since: Jul 2005
Location: Frisco Texas
My Corvette(s)
05 C6 Z51 DSOM 1SX, MN6 Built by 21st Century Musclecars
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Quote:
Originally Posted by corvetteherb
I've just finished whacking the top off my 1984 coupe. It was a lot of work with some welding (reinforcement and seat belt anchors) and about 50 pounds of fiberglass and epoxy. I'm considering building a custom removable hardtop. Problem is it's much more fun using it like a motorcycle, fair weather means cruise, rain means "bud-30" at the boob tube. What is the resale factor, I need some help here. The brother-in-law says I should make kits. Also an open question. I'm looking for advice from other vette freaks.
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Post some more pics please.
If you chop the windshield and make it a true "speedstr" I think you will have something special 
It would be similar to the original Callaway Speedster.
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C6 Z51 DSO 1SX, MN6, Stroked LS7 442ci, TrickFlow 225 Heads, 21CMC Road Race Cam, Harland Sharp Rockers,
Balanced Z06 Clutch/Flywheel, LPE CAI, Ported Fast90, Polished TB, LPE 100mm MAF, PC Kooks,
Brembo Gran Turismo 6/4 Brakes, Street Track Pads, LPE Oil Cooler, LPE Konis,
PFADT Fatty Sways, Corsa Sports, Elite Coated Tunnel Plate,
CCW C-10 18x10 275s, 19x11 325s General EXP
534rwhp 512rwtq -  "Things are more like they are today than they have ever been before"
Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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11-03-2009, 05:43 PM
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#3
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Posts: 5,526
Member #64303
Member since: Aug 2007
Location: Tracy, CA
My Corvette(s)
1970_C3_Stingray 2003_C5_Coupe 1977_C3_Coupe (Sold)
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- 2003 C5 Coupe - More
- 1970 Stingray (383 STROKER) - More
- 1977 Corvette Coupe (Sold) - More
- My 2 Vettes together - Pic1 Pic2
 Christopher
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11-03-2009, 06:30 PM
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#4
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DC Pit Crew Boss
Posts: 4,565
Member #8238
Member since: Jan 2004
Location: Waveland, MS
My Corvette(s)
2001 ZO6, 1995 Pace Car, 1976 Stingray, 1982
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The Speedsters are cool!
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'America is -- is no longer, uh, what it -- it, uh, could be, uh, what
it was once was ...
Uh, and I say to myself, 'uh, I don't want that future, uh, uh for my children.'
- Barack Obama
See my 2001 Z06 HERE See my 1995 Indy Pace Car HERE |
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11-03-2009, 06:36 PM
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#5
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DC Crew
Posts: 28,690
Member #1067
Member since: May 2003
Location: Brandon, FL.
My Corvette(s)
Rare 1987 bright red
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We need more pics of this.
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11-04-2009, 11:26 AM
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#6
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DC Crew
Posts: 12,250
Member #34743
Member since: May 2005
Location: Hot Springs, NM USA
My Corvette(s)
1974 modified coupe 1974 matching #'s vert
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raidmagic
We need more pics of this.
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That actually is pretty cool!
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11-05-2009, 07:33 AM
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#7
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Dark Knight
Posts: 19,298
Member #9092
Member since: Feb 2004
Location: VA
My Corvette(s)
'85 Vette - 383 TPI
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welcome herb!
you should definitely post some more pics of your project in the C4 section. very neat idea - would love to see what all you've done
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11-05-2009, 08:43 AM
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#8
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DC Crew
Posts: 13
Member #93350
Member since: Oct 2009
Location: Holland, Michigan, USA
My Corvette(s)
c3 74 convert, 76 with big block, 82 coupe, c4 84 speedster, and 74 Bricklin
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Considered the Callaway shape but
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I considered using a Callaway model, but quickly learned how big an undertaking that would be, and how long it would take. Reviewing my project goal told me that this was to be a one-off, topless, fair weather and parade utility vehicle. Since I had never worked with large amounts of fiberglass before I had some very sweaty palms when I broke out the sawsall. After this project I now have absolutely no doubt that I could build a Callaway replica, however making that decision would put me in the concept, design and mock-up stage for several years. Not to mention the financial commitment. Since it's now late fall in Michigan the car is in storage, but I'll try to add some pictures from construction and current condition later today. 
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11-05-2009, 09:30 AM
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#9
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Web Head
Posts: 14,518
Member #39596
Member since: Oct 2005
Location: Avondale, AZ
My Corvette(s)
04 Z06 aka The Black Widow
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Very cool. We're looking forward to the pics
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My Black Widow
Most of my patients survive no matter what I do to them  |
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11-05-2009, 10:28 AM
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#10
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DC Crew
Posts: 50,998
Member #1
Member since: Jan 2003
Location: Arizona / USA!
My Corvette(s)
Current: 2001, 2003 .... Previous: 1996, 1996 GS, 2002 Z06, 2007
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Welcome to the site.
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Current:
2001 Corvette Convertible / Torch Red / 6-speed / Z51 / HUD (mine!)
2003 Corvette Convertible / Spiral Gray / 6-speed / Z51 / HUD (hers!)
Previous:
2002 Corvette Z06 race car / "The DC-Z" / Electron Blue (SOLD!)
1996 Corvette Grand Sport / Admiral Blue / 6-speed (SOLD!)
1996 Corvette LT4 / Black / 6-speed (DESTROYED!)
2007 Corvette Coupe / Le Mans Blue / 6-speed (SOLD!)
_____________________________________
VETTE GARAGE TV - WWW.VETTEGIRL.TV |
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11-05-2009, 11:47 AM
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#11
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DC Crew
Posts: 13
Member #93350
Member since: Oct 2009
Location: Holland, Michigan, USA
My Corvette(s)
c3 74 convert, 76 with big block, 82 coupe, c4 84 speedster, and 74 Bricklin
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No luck on the pics, using the tutorial, will try again.....
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11-05-2009, 12:24 PM
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#12
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DC Crew
Posts: 13
Member #93350
Member since: Oct 2009
Location: Holland, Michigan, USA
My Corvette(s)
c3 74 convert, 76 with big block, 82 coupe, c4 84 speedster, and 74 Bricklin
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Second try:
Here was my first cut, talk about sweat...
I measured everything I could and kept track of it all.
Cutting layer by layer showed me where to build filler panels:
This was the base layer of foam before I began sculpting:
Shaping the fiberglass was fairly straight forward, but again measure, measure, measure:
The first coat of primer/sealer:
Note the seat belt anchors, I used 3/8 inch steel plate welded in the posts. There's square steel tubing spanning side to side and welded to the door posts under the headrest bumps.
I hope it's sunny outside:
So that's it, I'm cleaning up some wiring issues now since there's not a hatch any more. Of course the security system also needs some attention since I tend to reach in and turn the key. I'm sure you understand.
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11-05-2009, 12:46 PM
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#13
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DC Crew
Posts: 4,797
Member #419
Member since: Mar 2003
Location: Martinez, Georgia
My Corvette(s)
1990 Corvette Coupe
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Great job, that looks awesome!
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11-05-2009, 01:13 PM
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#14
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DC Crew
Posts: 28,690
Member #1067
Member since: May 2003
Location: Brandon, FL.
My Corvette(s)
Rare 1987 bright red
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11-05-2009, 01:20 PM
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#15
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DC Crew
Posts: 2,256
Member #81755
Member since: Feb 2009
Location: Neenah Wi
My Corvette(s)
1974 Inferno Red pearl coupe & 1984 Bright red coupe
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Thats the best home mod I have ever seen without using store bought parts
What or have you added anything under the car to "stiffen" it up or does the car "feel" the same going down a "rough" road?
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His:74 coupe, 08 Trailblazer SS
Hers: 84 coupe, 05 CTS-V
When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail. |
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