Dream Project - Convertible - Which is the Best car ?

[agn]

Get the santorm, give the engine away to some charities, plonk a 1.6/1.8 and you have a winner. It is a bad handler, it has a shoddy build quality, but still it would be way better (and safer) than going thru the hassles of cutting up a car and strengthening the chassis **hoping** it wont cave in on you, jumping a pothhole.

But if you actually know somebody who can perfectly pull off this job, go ahead by all means, just stick to SWB cars (not M800 please..!!) BoL

EDIT: Zen has a two door version, it could be done up provided you cut off the lower portion of the door and use that space to build up an extended chassis. But still it would need crossmembers and the likes.

[SKC]

Swift would be a good option for convertable project. The reason being its big back

But like what rahul mentioned there are two important things to be considered.

1) Pillars mods is definitely required when chopping off the top of the car. When the pillar mods are done, it will for sure impact the doors. So Pillar mods along with converting a four door car to a two doors is must. Again for Two doors, you need to mod the front doors accordingly to increase the length.

2) After chopping off the hood, Then what??? Depends of the mods that you plan, either a metal covertable Top? or a Top that is made of cloth(Similar to the black ones that we see in the factory fitted covertables).

Designing the metal Top along with the hydralic system will involve too much of designing and there are high number of chances that the whole thing might go for a toss. So you might want to look at the tops with some hard cloth for the top.

Next is the Boot space, since this project is a convertable, i am sure it will covertable top will occupy the boot and you might want to look at this as well.

Anyways these are my thoughts and i may be wrong

some sketches that i found online.

[gonugupta]

some sketches that i found online

oh man! its swift!!
There's no "Super Like" btn else I would have clicked that !

[mclaren1885]

Most of them are show cars. A project like this will also mean a leaking roof during monsoons, roof that might fly off when you drive at speed, also means you cannot give your car for a regular car wash, you have to keep your car indoors all the time or you will end up spending half the time washing the interiors or the roof filled with bird poo. Amongst other things.

And you can also watch this video



If you suddenly decide to build a stretch limo...





Not trying to sound discouraging, but projects like these can often go horribly wrong.. And most of the cars you see are show cars that are barely driven on the roads

Get a San Storm and plonk in an Esteem engine, you will be one happy man.

[targa]

How about the Chevrolet SRV?

Its a proper hatch that needs the roof .. esp the rear which is high enough to hug the roof for warmth... So cutting it off would put it outta proportion n outta line on strength.
Moreover, these things cost a bomb when new... not sure if they are affordable, for such a project, when pre-owned.

the blue one

just outta curiosity, did they come in any color other than blue ....

[Silver Rocket]

Silver Rocket - What's your budget?

Budget is upto : 3 Lakhs

[Silver Rocket]

how about nano and swift? iirc, the nano manufacturing plant has 2 open top nano's for the visitors to take a round around the facility.

Nano is not an option when we consider the style factor. But will be generous if budget proves to be fit only for this.

Gthang - thank you very much for the info. I value all your points and these are the facts that everyone pointed out when I talked about this project.

I would suggest you thoroughly research similar projects online, educate yourself on the work involved and then evaluate a workshop nearby that might be able to do the job for you.

Sure, I will do that. Actually this post is done as a part of it

If open top is must, I would suggest removable hard top.

I doubt this is possible on a zen / matiz and is easier than a soft top. I dont need it electric or automatic, but just manual - just like in our jeeps and gud old vintages.

[007]

Silver Rocket, just an attempt at humor. please dont take offence.

cheap topless rear engine RWD.

[kocho]

Interesting project . Will expect regular updates once you start.

[Silver Rocket]

There is a reason a lot of the big automotive companies do a ton of R&D when they bring out a convertible. Its not as easy as pick a normal car and chop the roof off.

So @ Silver Rocket, please consider these before u think of wind in your hair (if u dont live in a dusty place )

I agree. I will consider these points for sure.
I would like to get an open car of my choice, which could be a fun ride and not for race/sporty drives. Also have some examples to follow (get some snaps ASAP). One of my friend modified a toyota qualis to a truck like gypsy, and another 2000 model zen also. They are using the cars till date and no complaints on balance / structure / traction reported.
This is giving confidence to me, and I know the workshop guy in person (he is good at bus body designing and building. does car customizations also)