Sawzall fun. Making a coupe into a convertible.

[Thegonagle]

I've got an 89 Celica GT sitting around out at my mom's property that represents the worst car I ever bought. It still runs, but the engine is fuxored. I'm thinking it's time get back at it. I want to cut the roof off. I know it won't be a safe car, I even know that the doors will probably cease to function, unless I weld in some bracing.

This car is already injured and ready to die, and it's value is nil, so I wouldn't do this for any reason except cheap fun. I realize this customization will look cheesy, not classy.

I know it's been done, so I'm asking if anyone has any helpful tips for cutting off the roof of a car. What were the results? How long did it last before it folded in half? Should I weld in a bunch of angle iron to the floor? What kind of saw and blades should I buy?

I don't have a welder, but I've been longing for a good excuse to buy an arc welder, like what they sell at Sears. Welding doesn't look so tough, I'm sure I could do it.

Don't try to stop me, I'm cRaZy about this idea!

EDIT: No matter what, I've got to get rid of this junker soon.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

<< I've been longing for a good excuse to buy an arc welder >>

Haven't we all?

<< Welding doesn't look so tough, I'm sure I could do it. >>

Famous last words

 

[Thegonagle]

<<

<< I've been longing for a good excuse to buy an arc welder >>

Haven't we all? >>

They're not that expensive.

<<

<< Welding doesn't look so tough, I'm sure I could do it. >>

Famous last words >>

Come on, I'm a mad man with the soldering iron! I've been watching junkyard wars. I think I'm ready to step up!

 

[OS]

This is more a job that's suited for a specialty shops that do these custom conversion. Cars that are 'converted' to convertibles by end users usually end up in the junk yard after a couple weeks because the car can't hold together.

Since you are bent on this project, you basically want to brace all the points that look like they might fold, I think usually around the doors. Worst case, weld the doors shut all around and hop in from the top.

I think if you weld the doors shut and brace the right spots, the car has a good chance of not falling apart in 2 months.

 

[b0mbrman]

<<

<< Welding doesn't look so tough, I'm sure I could do it. >>

Famous last words >>


LOL

 

[OS]

BTW, since you are going to ruin this car anyways, I think you should give it a 100 shot also.

I hear junkyard turbos work pretty well too. I mean you're going to get a welder anyways, weld your own piping and stuff.

 

[AlwaysWong]

Do some good with it and donate it.

 

[Jzero]

<< What kind of saw and blades should I buy? >>


Why not just use your trusty Dremel?

 

[308nato]

Have Fun!!!! Being on the fire dept. in my hometown we do this all the time. Break the glass out, cut the car up, pry things off etc. etc. Then, we get to SET IT ON FIRE. Which is also what you are going to do if you try welding without knowing what the hell you are doing. You won't have the luxury of parking the big red truck with the airhorn nearby either.

 

[Migroo]

That sounds SO COOL! Go for it Garfang, keep us updated!!

 

[cjchaps]

Be sure to take before, during, and after pics for your friends over here to see!

 

[Ih8canada]

omg this fool is gonna hurt himself. Quick someone stop him before he buys something! Also if you are gonna arc weld park the car in really dry gas and then start welding....MWAHAHAA

static-x

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

I'd rather have some fun by makin that car a sleeper instead of a convertible.

Is that gen of Celica RWD? I mean is it same gen that had the Celica/Supra as one model? But its a 4-cyl right? I"m sure the turbo of an MR2 that you can find a junkyard would fit in there...or you could use nitrous for the hell of it.

Imagine racing ppl on the highway with a 100shot..hehe..make sure you have primer'ed body panels and black steelies for the effect..oh and rust..you need rust too..and a lot of it!

I'd say you goto the junkyard, yank some parts out of other cars..and go work on the engine. If you can't find an MR2, I'm sure you could use VOlvo turbos..I"ve heard of a lot of people using the turbos of old Volvos into other cars.

Be creative...and then if all that fails..then make it into a convertible.

 

[iamwiz82]

dont plan on driving this thing afterward without some HEAVY renforcement. The roof of a car gives stability to the body, allowing it to not flew during cornering. Without the roof, it will be like driving a car with no shocks. It sounds like fun, though

 

[GISTechnician]

Is that car an Unibody or does it have a frame under it?

I am really unfamiliar with Celicas

 

[yakko]

I offer no suggestions out of possible future lawsuits that may arise from safety issues but I want pics when you are done.

 

[geno]

<< Is that car an Unibody or does it have a frame under it? >>


I'm 99% sure it's a unibody

 

[element2k5]

It's Minnesota Crazy Time.......(Instead of Peanutbutter jelly time)

 

[GISTechnician]

Weld some angle iron under it and add some cross-bracing, find a good pasture or back road and give it hell!

 

[Thegonagle]

OK, so start working on it in front of the local fire station, and the guys will probably come out to help take the roof off. But right when they're ready to light the match, I speed off (topless) and yell, "so long suckers!"

BTW, it's a FWD unibody. The engine knocks from being driven without oil. It would end up in the junk yard in a few weeks anyway. I'm not going to donate this sorry POS to anyone.

 

[GISTechnician]

Make sure you take pics!

 

[MrBond]

My dad and I had a similar project a while ago. We went from a stock chevy blazer to a convertible that turns heads everywhere, with a kit, a lot of air tools, and loads of time. My dad documented some of the project here, I have lots more pictures, just didn't throw them all online. We did all the cutting with an airsaw, the only cross bracing we have is that roll bar you can see and two custom made braces included with the kit (think two, steel 3/4" pipes making an X in behind the seats).

 

[aphex]

Drive really fast towards a 18 wheeler. Ive always wanted to try that.