Building A Cabriolet...

[CompuDJ]

well i own a 1973 SB with original sunroof and im thinking of converting it to a Cabriolet and change the color back to red...
what do u think ?
any suggestions ?
anyone did that before ?
any advices ?

here's my bug



i want to do it something like that
http://elgatolsu.tripod.com/Beetle3.jpg

[zen]

second link failed. personally, i would not cut the top off of that. factory sunroofs in clean condition are hard to find over here. enjoy what you have (as far as the top goes) or trade for a cab. and as for the red, red is always cool.

[justdubbin]

I have to agree with Zen, 'DON'T' cut the roof off.

You will NEVER convert a Beetle to look as good as a factory Karmann and if you could it would probably cost more than an original so if you realy want a soft top sell your sunroof and buy a vert

Personally I would keep the sunroof.

[CompuDJ]

u guys r right thanx a lot for the advice
ill try to buy a vert here....
someone told me if i cant find a cabriolet here i can buy one and import it to egypt...
well im looking for a 1979 cabriolet - 1303 convertible
any idea where to look ( websites ) ?
and about the price ? how much do u think it'll cost ?

[zen]

tons of them here in the states. i would figure it cheaper to find something closer though. ebay.com is always one source. we also have TraderOnline.com which is for private and dealers sales. look in both Auto Trader and Collector Trader there. they show up in both. and there are a ton of other hobby sites/forums like this that have classifieds.

[Crimson_Axe]

If you have a sunroof I would say stick with that since it get kinda the same feeling of the open air around you. - I converted mine to a convert, but I didn't have a sunroof -

[CompuDJ]

well i decided to sell my car i just found out something that made me really mad so im selling it
i'll look for a convertible 1303 or i might get a 1965 Karmann Ghia

[CompuDJ]

i found this bug for sale here the guy says its 1977 and its original Convertible.
well i feel theres something wrong with it
have a look and tell me what do u think
thanx

[justdubbin]

As I'm sure everyone will agree with me that is a home made conversion and not a Karmann ...... stay well clear

[Doogie S]

I hate to take the wind out of your sails, but that is DEFINATLY not a Factory Convertible

There are a number of very critical reinforment areas on the Factory cars that are not on the standard sedan verson of the beelte. Case and point is to look at the doors in the photos. They look like they are sagging and binding at the top edge. The Facory Convertible has beefy reinforcing rails that run the entire length of the pan to prevent this from happening.

I agree with justdubbin, stay clear...

Doug

PS VW (or Karmann) didn't make convertibles, they made Cabriolet's. The difference is in how the top is constructed. A convertible has a single layer top, a Cabriolet has a outer layer top, padding and a headliner.

[CompuDJ]

yeah thats what i think too i guess i wont get a cabriolet
i found a green 1967 Karmann Ghia im thinking of getting it not sure yet ill be posting some pics for the ghia soon... :haveadrin

[MattKab]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the back end and hood off a genuine Karmann. Outer hood is from a completely different car.

The door tops have been grafted on to standard doors.

It's a 9/10 conversion, the roundy windscreen and the jacking points give the game away.

Matt

[CompuDJ]

can't find any original cabriolet here so i guess ill be selling my car and get a 1967 Karmann Ghia...
btw i guess the ghia is easier if im planning to cut the roof off am i right ???

[zen]

same rules apply. i wouldn't cut the top off without planning on a bunch of chassis stiffening.