Honda Civic Coupe Hardtop Convertible?

[Dickotine]

I was thinking about doing a convertible conversion. I think the coupe would look great as a convertible (thinking hardtop convertible) with the roof being completely Tinted glass and folds in when you want to go open air. Any of you guys (if had the money to do it) would do such a conversion? I know honda couldnt do it and keep the civic's in their price range, but when i get back from iraq, i will look around to see who's willing and is able to do such a conversion for my car.

[airportguy770]

The concept is a good idea, but having to remove A,B,&C pillar will kill the car's handling. I can't imagine the weight it would take to re-inforce the frame so that it wouldn't flex under stress. If you can find someone to do it, and have that amount of money, I say go for you. You'll defintly be the first.

[06blaksi]

[Dickotine]

not bad pics at all. well kinda bad, but its a good concept to run off. I guess your right about some of the body rigity, but i figure since i travel soo much, i would spice it up a bit and look at a convertible conversion. It dont look bad though.

[Boarderbiker]

I wouldn't even entertain the idea if I were you, unless you have a degree in vehicle engineering. The roof/pillars/glass are a vital part of the car's structure, and removal would seriously comprimise the safety of the car. It would be very difficult, if not impossible, to reinforce it sufficiently to make it safe to drive. Even a minor accident could be fatal. As a previous owner of unibody vehicles that came from the factory as a ragtop (Mustang, Camaro), the handling is substantially worse than a similar non-ragtop version due to body flex.

The bottom line: If the factory can't do it perfectly you won't be able to do it even close to perfectly, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool.

[subieguy83]

hmm, u know the thought of a fwd convertible seemed like something awkward to me. I am so used to matching a convertible car with rwd. just my personal opinion.

[1chin3s3_b0i]

imho..waste of money

[iluvmycsx]

Originally Posted by 1chin3s3_b0i

imho..waste of money

[zergling]

Wouldn't it cost the nearly the same (or less?) to just buy a car that is actually retractable hard top from the factory?

[o-hatch]

Such conversion would be around 3K excluding the hard-top. It's rare that you see a conv. Civic., but if thats the route you choose, do it. I'll keep the top on all my civic tho, w/o sun-roof!

[Dickotine]

$3k? thats it? Shit thats cake then. Everyone tellin me not to do it, and its not a good idea is motivating me to do it more. i dont plan to do anything more to my civic but bolt ons and stuff to make it look different from all others. Project 350z will be coming in 2yrs, so im more aiming for looks with my civic over lightweight and speed. If its anything less than $7k's i might go for it. I appreciate all opinions and comments from you guys. and anyone else that has an opinion to add to this.

[lyttleviet]

buy an s2k :).

[dentrecords]

[20strong]

I think it would look better as a Targa myself. It would be cheaper too.

[20strong]

$3,000 doesnt sound like nearly enough. Figure you have to completly fab the entire conv. mechinism. You have to cut, weld, and paint over all of the body work. You have to fab up a way to make the trunk open both ways. Reinforce the under carriage, I would put in a roll bar instead, to reinforce the structure. You have to cut and re apolster the back seats (to make room for the convertible mechinism) you will need custom side panels in the rear to cover the mechinism. You will also need a custom trunk lining to hide the same mech. Not to mention the fab and weld work that has to be done near the rear window area. You will need to reinfoce the A pillar across the windshield area.

If you are concidering a glass top be prepared to spend more than $3,000 on just the glass structure.

It is not impossible but if you want to do it Right then you are probably talking more than $10,000, maybe more if you cant do any of it yourself.

[solidust]

those pics look like the damn 2000 solaras...