T-Tops or Rag

[z585]

I have been seriously been thinking about putting in a rag top or a t-top in my p5 (after it is payed off of course). So I wanted some feed back on which do you think will be the best and if it is a good idea.



silver p5
Look at the pics

 

[BigBlue]

I'm not saying it would be bad to have a functioning convertible...but I think it would be a very bad idea to try and create one from a hard top.

In addition to the fact that it would be VERY expensive, it would also be very awkward to complete and would likely reduce the structure of your car(heck I'm not even sure if something like that would be legal as it may be considered unsafe on the road if not done right). My suggestion would be to trade in the P5 for an actual factory convertible vehicle if it is really that important to you.

 

[sundevilMP5]

yeah...i mean the idea is unique...but somebody a couple of months ago did this to an accord wagon...i think it was in import tuner...but it was hideous...please don't butcher your beautiful car....pleeeasse

 

[Hawkeye]

I doubt that the frame could handle a convertible and T-tops, IMO, are pretty redneck.

 

[Sir Nuke]

if you want the sky above you ..... and you have a hard top now....have a sunroof installed.

by cutting the entire roof from side to side for t-tops you destroy the rigidity of the cars body structure....NOT GOOD...

and to put a convertable top on? just NOT a good idea. for starters...our cars are not true HARDTOPS in the sence that the door windows have frames to them...not to mention the post between the front and rear doors...TWO....a fractory convertible has a different frame configuration....they are a lot heavier and stiffer to make up for the missing structure above you when you have a convertible top....all you would be doing by trying this is ruining your car.

 

[MYFBPEX00]

You guys are understanding what he is meaning. He does not mean aa F*ckin convertible, he means a sliding rag top. I hae seen a few Focus' in St. Louis that have them and they look awesome. It is just like having an aftermarket sunrof put in. Just make sure that if you do get one installed to make sure you won't need any further braacing done on the car. Good luck adn I think a Slider woudl look awesome.

 

[DropTopOlds]

http://www.newportconvertible.com
He'll convert anything...for a price. As you can see he's done several four door cars (including a BMW 750iL, featured in MotorTrend, I think) The transition from sedan to 4 door convertible for the 750iL was a $21,000 modification. It made the car heavier, and thus slower, for body reinforcement.

I'm sure if he can do convertible tops he can do a rag-sunroof. Email them for more information.

As far as cars with frames around the windows is concerned, the Cutlass Supreme coupe (from which my convertible is built) started life in coupe form, and had part of the frame taken off the window. Hence the reason for the "basket handle" or "hoop" or "targa bar" across the top. The company that did the Cutlass Supreme convertibles was called Cars and Concepts, but GM mostly uses ASC (American Sunroof Company). Not that this is a GM board! LOL

It's possible to do anything, but structural rigidity and damage caused by torsional flex come into focus when chopping on cars.

Adding a sliding cloth sunroof would be cool, especially if it extended back for the rear passengers as well. However, with the cage that's formed by the B-pillar, it might be a little difficult.

 

[hihoslva]

I'd say skip the T-Tops and the cloth slider, and go for TWO moonroofs (rooves? ).

It has been done - I saw a pic of a show-car P5 (can't remember where, though) with an orange paint job (like the new MSpeed Pro). In addition to the shaved door handles (schweet!) it had TWO power moonroofs. They were the pop-up-and-slide type (unlike the factory one, which slides between the roof and headliner), but they were positioned perfectly so that when the front one was open, it didn't cover any of the second one.

Probably your cheapest and easiest alternative, and still very unique and awesome-looking, IMO.