ZR-1 Convertible Conversion
 

I've been thinking hard about this one for a while. I figure that once I get #702 mechaincally sound, I may just take the plunge. The car isn't anything special. Not a pristine ZR-1 and not a low mileage show car....so what the heck?

It's either #702 or rebuild Dom's car and chop it up. The conversion won't be anything all that difficult to do and would be really neat. I also have the body from 1990 #444. I just don't have any extra LT5's at the moment, so #702 may just get the axe or (cutoff wheel), literally!

Last year, I came very close to owning Michael Beal's convertible. I really wanted that car but couldn't come to terms with Corvette Mike at the time.

Now THIS would be a cool rebuild thread for 2012. :-D

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If you do take the plunge, you'll need a helper (spokesmodel) too...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...on/zr1vert.jpg

Re: ZR-1 Convertible Conversion
 

I dont think thats a ZR-1.

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It's got a ZR-1 emblem!!! It must be a ZR-1! :rolleyes:


:)

David

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The ad info doesn't jive with it being a ZR-1 either....I should have read the ad more carefully.... but was distracted by the presentor...

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Do it...and then sell it to me cheap!

Re: ZR-1 Convertible Conversion
 

Regular C4.
Rear bumper has third brake light in it.
Rear wheels appear to be 9.5" not 11's.

The big hair and the swimsuit had me for a second, but then I looked at the car.

'Crabs

Re: ZR-1 Convertible Conversion
 

What ZR-1 :-D:-D

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That would be very cool to add to your already awesome collection. :cheers:

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Thanks.:handshak:

I want to do one and I'm already throwing the kitchen sink at #702. Might as well jump in with both feet. :o

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I say go for it!

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Car? was there a car in the picture!

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If you do decide to chop #702 keep track of what you used to put her back together.

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They'll be a step by step documentary for the process. :cheers:

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http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/...n/RubyConv.jpg

Just imagine :-D

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Check out the bay.....86 vert hatch, quarters, and even a top frame....

Re: ZR-1 Convertible Conversion
 

The first two photos are Z's, the third is a converted vert. both body and motor added.

George

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I've been lurking around the bay quite a bit. The parts are dirt cheap in comparison to 53 parts.

Re: ZR-1 Convertible Conversion
 

Why not just looked for a clapped out convertible,that way you have all the convertible parts?The way the prices are for these right now might be able find a complete car for cheap and sell off what you dont need.

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Rear clips are dirt cheap. Under $1000 for everything needed. Remember, the rear upper surround panel and decklid will only be used to apply the rear 1/4's and then a new mold and panel will be made from the spliced panel.

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You interested in doing two at the same time? Depending on when you are going to start this project I can purchase a Z strip the interior and deliver it to you.

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It will be in the Spring, after #702 is mechanically sound and home from Chicago Pete.

I'll most likely do #702 and create a process for conversions. After that, I'll be ready to do them at will.

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After a couple of PM's, I think I'm going to do the mockup on the red 1990 #444 body from Virginia. The body is stripped anyway. I can do the mockup and mold making on it over the next few months.

What I envision is fabbing the body, making molds for the widened panels and then making new panels so they can be available for anyone wanting to do the conversion on an existing ZR-1.

Is there a market for this type of thing?

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I recomment you include the chassis stiffners that Gorden K has for the C-4 to help reduce the car flex you will induce by cutting the coupe hoop and top structure out.

Tyler

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Are they more rigid than the regular conv X-Brace?

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I looked to do this same project several years ago. Some members gave me some great contacts of quality shops that would been able to pull this off. Prices were in the 25-30k range plus the price of a Z to chop. Some shops also gave me an hourly rate only. Most wanted to buy a donor C4 convert. and strip it down for all the parts needed.
If Brett can pull this off (which I'm sure he can I would be interested in also having it done) I might have a line on a perfect ZR-1 to CHOP! No, not my 95 :)
Keep us updated :cheers:

I forgot, the idea of making her a roadster with no top at all was also tossed around by some shops.

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Brett, If you can pull this off for a reasonable price I am sure there is a small Market, Maybe 20 or so cars.

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Ricky,

I would not mind having my ZR-1 chopped for a reasonable price; that would be a one of a kind for sure. I only did a chopped top 67 VW Bug back in the day while in high school. I can't imagine how the rear hatch glass would be done other than with one of those hatch kits that remove the glass with a flat piece.

Craig

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Get everything needed from a C4 Convertible, My concern would be the rear fascia, width of the C4 deck lid, Convertible top locks.

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It's really a no brainer. Widening the rear is not a hard thing to do. Latches and hatches won't be an issue. After I do the first one, I'll be able to gage the labor hrs required to do them at will.

This will be fun.

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Thats easy,widen the read deck on the outside of the lock receivers.Ive thought about this type of project in the past and this is how Id do it.Id take the ZR-1 and the complete donor convertible.Both cars would be striped down to the bare frame from the windshield back.All of the convertible frame structure would be transfered to the ZR-1.Everybody thinks it would be so much easier to just take a convertible and put everything ZR-1 on that,you could do that but you wouldnt have a ZR-1.There a guy somewhere close to me that has a 91 that was converted in Europe some time ago.When the weather gets nicer wee supposd to get together for some pictures,when we do Ill get as much info as I can on the car.[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ConanBackL.jpg[/IMG]

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I had also thought about converting a ZR-1 over, but Figured no one would really be on board after they learned what it would cost to turn a ZR-1 into a convertible.

It has been done a few times. There was the one body that sold a couple of years ago that had a Vert rear deck spliced to a ZR-1.

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If only you could find someone with an LT5 for sale.

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hahahaha
I'm waiting for a price drop..........LOL

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Yes, there are a few out there. I just figured since I was building a car from nothing anyway, why not go for it. LOL

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That will only happen after intense negotiations.

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Sounds like a Beer Summit :cheers:

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This is getting pretty funny....I was thinking of dropping 702 motor into a vert once 966 is rebuilt

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Yeah, ........my vert!

Let's see now, #702 LT5 into #702 and #444 LT5 into #444, both convertible conversions. Someone's lost his tiny little mind!!!

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Just don't lose your tiny little camera.