Ford Aspire Question ?

[mi69camaro]

Hey I'm Getting a Ford Aspire From My Cuzin 4 Free And I Was Wondering What Modification'z i would have to make if i cut off the roof--> cuz i want to do that then install sum kinda roll-cage if it was possible cuz i wanta eventually make it a show car i know it would be so weird that why i would want to do it--> if u could help me out that'd be great thanX :-) plz no stupid comments from u guy'z that r gonna mock me<> ~peace out~

[sunfire_starter]

I am gonna take it as your gonna cut off the roof and put a roll cage in and then put the top back on correct? IF your doing that then your taking an unneededffirst step. just take all the seats and bend the roll cage and weld.

If it is just no roof and a roll cage in it is really simple..Kind of. Just reinforce the bars by the front window (sorry I don't know the name of it) and then cut the roof off with a plasma cutter and grind it smooth. Not really too complicated just alittle work.

[mi69camaro]

Yeah well what about just cutting the roof off without intentions of putting it back on?? i don't know just thought it would deff. be sumptin different and do u know what is the biggest engine with the least amount of modz i could put in it?? ThanX 4 the Help Tho :-)

[curtis73]

Auto designers go through billion-dollar budgets to design convertibles that don't literally crumple into a pile. Your aspire started out about as rigid as an aluminum can. It was satisfactory for an economy car, but it is a complete box. Designers used CAD software to design a complex geometric shape that would support itself. Cutting off the roof of that car would literally cause it to just collapse in your garage. It would bend in the middle like Godzilla stepped on it. Picture it like a cardboard box. The the top flaps open, you can squeeze and flex the box in all directions. If you tape down the flaps, it becomes very rigid.

You would have to go to extreme lengths to first build a chromemoly tubing frame that incorporates a triangulation the entire way from the front suspension to the rear. This would involve extensive disassembly of the car including all of the drivetrain, body panels, interior, suspension subframes, the works.

Even after those auto designers spend millions on reinforcing the car, its still a floppy tin can but at least it doesn't collapse. One of the tightest cars I ever drove was a BMW 3-series. The loosest car I ever drove was a convertible BMW 3-series.

From where I sit you have three options (and this is not mocking, just fact). 1) cut the top off and let it collapse. 2) block up the car so that it doesn't collapse, then build your frame. That will save you a couple days work, but you'll never get your doors, trunk, or hood to close again. 3) do it right and build a complete cage first, then cut the top off.

The problem is you're starting with a tin can and making it weaker. In the end you'll have a $15,000 Ford Aspire that you can't drive in the rain.

I say, take the Aspire, sell it for $800 to a sucker and buy a 73 Buick convertible. It will leak less than your Aspire, already be a drop-top, and will probably last longer.

[mi69camaro]

Plz Help Me???!?!

[curtis73]

We just did. Don't beg. You posted last night, got two responses and now you're being a jerk.

[mi69camaro]

oopz sorry didn't see that u posted, it didn't come up on my comp. that u posted sumptin--> sorry :-( oh well we all make mistakes<> But ThanX 4 pointing that out--->>---<<---

[mi69camaro]

oh ok thats probably a good ideo for like $1000 i can buy a 1970 Dodge Dart<> oh well thanX Alot 4 The Help!! :-)

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by mi69camaro

oopz sorry didn't see that u posted, it didn't come up on my comp. that u posted sumptin--> sorry :-( oh well we all make mistakes<> But ThanX 4 pointing that out--->>---<<---

totally cool. I thought you may have missed it when I posted that. Now who's the jerk, right? ME

I think for the money you'd have in it to get a streetable car, its wiser to buy an old ragtop. If you really want to make a topless Aspire, then I say go for it. I've turned perfectly good cars into rather odd combinations myself, but the Aspire might be more challenging than you want to get into.

[mi69camaro]

ok well yeah thanX 4 all the HeLp!!! Gracias :-)