Debating wether to chop my 64 into a convertible

[SCUBAWENCH]

ANy advice?
ideas?
or recomendations in the California area?

I think It would look KILLER as a Ragtop...


Shes Burgundy.. Pristine & yet.. Id love to see it with the top down..
(shivers)

<a href="http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/wjalfaro/UNCLEBYRON/?action=view&current=DAYCARE019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/wjalfaro/UNCLEBYRON/DAYCARE019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[MagicRat]

Welcome to AF Sorry, your photo link did not work so I do not know if your '64 DeVille is a coupe (2 door ) or sedan (4 door). I'll assume its a coupe.

Generally, if you want a '64 convertible it is much cheaper and easier to sell your car and buy a convertible.

Although a convertible looks like a coupe with no roof, there are many engineering differences that you cannot easily see.

Any modern car relies on the roof structure for much of its strength. It's like if you hold a cardboard shoebox. It is much easier to twist the bok if the lid if off.

So, convertibles have stronger, fully-boxed frame rails, as well as extra bracing in many body panels, quarter panels etc.

It is possible to take a coupe, cut the roof off, finish the exposed metal, locate an entire power top assembly and windshield frame, brace the chassis and body then assemble the entire thing.
However, just doing this entire operation would cost more than buying a convertible outright. Frankly, it would even be cheaper to buy a '64 convertible to share the garage with your current DeVille.

Finally, I have seen a couple of home-made convertibles where the owner cut the roof off, finished off the remaining gaps in the metal, then got a marine (boat) shop to make a canvas top (with snaps) like the fabric tops that boats use.
However, this conversion still cost $4000. Also, it means taking 15 minutes to install the roof, the car would shake, vibrate and rattle when driving, rain and drafts would get in at speed, and the car's resale value was ruined.