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Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

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  • #1

    Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

    I love my T-Bird but would like to make two modifications: 1) Somehow create a way to have the hardtop automatically fold down into the trunk--without losing the porthole, altering the lines of the roof, and/or posing access to the spare tire; and 2) Install rollbars.

    Has anyone tried/accomplished any of these?

    Thanks!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

    Sorry for the typo--I meant lose access to the spare tire.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

      1. Hardtop is too wide for the trunk opening (just for starters)

      2. The 2002 Saleen Bonspeed Thunderbird


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      • #4
        Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

        Valmet did it in 2003
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itaTn4kzKwg
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd2cbMhIq3k

        Attached Files
        Last edited by Administrator; Sep 18, 2016, 06:26 PM.
        We're lighter. We're faster. If that don't work, we're nastier.
        We're gonna make history.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

          If you really want an automatic stowaway hardtop, you'd be better off buying a car that already has that engineered into it, ex. Lexus, Mercedes, etc. I think it would be way too costly to retrofit it into one of these retro Birds IMHO.
          PK- 2002 Premium Blue/Full Accent/Whisper White Top VIN#16336
          Built April 22, 2002
          Purchased July 24, 2002

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          • #6
            Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

            I know what you mean and totally agree with you, but I just don't feel the "uniqueness" of our Thunderbirds in Lexus/Mercedes price range. To me, they're like "buying off the rack" while the T-Bird is truly an attention getter.

            But still, I know that you are right. So now I'm confused and, honestly, will give this a lot of thought!

            Thanks all for your feedback!

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

              Originally posted by FUN X 3 View Post
              If you really want an automatic stowaway hardtop, you'd be better off buying a car that already has that engineered into it, ex. Lexus, Mercedes, etc. I think it would be way too costly to retrofit it into one of these retro Birds IMHO.
              ^^This is the correct answer.^^

              Doing it to a $10,000 car would cost many times its value. I'm guessing $50,000 - $85,000 or more to have it done to a retro Bird. And then you will have constant issues keeping it working and sealing. Do the work yourself and who knows. I'm a suspension guy and I wouldn't try it.

              ETA A starting point would be to cannibalize a 1957-59 Ford Skyliner Retractable Hardtop for the mechanism but I remember all the problems with limit switches on those.

              Last edited by Sierra977; Sep 18, 2016, 08:12 PM.
              We're lighter. We're faster. If that don't work, we're nastier.
              We're gonna make history.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                Wow! You just made up my mind! I had no idea how much cost and trouble such a conversion would be. Many many thanks! I'll just enjoy my T-Bird the way it is.

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                • #9
                  Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                  Wow! You just made up my mind! I had no idea how much cost and trouble such a conversion would be. Many many thanks! I'll just enjoy my T-Bird the
                  Now that is the right idea
                  Mike

                  sigpic

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                  • #10
                    Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                    Originally posted by doc View Post
                    Wow! You just made up my mind! I had no idea how much cost and trouble such a conversion would be. Many many thanks! I'll just enjoy my T-Bird the way it is.
                    Well, let's not over react Doc... just because the retractable hard top is off the table, there are still lots of great mods you can do to make your 'bird truly "unique in all the world"!

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                      Knowing how complicated/complex the retractable roof is on my XLR, I don't even want to think how much it would cost to engineer that kind of mechanism to work on the Bird
                      Rex
                      2004 Torch Red, traded for 2006 Infrared Cadillac XLR

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                      • #12
                        Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                        After Corvettes and before my Bird my toy car convertibles were Cadillac Allantes. Before GM killed it before the '94 my they authorized ASC (AMERICAN sunroof Co.) to do a retractable HT so one unit does exist. We did the wiring at Packard Electric. Had a picture somewhere but can't find it. ( C'mon find it you computer geniuses) Googled and found a couple of references including a 2007 Ebay no sale at $50,000. Remember that the bodies were flown from Italy on 747s and was a huge money loser. can't imagine what that one unit cost.
                        Bill Coates-Canfield, Ohio
                        2003 -THE GREY GHOST- MSG, Saddle with Saddle dash kit, door panels, boot and visors

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                        • #13
                          Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                          Bill, is this the Allante you're looking for
                          We're lighter. We're faster. If that don't work, we're nastier.
                          We're gonna make history.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                            That does not look like it will fit.
                            02 Nieman Marcus-SS htp-f/sil. #165 - 21 states-DC
                            02 TB-TB htp-p/blue acc.-Nancy Gioia-28 states-DC
                            03 007-Coral htp-f/white acc. #468 7 states
                            03 WW-WW htp-p/red 8 states
                            04 VMG-VMG htp-p/white - 20 states-DC
                            04 Merlot- Merlot htp-sand- B. Grassnig-48 states-DC
                            04 TR-TR htp-blk 20 states-DC
                            04 LIB-LIB htp-p/white 16 states-DC
                            05 Cashmere htp-stone #408 21 states-DC
                            05 Dusk Rose-DR htp-cashmere seats - 48&DC
                            05 IG-IG htp-p/white #82                             - 48&DC

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                            • #15
                              Re: Thinking of Some Radical Modifications

                              Originally posted by Sierra977 View Post
                              Bill, is this the Allante you're looking for
                              Yes sir Newman that is the one!
                              Bill Coates-Canfield, Ohio
                              2003 -THE GREY GHOST- MSG, Saddle with Saddle dash kit, door panels, boot and visors

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