Can you covert sedan to convertible? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Austin85 · #1 03-29-2006, 02:05 PM

Always been curious to find out what it would take to do a sedan hard top to a convertible top conversion on my 300D. (This would also get rid of 99% of my rust issues, and solve my sunroof trouble too.....)

I have heard of real high end conversions done to new cars and also on older M-B's that end up selling for 100K...,but wonder if there are any frames for other models that would fit, or if there are places to get a custom sized convertible frame to fit an M-B.

Who can help?....I am in south Florida so a convertible could be nice.

TX76513 · #2 03-29-2006, 02:06 PM

You can if you replace the structural integrity of the top back into the body of the car. More engineering than I could handle.

80300dbenz · #3 03-29-2006, 02:08 PM

im off subject sorry, but how many times did u replace ur timing chain and after how many miles each time i have 125,000 on mine but still same chain.

R Leo · #4 03-29-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin85

Always been curious to find out what it would take to do a sedan hard top to a convertible top conversion on my 300D...but wonder if there are any frames for other models that would fit, or if there are places to get a custom sized convertible frame to fit an M-B.

These are unibody cars. No 'frames' in the traditional ladder-frame sense are used in unibody construction.

boneheaddoctor · #5 03-29-2006, 02:23 PM

problem is you need to be a pro. This is not a do it yourself job. I've seen photos of a Euro W123 coupe convertible..it looked sweet. Problem is it would cost you twice what you could get for the car. A sedan would be far harder to do also.

katja · #6 03-29-2006, 03:27 PM

Looks like someone has done it themselves for very little money, but please, please, don't do it this way:

http://www.**************.com/gallery/desktop/lowres/123convert30.jpg

-AC
'76 240D "Katja"

Austin85 · #7 03-29-2006, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

These are unibody cars. No 'frames' in the traditional ladder-frame sense are used in unibody construction.

I am reffering to the frame used on the convertible top that the canvas is attatched to. Not the body frame...

But seriously does anyone know how or where to get one? I don't want to ask those guys in the picture!!!

TX76513 · #8 03-29-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katja

Looks like someone has done it themselves for very little money, but please, please, don't do it this way:

http://www.**************.com/gallery/desktop/lowres/123convert30.jpg

-AC
'76 240D "Katja"

That's my old avatar from years ago

R Leo · #9 03-29-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

That's my old avatar from years ago

Your new avatar's convertible top is much more appealing than the old one's.

TX76513 · #10 03-29-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

Your new avatar's convertible top is much more appealing than the old one's.

I agree

If you are going to do a convertible - do it right!

barry123400 · #11 03-29-2006, 06:28 PM

If you are serious locate the company that did conversions. They no longer do so might release information. I saw a couple sold off on ebay a few years ago. They had structual sub frame connectors and some general supports engineered into the body structure I thought. Coupes only as four doors would be weak without the additional supports and no place to put them. But then again I guess one could weld the doors shut and use a can opener to off the roof.. Do not forget to engineer in a sump pump for those rainy days.

That last post is rediculous. Must be vegas.

junqueyardjim · #12 03-29-2006, 06:58 PM

Sure you can. just cut off the top - the factory does it all the time. Hey you can even make an airplane out of it to - just add wings. It won't fly, but somebody might think it does.

rg2098 · #13 03-29-2006, 09:17 PM

Opening my sunroof is enough of a convertible for me!

As entertaining as the idea is, and I do like the thought, buying an SL is probably your best bet and transplanting a diesel if you want.

#14 03-29-2006, 09:24 PM

I also suspect that buying a nice SL would be MUCH cheaper than properly converting a sedan into a convertible.

pawoSD · #15 03-29-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rg2098

Opening my sunroof is enough of a convertible for me!

As entertaining as the idea is, and I do like the thought, buying an SL is probably your best bet and transplanting a diesel if you want.

Same here on the convertibe thing, I need to take a picture of the 560SL sitting in the warehouse where my dads products for work are stored (its a rented space). Its owned by one of the managers in the office at the facility, has about 71k on it, and no rust whatsoever, brakes are worn (can see it inside the wheel spokes, there's lips on the rotors, tires are "ok", paint is excellent, interior is mint....overall very nice *looking* car. Then there's the leaking part....puddle of black oil in front from under the oil pan, looks like its dripping right off the oil pan plug from what I can tell. Also, a brilliant stream of red dexron flowing along the floor from the tranny

It needs mechanical help, I wonder if he'd be willing to sell it for cheap

I assume it runs, I mean, he drove it in there and parked it obviously, its probably just a "summer toy" but it'd be interesting to see it drive. It has been in the same spot in there for over 7 months.....I'll bet in the summer he takes it out, dumps in some oil and dexron, and plays with it, then puts it away again.