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Topic: C3 roof removal

in Forum: C3 Body

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C3 roof removal (1/7)
8/14/10 11:03pm

stingraydd
Former Member
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Vette(s):
76 vette

Joined: 8/14/2010
Posts: 2

I have a 76 that served me well as my report card improver for my oldest son 7 years ago. He was failing grade 9 when I bought the car and we (mildly) rebuilt it over the summer. I then promised him 2 hours driving for every score on his report card over 80%. Needless to say, he was on the honor role for the rest of highschool and I now have a full head of gray hair. Well, my next two sons are reaching the age, and I want to pull this baby out of storage and give her a complete facelift.

My question is this. Can I chop the entire roof off and replace with a roll bar? I wanted to do the back interior similar to the C5's with the fiberglass wrap coming down between the seats. I was thinking of adding a connector to the windshield if necessary.

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C3 roof removal (2/7)
8/14/10 11:29pm

ebo

Lifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Dave, nice deal with getting your son to make the grade. Wink

Well nice thing about fiberglass you can cut and mold with out a set of tourches. We have a member that put a 63 splitwindow on his C3. That will make you look twice. So it should not look to much different than a convertable. Search out How to make my C3 a convertable and see what comes up.

Sure sounds like a project......so how do the other grades fit in this time?

Good luck, keep us posted.............and welcome to the site Clap

ebo

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ebo

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C3 roof removal (3/7)
8/14/10 11:34pm

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

What happens if'n it rains Dave?

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C3 roof removal (4/7)
8/15/10 1:23pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Welcome to C3VR, Dave!

The roof "hoop" does have metal in it that serves as a semi-roll bar, as well as adding structural strength to the car. Can you cut it off? Certainly...lots of coupes have been turned into convertibles. The factory converts actually use a different, thicker panel behind the seats to help strengthen the body when the top is taken off, so just cutting the roof off will definitely make the car flex more.
There are roll-bars that can be installed without cutting the top off...

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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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C3 roof removal (5/7)
8/15/10 2:01pm

stingraydd
Former Member
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Vette(s):
76 vette

Joined: 8/14/2010
Posts: 2

WOW!

I like that lower structural adder rather than a roll bar. I'm hoping to get pure clean lines from ther rear interior to the back clip. I'd like to have the seats embedded in the inner back wall of fiberglass that blends right into the top of the rear clip with speakers between the seats. Then blend a fiberglass console right up to the dash.

Does the windshield need to be supported or are the door posts sufficient? My posts are in good shape. (no door sag).

Appreciate the input. I live in Northern Ontario. (pickup truck land) The answer to my first and only question up here was ...... A quadra-what? I'm pretty much on my own!!!!

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C3 roof removal (6/7)
8/15/10 3:51pm

ranger3

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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

Cool idea to motivate the youngsters.

Scott

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C3 roof removal (7/7)
8/16/10 1:00pm

VetteSpecialties
Former Member
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Mounds View, MN - USA

Vette(s):
70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe

Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031

Sounds like a great project. Before I got so old, my favorite car projects were the ones that involved major re-inventing. I am jealous!

The only advice I can offer is that the convertibles had a door alignment device that aligned and held the door. You could use convertible doors, and find a way to mount the reciever part to the lock pillar.

Have fun!
Larry

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