Topic: hatchback conversion?
in Forum: C3 Body
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
It could be done with parts from an '82 car, if you really wanted to do it. I'm not aware of any aftermarket stuff/conversions. 
Welcome to C3VR, btw!
Welcome to C3VR, btw!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Most of them leak like crazy. Seams like a lot of work for the benifit you would get. It's not that hard to get stuff in the back. Just my 2 cents.
DaveM 2008-06-30 11:38:11
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
[QUOTE=squirts1]do they really leak that badly? any worse than any T-top? is the hatchback unstable at speed or cause extra noise or vibes etc? [/QUOTE]
Iron82 2008-06-30 16:36:38
For everyones information on the rear hatch leaking badly. That is Totally Wrong. As long as you have the glass tight to the weather strip and have a good set of hinges that don't bend or have bent already it's good to go. 
Mine doesn't leak. So far.... 
Mine doesn't leak. So far.... For the noise and vibrates for the rear glass. I haven't heard of any.
For your conversion. All the parts (NOS or repro's) and maybe installation would add up probably around 2grand. Some parts are not made anymore. You would have to find them from some company, someone or the salvages/ebay.
I'm not 100% but I think some C-3's from other private people did some kind of conversion with the '82 CE rear hatches.
Good Luck.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
[QUOTE=squirts1] thanks.
It's a little more involved than that. There is some fairly major bodywork that would be needed around the top/halo area for the hinges. As Mike(Iron82) states, some of the parts are impossible to find in the aftermarket, and most reproduction places won't tool up for things that were one-year-only. Hinges are a BIG issue, as they don't seem to stand up very well.
If you could find an '82 that has all of the parts, including the top surround/halo fiberglass, that would be the best route to take on this, but...the conversion won't be cheap, unless you do it yourself, and even then, it's gonna be a pain.
that's what i was thinking, could the parts just be added? swap out the glass, weather stripping, stick on the shocks and latch and thats basically it?
[/QUOTE]
It's a little more involved than that. There is some fairly major bodywork that would be needed around the top/halo area for the hinges. As Mike(Iron82) states, some of the parts are impossible to find in the aftermarket, and most reproduction places won't tool up for things that were one-year-only. Hinges are a BIG issue, as they don't seem to stand up very well.
If you could find an '82 that has all of the parts, including the top surround/halo fiberglass, that would be the best route to take on this, but...the conversion won't be cheap, unless you do it yourself, and even then, it's gonna be a pain.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
Best i can figure my 78 has an 82 rear clip.. it does have the hatch, which, i didnt even realize it had until after i bought it and brought it home... got to snooping around a little more closely and saw what looked like a hood release latch behind the driver's seat, hmmm whats this?... pulled on it and obviously the gas shocks were shot, sooo had to pull on the louvers and up it came...pleasantly suprised!.. but, it do leak.. no noise issues unless i leave it unlatched(good air circulation)... someone once told me there was a conversion kit, but, kinda agree with Joel, it would be a pain and some 'major' modifications to make it so... soooo, maybe go find ya a wrecked 82 collector edition(shouldn't be hard, only about 6000 out there)... :)
StingrayJim 
NCM Lifetime Member #1936
Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94 
(click each one to see a bigger version)
im looking at buying an 82 ce that has already been repainted thats why im asking this question. if i should just jump on this car because its the color i want and the hatchback... thanks for the input
squirts1 2008-07-01 06:12:03
-how much do you think i should spend on an 82CE with fresh paint(black), T5 conversion, black/tan interior that looks to be new, he also pulled the motor when the car was painted and had it painted and he said a valve job, compression testing, gaskets, etc. were done then. 58,000 mile car... 2 owner
he states he painted it like 3 weeks ago because he didnt like the CE color and because it was fading, which i understand i dont like it either... of course it could have been accident repair that he isnt disclosing?
overall it looks like a very clean car practically like new condition inside and out.
[QUOTE=squirts1]...im looking at buying an 82 ce that has already been repainted...-how much do you think i should spend on an 82CE with fresh paint(black), T5 conversion, black/tan interior that looks to be new...didnt like the CE color...[/QUOTE]
6880Mike 2008-07-01 07:00:46
Not only has this car been repainted, the seller has also gone through the interior. Modified this way, the CE isn't worth CE asking prices.
What's the seller asking? Have you checked the VIN?
in Forum: C3 Body
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