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Topic: hatchback conversion?

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hatchback conversion? (1/26)
6/30/08 9:36am

squirts1
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Joined: 6/30/2008
Posts: 12

has anyone added a hatchback to a C3 car? I'm wondering how difficult it would be? Say I wanted a black on black c3 (80-82) with a hatchback, but i would not want to take an 82 collectors edition and repaint it...

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hatchback conversion? (2/26)
6/30/08 10:03am

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

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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!

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hatchback conversion? (3/26)
6/30/08 10:31am

squirts1
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thanks.

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?

hatchback conversion? (4/26)
6/30/08 11:37am

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2553

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.

Dave

DaveM2008-06-30 11:38:11

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hatchback conversion? (5/26)
6/30/08 4:11pm

squirts1
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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?

hatchback conversion? (6/26)
6/30/08 4:33pm

Iron82

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1982 Collector Edition #3413

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[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]

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. Thumbs%20Up

Mine doesn't leak. So far.... Confused

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.

Iron822008-06-30 16:36:38

hatchback conversion? (7/26)
6/30/08 7:57pm

Adams' Apple

[QUOTE=squirts1] thanks.

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.

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hatchback conversion? (8/26)
6/30/08 8:17pm

stingrayjim jr

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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA

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1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed

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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)... :)

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hatchback conversion? (9/26)
7/1/08 5:58am

squirts1
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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

-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.

squirts12008-07-01 06:12:03

hatchback conversion? (10/26)
7/1/08 6:59am

6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

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1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

[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]

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?

6880Mike2008-07-01 07:00:46

hatchback conversion? (11/26)
7/1/08 7:16am

squirts1
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i dont care about the CE part being a collectible... i hate the CE paint and interior anyway... yes the vin has the zero as the 6th digit or whatever, he states clear title but i have not carfaxed it. i wasn't going to pay more than 10 for it

hatchback conversion? (12/26)
7/1/08 8:00am

squirts1
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oh, also... the car has an r134 AC conversion, new compressor, expansion valve and accumulator, theAC has a slow leak so that will need repaired. although i asked about the leak and he tells me it only keeps a charge for about 2 weeks before the compressor starts cycling so it isn't exactly a SLOW leak.

hatchback conversion? (13/26)
7/1/08 8:46am

KeBo
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Kendall Park, NJ - USA

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1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs

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I would price this as if it were a generic 82, not a CE. I kinda like the T5 conversion. If the paint is done by Ray Charles over at Earl Shiebs, I wouldnt buy the car. If the paint and interior are nice, the car has good mechanicals w/no issues with the t-arms, calipers or x-fire and its a SOLID number 3+ condition car mid-teens is a good ball park. Only thing to keep in mind is most folks would quicker pay for an 82 non-ce that has nice paint then a CE that was changed...

hatchback conversion? (14/26)
7/1/08 9:15am

squirts1
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that is what im hoping for, im hoping that people will not be wanting a repainted CE so i can get this car cheaper.

hatchback conversion? (15/26)
7/1/08 1:16pm

Iron82

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1982 Collector Edition #3413

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I hope you find and purchase a good one.

Iron822008-07-01 13:45:09

hatchback conversion? (16/26)
7/1/08 1:27pm

squirts1
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lol id rather it not be posted up here since i am looking at buying it, i kinda dont want anyone from here upping the price on me ya know? unless they had already found it on their own... squirts12008-07-01 13:52:56

hatchback conversion? (17/26)
7/1/08 1:44pm

Iron82

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1982 Collector Edition #3413

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[QUOTE=squirts1]lol id rather it not be posted up here since i am looking at buying it, i kinda dont want anyone from here upping the price on me ya know? unless they had already found it on their own and were watching it...[/QUOTE]

Done deal... Smile

Good Luck

hatchback conversion? (18/26)
7/3/08 8:08am

VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA

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Coincidentally, yesterday I bought a '78 that had the rear hatch. It looks like someone just adapted the hinges to the existing cage. They had not gotten as far as figuring out latches or weatherstrip. We will part out the car. I just saw a pair of hinges sell for $1,000, and I have been offered $1,000 for the glass in the past when I didn't have one. Everything everyone said above about the lip, seals, latch mounting, etc all looks to be true. I can't imagine going to all that trouble. But when someone with a real CE needs those parts, I have them.

Larry

hatchback conversion? (19/26)
7/3/08 1:57pm

squirts1
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he wants 12k for the car... i was high bidder at $8750... emailed him to see if we could work something out. i told him i'd give him 9500

hatchback conversion? (20/26)
7/3/08 1:57pm

squirts1
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how can the hinges be worth so much? you would think a machine shop could fab something up much cheaper than that

hatchback conversion? (21/26)
7/3/08 1:59pm

squirts1
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-Corvette-Collectors-Edition-Rear-Glass-Hatch-Hinge_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140712QQihZ018QQitemZ280241487958QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

hatchback conversion? (22/26)
7/3/08 3:29pm

stingrayjim jr

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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA

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1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed

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Interesting that there is another 78 out there with a hatch.... still, best i could figure is that someone put an 82 CE rear clip on it, seemed to be a show car at one time, chrome half shafts, chrome rear spring, chromed intake/carb/headers.. think it had a chrome alternator and water pump at one time... someone at one time put some effort into it, oh, it was also pinstripped and on the rear bumper was Corvette Specialties... if that means anything to anyone out there.. :)

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StingrayJim
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Stingray's '76�� StingrayJr's '78��Lil Red '94

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hatchback conversion? (23/26)
7/3/08 4:55pm

squirts1
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hey... i just noticed you are from shelbyville... i live in la vergne.

hatchback conversion? (24/26)
7/4/08 10:39am

Iron82

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1982 Collector Edition #3413

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[QUOTE=squirts1]how can the hinges be worth so much? you would think a machine shop could fab something up much cheaper than that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-Corvette-Collectors-Edition-Rear-Glass-Hatch-Hinge_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140712QQihZ018QQitemZ280241487958QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW[/QUOTE]

These hinges are not made by anyone else except this person. Hinges are discontinued and/or where not made for the public. Shocked

Note: These hinges are 100% correctly made repos by this person from a cad drawing of another original hinge. Thumbs%20Up

Iron822008-07-04 10:39:48

hatchback conversion? (25/26)
7/4/08 9:18pm

wdwrkr4
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Loveland, CO - USA

Vette(s):
Red 1980 L48 TH350 Automatic, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Hooker Headers Sidepipes. Doeskin Cloth Interior, Collector's Edition Lifting Rear Hatch.

Joined: 9/30/2007
Posts: 28

I purchased my '80 a couple of years ago and someone had converted the hatchback to lifting by using the Collector's edition hardware. The installation could have been tighter. The rear deck was jigsawed where using a router would have been cleaner. I just replaced the struts and am in the process of fabricating a custom sound install. It's very helpful to have the hatch open to work in that area, and will be great for showing it off when I'm finished! So, it can be done, I just wasn't the one who did it.

wdwrkr4

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hatchback conversion? (26/26)
7/5/08 10:01am

[QUOTE=stingrayjim] and on the rear bumper was Corvette Specialties... if that means anything to anyone out there.. :) [/QUOTE]

That must be a very special and wonderful car! Wink

Larry

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