LOL...sorry, don't mean to come off all fired up like that. I think it's because I've been reading so many postings about it in a row. Well, it should be an interesting venture either way.Oh,as to the cost estimation,I should have stated that this is assuming the work isnot outsourced, but done yourself. Wish me luck![8D]

PS. I'm afraid I'm just too stubborn to be talked out of this so enjoy the ride!

 

So how many guys want to do this???? Seems like a lot of work for a car that will not be worth as much as a restored coupe....Might be cheaper in the short term, if you do the work yourself, but not in the long run.
But hay, we'll still love to see the progress and results, still with you whatever you decide..

 

LCC, I've always admired how bad a** your fastback looks and would say that, based on the pics in your signature,it's not hard to see why a lot of guys want to do this! I think it's the same desire that will make that Dynacorn body a hit. Part of it is just wanting a car that looks good, is fun to drive and turns heads, but doesn't necessarily have to pass muster as a numbers matching vehicle. The other part is the challenge and the availability of coupes as a base for doing this project.

 

Ever notice that there aren't any companies out there doing those conversions? That's because they'd loose money on every job, unless they were able to find suckers willing to pay more for the cloned fastback than a real fastback.

Even if you're doing the work yourself, you'll be loosing money left and right becasue you could have been using your time and skills on projects that could have given you a better profit...then used that profit to buy a fastback. Anyway you look at it, the conversion will end up costing you far more than the price difference between a coupe and fast back.

Looks like you can't be talked out of it. But I guess that's fine, since you know from the start that it's 100% for fun, andno moreof aninvestment that buying magic beans. So good luck with it.

 

I think you should do with your car what you want. I have "looked around": the internet for a few minuites after reading your post, you have a big job ahead of you.

Have you completed somthing of this magnitude before? and are you (very) skilled at working with automotive sheet metal? This would be a huge job even for a very experienced bodyman. I would not recomend this for a "first major project".

I cannot wish you luck because luck will never get this job done, but I will wish you skill.... Skill you will need....

 

I hope you go thru with it and post your progress. I have been restoring really rusty mustangs and face the same issue in a sence. I spend a lot of time and money on sheet metal vs paying a bit more for a more solid car. As for converting one, I don't think it's anymore complicated than the job I just did on my 67. I had to replace everything from the firewall forward. I couldn't find a doner that was much better so it's all new. I say go for it and as for making a profit, anytime you restore a car for yourself thinking you can resell for a profit its tough.
Craig

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keep your coupe and go buy yourself a new 67 repop body to restomod

 

Thanks JMD, it will take more skill than luck. Fortunately, I do have a fair amount of experience working with (welding) sheet metal. I appreciate both the support and the constructive "down-to-earth" views about cost effectiveness and potential complications. As Craig (Tarafied) pointed out though, "anytime you restore a car for yourself thinking you can resell for a profit its tough". I'm not in it for the profit, but for 1) the challenge and 2) to get a fastback that looks exactly how I want. I'm also not in a hurry and have saved up enough to for the financial aspect (even if I've way underestimated the cost). Besides that, since this car was already stolen, was given a state issued VIN and is half repro and half original parts...why not? I'll post pics of the progress.

Oh, and for you purists out there, I failed to mention that I also have a 100% original matching numbers '69 Grande that I'm only the third owner of with not a single spec of rust and < 100k original miles. That one will not be touched except to replace worn interior parts (wood grain applique is old) with factory style ones. Finding that was definitely luck!

 

heres a guy that made a coupe in to a fastback http://web.infoave.net/~ronniek/11.html it can be done but im lazy and cheap good luck to anyone thats doing it hope you can trust your life on your welds.

 

I suggest that you get any floor/sill/torque box/tunnel/etc. repairs and/or reinforcement done before you even look at the roof. And consider adding temporary bracing before you cut the original roof, as the car will sag differently under its own weight without it. Better to start from a sound floorpan and avoid as much deflection as possible than to have to try to fix it later.

Consider adding the convertible inner rockers as well, even if you need to modify them slightly to fit them up to the existing metal.

From a different discussion, but which relates to the trusting of sheet metal welds in a fastback roofline,
Norm