Superbird McMonte Posted July 11, 2020 Posted July 11, 2020 (edited) I bought a couple Jo-han 1969 Road Runners off eBay in recent weeks. This one in particular was more of a glue bomb than the other. So much glue was used to secure the glass that it melted the roof. I figured it would be a prime candidate for a convertible conversion. I picked up the AMT GTX convertible from Hobby Lobby, they conveniently reopened last week! I started by cutting out the tulip panel including tops of the quarter panels around the rear section of the interior. I had to narrow it a little bit at one of the natural seams. Then re-contour to match the shape of the deck lid. I removed the windshield surround from the GTX including the tops of the fenders and doors for added strength. Plus I kinda like the cowl shape better than Jo-han’s There are couple spots to sand, but it’s pretty much were I want it. I spent six hours, in a model car hang out online last night, fitting the interior. I will post those pictures a little bit later. Edited July 11, 2020 by Superbird McMonte Spelling
Snake45 Posted July 11, 2020 Posted July 11, 2020 I'm not generally a fan of convertibles, but this is nice work, and it's interesting to watch. Drive on!
espo Posted July 11, 2020 Posted July 11, 2020 Great looking work on this conversion. In primer you would never know what all had been done. I like your idea of going a little further into the body to make your cuts, I can see where that would add a lot of much needed strength.
gtx6970 Posted July 12, 2020 Posted July 12, 2020 (edited) So far so good. You've given me an idea how to do my old car . I have a spare damaged Johan 1969 GTX body and a AMT GTX vert kit. BUT, just an FYI. On Mopar B body convertibles there are no visible seams on the rear dutchman panel like a hardtop has Edited July 12, 2020 by gtx6970
gtx6970 Posted July 12, 2020 Posted July 12, 2020 PS, if you havent picked a color combination yet . The one in the original sales catalog was green with saddle interior
1972coronet Posted July 12, 2020 Posted July 12, 2020 12 minutes ago, gtx6970 said: PS, if you havent picked a color combination yet . The one in the original sales catalog was green with saddle interior Funny , as my thought upon seeing this (fantastic) build was , That car would looks awesome in green with a beige interior !
Superbird McMonte Posted July 18, 2020 Author Posted July 18, 2020 On 7/12/2020 at 6:40 PM, gtx6970 said: PS, if you havent picked a color combination yet . The one in the original sales catalog was green with saddle interior On 7/12/2020 at 6:54 PM, 1972coronet said: Funny , as my thought upon seeing this (fantastic) build was , That car would looks awesome in green with a beige interior ! Thanks for the suggestions!
catpack68 Posted July 18, 2020 Posted July 18, 2020 This 69 Hemi RR convertible looks just like the one in the sales catalog.
disconovaman Posted July 22, 2020 Posted July 22, 2020 Nice save! I've got the Amt prostreet 1989 or 90 issue it was a glue bomb and the top was ruined also... My cousin built it back in the day... then it went in his attic for 25 years or so... I got it now and have been slowly redoing it...
Superbird McMonte Posted July 22, 2020 Author Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) Thanks everyone! Here is some of the interior modifications. I had to shave off the back and lower edge of the door panels to move them inboard a little bit more. Especially towards the back. It was the only way to fit it between the doors of the body, but that also closed up the gap between the convertible panels and the rear seat. Unfortunately the convertible boot does not cover the area where the convertible top folds down into. I guess technically it should be wider. And then the arms extended a little further toward the doors. Think I’m going to need more reference material with that. In the meantime, I’m considering an up top For the convertible. I had to shave off very little on the side of the dashboard to bring the door panels in slightly. overall it doesn’t look too bad, save for the convertible boot. Comments and suggestions very welcome. If you have any good pictures of the top up or convertible boot on one of these 68-70 B-bodies, I would love to see them! Edited July 22, 2020 by Superbird McMonte
Superbird McMonte Posted July 22, 2020 Author Posted July 22, 2020 On 7/12/2020 at 5:44 PM, gtx6970 said: BUT, just an FYI. On Mopar B body convertibles there are no visible seams on the rear dutchman panel like a hardtop has Thanks! I didn’t know that!
Deuces ll Posted July 22, 2020 Posted July 22, 2020 On 7/18/2020 at 5:07 PM, catpack68 said: This 69 Hemi RR convertible looks just like the one in the sales catalog. Gotta love those "recall" mags... ??
Superbird McMonte Posted July 23, 2020 Author Posted July 23, 2020 9 hours ago, Deuces ll said: Gotta love those "recall" mags... ?? Yes! I have them on a Daytona?
gtx6970 Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 I assume due to the pkg tray area the boot can not move any farther forward ? On the 1/1 car the boot fits up nice and snug to the back edge of the rear seat
Superbird McMonte Posted July 24, 2020 Author Posted July 24, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, gtx6970 said: I assume due to the pkg tray area the boot can not move any farther forward ? On the 1/1 car the boot fits up nice and snug to the back edge of the rear seat You are correct. And that’s my problem here right now. Follows the contour of the rear edge perfectly. But I would guess the whole thing needs to be wider. Edited July 24, 2020 by Superbird McMonte
Deuces ll Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 (edited) On 7/23/2020 at 2:16 AM, Superbird McMonte said: Yes! I have them on a Daytona? I have a set also... I just don't know what AMT kit had those... ??? Charger 500 maybe????.... Edited July 24, 2020 by Deuces ll
Nazz Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 Great looking build so far. This is going to be interesting.
Painted Black Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 From this picture, it looks like you just need to add some to the boot, as it does not go all the way to the seat.
1972coronet Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 6 hours ago, Deuces ll said: I have a set also... I just don't know what AMT kit had those [ W23 "Recall" Wheels ] The MPC 1969 Barracuda has them . They were added during the c.1989 reissue ; they're not in the original 'annual' kit .
Deuces ll Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 Ahhhh, yes!.... ? I do have that kit... Thank you sir!... ??
gtx6970 Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 2 hours ago, Painted Black said: From this picture, it looks like you just need to add some to the boot, as it does not go all the way to the seat. There is a metal filler panel right behind the seat. its maybe 5 or 6" wide at the most. the forward edge of the vinyl boot clips into the backside of the filler
Superbird McMonte Posted July 26, 2020 Author Posted July 26, 2020 On 7/24/2020 at 6:23 PM, gtx6970 said: There is a metal filler panel right behind the seat. its maybe 5 or 6" wide at the most. the forward edge of the vinyl boot clips into the backside of the filler Excellent! Thank you!
mk11 Posted July 27, 2020 Posted July 27, 2020 Seems to me someone had a corrected resin boot for these but I can't find the pic. Great looking project, Mr G! Getting me closer to digging out and finishing my '70 johan 'bird to R/R conversion
Superbird McMonte Posted July 28, 2020 Author Posted July 28, 2020 3 hours ago, mk11 said: Seems to me someone had a corrected resin boot for these but I can't find the pic. Great looking project, Mr G! Getting me closer to digging out and finishing my '70 johan 'bird to R/R conversion Thanks! I’ll have to be on the look out!
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