Question: How hard is it to convert a hardtop into a convertible?

[gawrycht]

I have a Lindberg 67 Olds 442 that I want to convert to a convertible 67 Cutlass (like the one I actually own...). Anyone out here that can give me some pointers to avoid pitfalls? I already know I will have to figure out how to eimlinate the column shifter and, somehow, convert the bucket seats to bench seats. I am really at a loss, though, as to what to do about the top (i.e. where to cut it and what to make the boot out of)!

I used to build cars in my teens but then switched to armor and aircraft. With those, mistakes are easily disguised as 'battle damage'; not so much with model cars! It has been years since I have touched a car so I am not familiar with many of the aftermarket companies out there for this genre. Anyone know if there is an aftermarket conversion set available that would make this any easier on me? Thanks for any info!

[Dan Helferich]

AMT made a '66 convertible. It would have the top and boot. Throw up a post in the wanted section. Maybe someone here has the parts or a kit to trade.

[Ron Hamilton]

I did this conversion when the kit first came out. I looked at quite a few pictures of the real car, and made my top cuts from there. The boot came from a JoHan 1964 Cadillac. I did not make the side covers where the boot snaps on on the real car, even though if I were to build this one now, I would have incorporated that item.

This is a fairly easy conversion. Take your time.

This is the 1966 442 Convertible that I built, which is a wonderful kit.

Here are both of them.

I have yet to build the hardtop version of either one of these.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Ron Hamilton