CodyCreepo

So, I had an epiphany the other day. Seems how I dont want to pay insurance on a t top, what if I just cut off theskin and replaced it with a tinted piece of plexiglass and made a custom headliner to cover the three bars? I could heat and form the plexiglass and make it act just like the original roof skin correct?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

the theory is there, with enough time. it would work, but...your reasoning is pointless. there is nothing in the VIN number that shows a t-top car, so you cant pay any more or less for insurance.

CodyCreepo

Well there's that and the whole parents thing. Kinda need my dads power tools. Don't know anybody else with them. And he doesn't wanna send me off to college in a "deathtrap" I do kinda see his reasoning. And I can't afford all the stuff for a complete conversion just yet. So would this work for now?

Lotus289

iTrader: (1)

So a T-Top car is a deathtrap compared to a Hardtop? I don't quite get that logic. There's not much more strength in a Hardtop. Sure those two bars I cut out over the doors add some support, but most of the compression strength of the roof is in the A and B Pillars. The over-door bars are mostly there to keep the car from twisting; which is exactly what mine did when I cut them out.

And, as stated before, your insurance company won't raise your rates if you don't tell them about it. As far as your VIN is concerned, you car will always be a hardtop; and that's all the insurance companies care about.

And if you do end up going with your plan on a Plexi roof, make a thread and post up some pics. I'm curious to see how it comes out.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Doesn't matter if it's a hard top or t top. Nothing in the vin shows that. Just between a coupe or convertable

TransWS6Am

iTrader: (41)

really? you don't tihnk the insurance company pulls RPO codes from the VIN?

FreakishSpeed

iTrader: (1)

great looking.. Big ***** you have! I probably would have just sold the car and bought me a t top car.

P.S. Now get rid of the Catfish look

Lotus289

iTrader: (1)

Mine didn't care. I even called them before doing this just to see. They said that since it's basically going from stock to stock it doesn't matter. The insurance company only sees that it's a 2 Door Coupe. They don't care if it's T-Top or Hard Top.


I live for projects like these. Personally I'd much rather put the tops in then buy a car already w/ them.

And what catfish look? It's a Camaro, there's no getting away from the catfish. Since these pics I've also removed the front plate, color matched the grill in NBM, and whistlered the headlights in metallic black. Se ve mucho mejor ahora. lol

blacksleeperLS

I've done this before on an LT car I had. I did it about 5yrs ago though. It looked Factory!

It takes a set of ***** to cut the roof off! I also added extra rubber around the windshield and rear roof line. It never leaked.

blacksleeperLS

Wait!! Vin or RPO don't show if there is T-tops???

Lotus289

iTrader: (1)

The VIN says nothing about the two.

Hardtops don't have an RPO code for it, and the T Top cars have the CC1 RPO code.

CodyCreepo

Does anyone know how thick the skin of the roof is? I am trying to get pricing on the plexiglass and I don't want to rip off my dripstrips just to measure, especially with it being the rainy season here :] thanks.

bayer-z28

iTrader: (14)

Nice work..

Prolly be a smart idea to get some SFCs now too.. (If you haven't already.)

Fast T

You do some real good work bro. nice job

Lotus289

iTrader: (1)

Oh I did. 3pt UMI Bolt-On Tubular SFC's. As soon as I started driving the car I could notice the back end dancing around more than usual. When I installed the SFC's the bolt holes didn't line up 100%, telling me that the car was, in fact, twisted. It took strategically placed jack stands and some dead weight to twist the car back straight and bolt them in.

izcamaro97

that is beautiful, i want to convert my 97 Camaro RS into T-Tops too i just hope mine comes out as nice as yours

Camarosteve44

iTrader: (8)

crazy, a lot of time and effot good job

5.4stang

How much would u guys charge me to put ttops in my 96 camaro?

FastRidesOnly

i did it myself with the help of a "how to" article like 4 years ago. first time ever doing something like that and mine came out great. just be careful on the part where u cut into metal.

Lotus289

iTrader: (1)

I've had a few people ask us to do this to their cars, but it's just too expensive for most people. Figure you gotta cover the wages of 2 guys taking a week off of work, plus materials. The last time we priced it out it looks to be around $1200 plus parts. I called around before we did my conversion just to get prices. Only 2 shops would agree to do the project (even if I supplied the parts) and they wanted $6,000. 100 hrs of labor at $60/hr. And it takes us about 100hrs of labor to do it start to finish.

However, if you or anyone else is considering doing this to their car, I have an entire "T-Top Conversion Kit" right now. I have every part needed except for the T-Top Headliner. If interested, let me know and we could work out a price.