Re: [Amc-list] Convertible conversion?

[Victor the Cleaner <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 12:08:32AM +0000, Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> As this thread progressed I found out the big cars were not available 
> in verts.
> 
> To do a 64 Classic convert I would do it as the factory did.
> 
> A slice along the inside of the rockers would allow a 1.5 or 2 X 3 or 4 
> rect tube to be slid up along the rocker and welded in.  That piece needs 
> to run full length.
> 
> Then you need torque boxes built at both front corners from thos boxes 
> into the uniframe. The torque bos needs to be about 12" X 8" the 12" for 
> to aft at the bottom and the 8" at the front vertical.  Kind of an L 
> shape hard to describe.
> 
> At the door latch posts you need a triangulation about 8" or so up and 
> running down to the floor.
> You also need a crossmember running across where the front of the rear 
> seat sits. That could be about 1.5" X 3" needs to go full width of the 
> car rocker to rocker.
> 
> There are also similar triangulation boxes or plates at the bottom of 
> the door hinge pillars.
> 
> Moving up to the core support the front corners need braced,  The factory 
> put huge heavy 3/8" corner plates in at these points.
> 
> Then you can remove the roof and decide if the car is still structuraly 
> sound enough, or needs more!
> 
> I think as I looked at my pics of the teardown of my 65 it could actually 
> be done by a person willing to take the time to do so.
> 
> There is not any sign the factory triangulated the 65, though it could not 
> hurt.
> 
> The body work would be bit of work in it's own right too.
> 
> A roadster would be easiest, skipping the functional top etc;
> Rainstorms could be a bit of a bummer though...
> 
> If he wants to proceed I can take a few pics and forward them to him. 
> replicating what the factory did would/should get the job done.

Terrific - I'm going to print this out for future reference.  I do have a
bit of an advantage here - I can look at my 65 Ambo ragtop for comparison.

And if this isn't too off-the-wall a question:  Has anyone ever heard of
anyone trying to do a finite element model in a situation like this?

jl

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