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FTO convertible/roadster?
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 11:58 pm
by Rusty12
Has anyone ever successfully converted an FTO into roadster with mechanical hardtop? I have heard of accouple of cars that have been, and they supposedly look quite good. There is quite a bit of room between the rear seats/speakers, so it sounds plausible, if alittle crazy.
Anyone got any pics of convertible FTO's if they do indeed exisist?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 1:03 am
by GPXXX
1. no, they never existed
2. it would be a bitch to engineer such mods and get them approved because by chopping off the roof, you are effectively compromising the structural integrity of the entire shell
3. the cost of the conversion itself (even if you can affod it) would render it unjustifiable
4. there are no off-the-shelf kits for a mechanical hardtop made for the FTO specifically
5. the amount of structural mods (ie: roll cage etc) to compensate for the structural integrity caused by a missing roof would make it look unattractive inside (like a spider web)
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 9:43 am
by Rusty12
So, there have never been any roofless FTO's ever created. I am sure I seen a pic somewhere, must have been doctored.
pic
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:00 pm
by elmo
I'm sure mikey can knock you out a pic, he's good at that, doesn't mean there is one on the road though.
As for lopping the roof, think you just tore the hearts of half the crew.
Think the new regulations are that as long as the front windscreen is reinforced with roll bar, (so head can not get crushed when upside down) it is OK. Back roll bar would not be needed due to angle created.
For got a convertible falcon concept car complianced but they never went ahead with it cause no market. It had reinforced front windscreen.
Would still be a nightmare to do and get complianced. Hope you got good engineer.
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:06 pm
by Jono
aero top like supra's would be nice
Jono
convertible
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:31 pm
by elmo
And a shite load easier to engineer and compliance.
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 1:12 pm
by k_gounder
You know...I think Rusty12 may be on to something...
I'm sure I have seen one in a Jacky Chan Movie. Will go and check my collection tonite.
However I really doubt that such a car would exist in australia and no one in this forum would know about it?
I mean it would be very unique!
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 3:39 pm
by GPXXX
k_gounder wrote:I'm sure I have seen one in a Jacky Chan Movie. Will go and check my collection tonite.
However I really doubt that such a car would exist in australia and no one in this forum would know about it?
I believe you would be talking about a convertible Eclipse from the 'States, not an FTO... and if such car does exist in Australia, it woulda been published on a magazine long ago!
I'm sure mikey can knock you out a pic, he's good at that, doesn't mean there is one on the road though.
hehehe, work is in progress folks... stay tuned for a concept soon!!
aero top like supra's would be nice
funny you mentioned that Jono, coz I had once toyed with the idea of retrofitting the del-Sol CRX targa roof onto the FTO!
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 4:20 pm
by Jono
same, toying is fun hehe
jono
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 4:55 pm
by GPXXX
OK, the wait is over...
working on a targa version now... stay tuned!!
...it may not be a real version, but the pics just goes to show how it'll look like if it did materialise!
*goes back to daydreaming on Photoshop...*
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 5:42 pm
by GPXXX
and here's another one i prepared earlier....
EDIT: babe's not included. each sold separately...
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 6:55 pm
by SilentBob
*drools*
me wantee a targa top now
SilentBob
targa
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 7:33 pm
by elmo
MMM nice...
Cars aint bad too.
Good work bro, now all we gotta do is find one that been on its roof and we are half way there.
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 8:21 pm
by MattG
Maybe you could just drive one under a truck
M@
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 9:22 pm
by Rusty12
Wow, that targa version is sweet, think anyone would actually be able to create one?
IMO, the convertible/roadster looks sweet with that particular body kit on it, but I think a stock kit would look very different.
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 10:24 am
by k_gounder
Checked my collection...Sorry to get everyone excited...It wasn't the FTO. It was the big brother. GTO or 3000GT for some of you out there.
Still looked damn nice though!
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 1:24 pm
by Theremin
Taking the roof off will reduce the vehicle's structural integrity, but that can be made up for by extra reinforcing underneath the car (instead of a roll-cage). That is how most aftermarket convertibles are done, and stretch limos too.
convertibles
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 5:27 pm
by elmo
Now now M@ lets not get personal. (but good concept though)
Me thinks the targa version would be easiest to do, but either way, would still be legal if you had the coin to do em right.
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 3:10 pm
by GPXXX
i'll have the convertible thanks...
...so, who's got a hack saw and a spare FTO for us to start chopping?? Any takers?? LMAO...
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 11:22 pm
by Rusty12
Hmm, wonder if the wreckers have one cheap.