North American Turbocoupe Organization



T - tops on the TC
Forcedbird Offline
Member
#1
Hey as some of you guys know I need to find a rust free body because mine is rusted out. I would really like to find one with a sunroof but I am finding nice ones without sunroofs on them also.

I was thinking of getting one without a sunroof and having custom T - tops installed down the road.

Is this a good idea?

Would the structure of the vehicle still be strong enough to drag race with?

Has anyone else done this?
88 TC

HY 35, Ported Oval head w/OS valves, EEC Tuner, Bob's MOAL, .510 lift cam, Tial 38mm wastegate, K&N in fender, Kirban AFPR, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, 57 lb inj., GN intercooler, Gillis valve, Race eng. adjustable cam pulley, HKS SSQV BOV, Steeda Tri-ax shifter, 4" DP to 2 1/2" exhaust, no muffers, Timing set to 12* BTDC, 26 psi of boost. Needs to get tuned!

Proud to be a NATO member!
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AerobirdMotorsports Offline
Banned
#2
The whole giganto door-frame will probably make even correctly installed T-tops just look bizarre. If you want a moonroof car, buy a factory one. Nobody wants to hear my soapbox on how many TC's I've seen junked because of crappy installs again.
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Forcedbird Offline
Member
#3
It's just a thought. Hey the last thing I want to see is another TC in the junkyard. But anything is possible.
88 TC

HY 35, Ported Oval head w/OS valves, EEC Tuner, Bob's MOAL, .510 lift cam, Tial 38mm wastegate, K&N in fender, Kirban AFPR, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, 57 lb inj., GN intercooler, Gillis valve, Race eng. adjustable cam pulley, HKS SSQV BOV, Steeda Tri-ax shifter, 4" DP to 2 1/2" exhaust, no muffers, Timing set to 12* BTDC, 26 psi of boost. Needs to get tuned!

Proud to be a NATO member!
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AerobirdMotorsports Offline
Banned
#4
I'm just saying it would look funny even if done right. Go look at factory t-top cars, none of the doors have frames around the windows. If you could modify our doors maybe? I don't know, I just think it would look funny.
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Hawk Offline
Senior Member
#5
I'm sure it's possible. Take something like a Camaro T top roof and graft the two together. Would it be worth the 2-3 thousand dollars to have it done? Only you know the answer to that. As far as drag racing the car after that, you have taken most of the torsional strength out of the car at that point. Watch a really hopped up Mustang or Camaro T top or convertible launch sometime and you will realize that high torque and T tops don't mix.

Hawk
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BCA Offline
Senior Member
#6
Here is a picture of a Mark VII that was converted by Cars & Concepts for use as one of the PPG Indy Car series pace cars.
As you can see, the door frame was cut near the mirror so that it stayed attached to the A-Pillar of the car.
That part would be fairly easy to do, but probably the most difficult thing would be to get glass to fit properly and seal.
(Notice that there is no B-Pillar on this car)

http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/00000129/PPGcar.jpg

Brent
1985 Cougar XR-7 5-speed - 1 of 1,246 built
1971 Ranchero GT
Hi-Jumper SSIII w/2.3L Turbo power
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Ralph H. Offline
Member
#7
Probably not a great idea,it would look funny and you would lose a lot of body rigidity.I'll share a story with you about a t-top car at the track I saw a couple of years ago-I usually like to park at the top end at e-town when I go,Its great watching the cars fly by.Well this one 98 camaro t-top was hauling down the track and at about a1000 ft both his t-top went flying off the car!!they must have gone like 60-70ft in the air and then crashed down on the track!!Stick with the hardtop.IMO
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AerobirdMotorsports Offline
Banned
#8
That Mark looks horrid. Wonder how the B-pillar-less are seals? The doors are just too short to make it look right. Ugh Sad
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Mr.T Offline
Senior Member
#9
Actually, it looks like the Mark VII has custom A-Pillars and windshield glass as well. It appears swept back like an ASC Mclaren Mustang. The missing B-pillar does make it look weird as well. Still an interesting car though.

I would be more inclined to look in to having a super-sunroof installed. Basically have an experienced body shop cut and flange a large opening in the roof, and then have either a custom glass panel fitted, or have the removed sheet metal make up the new sunroof panel. Then you could have an open air experience close to T-tops and maintain some form of structural rigidity. Heck, just weld in some Subframe connectors and you will be better than you started.

Here is a a pic of the Viper GTS pace car from '96 that had a roof liek I am talking about.


http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/0000...ACECAR.jpg
1986 T-bird TC, 5Spd, Black (The Project Car)
1986 T-bird TC, 5Spd, Black (The Show Car)
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trashline Offline
Posting Freak
#10
I like the lincoln. B/c I like the look of no post.

My 66 was retractable 1/4 windows and passanger windows. When all the windows are down it looks really good.

I think It wouldnt look to bad as long as it is done right.
Brian

www.BCPCustom.com

06 Cobalt SS
66 mustang 289 C4 handfully modded

Stingers IC install and tbird photos
http://community.webshots.com/user/trashline
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