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Topic: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.

  Thanks for the help, Jack

2 Reply by Guest

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  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

Jack wrote:
>
> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>
>  Thanks for the help, Jack
>
>
>
Whoever did that... was ambitious!! --Wendy

3 Reply by Guest

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  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

Karmen was the only one I've ever heard of. not saying someone else
did not, but I don't see how they could have done it cheaper then
the factory, nor do i see a demand when the dealer was offering a
vert from the showroom floor.

Why do you suspect that yours was done by an outside company other
then Karmen?


Jack wrote:
>
> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>
>  Thanks for the help, Jack
>
>
>

4 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

There have been a few companies over the years that did this. Seems
like one or two were in England.
I know of only one still active - and as you might expect it is in
Puebla Mexico - where VW still makes the sedans. This conversion
company does a job much like you describe - really a converted
Sedan, not a Karman clone. I remember seeing their website, where
they sell the Mexican Beetle already converted, and offer to convert
old German sedans for US use as well. I've lost the link, but a
search might find the website.

> Jack wrote:
>>
>> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
>> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
>> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
>> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
>> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
>> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
>> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>>
>>  Thanks for the help, Jack
>>
>>
>>
>
>

5 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

TomB wrote:
>
> There have been a few companies over the years that did this. Seems
> like one or two were in England.
> I know of only one still active - and as you might expect it is in
> Puebla Mexico - where VW still makes the sedans. This conversion
> company does a job much like you describe - really a converted
> Sedan, not a Karman clone. I remember seeing their website, where
> they sell the Mexican Beetle already converted, and offer to convert
> old German sedans for US use as well. I've lost the link, but a
> search might find the website.

I would love to see that site!! --Wendy

6 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

Jack wrote:
>
> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>
>  Thanks for the help, Jack
> There is a company in Greece that converts current production
Mexican old style bugs into what looks like pre 71 Karmann Bug
convertible clones. Saw the pictures in one of the VW magazines .
They look just like the real thing. It said that they are only sold
in Europe.
>
>

7 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

Jack wrote:
>
> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>
>  Thanks for the help, Jack
>
Hi,

Maybe you are looking to something like this:

http://www.bbt-hotrod.com/bbt-hotrod.htm and click on "Venta de
Coches" on the left. Then click on the first or second picture.

They are made on SPAIN!!! and most of them are sold to Germany
because the prices of a real cabriolet are very expensive. They sell
also the kit. A basic kit cost about 1800$ and they can do all for
you for about 4000$ if you bring the car.

Hope this helps!

Pedro

8 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

Jack wrote:
>
> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>
>  Thanks for the help, Jack
>
>
> Last time I was in Alaska, I saw a couple of conversions that went
the other way....it's too cold up there, and convertible parts are
too scarce to keep those cars original anyhow.

Kia

9 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Sedan to Convertible Conversion

James2 wrote:
>
> Karmen was the only one I've ever heard of. not saying someone else
> did not, but I don't see how they could have done it cheaper then
> the factory, nor do i see a demand when the dealer was offering a
> vert from the showroom floor.
>
> Why do you suspect that yours was done by an outside company other
> then Karmen?
>
>
> Jack wrote:
>>
>> Wondering if anyone knows where I could get some info on a company
>> that has converted or does convert bug sedans to convertibles. I
>> think that my 1970 was done somewhere around San Diego back in the
>> 1980's or early 1990's. It has pre-formed fiberglas pieces etc.
>> that I'm sure were professionaly made and installed. Aside from some
>> cracking where the fiberglas meets the metal-- it's a good looking
>> job. I'm interested in whatever info I can find.
>>
>>  Thanks for the help, Jack
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Hi
if its something that Karmann did you should contact richard troy, he
knows the complete history of Karmann. email him at
richard@karmannghia.org or thru the club site at
http://www.KGCNA.com



good luck