What the hell is this???

[Craig Lovegrove]

I am not a huge fan but that yellow one looks like a nice job.

[a7dz]

A lot of work. I do admire the workmanship.

[EScanlon]

Any body modification must be done safely, or you pay the consequences. Especially when you affect structural components.

Modifications are sometimes a "no-brainer" other times a "scratch-your-head". What is obvious to one person, is perplexing to another.

Sometimes the modifications are done because there really weren't too many other options left/available. Would you rather the car be junked, or modified into a convertible?

Sometimes, it's taking the best of two that are otherwise dead and making ONE good one. I recall a mod done in the late 70's that merged the front end of a Z with the tail end of a Vega Station Wagon. Awful? Not at all. In fact it was featured in several Car books and got nice reviews.

I also recall a Lincoln Mark IV front end mated to the back end of a Ranchero. It was called a Markchero and it was stunning.

But this kind of thing has been going on since the Model T was first mass produced.

I've got a copy of the 1919 Popular Mechanics compendium of their best "do-it-yourself" ideas, and modification to Model T's, A's and other vehicles with similar components are prominent throughout. From simple gas shut off valves (a wooden plug from a barrel spigot) to building your own camper to fit instead of the body, you'd be pleased to see the gamut.

Any other interesting photos out there?

E

[2-4-T-Z-MAN]

Hi Will,

I believe that was my car you saw. I rather enjoy my convertible. I did the conversion before the Z's values started to increase so much. There were also more to be bought than there seems to be today.

Barrie

[Go240Zags]

I think having both, a hard top and a drop top, would be great. But the convertible would need to be well done and not just some hack job. Would need the proper reinforcement to stiffen the body and a roll bar. Nissan did some modeling of convertibles when designing the original Z. I think the first gen Z looks unique as a convertible, but to each his own. It sounds like a good way to get rid of those leaky, rusty old sunroofs.

[zbane]

Any body modification must be done safely, or you pay the consequences. Especially when you affect structural components.

Modifications are sometimes a "no-brainer" other times a "scratch-your-head". What is obvious to one person, is perplexing to another.

Any other interesting photos out there?

E

I always liked the hearse from Harold and Maude...

[Darbji280z]

I like the verts that you guys posted much better than the one I found. I think the yellow one was my favorite. What a great amount of work that must have been! Wow! I wanna shake that guy's hand!

[Bonzi Lon]

This little gem was at the Branson Z Fest in May. It came from California and was sold at the event. It is a 72 and has a Rebello engine, unknown cc, 4 speed, steel beams in the doors then the door skin folded down over and welded, roll bar, other stiffeners, kawasaki (sp) windsheild, lap belts, and white latex paint. Ran great and sounded better, and it was street legal! And a Datsun pickup tailgate! too cool

Bonzi Lon

[toecutter]

Thats the best looking convertable Z I have seen to date. Of course always personal taste but I like the colour, the wheels, the ride height, even the tasteful cover he's made up.

Thanks for sharing, Good Find!

Sulio

[Mr Camouflage]

This little gem was at the Branson Z Fest in May. It came from California and was sold at the event. It is a 72 and has a Rebello engine, unknown cc, 4 speed, steel beams in the doors then the door skin folded down over and welded, roll bar, other stiffeners, kawasaki (sp) windsheild, lap belts, and white latex paint. Ran great and sounded better, and it was street legal! And a Datsun pickup tailgate! too cool

Bonzi Lon

A convertible Z , what you do when a tree falls on you roof.

That thing, what you do when you flip a Z onto its roof

That e-type reminds me of one of the Z wagon design sketches I've seen somewhere.

[AndysPlit]

.....Looks nice to me. Better looking as a convertible than the 350Z.

[Go240Zags]

.....Looks nice to me. Better looking as a convertible than the 350Z.

Infinitely better IMHO.