260Z 2+2 to 2 seater conversion, anyone did that?

[nethcy]

Hi All,

Would like to ask if there's anyone seen or done a 260Z or 280Z 2+2 to 2 seater conversion?

Please kindly share it here if anyone here seen or done this before. Thanks in advance.

[Mr Camouflage]

What, you mean pull out the back seat? Whats the point? Still looks like a 2+2 from the outside.

[nethcy]

Hi Mr Camouflage,

As 2+2 is about 30cm longer than the 2 seater in overall length, thus, on the exterior, the roof line, rear hatch, rear fenders, quarter windows etc etc are different.

Underneath the car, perhaps the 2 seater's drive shaft, chassis is shorter. And many more parts I reckon.

I had always wanted to do this but I got stucked as I cant find any similar information to refer to. And I myself am lack of knowledge on this when considering the drivability, safety, and many other issues.

[sblake01]

Are you talking about doing the fabrication/body work/mechanical work, etc. to shorten a 2+2 to 2 seater dimensions??? Forget about it. It wouldn't be worth the time and expense.

[hls30.com]

The doors are also longer-as are their glass, the mechanisms inside, the suspension springs and anti roll bars are longer and stiffer as well-not to mention seat and interior trim differences.

If you really want to do this all you need is the dimensioned drawing of both, plenty of time, excellent sheet metal and glass skills.

Then the question becomes: Why?

Will

[nethcy]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Actually I myself always prefer a 2 seater, while 240Zs and 260Z 2 seaters are all not for sell, (running condition Z is really rare in Malaysia) however after a long find, I only found 2+2s, thus I bought this 1975 260Z 2+2. The body and chassis needs full restoration, thus I was thinking, if I should restore to its original look or... 2 seater. That's why I had this thought.

Well, after a consideration of your input I guess I shouldn't ill-treat it and just let it be a genuine 2+2 then.

[TomoHawk]

Why not just remove the back seat, and leave the body as-is? It might look a little odd, being a foot longer than a 2-seater, but you never know, some customs have come from odder sources! :cheeky: A Z car station wagon? Otherwise, as others have said, sectioning the entire car in the door area (and the driveline, brake lines, fuel lines) would be the way to go. I suppose if your skills were "really good" you could section the body and use the doors from a 2-seater?

To play the devil's advocate- Assuming you just remove the back seat, you'd have the empty space behind the front seats to fill with something. All the driveline and outer body mechanicals would be the same. If you wanted the "look" of the 2-seater, you'd need to build a bulkhead behind the seats for the toolbox/storage areas, and then extend the rear deck cover forward to the edge. Then some custom vinyl and/or carpet to cover things.

If you were to go that route, I'd suggest getting some pictures and then sketching the goal on large sheets of paper. You may end up deciding not to go through with things. If you were going to shorten the body, digital pictures could help. Just chop the body & see if you could squish it together for a start.

thxZ

[nethcy]

Haha~ Station Wagon Z!? Imaginative!

Yea, I've been trying with the digital pictures editing as well, its a big job! For me, the biggest issue is the safety issue, and 1 more issue is the legal issue:) The length is shorten by 1 foot and I wonder if they will let me through, haha.

Still would like to know if there's anyone doing this though.:stupid:

[curtis 240z]

If you are that set on a 2 seater 240z or 260z, have you thought about importing one?

[z74z90]

Just fold down the rear seat and behold...the room of a station wagon and the look of a two seater. What a perfect car!

[Fun_in_my_z]

Not to burst your buble. But you could import a 2 seater from anywhere in the world and it would be cheaper...

[Mr Camouflage]

The most identifying feature of the 2+2 (for me) is the roof-line. If you cut off the roof and made it a convertible you would remove the most obvious visual cues that its a 2+2.

Like this one: