GT6 GT6 removable hardtop project..

[TR4nut]

A project GT6 in the Dallas area: Gt6

Looks like it would be a challenge, only posted because I'd never seen anyone try a removeable hardtop mod before. Interesting, but probably very tough to get right.

 

[tomgt6]

My guess is that is why they stopped the project.

 

[JamesWilson]

Absolutely crazy. I'd think it'd completely compromise the structural integrity of the car.

Seems like a Spitfire could achieve the same objective... and swapping a 6 engine into one is a piece of cake by comparison.

Maybe that seemed like a good idea at the time?

 

[foxtrapper]

Won't affect structural integrety at all. A GT6 is nothing more than a hardtop Spitfire. Several kits were made that essentially made a Spitfire into a fastback removable hardtop. The French Spitfire site has some pictures of them on it.

I do know a person who makes GT6s into convertibles. Easy job if you're semi decent with a spot welder.

 

[MadRiver]

Looks kinda cool, actually. Kind of like a GT6 surrey.

 

[angelfj1]

A project GT6 in the Dallas area: Gt6

Looks like it would be a challenge, only posted because I'd never seen anyone try a removeable hardtop mod before. Interesting, but probably very tough to get right.

Randy, I know a guy in the Detroit area VTR, Chris Holbrook. Chris (who happens to be a Brit) used to live nearby but relocated to Michigan a few years ago. He and his son, Mark, built a GT6 convertible. Since Chris is a competent engineer, I suspect he felt that the resulting structural integrity was acceptable. I would think that a removable hardtop would be no worse than a convertible in that respect. I have misplaced his contact info. Perhaps someone here may know how to reach Chris.

Actually, I saw Chris and spoke to him the day of the vintage race, last year at the Glen. Oh, I just remembered. Chris's late father used to work for Triumph at Canley!

 

[TR4nut]

I'm not interested in the car myself (3 TRs in one garage is enough!), but I do find the modification interesting. And if done well, I agree with Bill it has a surrey look to it that isn't bad. If it were mine, I'd probably have tried to get the roll bar to match up better with the rear roof line. Still think it takes some pretty good bodywork skills to get a hardtop that will both look good and not leak like a sieve when the rain falls though..

 

[Andrew Mace]

Frank, was that Claude Holbrook, who went back to the early days of Triumph with Siegfried Bettmann?

 

[UmmYeahOk]

A project GT6 in the Dallas area: Gt6

Looks like it would be a challenge, only posted because I'd never seen anyone try a removeable hardtop mod before. Interesting, but probably very tough to get right.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230375156056&viewitem=

As far as structural integrity, it looks to have a roll bar. Im not sure how the rear side glass would work, doesnt it fold out? Looks like this guy should bought the car I linked to before chopping this. Look people, if you want a convertible, buy a convertible! Or as someone mentioned make a spit six.

I dont know if thats surface rust or just primer, but that car scares me. Although if the rust isnt bad, $1000 is worth it, $1200, I dont know. Im guessing it has no interior, and like the seller says, needs to be COMPLETELY restored

 

[angelfj1]

Frank, was that Claude Holbrook, who went back to the early days of Triumph with Siegfried Bettmann?

Andy, I'm not sure. I recall, perhaps in '93 - 94, having drinks with Chris and his wife in their 'lounge', and going through the family photo album. Chris's father worked in the office at Canley and not on the assembly line. I don't know for sure what position he held.