wildcatsrule Posted November 23, 2002 Share Posted November 23, 2002 Here's an interesting hypothetical question. What Buick model(s) that were never offered in a convertible version would you most like to see? I was thinking that the 1971 through 1976 Electra 225's would look great as convertibles. Or how about a '63 Riviera? For that matter, what about a '66-'67 Riviera convertible? Perhaps a '78-'79 Park Avenue? There would probably be no way to do a boattail Riv as a convertible without taking away the character of the car, but how about a '71-'73 Riv with T-Tops? Speaking of T-Tops, what about a Grand National convertible? Now that my car is stored for the winter, I have time to think about these things! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2002 Share Posted November 23, 2002 Sloan Museum has a beautiful conv made from the latest Riviera.Some people think if Buick had produced one like it the Riv might still be in production. Norb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 I've always thought the '73-'77 Regal would have been a great convertible. -Redrob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 Well as I opened this post I was going to also say the 71-76 Electra. I also thought about how you could do a 71-72 Riviera. I agree it probably could not be done right but you are correct that a T_Top would be cool. I have always dreamed of taking a 71-72 Electra and installing a top mechanism from a Lesabre or similar full size GM car and converting it to a convt. I think it could be done but it would be an aggresive project. If a person attempted this what do you think would be the best donor car for the top mechanism? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcatsrule Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 All GM full size convertibles shared the same convertible top mechanism from 71-76. Potential donors would include Caprice, Delta 88, Grandville and Eldorado. Converting any car would definately be an ambitious project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 How about a 87 GN Turbo Convertible? Forget about the danger, think of the fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 fitting the top would be the easy part. Adding the right bracing to restore rigidity would be tough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66400 Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 One could take a 71-75 Buick convert and adapt the same year Electra quarter panels, trunk lid and rear bumper in order to get the Electra convert look. Much easier than trying to alter a 2dr hdtp to a convert. Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 ewww. 71-73 Riviera convertable. I saw one once, it ruined the whole car in my opinion. A t-top would be really cool though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyesac Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 The '88 thru '95 Regal coupe would have made a sweet looking convetible!I owned a '89 Regal Ltd coupe, it was one of the few recent Buicks that I've owned that received positive comments from bystanders. I remember once in '90 driving past a local Buick dealer in the fall and seeing a new Regal coupe with what looked to be a convertible top. It nearly stopped me in my tracks. Unfortunately it turned out to be just a fake top. It surprises me that Chrysler can put out a LeBaron coupe & convertible, and GM seems to have an adversion to having the same in the Buick line. It's not like they don't know how to do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted November 27, 2002 Share Posted November 27, 2002 Well- Chrysler never had any problem with taking a risk (got 'em in some serious binds sometimes, but they'd do it anyhoo). The General is almost too conservative for his own good- downright stodgy in a lot of cases, and things move very slowly at GM. For a corporation that was at one time the epitome of American ingenuity and style, they have become an also-ran. Wouldn't own a new GM-built vehicle. They have nothing styling or engineering-wise that attracts me.I've always thought the 74-78 Riviera should have had a convertible. Those cars are grossly underappreciated. They weren't as visually striking as 63-70 or as controversial as the Boattail, but they had good lines and were a bit rakish from certain angles. Rear 3/4 view especially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2002 Share Posted November 27, 2002 An '80s Skyhawk. GM made Sunbird and Cavalier verts from the same body, so it couldn't be too hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Reatta1 Posted November 27, 2002 Share Posted November 27, 2002 I agree that Regal body style would make a great convert. I had an 88 before my current 93 and it is a great car to drive. Would have loved to see it in a drop top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted November 28, 2002 Share Posted November 28, 2002 It would cost, but a good street rod shop or other shop specialising in fabrication could probably transplant an Eldorado convertible windshield, top frame and motor/drive system onto a GM C-body. The convertible rear seat cushions are same width as closed cars, the drive mechanism is all electric and wouldn't have to have provisions for hydraulics installed, and a LeSabre dash is very similar to an Electra for installing a top switch. Quarter windows might be a problem.Someone in Pontiac club did a 1970 Grand Prix convertible using a Cutlass Supreme top frame, and I've seen a 1970 Monte Carlo convertible too. There are people out there talented enough to do this. All you have to do is find and pay them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted December 1, 2002 Share Posted December 1, 2002 Here is one you do not see too many of:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1873383388&category=6407 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway_101 Posted December 1, 2002 Share Posted December 1, 2002 How about a Sport Wagon convertible......Just Kidding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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