Hello everyone, I was just looking at a project car im willing to take on. But I had a question / concern. The previous owner cut out the middle bar of the t-tops frame and custom made a full top piece to remove.

So my question is it bad news the bar has been cut? Does it effect the structural integrity of the car?

 

Yes. Surprised the car hadn't folded in half. Please post pictures, I've seen plenty of people ask about this , never seen anyone actually dumb enough to do it.
Does the car have subframe reinforcements?

 

Not sure? Going to look at it today. You really think the car would bend like that?

 

Third gens don't even have frame rails in the middle of the body stock. They rely completely on the 3d shape of the body, take the roof away and it's just sheet metal and door sills connecting the front and back. If someone removed the roof, they must have somehow reinforced the floor with frame connectors or something (like they did with convertibles) or it will bend like a playing card.

 

Wow ok. What do I look for? Or should I search through forums

 

Personally, I would never buy a third gen with such a radical modification. It's not likely to be done well, and there is no shortage of good third gen to buy. Maybe if the person Who did it could convince me they knew what they were doing and it was something special I might consider it, but that's not likely.
Do a search on "frame connectors" and you will see what to look for, but I wouldn't think basic connectors are going to do it to replace the roof so I would want to see some really heavy duty reinforcement.
Go check it out and snap some pics for us, but I think you will want to stay away from it unless you are looking fora parts car.

 

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1,000 dollars

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1380981373

 

Interesting. Might actually have been done by someone who knew what they were doing. Definitely want to see the underside before final judgement.

 

Ill keep you posted. going to look at it later today.

 

I bought the car today. Looks like there are 2 square bars welded along the bottom for extra support