Ford Mustang Convertible Conversion

All good things must come to an end, so here is the finale-the coup de grâce to our coupe-to-fastback/convertible series that began three months ago in the Nov. '10 issue. To recap: We've been following the guys at Recon Classic Car Bodies as they transformed our long-suffering '67 coupe into a fastback in a matter of three days before our eyes. As if that weren't impressive enough, the Recon guys also made over a really gross '65 coupe into a cool 'vert, getting it done just under the wire before we were scheduled to head back to the cooler climate of Los Angeles after a week of baking in the Arizona heat.

Though we ran a similar picture in the Nov. '10 issue, here is another look at the body they started with. We're not sure there were more than 4 square inches of straight sheetmetal anywhere on this thing. Note the rollover damage on the roof and tweaked A-pillars. The guys stripped and cut this car the same way they did our fastback. Read last month's edition for the details.
Though we ran a similar picture in the Nov. '10 issue, here is another look at the body th
Cut the roof off of any car and you lose a ton of structural rigidity. To compensate, convertibles come from the factory with extra supports and bracing. In fact, the stamping for the floor of a Mustang convertible is almost 2 inches narrower than a fastback because convertibles have these big reinforcing beams that attach to the inside of the rocker panels and span the distance from the front subframe to the rear leaf spring attaching points. The beams needed minor trimming before Recon owner Ray Carmody dropped them in place on the '65.
Cut the roof off of any car and you lose a ton of structural rigidity. To compensate, conv
While his employees were finishing up our '67, Carmody got a jump on some of the bodywork on the '65. The doors were pretty gross, but not so bad that they needed to be replaced. Carmody hammered and filled the bigger ripples and sprayed them with Evercoat's Feather Fill G2, which is like spray-on metal glaze or finishing putty.
While his employees were finishing up our '67, Carmody got a jump on some of the bodywork

It does everything the can says and makes block-sanding the panel a breeze.
In addition to the rocker panel braces, Mustang convertibles have a lot of different support panels and other roof-mounting components, some of which are available in the aftermarket. Recon has been doing these conversions long enough that the crewmembers have templates drawn out to make their own.
In addition to the rocker panel braces, Mustang convertibles have a lot of different suppo
They trace the patterns on 14- or 16-gauge sheetmetal (depending on if it is a structural component), cut them out with shears, and bend them in a brake.
They trace the patterns on 14- or 16-gauge sheetmetal (depending on if it is a structural

Recon sheetmetal guy Ramon Aguayo began fitting the convertible stuff by measuring where the flat spot for the convertible top fits on the wheelhouse and cutting away this section with a Sawzall.
Recon sheetmetal guy Ramon Aguayo began fitting the convertible stuff by measuring where t
Carmody began fitting some of the additional bracing. You can also see in this picture the finished notch in the wheelhouse and the section of material cut away to make room for the convertible top.
Carmody began fitting some of the additional bracing. You can also see in this picture the
This big panel (arrow) is also a convertible-specific piece designed to add support between the floorpan and wheelhouses and ties into the rocker panel brace. Recon used to make these from scratch, but they are now available from Dynacorn.
This big panel (arrow) is also a convertible-specific piece designed to add support betwee

There are still several convertible-specific pieces Recon has to make in-house. Aguayo used a stretcher to put a curve in a piece that forms a section of the drip channel under the top.
There are still several convertible-specific pieces Recon has to make in-house. Aguayo use
That channel acts as a gutter ducting rainwater from the top to a drain just in front of the rear wheels.
That channel acts as a gutter ducting rainwater from the top to a drain just in front of t
After all the parts were fitted in place, Carmody stitch-welded everything together. This body will be stiffer than a spot-welded factory car.
After all the parts were fitted in place, Carmody stitch-welded everything together. This

Next, the guys got out the Port-O-Power to fix the twisted A-pillars. Working slowly and hammering lightly on the base of the pillars, they were able to straighten it back into its correct shape and dimensions.
Next, the guys got out the Port-O-Power to fix the twisted A-pillars. Working slowly and h
They checked their progress by measuring with a transit. When they were done, they dropped in a new windshield to verify that it fit correctly.
They checked their progress by measuring with a transit. When they were done, they dropped
Rob Inman did the finish-grinding on the top of the A-pillars, closing the hole left from the coupe roof. In this picture, you can also see the elaborate bracing in the area behind the back seat.
Rob Inman did the finish-grinding on the top of the A-pillars, closing the hole left from

With the end in sight, Carmody and Aguayo test-fitted a new convertible top to make sure everything fit correctly.
With the end in sight, Carmody and Aguayo test-fitted a new convertible top to make sure e
Finally, shop manager Jesse Villarroel shot the body with Nason 421-09 primer. This is how a Recon convertible body will be shipped out.
Finally, shop manager Jesse Villarroel shot the body with Nason 421-09 primer. This is how
Thanks to Jesse Villarroel, Ramon Aguayo, Danny "Sasquatch" Stolz, Rob Inman, and Ray Carmody for a fun-filled week of early mornings, late nights, and two Mustang conversions. It was a blast.
Thanks to Jesse Villarroel, Ramon Aguayo, Danny "Sasquatch" Stolz, Rob Inman, and Ray Carm

PARTS LIST
Description	PN	PRICE
Mustang convertible body	Ask for it	$9,500.00

SOURCES
Dynacorn Classic Bodies 4030 Via Pescador Camarillo CA 93012 805-987-8818 www.dynacornclassicbodies.com	Recon Classic Car Bodies and Performance Products 877-647-1193 www.reconclassics.com