Modification of Indian car into a convertible

aneeshanand · 4th October 2009, 23:01

I read the experience of GTO and dippy while they went for test drive sanstorm. Is it the only convertible in India? how sad :(

Turbo Head · 5th October 2009, 20:25

^ People mistake Sam Strom for sports convertible, actually its just convertible with nothing sporty to talk about. Even any mid range sedan (infact even a good hatch) and beat San in quater mile drag anyday.

anjuna mark · 6th October 2009, 23:03

The roof of a sedan is part of the structure; you can’t just remove it without re-engineering the chassis.
Factory built convertibles have a lot of extra framing underneath, which makes them considerably heavier than their standard versions, and even then they don’t handle as well as the sedans.
To do that to a modern unit body car would be very difficult indeed. And to then still have crumple zones and accident safety even harder.
Are such modifications even legal these days?
I know in Goa, many motorbikes [like mine] can’t get their RC renewed if they’re heavily modified, as it isn’t allowed anymore by the RTO.
I assume it would be the same for cars, but it might depend on who you know.

ASHISHPALLOD · 30th October 2013, 16:28

After more than five years of posting this thread, today I read this.
http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2013/10/...-know-creator/

Happy to know that someone actually tried to convert Maruti 800 into convertible. Kudos to him.

canonball · 31st October 2013, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

After more than five years of posting this thread, today I read this.
http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2013/10/...-know-creator/

Happy to know that someone actually tried to convert Maruti 800 into convertible. Kudos to him.

While the effort can at best be good experience to open a auto body shop!

Indian climate and pollution standards are least suited for open top motoring, therefore there cannot by any market for this in India ever, think Dubai/desert. Yes it is a great fantasy to indulge in, i kinda petty the guy. Some of us actually proposed to tread down this road, but after being in an open top car personally I thought this was a complete non starter. The San's Storm is struggling or must be shut by now, in the export market there is massive competition so unless there is some real Nano (across spectrum meaning even high end cars) like breakthrough i don't think this can fly. If the same car can be made in coupe/hardtop = there could be something there! Several people have made good to really CRAP homemade cars in India, this guys car is chick, somewhat of a rip off from the beat, so I am not sure what he has patented, perhaps!!

FYI that car is completely STREET ILLEGAL. There are incriminating videos of this car being illegally driven on public roads. This is NOT kudos worthy as it gives misdirected or unreal expectations to folks who read this and thing ah i want to make one without a check of the reality on the ground, and ending on the other side with a car which at best can be displayed. I have spoken to guys on the other side and they all regretted it.

shankar.balan · 31st October 2013, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo Head

^ People mistake Sam Strom for sports convertible, actually its just convertible with nothing sporty to talk about. Even any mid range sedan (infact even a good hatch) and beat San in quater mile drag anyday.

It is actually called San Storm!

It was the best looking affordable little thing in terms of a rag top in India.

turbospooler · 9th July 2016, 02:18

After watching hours of Top Gear and seeing the passion (and honestly, road conditions and climate) for convertibles in Europe and the States, I was just wondering which car in India can (literally!) make the cut as a convertible?

I can only imagine the classic Padmini and 118NE to pull this off!
Any others you got in your mind, fellow petrolheads?

octane_100 · 9th July 2016, 07:00

The erstwhile Contessa would be a good candidate to drop its top? I think the proportions are just right to pull it off.

SpoiledBratt · 9th July 2016, 08:18

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DuHasstMich · 9th July 2016, 08:27

My vote goes for the Cielo, it was an awesome car in terms of exterior designing as well, the long boot and proportioned shape.
Plus the engine sounds were to die for, used to love rolling down the windows whenever approaching confined areas like tunnels! With the top away, it will be pure pleasure!

Skyline_GT · 9th July 2016, 17:45

I would love to see the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Laura in a convertible avatar. Both being premium offerings from their respective manufacturers and stellar performers on road, they would surely qualify for being amazing convertibles

D4d-maniac · 9th July 2016, 18:50

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carwatcher · 9th July 2016, 19:59

We have seen numerous Contessas in music videos, ads and movies and can say that its quite popular for removing the roof but whether they are being made proper convertible or not I am not sure.
I think generally wide body cars look better so Contessa and 118 NE are natural candidates but I am not sure about that wide bodied Logan.
Among hatchbacks I have seen Fiat Palio, Maruti 800, etc. but they looked more of a contraption. At the same time I feel Polo should look good.

One pic from Google search and one link to Palio pic I posted long back:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...ml#post3024230

ankurchaturvedi · 9th July 2016, 21:44

I think a car with a low stance will be a good convertible. Contessa or the 118 NE will do great. The new fiesta may also look good as a convertible

Aaron:) · 10th July 2016, 00:52

My list of cars -

Ford
Figo Aspire
Ikon

Honda
1st, 3rd and 4th gen City
Civic
2nd gen (in India) Accord

Hyundai
Elite i20
Verna
Accent (old)

Maruti
Baleno (new)
1st gen Swift

Mitsubishi
Lancer

Tata
Nano (just imagine how cute it would look

)
Tiago compact sedan

Toyota
Camry

4th October 2009, 23:01	#31
aneeshanand BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 123 Thanked: 11 Times	I read the experience of GTO and dippy while they went for test drive sanstorm. Is it the only convertible in India? how sad :(
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 20:25	#32
Turbo Head BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 328 Thanked: 252 Times	^ People mistake Sam Strom for sports convertible, actually its just convertible with nothing sporty to talk about. Even any mid range sedan (infact even a good hatch) and beat San in quater mile drag anyday.
	() Thanks

6th October 2009, 23:03	#33
anjuna mark BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Goa / Portugal Posts: 64 Thanked: 48 Times	The roof of a sedan is part of the structure; you can’t just remove it without re-engineering the chassis. Factory built convertibles have a lot of extra framing underneath, which makes them considerably heavier than their standard versions, and even then they don’t handle as well as the sedans. To do that to a modern unit body car would be very difficult indeed. And to then still have crumple zones and accident safety even harder. Are such modifications even legal these days? I know in Goa, many motorbikes [like mine] can’t get their RC renewed if they’re heavily modified, as it isn’t allowed anymore by the RTO. I assume it would be the same for cars, but it might depend on who you know.
	() Thanks

30th October 2013, 16:28	#34
ASHISHPALLOD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MH42 Posts: 2,014 Thanked: 346 Times View My Garage	After more than five years of posting this thread, today I read this. http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2013/10/...-know-creator/ Happy to know that someone actually tried to convert Maruti 800 into convertible. Kudos to him.
	() Thanks

9th July 2016, 02:18	#37
turbospooler BHPian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pune Posts: 401 Thanked: 1,187 Times	Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? After watching hours of Top Gear and seeing the passion (and honestly, road conditions and climate) for convertibles in Europe and the States, I was just wondering which car in India can (literally!) make the cut as a convertible? I can only imagine the classic Padmini and 118NE to pull this off! Any others you got in your mind, fellow petrolheads?
	() Thanks

9th July 2016, 07:00	#38
octane_100 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: KA-09 Posts: 760 Thanked: 1,381 Times	Re: Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? The erstwhile Contessa would be a good candidate to drop its top? I think the proportions are just right to pull it off.
	(1) Thanks

9th July 2016, 08:18	#39
SpoiledBratt BHPian Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Faridabad Posts: 126 Thanked: 31 Times	Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Please do NOT post messages that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the quality of this forum. Please read our rules before proceeding any further. We request you to post ONLY when you have something substantial to add to a discussion. Last edited by GTO : 11th July 2016 at 10:52.
	() Thanks $Received Infraction$

9th July 2016, 08:27	#40
DuHasstMich BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pune,Delhi Posts: 189 Thanked: 181 Times	Re: Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? My vote goes for the Cielo, it was an awesome car in terms of exterior designing as well, the long boot and proportioned shape. Plus the engine sounds were to die for, used to love rolling down the windows whenever approaching confined areas like tunnels! With the top away, it will be pure pleasure!
	(2) Thanks

9th July 2016, 17:45	#41
Skyline_GT BHPian Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Bombay Posts: 217 Thanked: 477 Times View My Garage	Re: Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? I would love to see the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Laura in a convertible avatar. Both being premium offerings from their respective manufacturers and stellar performers on road, they would surely qualify for being amazing convertibles
	() Thanks

9th July 2016, 18:50	#42
D4d-maniac BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Patiala Posts: 86 Thanked: 157 Times	Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Please do NOT post messages that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the quality of this forum. Please read our rules before proceeding any further. We request you to post ONLY when you have something substantial to add to a discussion. Last edited by GTO : 11th July 2016 at 10:53.
	() Thanks $Received Infraction$

9th July 2016, 19:59	#43
carwatcher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bardez, Goa Posts: 1,184 Thanked: 1,032 Times	Re: Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? We have seen numerous Contessas in music videos, ads and movies and can say that its quite popular for removing the roof but whether they are being made proper convertible or not I am not sure. I think generally wide body cars look better so Contessa and 118 NE are natural candidates but I am not sure about that wide bodied Logan. Among hatchbacks I have seen Fiat Palio, Maruti 800, etc. but they looked more of a contraption. At the same time I feel Polo should look good. One pic from Google search and one link to Palio pic I posted long back: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...ml#post3024230 Attached Thumbnails
	(4) Thanks

9th July 2016, 21:44	#44
ankurchaturvedi BHPian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Thane Posts: 73 Thanked: 82 Times	Re: Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? I think a car with a low stance will be a good convertible. Contessa or the 118 NE will do great. The new fiesta may also look good as a convertible
	() Thanks

10th July 2016, 00:52	#45
Aaron:) BHPian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: New Delhi Posts: 398 Thanked: 1,046 Times	Re: Which Indian car can make a gorgeous Convertible? My list of cars - Ford Figo Aspire Ikon Honda 1st, 3rd and 4th gen City Civic 2nd gen (in India) Accord Hyundai Elite i20 Verna Accent (old) Maruti Baleno (new) 1st gen Swift Mitsubishi Lancer Tata Nano (just imagine how cute it would look ) Tiago compact sedan Toyota Camry
	() Thanks