Heres the thing.

I run a vintage and classic vehicle restoration company and do all sorts of things with all sorts of vehicles. I have also owned and run a gazillion fiats of all types, including my beloved Plus. But I have this strange urge to design and build a ragtop. We have the equipment and the expertise...anyone else think its a good idea? Has it been done (ie can I copy someone elses work?) and no - Im not going to do mine. I thought I would get an old bodyshell and work on a prototype. Donations (of a shell) welcome!

I won't put a link to my website cos I dont want to advertise here, but if anyone wants it then just shout.

I seen a picture of a white one before, looked amazing. Think i seen it on google. Dont know who did it but it would definetly be something to do.

Like the barchetta?

Here's the photoshopped one which appears here from time to time. Courtesy of Kayjey www.fiatcoupe.net.

Am i being stupid but ... Woudl you not just start with a Alfa GTV cabby and bolt the outside on it?

Nah.

Even the photoshop one looks awful, one of the coupes best lines is its roof, to hack it off would be sacrilege.

Plus - you'd never be able to get the soft top (when done up) to follow the same line as standard.

My two cents anyway.

What about a T-Bar roof with removable glass panels...one on my MR2 works well and keeps the original roof line?

I'd love to see a well thought out roof chop on a nicely lowered coupe, would look fantastic IMO

The roof pillars would have to be done aswell, and it couldn't be too drastic, but something like two inches less would give it a great stance!

I think that looks good IMO, Aston like lines

Perhaps one day, when I am old and gray(er), I shall understand the taste for lowered suspension.

For performance - yes, a lowered CoG is a good idea, as a rule, but standing still it just looks like there's an elephant on the back seat.

It would be interesting to see a limousine Coop.

Although that might be a bit of a stretch.

Im with Barnacle - I once got congratulated for how my car looked and asked how I lowered it - I am ashamed to say that the lowering was courtesy of about half a ton of tools in the boot....

Anyway I am still musing and sketching - the really clever converible would be one which uses the existing roof line - not sure if the geometry would allow the original roof to be cut and hinged then powered to fit into the boot space (with the boot opening the wrong way to accommodate it. In my heart of hearts I know it can be done..................

I would love to see this but you would also have to change the door glass frames.

I'd drive a roofless coupe anyday. Reaction seems to be a bit marmite. I suppose the roofline is unimportant if you're driving around with the top down though. You could just forget the posh roof, and have a fold away one like a Caterham for example.

I was very fortunate to be given an Audi R8 spyder for a day and night. I felt like a prize dick driving it because it was so expensive but Jesus!! the sound from the exhaust/engine was outrageous. I hurt my mouth smilimg so much. I think the 20v would be just as intoxicating, perhaps it'd need to be an NA though!

It's surprising just how much more exhaust you can hear with the roof down. I find this on my Fiancee's MX-5...roof up it sounds good, but roof down is so much better (partly due to it being a rare Larini ).

You'd be amazed just how loud my coupe-powered open-top kit is when I boot it...

Go to 4 minutes 42 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVp02KZdmXY

Real convertible or another photoshop?

not sure but it looks

Interesting colour chioce, looks quite understated but classy. from me

Very very clearly photoshop.