Convertibles- Are they really reinforced? Options

[nitemare]

I own a 95 GT Convertible. Little did I know when I opened the door panel, it had a sticker saying top was installed in california. I then found out all the celica's came oversees with hardtops- then chopped off in the states and made into a convertible. This sounds very shady. I have a tough time believing toyota actually reinforced the structure as well. Ive has so many problems with the "aftermarket" convertible. If I knew toyota outsourced this to some company, I would have never bought this convertible. The fact is was a hard top transformed into convertible makes me wonder how safe the car really is..

Can anyone confirm celica was reinforced??

[madmods]

I own a 95 GT Convertible. Little did I know when I opened the door panel, it had a sticker saying top was installed in california.  I then found out all the celica's came oversees with hardtops- then chopped off in the states and made into a convertible. This sounds very shady.  I have a tough time believing toyota actually reinforced the structure as well.  Ive has so many problems with the "aftermarket" convertible. If I knew toyota outsourced this to some company, I would have never bought this convertible.  The fact is was a hard top transformed into convertible makes me wonder how safe the car really is..

Can anyone confirm celica was reinforced??
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asc does nearly all the convertible conversions in the Us for all the big dealerships toyota, chevrolet, etc.
There are federal requirements in place for these cars when they are converted. The chassis is beefed up with inserts added in to the body and doors. Long rails are added from one wheelbase to another to keep the body from flexing. They actually do a pretty good job at it and its not a "shady" job. If it was, the convertible would not be around. Also note that only the big car manufacturers have verts, not the smaller new ones(kia, hundyai, etc) Saturn is making there new vert next year and it looks hot.

I was once told that the windshield pillar is suppose to be able to hold the cars weight up. I don't know if its true, so don't flip your car!

This post has been edited by madmods: Mar 10, 2005 - 6:51 PM

[saleeka]

And yes Coomer you are right- there are 202 verts, and they were made by ASC as well. As for the JDM convertibles, 88 (4th gen) was the first year for them and they were equipped like the JDM GT-R's right down to the 3S-GE with 140 PS. The 5th gens came in 2 models, convertible, and convertible type G, both having the 165 PS 3S-GE and 4WS. 6th Gens came as 2 models as well, convertible, and type X, with the 180 PS 3S-GE. Last of the line 98's and 99's were 1 model only, and they came with the 200 PS BEAMS 3S (but only auto)... So I wouldent worry about the chassis rigidity being crappy for our tame 5S-FE motor...

[jgreening]

And yes Coomer you are right- there are 202 verts, and they were made by ASC as well. As for the JDM convertibles, 88 (4th gen) was the first year for them and they were equipped like the JDM GT-R's right down to the 3S-GE with 140 PS. The 5th gens came in 2 models, convertible, and convertible type G, both having the 165 PS 3S-GE and 4WS. 6th Gens came as 2 models as well, convertible, and type X, with the 180 PS 3S-GE. Last of the line 98's and 99's were 1 model only, and they came with the 200 PS BEAMS 3S (but only auto)... So I wouldent worry about the chassis rigidity being crappy for our tame 5S-FE motor... 
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Saleeka is THE Celica historian! Good work.