Mark II Convertibles

[vancec]

My car has air, but I never use it as I never put the top up.:D

Boy, I love hearing that. And you live where it gets cold. It's been 108 here for about 2 1/2 weeks!

Got a pretty good plan for a removable hardtop. Based on the T-bird of the era. I think that would be very cool, don't you?

[Barry Wolk]

You'll need 10 men and a boy to take it off.

[Chuck Lutz]

How about a F-glass duplicate of the coupe top? Would be lighter and nice winter additon for those of you who... 1) live in the harsherer areas and 2) would take the car out after November.
Barry, any idea how many retro convertibles are out there? I understand they are renigades but just curious. As I've said, My friend did that to his and standing back and looking at it just screams that Ford should have done it. Might have saved it for a 1958 model if they could have trimmed the costs.

[Barry Wolk]

First, none of the convertibles were made at the Continental factory. Two were made for Ford by Hess & Eisenhardt in late '55. A third car was made for Ford by Derham in late '56, introduced in white at the Texas State Fair in October of '56. That's the car that the WCF family drove for a couple of years. One convertible was made in the '60s by Axel Holm. Actually, his was a parade car. His car is often confused with mine as his was the "Florida car", although the metal boot on my car may have been added in Florida, as that's where Hogan lived.

There were 9 cars, I believe Dr. George told me, built in the '80s, by one builder and the other two convertibles I know of were beautifully crafted by Alan Taylor in the '90s. He made a black one that was recently for sale for $300,000 and a green one that is in a collection in Europe, I believe. A man named Keith, an LCOC member in California, made himself a parade car almost the same color as mine.

The Mark II is a natural to turn into a convertible as the frame was designed with that body style in mind. The original convertible design dates back to 1953. The roof is very simple to separate from the body and needs little additional bracing.

While the Derham car doesn't have any additional bracing, the H & E cars do. My car has 3/16" plate steel cut to the serpentine shape of the Mark II frame rails stitch-welded every 2 inches. It also has an "X" brace in rigid pipe that strengthen the "A" and "B" pillar. The extra strength of the chassis is probably what makes my car ride and handle so nicely. It's almost sporty. Almost.

[Chuck Lutz]

Barry, Great history. I've seen the white one in pictures and was confused about it's origin. Now I know that's the Derham "Texas" car and the one WCF's wife drove. So is yours is one of the H&E cars and the other was the one that reportedly had the electrical fire?
Who was the "one builder" that did 9 cars in the 80's? Also, who is Dr. George?
As far as the bracing goes.. I read that the H&E cars were beefed up and other's (like my friend's) were not. I've looked at the frame a lot and wonder just how necessary was that beef? Nonetheless, the cars look outstanding with and without the top.

[Barry Wolk]

Dr. George is a member here. He has two coupes and just acquired a convertible.

No, I believe 1248 was cannibalized as there is no further record of it after the fire. 1120 and 1126 are the H & E convertibles. The Derham car has a much higher serial number and an upgraded '57 drive line. It was painted Honolulu Blue for WCF and the current family that owns it had it painted Robin's Egg Blue 40+ years ago.

[Phil Gevertz]

There is a Mark II convertible for sale, latest issue of Hemmings, October 2009, Page 377 ...... says "burgundy, one of only 7 convertibles, complete, original, restored, $86K FIRM. Auto Gems Museum, Southern CA, Becky Wells

[Barry Wolk]

Can't find a web site for them. Got a #?