The Eternal Question ...

Went to the pub this lunchtime in my mates M3 convertible, had the hood down it was great (and obviously I didn't drive!!!) ... anyway got back into the work car park and saw my 156 looking all forlorn and unloved!!! ... but looking at it I thought why or why or why have alfa not made a convertible 156?

Ok they make the spider ... but too be honest (people are going to hate me) 2 seater convertibles are for girls ... so a convertible 156 wouldn't be stepping on it's toes ...


But then I thought ... well how easy would it be to rip the top of my 156 and make my own convertible!!! any ideas?

Originally Posted by 156Chris

Ok they make the spider ... but too be honest (people are going to hate me) 2 seater convertibles are for girls ...

I doubt people are going to hate you for expressing your opinion. Much more likely to pity you for your poor judgement...

There was a concept GT 4-seater cabrio in Auto Italia a while ago, but I don't think there were ever any serious plans for a production version.

Don't think the 156 chassis is stiff enough and would need serious modification. Since the GT is the same chassis it would need the same treatment.

Hmm, I don't know if it would look good to be honest. A convertible 156... Hmm, dunno, maybe it might look okay.

It would cost about £5000 or so I'd say, might be more, might be less, either way, don't bother, just buy a GTV, they have 4 seats so aren't girly,

I think 4 seat covertibles look a bit tacky, unless of course you are female, peroxide blonde and have an Ankle chain.

I find the opposite to you Chris - saloons and hatchbacks turned into convertibles are the ones which look rubbish. Convertibles should be a convertible from the moment of their conception - not an afterthought to make a bit more money out of a saloon.

Definitely sounds like a "don't bother" ... must admit I think it must have been drink educed thoughts after a nice hazy lunch in the sun ...


(and blasting along at 120mph in an M3 with the hood down also helped)

Originally Posted by 156Chris

But then I thought ... well how easy would it be to rip the top of my 156 and make my own convertible!!! any ideas?

All you to do is find a very, very low bridge.
























Oh, and wear a helmet

As Clarkson says the only person who looked good in a convertable was Hitler. And I can see where he is coming from.

5 minutes on photoshop, and voila: a crappy mock-up

Good effort Jimmer, it doesn't suit it though. Can you stick some 17" wheels on, some sideskirts and lower it a touch? Might look a bit better then

Thanks Jimmer but it confirms my thoughts: it doesn't work

Didn't Clarkson say "in the back of a 4 seat convertable"?

Originally Posted by JimmerUK

5 minutes on photoshop, and voila: a crappy mock-up

Yet again mega impressed with your artistic skills, I struggle to paint out number plates.... !

Actually it doesn't look bad as a car though.

Originally Posted by 156Chris

Definitely sounds like a "don't bother" ... must admit I think it must have been drink educed thoughts after a nice hazy lunch in the sun ...


(and blasting along at 120mph in an M3 with the hood down also helped)

Just buy an M3 convertible, after all it isn't exactly a sh!t car, job done

P.S. Nice job Jimmer for a quickie

Hmmm... if you converted a 156, isn't it going to look like a Saab 93 convertible? I mean, not as bad as that sure, but I do think convertibles should be 2 seaters to keep the proportions sporty.

No idea how you would do it. You'd definitely have floppiness problems

Isn't there a Top Gear episode where they did this with a people carrier? If I remember rightly, it ended up on fire in a car wash

Originally Posted by JimmerUK

5 minutes on photoshop, and voila: a crappy mock-up

et voila... Saab 93 convertible!!!

Bazza you are bang on the money, most saloon 4 seater convertables, apart from BMW's, look shyte and mearly an after thought to sell some more cars. The whole Alfa Spider's are for girls debate is pants , Spider's are as manly as you want them to be...... A two seater 'sports' car is the only way convertalbes should be. You could keep the 156 as your safe old mans car and also get a Spider to stick in the garage for those 'sunny' days.

Originally Posted by JimmerUK

5 minutes on photoshop, and voila: a crappy mock-up

thanks for demonstrating perfectly why a 156cabby was never made

Originally Posted by GranTurismo

Bazza you are bang on the money, most saloon 4 seater convertables, apart from BMW's, look shyte and mearly an after thought to sell some more cars. The whole Alfa Spider's are for girls debate is pants , Spider's are as manly as you want them to be...... A two seater 'sports' car is the only way convertalbes should be. You could keep the 156 as your safe old mans car and also get a Spider to stick in the garage for those 'sunny' days.

Yeah - a black Spider LE with 19" rims should look sufficiently manly! Good job I've ordered one for my missus! (She chose black and wanted the 19"s though...)

Originally Posted by Commanderfish

Good job I've ordered one for my missus!

Nuff Said

Originally Posted by 156Chris

2 seater convertibles are for girls ...

Why?

Originally Posted by 156Chris

... how easy would it be to rip the top of my 156 and make my own convertible!!! any ideas?

Um... expensive.


Chassis needs substantial stiffening, you'd need to make some room for the hood when down...

Don't even bother...

Originally Posted by symonh2000