Yeah, the window frames are the same... I'm less
concerned with attaching the Spit top than I am with
removing the GT6 one anyway! I know there's a joint
there because as I drive around with my hand out the
window, resing my index finger on that joint, I can
feel movement between the top and the screen frame!
I'm not a welder, but I've also considered "shaving"
the wing tops all around... Seems to me that they
would have done that by design originally except it
would've made for a lot more work on the assembly
line. With that little strip along the top edges, it's
just a bonch of tack welds holding the joint together.
Butt welding all along those joints would have been a
far more labor intensive job.
The more I thought about it though, the more I
realized that those chrome (actally stainless steel)
finisher strips give the car a lot of its personality.
Look at the bonnet of a post '70 GT6 or Spit, and you
see what I mean... the sparkly chrome is part of what
makes a traditional British sportscar in my eyes!
And lastly, I'm not sure that the two sides come
together in a smooth curve at the top edge... I think
there'd be a peak or crease there... is there a crease
along the top of the front wings of you car?
Now I'll have a look at your page... thanks!
--- Michael Nugent <nugentmd@gte.net> wrote:
> I'm new to this, but is there a joint at the top of
> the windshield? If you
> hoped to use a stock softtop (hood) in the future,
> the top of the windshield
> would need the correct angle, etc., for attachment
> of the latch pieces. On
> the other hand, I'm pretty sure it is feasible to
> remove the coupe's top
> WITH the windshield and substitute a Spit
> windshield.
>
> I'm leaning toward what I call the Quick & Dirty
> Spitfire Six option
> (http://home1.gte.net/nugentmd/spitfiresix.htm).
> Already having a GT6, all
> you'd need to follow that method is a Spitfire tub,
> preferably of the Mark
> series matching your GT6).
>
> The reason I'm writing, though, is that your
> proposal suggests to me that
> you're a welder. I'm planning on having the rear
> fender (wing) tops
> "shaved" and would appreciate advice on how to go
> about it. One welder
> suggested 1) removing the chrome trim over the panel
> joint welds, 2) cutting
> out six inch sections of panel joints flush with the
> fender, but leaving two
> inches connected every six to hold panels together
> during welding, 3)
> welding the gaps closed, 4) cutting the remaining
> two inch panel joints and
> 5) welding those gaps closed. Is there a better
> way?
>
> Thanks and good luck,
>
> Mike - Renton, WA
> '73 GT6 + '68 Spitfire = "Spitfire Six" + "GT4"
>
> ------Original Message------
> From: john donohoe <gt6driver@yahoo.com>
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net
> Sent: May 30, 2000 6:49:33 PM GMT
> Subject: Spit-Six To Cut or Not to Cut?
>
>
>
> okay, I've seen another "Spit Six" write-up and am
> continually haunted with the idea of lopping the top
> off my GT6+...
>
> I've heard discussion of dropping the Six engine and
> bonnet in/onto a Spit, and of finagling a Spit tub
> onto a GT6 rolling chassis...
>
> Has anyone ever just topped out the GT6? It looks
> like
> a no-brainer to unbolt from the top of the
> windshield,
> cut the base of the b-pillar, and cut along the
> inside
> of the finisher strips on the rear wings. Further,
> I've thought I could get hold of the rear cockpit
> surround and boot lid off an early Spit to finish
> off
> the job...
>
> Anyone game to talk me out of it or convince me it's
> the right thing to do? Better yet, anybody in
> Michigan
> got a pre-71 Spit tub or at least the rear surround
> and bits between the rear finishers that I coul
> dhaul
> away for you?
>
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