Vipair coupe conversion finally finished

[ACtechOPS]

Still holding together Bob, but the stress cracks keep popping up - mainly on the underside. Still love it though and the carbon fiber really makes it pop. It was worth the drive to Ohio

[C-Bass]

HELL YEAH MAN! That rear end tied the front end in very nicely. Looks the way it should have, as everyone else has mentioned. You'd think with comments like that in every conversion thread, some reputable company in the community would produce that rear end conversion for others...hmmmm.
FINALLY found a paint shop I can trust that does AMAZING things with pearl paints to get my fascia painted to match with little blending required. It's gonna cost me, but with their work, it'll be worth it. Unfortunately, it'll still be a few months til I get to see it done as it won't go in until end of next month right before I deploy for a few months. Can't wait to have it done up and the hatch GAP FREE finally.

[ACtechOPS]

Hey Scott - yeah, the rear complements the front and makes it all work. Long road for you with that GTS-r bumper. Worth spending the time/money to get the paint right, especially in your case. Make sure to post lots of pics when it's complete. After fitting, did you put the OEM bumper back on for the Summer?

[AutoformSteve]

First off...very nice job on this conversion. I know all of the details and time that goes into something like this and what it takes to see it though to the end.
I thought about producing Coupe Conversion kit...but at the time there were two companies trying to sell and produce similar conversions. I didn't feel that there was room in the market, nor did I feel I could compete with the marketing style of one of the companies. I have recently created many new products for this gen Viper...and plan on doing more as time goes by. I do however question the real world number of sales of a conversion like this. I would think I would have to invest 20k in modeling and tooling. A quality conversion package would need to sell for 5-8K dependent on how complete the parts list is. I would need to do around 20 kits to break even on up front costs. Is this possible? How about a large 3 piece coupe like piece that would clad over the rear quarters and trunk lid? Could be bonded on so no seams...or bolt on with tuned edges...just a thought. Is the taillight swap a must? or could the current ones be clad over to create the right look? When picturing this...please picture it done as professionally as possible to go with the Viper..not a basic tuner kit.
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[01sapphirebob]

Still holding together Bob, but the stress cracks keep popping up - mainly on the underside. Still love it though and the carbon fiber really makes it pop. It was worth the drive to Ohio

Bummer about the cracks coming back. The carbon is pretty sweet though.

[Rocket]

Steve - love the work your doing - thanks for supporting the Viper community. Your Track Attack spoiler for the vert is a GREAT looking option for those that want to change the look of the vert without a major conversion and $$$ commitment.

Also, from a business standpoint, I doubt the numbers would ever add up. Lemke did about 10 conversions and Vipair less than 5. I did both of my conversions as part of total rebuilds, so for me it made sense. Not sure if a complete coupe style overlay including the quarters/lights would sell much better than just adding the TA spoiler.

I've been thinking about a hardtop for a while - but for how little I would use it and the headaches of storing it - have found it hard to justify.

First off...very nice job on this conversion. I know all of the details and time that goes into something like this and what it takes to see it though to the end.
I thought about producing Coupe Conversion kit...but at the time there were two companies trying to sell and produce similar conversions. I didn't feel that there was room in the market, nor did I feel I could compete with the marketing style of one of the companies. I have recently created many new products for this gen Viper...and plan on doing more as time goes by. I do however question the real world number of sales of a conversion like this. I would think I would have to invest 20k in modeling and tooling. A quality conversion package would need to sell for 5-8K dependent on how complete the parts list is. I would need to do around 20 kits to break even on up front costs. Is this possible? How about a large 3 piece coupe like piece that would clad over the rear quarters and trunk lid? Could be bonded on so no seams...or bolt on with tuned edges...just a thought. Is the taillight swap a must? or could the current ones be clad over to create the right look? When picturing this...please picture it done as professionally as possible to go with the Viper..not a basic tuner kit.

[AutoformSteve]

Thanks for your input...what I am trying to accomplish the older I get is this...just because I can do something...should I do it???
As far as a hardtop from your perspective...I understand...from a personal stand point...I would really like to see how one looks on your car...lol.

[98intrigue]

Awesome job! After reading my car was your background for a bit, I'm glad to hear you were able to do the conversion on yours. Makes it look like a whole new car.

[parabs]

First off...very nice job on this conversion. I know all of the details and time that goes into something like this and what it takes to see it though to the end.
I thought about producing Coupe Conversion kit...but at the time there were two companies trying to sell and produce similar conversions. I didn't feel that there was room in the market, nor did I feel I could compete with the marketing style of one of the companies. I have recently created many new products for this gen Viper...and plan on doing more as time goes by. I do however question the real world number of sales of a conversion like this. I would think I would have to invest 20k in modeling and tooling. A quality conversion package would need to sell for 5-8K dependent on how complete the parts list is. I would need to do around 20 kits to break even on up front costs. Is this possible? How about a large 3 piece coupe like piece that would clad over the rear quarters and trunk lid? Could be bonded on so no seams...or bolt on with tuned edges...just a thought. Is the taillight swap a must? or could the current ones be clad over to create the right look? When picturing this...please picture it done as professionally as possible to go with the Viper..not a basic tuner kit.
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I suspect a non-authentic looking coupe rear would sit on the shelves. I really like the look of the vert-with-coupe rear. Non-authentic meaning the wrong tail lights for the coupe will just end up odd, type of thing.

I have considered how I would do this myself, I would find oem coupe fenders and rear bumper and lights. Then I would have a custom trunklid built to match the revised body panel lines....which might require a bastardized combination of a coupe trunk/vert trunk....and that bastardization might look like junk.

But if someone sold the trunk and a get-these-parts-yourself list I'd be very interested in it. It would be somewhat expensive I'm sure, but would reduce the overhead of Autoform.

[ACtechOPS]

The trunk lid is a hybrid, front two thirds are 'vert with the back panel being coupe. The tops of both rear quarters are also modified as the vert lid is wider and stretches farther forward to get around the 'vert top when it is up. The only part not modified is the bumper. I have a list of parts/cost i can post if anyone is interested. I thought there were more conversions out there. Once upon a time I was talking to Steve P and he said that he sold around 30 trunk lids by themselves to guys who wanted to do their own thing. From a manufacturing standpoint, basically need trunk and fenders. The Vipair kit came with the corner filler panels (beside the lights), tail light cover panels, bumper (their own) and 2 bumper support brackets. Buy OEM for the panels/bumper and make your own brackets, that's what I did. Like other's have said, a huge part of the conversion's appeal is that it has the OEM look and not some add-on parts. My parts came with no holes or cut-outs, so a lot of fitting and adjusting befor biting the bullet to dril. Edges were rough and had to be sanded/filed for fit and finish. In a perfect world, the parts would fit like OEM and come prepainted, just bolt them on.

[Vprbite]

Thanks for your input...what I am trying to accomplish the older I get is this...just because I can do something...should I do it???
As far as a hardtop from your perspective...I understand...from a personal stand point...I would really like to see how one looks on your car...lol.

Not to muddy the waters, but would you sell more because people knew what they were getting and knew it was coming with your quality? I don't want to speak ill of anyone but let's just say there is a company that rhymes and sounds like and is spelled exactly like "vipair" that screwed a bunch of people. That may explain why few people were willing to invest

So I know you say only 20 sold BUT I think more are likely to buy it if it is well made, and they know it isn't a waste of money and is definitely coming. Put the autoform name behind it and people know they aren't getting ripped off. I bet you sell more of them. Anytime someone does a coupe rear end conversion, everyone says "that's how they should have come from the factory."

So I bet more than 20 sell with your name and quality behind them. JMO.

[parabs]

.... I have a list of parts/cost i can post if anyone is interested....

I'm interested in this list! Thanks!!!

[Wiretech]

Excellent job! I would to see it one day let me know if you attend any local car show in the local GTA.

[GuitarSteve2112]

Having seen the car this past Monday night, I can tell you the front end looks (in my opinion) very sharp. Gives his car a new attitude. Viper is about attitude. Regarding the rear end: this is how the roadster should have looked. The lines flow, and it looks complete. Photos will be posted soon.

Wiretech: I will be sending you a PM.

[malcoll]

That is a beautiful rear end! Nicely done.

[ACtechOPS]

Thanks, love it when guys admire my rear end
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[J TNT]

Great shot , car looks sharp !
Hey I recognize that H.V. Sub station with the Sulfur hexafluoride gas Equipment ......lol !

[ACtechOPS]

Ok J, take a guess. Hint: NOT in Canada, actually a dead end road on my way from a road named after an imaginary reptile to a certain Dam featured on "Ride with Norman Reedus".
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[Geronimo]

Really love these conversions!

[J TNT]

Ok J, take a guess. Hint: NOT in Canada, actually a dead end road on my way from a road named after an imaginary reptile to a certain Dam featured on "Ride with Norman Reedus".
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Looks like hwy 28 to hwy 129 into Graham County or possibly Wayah Rd ! I have a picture of it with our Bikes but I would have to go through 20 plus years of pictures to find it.....lol ! The Substation is operated by TVA . If you're down there with us in June I can show you a few other hidden gems the locals play on .

[ACtechOPS]

Close! Stayed at Tapoco Lodge for a few days at the start of 129. While drinking pops by the river we kept seeing cars turn onto Meadow Branch Rd and I wondered where it went, so we explored it on the way to Fontana dam. I took a left to get to a boat launch and this was at the end of it, on a river off Cheoah lake. Pretty cool, 'cause there is no dam near it. The previous pic of my car on the roadside was a stop to look at the overland pipe feeding the generator. Hell of a drop.
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[J TNT]

Good luck finding Meadow Branch Rd on a Map.....lol !
2 lane Black Top and The Fugitive where filmed there as well as many other's . Deliverance was filmed about 45 minutes from there.....lol !

[GuitarSteve2112]

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[ACtechOPS]

Steve, your still alive! Something familiar about that pic...

[Vprbite]

Thanks, love it when guys admire my rear end
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I see what you did there. Funny guy.