No-roof Van (Top Gear Style)

[Zenith]

I've always wondered about the feasibility of a no roof van in the states.

This evening I checked my local craigslist and found this beaut:
$500 WORKING (Apparently)

I looked for about 10 minutes and found everything from Eco-lines to Rams to a 1969 Dodge cargo van

Anyone know if it is at all legally permitted to have a van without a roof?

Mind you these things are in the <$1000 range so I really don't expect them to last. It would be a great van for delivering the kids to school dances

 

[Famine]

no roof van

You mean a convertible (folding away roof) or roadster (detachable roof)?

The TG Espace was driven on the road at first as a roadster (when they'd chopped the roof off) and, slightly later, as a convertible. And then again as a roadster, when the roof fell off.

Anyone think that it is at all legally permitted to have a van without a roof?

Yes. In the UK you'd only need it to pass an SVA check. In the US, probably not even that.

However, you need to be careful what van you do it to. As Clarkson pointed out in that episode, he had tried it before and, when the roof was removed, the entire car folded in half because the roof was integral to the structure. So you'll probably want either a body-on-frame van or a car-based one.

 

[Zenith]

I refuse to call a van of any kind a "roadster"
Just chopping the top off

Another idea came up to do the same with a 50's-70's VW Beetle. Anyone?

Mind you this is mostly speculation for ****s and giggles

 

[Famine]

If the roof is no longer there, it's a roadster. Maybe even a speedster

Imagine a Ford F-150 Econoline Speedster with a supercharged 5 litre

 

[bergauk]

If the roof is no longer there, it's a roadster. Maybe even a speedster

Imagine a Ford F-150 Econoline Speedster with a supercharged 5 litre

The F series is trucks. E series refers to vans Though that sounds really fun.

 

[niky]

A roofless E150? With those marvelously plush chairs and that marvelously wafty ride? I'm in. Who's got the sawzalls?

 

[Jim Prower]

I don't think it'd be license-able (not without significant chassis strengthening...or maybe body-on-frame) but if you're looking for something to romp around in a field in...

Just keep in mind: rednecks will love the project.

 

[homeforsummer]

Must be possible, because it's already been done, with varying quality:

 

[Radracing]

Must be possible, because it's already been done, with varying quality:

Now that looks like a Van converted to a pickup.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

I saw this beauty awhile back. Kinda close to what you're looking for.

And there's this.

 

[niky]

Must be possible, because it's already been done, with varying quality:

Now that looks like a Van converted to a pickup.

That's because the pick-up model is available from the factory floor. Much like the Dodge A100 and the Ford Econoline.

 

[Jim Prower]

Must be possible, because it's already been done, with varying quality:

That came that way. That's a Corvair Drop-side pickup...Same as the early VW Transporter, basically.

 

[-Fred-]

Well there's always this... not a van per se, but it's a convertible truck.

A pretty crap one, but a convertible truck nonetheless.

 

[niky]

Way off-topic here...

But if I wanted an open-roofed pick-up:

So it's a T-Top... but you still get wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth.

 

[Famine]

Is the most awesome thing I have ever seen. I want one. No, three.

 

[Eric.]

Is the most awesome thing I have ever seen. I want one. No, three.

Send the cash and I'm sure I can find a few examples to modify for you in the local junkyard.

 

[Radracing]

Here you go another retro mobile.