*** VRP CLK63 Cabriolet Project ***
10-09-2008, 12:23 PM
#51
MBWorld Fanatic!
vic, how much fabrication was required to make those panels fit?
true artisans at work!
also, will it be staying white? and CF accents going to be added?
true artisans at work!
also, will it be staying white? and CF accents going to be added?
10-09-2008, 12:23 PM
#52
MBWorld Fanatic!
What are you going about the wider stance? Are you changing control arms and axels or just going to use wheel spacers and a different wheel offset?
10-09-2008, 12:38 PM
#54
Banned
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2003 E55 AMG
Inner wheel wells, lower trunk panels, and some other pieces had to be custom made. The panels themselves that I ordered fit perfect because they are all original AMG 63 BS parts.. Some custom brackets needed to be made in order to secure the front bumper and rear bumper properly.
Its not a job for the faint of heart.. BUT, now that we are almost through the first one, we can pretty much offer this conversion for anyone else that wants to tackle it because we know what the hurdles are and how to overcome them.
The project is a joint effort between VRP and ToyzAuto. My good friend Avo who owns the shop has some talented people that do amazing bodywork. I myself can't wait to see the finished product and I know the car's owner is just dying to see it finished as well.
The car will stay white in order to keep it looking like a factory issue.
Right after the exterior is done, I want to see about converting the interior to BS spec as well.
Its not a job for the faint of heart.. BUT, now that we are almost through the first one, we can pretty much offer this conversion for anyone else that wants to tackle it because we know what the hurdles are and how to overcome them.
The project is a joint effort between VRP and ToyzAuto. My good friend Avo who owns the shop has some talented people that do amazing bodywork. I myself can't wait to see the finished product and I know the car's owner is just dying to see it finished as well.
The car will stay white in order to keep it looking like a factory issue.
Right after the exterior is done, I want to see about converting the interior to BS spec as well.
10-09-2008, 12:39 PM
#55
10-09-2008, 12:40 PM
#56
Banned
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2003 E55 AMG
Hey Jim.. 2 different options.. I am looking at a suspension conversion or just axles or just wheel spacers.
We havent decided just yet because until all the panels are firmly attached and we can take some precise measurements we can't make a final decision on the approach to use.
We havent decided just yet because until all the panels are firmly attached and we can take some precise measurements we can't make a final decision on the approach to use.
10-09-2008, 12:56 PM
#57
MBWorld Fanatic!
I know it can be done that way, but it's not the right way to do it. The Black Series has wider/longer control arms and a different rear axle than the 63 cabrio. I know this because I ordered a set of extra axles and the part number is different than the one for the 63 cab. The parts guy says they are stronger and longer.
10-09-2008, 01:52 PM
#58
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Southern, CA.
Posts: 9,155
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
17 Posts
V12-Biturbo
I know it can be done that way, but it's not the right way to do it. The Black Series has wider/longer control arms and a different rear axle than the 63 cabrio. I know this because I ordered a set of extra axles and the part number is different than the one for the 63 cab. The parts guy says they are stronger and longer.
10-09-2008, 03:58 PM
#60
MBWorld Fanatic!
you guys suck! i was planning on doing this, that is if i could ever get myself to sell my car (just love the w208 body). guys crazy amazing great job. cant wait to see it finished. 
10-09-2008, 10:53 PM
#64
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07' CLK63 designo Graphite/Black; 07' E350 Sport White/Cashmere
Hey Jim.. 2 different options.. I am looking at a suspension conversion or just axles or just wheel spacers.
We havent decided just yet because until all the panels are firmly attached and we can take some precise measurements we can't make a final decision on the approach to use.
We havent decided just yet because until all the panels are firmly attached and we can take some precise measurements we can't make a final decision on the approach to use.
very nice work. We spoke on the phone about the project, late August. I was going to do the same to my CLK63 cabrio. Unfortunately the market has not been kind to me since Oct 1st. I sold that car yesterday to boost my cash balance. Talk to Guy @ HRE, we were working on a offset using stock axles.
regards
Jim
Last edited by jjtoma; 10-09-2008 at 11:22 PM.
10-21-2008, 10:44 AM
#65
Banned
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2003 E55 AMG
BEHOLD....
The transformation is complete...
My good friend and VRP dealer in Montreal, Canada (Avo from ToyzAuto) snapped some quick pics to show me the finished car.. I've been dying to see it but haven't been able to make it back to Montreal..
The owner is absolutely thrilled with the outcome. It was on display at a local Montreal car show this weekend and everyone was just drooling over the car.
I will post some better high-res pics but for now this will give you an idea of how it turned out.
The transformation is complete...
My good friend and VRP dealer in Montreal, Canada (Avo from ToyzAuto) snapped some quick pics to show me the finished car.. I've been dying to see it but haven't been able to make it back to Montreal..
The owner is absolutely thrilled with the outcome. It was on display at a local Montreal car show this weekend and everyone was just drooling over the car.
I will post some better high-res pics but for now this will give you an idea of how it turned out.
10-21-2008, 11:20 AM
#68
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
A very unique car for sure and it looks to be executed well. I'm glad you guys didn't put the AMG Black Series badge on the rear. The wheels also look like they should be pushed out a bit more but I'm assuming that's as far as you could safely go with just spacers ?
10-21-2008, 04:11 PM
#71
MBWorld Fanatic!
I mentioned the wheel/axle/control arm issue months ago when VRP announced the project and again just a couple weeks ago. The Black Series is not just a wide body kit with wider wheels and a deep offset wheel as some of you infered, the axles and control arms are much longer on a Black Series vs. a CLK 63 Cabrio
All that aside, the conversion looks great...from the pics it appears to be OEM factory built quality. VERY unique indeed. Any top down pics? A custom roll bar or hoops would look sweet IMO.
All that aside, the conversion looks great...from the pics it appears to be OEM factory built quality. VERY unique indeed. Any top down pics? A custom roll bar or hoops would look sweet IMO.
10-21-2008, 10:21 PM
#75
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2011 C63
I mentioned the wheel/axle/control arm issue months ago when VRP announced the project and again just a couple weeks ago. The Black Series is not just a wide body kit with wider wheels and a deep offset wheel as some of you infered, the axles and control arms are much longer on a Black Series vs. a CLK 63 Cabrio
All that aside, the conversion looks great...from the pics it appears to be OEM factory built quality. VERY unique indeed. Any top down pics? A custom roll bar or hoops would look sweet IMO.
All that aside, the conversion looks great...from the pics it appears to be OEM factory built quality. VERY unique indeed. Any top down pics? A custom roll bar or hoops would look sweet IMO.
