Californian coachbuilder offers Mercedes CL convertible conversion

Mercedes Benz has hinted at the development of a convertible version of its CL flagship as far back as 2007 but still today there is no such model in the automaker’s lineup. Customers tired of waiting can still purchase a CL Cabrio thanks to the guys at California’s Newport Convertible Engineering, which offers a customized CL with its steel roof replaced by an automated folding soft-top.

Making a convertible out of a hardtop involves much more than chopping off the steel roof and designing a folding mechanism for the cloth top. Removing the steel top robs a car of a tremendous amount of structural rigidity that must be restored before the resulting soft-top can be deemed drivable. Every convertible built by the Californian coachbuilder includes significant structural upgrades to ensure the cars are equal to factory-built convertibles in terms of rigidity and roadworthiness.

Admittedly, the custom CL Cabrio looks rather stylish and would no doubt stand out from the crowd in any suburban district. Pricing for standard two-door convertible conversions typically range from $10,000 to $15,000, however, some projects Newport Convertible Engineering has worked on has run up into the six figure sums.

Some of the other extreme convertible makeovers offered by Newport Convertible Engineering include a Maybach 57 four-door convertible, and drop-top versions of the Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Prius.
Via: Autoblog.nl