VX-O2 visit at the Petersen Museum - Los Angeles

[Riff Raff]

The VX-2 is essentially a "convertible" VX. Obviously, the best and most economical solution to having a "convertible clone" of the VX-2 is to have your own hardtop VX professionally modified (cut-up) by a specialty automotive shop that performs custom convertible conversions.

I just googled the internet and there are plenty of professional convertible conversion specialty shops out there in the marketplace. I'm sure with the right amount of money, they could perfectly transform a normal hardtop VX into a VX-2 "clone".

Your best bet is to find a local convertible conversion specialty shop in the Los Angeles, CA area (of which should be many due to TV/Movie celebrities). Then have one or two of their skilled employee's accompany you at the Peterson Museum so they can have a hands-on look at the original VX-2 and they can invision exactly what the modification entails (and estimated cost).

The likelyhood of a VX-2 convertible going into some sort of mass production is between slim to none and would be cost prohibitive. If an individual desperately wants a VX-2 "clone" that bad, then they're just gonna' have to pony up the individual money and have their own hardtop VX professionally transformed by a convertible specialty shop. Heck, it only takes money-- TV/Movie celebrities do it quite often to their privately owned vehicles and don't even bat an eyelash.

For me, I am absolutely happy with the electric-Moonroof I have installed in my VX. It doesn't leak a drop during torential Washington State rainstorms and it provides me additonal sunlight when it's closed and additional fresh air when it's open. Plus, when I park the VX for extended amounts of time (like at a ballgame or movie), I don't have to worry about some thug cutting my convertible-top canvas just to gain access to my vehicle's interior. For an electric-Moonroof in the VX, the cost is about $1,500 (+/-) which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a full-on convertible conversion just to get additional fresh air into the cockpit. If I wanted a convertible that bad in my life, then I'd just buy a vehicle that came from the OEM factory as a convertible. Just my 2-cents. 'Nuff said.

[VX_FX]

I heard they had a VX-02 there. I had planned to go the Petersen Museum as apart of my explore L.A. plan. I recently purchased my VX and have been trying to locate other owners in So Cal. I live in WeHo not to far from the Petersen actually.

Send me a msg if you live in the area. Also keep me posted on the Petersen plans.

Lonnie

[Baldwin]

There's a lot that would go into the VX conversion as you'll see when you see the O2. The quote I've received from GAS and Metal Crafters (Chip Foos hasn't responded but they outsourse to Metal Crafters) is between $60k-$80k. But this is if they were to build the tonneau cover without the car to make a mold and make it based off of a ton of photos. Between all of us that have seen the VX-O2, we have plenty. They also have to custom make a new windshield that is about 3" shorter and reinforce the car. My guess is that if we can borrow the car (maybe need to make a $1000 donation) we can get the cover replicated with a new mold (ItalDesign threw it away when they moved back to Italy). This would probably save us about $20k.

Of course, we'd have to supply the original VX. The 80k quote from GAS included new sound system, dual exhaust and 20" rims/tires, and new seats that ride low. Can probably do that stuff yourself to reduce the cost. The convertible mod company here only does rag tops and will not make a new tonneau cover which is the main thing for the VXO2. He would just chop it and leave the windshield as is and put an ugly rollbar over it and make it look like a targa top. I ruled him out as an option. He wanted 30k minimum but didn't want to touch it cuz he had a load of mercedes and hummers waiting to be converted. This guy is probably the best and does all the Hollywood stars cars. I think he did Shaq's H2. I don't know how much the CAD thing will cost or if it is much help for making the cover. Would rather pay to borrow it than pay to CAD it.

Still a lot of money in this economy (and even not in this economy), but I'm waiting to go platinum on my CD and land a huge role on a new movie and also sell my script for the movie I'm working on. Help spread the word of my CD and maybe this will get done sooner. www.onlywon.com. Till then, we can all go visit the VXO2 at the Petersen and dream a little more till one of us makes it big enough to want to spend the money and time.

[Anita]

Baldwin,

Mike and I are up for a museum visit whenever the VX-02 is on display or if we get another private showing. It would be great to have another meet there.

[phines]

I would definitely be interested in a meet as well. I would love to see that VX-O2 in person... and of course any other VX'ers that can be there too!

As for the conversion, I've tried getting quotes from several places and they basically just laughed at me. Given the quotes you've received, now I know why.
________
CHEAP AIRSOFT AMMO