I was thinking of making it into a soft top, no reason to soak a car, I live in the southeast where daily thunderstorms in the summer are the norm. This week I should be picking up some new seats (I prefer buckets) and going to reupholster them. Once I get my girl'* monte carlo interior replaced from a flooding incident I'll be looking at bracing the bottom before I cut the top.

You are on the right track. The biggest problem I see is keeping the door jams aligned. and you need to build pockets on the side so the top will fold into the car. or you might make a dangerous sail. My best advice is go look at a 70'* full size convertable

Here'* what I see happening, the first big bump and the car will look like a taco. The roof is a major part of the structure of the car. Remove it and your asking for trouble. You will need a major frame under the car to offset this major structural change. Even a small bump without enough support and the doors will no longer open. Can it be done, yes, will it safe or even road legal? That'* going to be a tough one.

Maybe I'm a bit groggy today, but how about a targa top instead of the full convertible? Or remove the center of the roof and replace it with a deep tinted piece of glass? Wasn't the a Buick Regal show car like that? Maybe the Regal Cielo?