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DAVE HUNTER (aka CATFISH142) [ View ] [ Email ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ] HAMILTON ONT, Canada

I am getting ready to do a top chop on my 48 pontiac coupe, Just wondering if someone has done a similar chop on a chevy or pontiac and know osf any hurdles that I may encounter. I would appreciate some imput.

Comments

Posted by bigdude  -  02/01/2008 10:23 AM If this is your first you picked one that can be tricky. resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  02/01/2008 01:08 PM i'd pass but if i had to it would not be just a chop. i would not cut the roof. i'd section the rear window and slide the roof forward to meet a layed back windshield. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by JAWS  -  02/01/2008 02:34 PM I'm glad you asked this question, I am considering it myself. I have never done it before either........ An electrical headache can make a great car a pain [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boise, Idaho Charter Member since August 2004   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  02/01/2008 03:20 PM i'll only say this once . you start slicing and dicing on that bubble butt roof you are gonna regret it. this is a car that does not chop well in the first place. imho it looks best with 2 in out of the windshield layed back a couple of inches. kinda like i did inderweed. and dont take out the drip rail ! it is part of the body line. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by Starfire  -  02/01/2008 10:44 PM You guys never having done a chop had better take Shine's advise very seriously. Chopping a top looks a lot easier in the magazine photos, on TV, and in a video than it really is. If you are not an experienced body metal worker with all the tools and skills you'll need the particular body in question is not where to learn, unless you want to risk riding in a topless roadster or scrounging around for the parts and info to convert it into a convertible. Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by pooch  -  02/01/2008 10:07 PM Talk to Red he know's pooch [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] albany, Oregon   Posted by JAWS  -  02/02/2008 07:43 PM I am not an experienced metal man...........but I would still like to see it done. If not by me, by someone who knows how, as I am fascinated by that talent....... An electrical headache can make a great car a pain [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boise, Idaho Charter Member since August 2004   Posted by CATFISH142  -  02/03/2008 08:02 AM I,m glad to get the feed back and hope to recive more. I,m a firm believer of the fact that the impossible only takes a little longer. I have made up my mind to go forward with it and do the best that can be done. Failure isn,t in failing. It is in not trying. Thanks again for the thoughts and I will post how I make out good or bad. At worst Convertables are not so bad,,,, Catfish 142 CATFISH142 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] HAMILTON ONT, Canada   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  02/03/2008 08:44 AM you might want to draw your cuts on the top with chaulk and post them. this is a top that you cant just take 2 in out and set it back down. done right it will look cool. done wrong it will look like a roll over figure how to do it without cutting up the roof. that old stuff of cutting it into 4 pieces is kaka. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by Starfire  -  02/03/2008 10:21 AM Damn the torpedoes, FULL SPEED AHEAD! On the the other hand, Elvis had a major hit with the song "Fools Rush In." With those things said, I hope you have more than a passing knowledge of both plane and solid geometry cause you're going to need it, along with a bit of Trig to make this work out. I will give you a hint which will make this effort as painless as possible. You will first need to remove the roof rails completely and your first cut should be behind the door pilar above the rear window all the way across the top. Why? Because to keep the lines as you cut elsewhere you will need to add metal to the middle of the roof to extend it back. You will need an English wheel or access to one to shape the filler piece for the roof and possibly a metal break to make an additional support for the roof. Do not make any cuts even close to where the back of the roof turret meets the lower body. And with this bit if info take Shine's advice and do some chalk work. Better yet draw it out before you start then consider you are going to have some fun with the doors and specifically the vent windows. And then there are those darn curved roof pillars with the same darn curve as in the doors. Gonna be fun to maintain fit there as cuts in the pillars and the doors will have to be dead on the same. Ain't as easy and quick as you might think and will be real easy to get metal ripples where you don't want them thanks to all the heat from cutting and welding. This kind of project is why in the old days we paddled enough lead to smooth things out the term "lead sled" came into being. Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  02/03/2008 10:30 AM you cut thru that roof your gonna have a convertible . leave the drip rails be. without them your gonna have a leaker. this is one that needs to come forward with the filler between the roof and trunk. pie section the rear window and tilt it down to meet a layed back windshield post. some roofs just do not chop. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by Starfire  -  02/03/2008 10:59 AM I should have mentioned the roof rails will go back on once the roof has been added to. It will be necessary to add metal to the roof rails from either new ones or from a donor vehicle just as will have to be done to the more or less center of the roof. No cut in the rear pillar should be made lower than just below the horizontal mid-point of the rear window. There will be no laying back of the windshield or rear window with sectioning of the more or less middle of the roof turret and adding new metal to the middle. The adding of metal to the middle of the roof has to occur behind the door pillar which means one of two things. Either the rear side windows will become wider or the pillar between it and the rear window will need to be increased. Anyway one looks at it this is a huge undertaking that has all the elements of never turning out exactly right or will look weird if completed. I would agree this is one of those roofs that is better left alone due to all the curves and angles involved. Some cars are just better enjoyed more or less the way they came off the line. Starfire [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Weimar, Texas   Posted by blade58  -  02/03/2008 01:59 PM If you can find a copy of STREETRODDERmag ,Sept. 2002 vol.31.9 articale 'GARAGECHOP part 1" they have good pics and artilce on choping a 36 plymouth 5window coupe and real close to your PONCHO ,Ive saved some mags throuhg out the years that had some how to articles that caught my attention it so happens i saved some on differnt chops blade58 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] apopka, Florida   Posted by koolstuff0099  -  02/03/2008 08:02 PM you must have seen that book by Tex Smith? "How to Chop Tops". It might help B-Dog [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Newburyport, Massachusetts   Posted by blade58  -  02/03/2008 08:28 PM no i have not seen that book yet i have the STREETRODDER mag that covers that particual vehicle chop i also have a HOTROD mag that covered chopping a Merc and a STREETRODBUILDER mag that had article on chopping a top. Feature that famous Guy"HINES " is his last name i beleive he sport a big cigar and had at least 2 more in his shirt pocket when he works ,He also was in an episode of MONSTER GARAGE when they built a LEADSLED he is also famous for laying some serious "lead "this dude is 90 or almost smokes cigars and breaths lead no lead poising hear blade58 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] apopka, Florida   Posted by joee  -  02/04/2008 07:12 AM i've never chopped a top with out help from my friend mr. budwiser............ joee [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] WYNANTSKILL, New York   Posted by 41 Kustom  -  02/04/2008 08:03 AM My son had a 38 Olds coupe and he talked me into helping him chop it. It came out perfect. He did a lot research before we started, bought the book Koolstuff0099 was talking about and some others. I'll never own a car thats not chopped again. I's not something to take lightly. If you don't have the drive to finish what you start, don't do it. We are not pro body men so it will take time to do it right. Take a look at my pictures. I did a custom type chop. I cut the back window out and laid it forward and did'nt have any wheel work at all. Your roof line looks a lot like my Buick did. You might want to listen to some of the other guys, It is hard work and takes a lot of planning. But on the other hand we are street rodders and thats what we do. Nothing better than a home built car. good luck either way. 41 Kustom [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Essex, Vermont   Posted by Woody2B  -  02/04/2008 01:14 PM I know one of the older StreetRodder mags showed step by step of Chip Foose and his dad chopping the top on a Chevy coupe for Troy Trepanier which he called the "Predator". The roof lines should be similar. Woody2B [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Arnold, Missouri   Posted by dixie  -  02/05/2008 12:10 AM Tell u what Shine i'm speachless. jim grace [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dade city, Florida Charter Member since January 2006   Posted by BigAlBre  -  02/05/2008 04:18 PM If it were me.... I'd make a hardtop out of it.... cut the windshield as the old porch dog said...lean it back... eliminate the "B" pillar and notch the roof to go forwrd and meet the windshield...might ease some of the tricky stuff... but then I'm NOT a metal man....most important is to think it through and remember a couple of things (1) glass won't bend (2) curves don't reconnect after chopping so cut them out and replace them later... keep us posted with lot's of pictures... Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999   Posted by hotrodgene  -  02/05/2008 05:21 PM I had a friend in this area that choped everthing he had and watched him do a simumalar car which was a 47 chev.coupe.He said it was the hardest car he ever did and he did a lot of diff.car.He chopped a 49 merc.one day at a car show here in town.He didn't total finish that one day like glass and trim but he had the roof back on same dayall welded up.This person is dead now and I miss chatting with him.He was a excellent pin stripper also and some of you guys may have heard of him.He also worked with George Barris,Axlender Bros.and such.His name is John McNally. Thanks,Gene [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Saint Petersburg, Florida   Posted by nhrasg  -  03/07/2008 07:18 PM I just did a 47 Chevy coupe. Can I help? Jeff nhrasg [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Baxter, Minnesota   Posted by nhrasg  -  03/07/2008 07:28 PM Two rules I have used.......1) Don't let anyone tell you that YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING, and 2) Experience is gained through doing. I jumped right into mine and it turned out great. Buy the Tex Smith book, Chopping Tops. I belive there are two. One of them has a chop of a 46 Chevy Coupe. I followed it word for word. Have pics if you need them. Jeff shadow750@charter.net nhrasg [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Baxter, Minnesota   Posted by Alf  -  03/07/2008 07:51 PM I chopped the top on my 46 Ford coupe. I read and reread Tex Smiths "how to chop tops"first. It turns out there is more than one way to do it. It was my first chop, and it was HARD!!!! But, it turned out great and I am glad I did it. Of course it added several months work to my project, but who cares? I used Photoshop to decide on the amount of chop before I started. I decided 4"was about right and I kept the rear window full size, just leaned it forward. I agree that it should not be taken lightly, it is a LOT of work. But as I like too say, "if it was easy, everybody would do it". Go for it...... Lanny Netz [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Grass Valley, California   Posted by BigAlBre  -  03/08/2008 12:56 PM Gene.... remember what McNally use to say "If it ain't cut...it ain't shit"..... hehehe He told me how to cut mine!! (almost talked me into sectioning it too)... best thing you can do is listen to experience and spend a lot of time envisioning how it's going to react to cutting...tape of where you intend to cut it with masking tape... visualize how the roof will react with pieces gone....when I cut mine I had no idea how to weld...I went through two reels of wire.... put it on.... grind it off... but in the end it was one of the most gratifying things I have ever done... keep us posted!!! and lots of pictures Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999   Posted by cr55  -  03/08/2008 02:31 PM go for it dave!!! I did a 37 chevy as my first. Me and a friend did it together. A few times I had second thougts ,but in the end I would do it all over again. You will probably always wonder " what if" if you don't. Don't give up C.R. cr55 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dover, Delaware   Posted by DavyJ  -  03/08/2008 04:03 PM Dave, these cars can be chopped, but like Shine says, it is a good look and a bit easier if you retain the roof in one piece instead of cutting it above the door pillar and stretching it. On these it is near impossible to get the curves back in when stretching. By laing the back window and almost matching the curve of the trunk line it will come out great. Add in laying back the windshield a small amount, don't overdo it here. The key is as most have said........measure and plan a lot before making any moves! Take lots of pictures so everyone can see the progress, good luck. The Tulips are up, I'm ready to cruise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005   Posted by madness1313  -  03/27/2008 12:40 AM Hey I'm new to this site please bare with me... I was wondering if anyone could give me some information on how to chop a 51 chevy torpedo back. I haven't done this before and I've been scouring the internet looking for sites with information or videos showing one that was done. Anything you could tell me about this would be very helpful!!! Thanks. Oh and I am also looking for a 49-51 Merc unrestored for my next project if anyone knows of one for sale!!! Thanks again! madness1313 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Edmonton, Canada   Posted by BigAlBre  -  03/27/2008 02:23 PM madness I can tell you that it has to be cut all the way to the back of the car to maintain the slope.... saw McNally do an olds once and it turned out great.... Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999   Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  03/27/2008 02:49 PM you have to cut it like inderweed . the slice goes almost to the bottom of the trunk. dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003   Posted by ronhotrod  -  03/27/2008 09:10 PM I have done a couple email me and we'll talk ronhotrod@yahoo.com ronhotrod [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mount washington, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2001   Posted by madness1313  -  03/28/2008 12:06 AM Hey thanks guys and I will be emailing you soon ronhotrod - I cant wait to get started on this! madness1313 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Edmonton, Canada   Posted by JAWS  -  03/28/2008 11:27 AM PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!! This is for my own education....... An electrical headache can make a great car a pain [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boise, Idaho Charter Member since August 2004

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