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Post by Plowboy on Apr 24, 2018 9:08:38 GMT -5
Just got this a few days ago from Craig and couldn't wait to get started on it. Plus, I needed a break from my 34 project. My original plan was to just build it straight from the box. But, that plan changed. Still, I'm going to build it with no added details. Once I saw how much work the hood needed, I decided to add a little more by chopping the top. I've never chopped this body style before. So, it'll be a good challenge. After studying the body for a bit, I figured out how I wanted to make my cuts. I cut some 3mm strips of tape and applied them where I wanted my cuts. Then marked them with a Sharpie.  20180420_131538 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr One mistake I made was cutting at the trunk line. Originally, I thought I may be able to just cut 3 mms off the top of the trunk to allow the roof to go down. But , I didn't think the rear window would look right at the stock height and lowered. So, that cut got changed.  20180420_131555 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr Time to cut! I first cut the roof skin off by following the door line and drip rail. You'll notice I also changed my cuts on the A pillar. I thought I may be able to lean the windshield back enough that I wouldn't have to lengthen the roof. Couldn't happen and look right.  20180420_142217-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr |
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Post by Plowboy on Apr 24, 2018 9:18:42 GMT -5
Then I marked my cuts on the rear window.  20180420_144746-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr Cut the window frames off by cutting the bottom marks. DO NOT cut the sections out of the window frames yet!  20180420_183459-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr The roof needed to be lengthened 3mms. Since the rear window needed to be reshaped, I cut all of the reveal away and replaced it with a piece of .010. I also added a strip of .020 where the joint will be. With the roof off, it's much easier to do all of the prep before it's reattached.  20180421_130736-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr |
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Post by Johnny on Apr 24, 2018 9:36:21 GMT -5
Very interesting way to attack the chop! You almost convince me to try it out :-) Can't wait for a update!
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Post by Plowboy on Apr 24, 2018 9:46:55 GMT -5
Next step and you may or may not want to do it. I did. Because for me, it's easier to remove and replace than it is to work around them. Remove the drip rails and reattach the roof skin.  20180421_131150-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr Take the window frames and cut the front portion free. It will need to be lengthened in this area. Place the frame inside the body and mark the new cuts. You'll see that the cut is now different at the C pillar.  20180421_133054-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr Once the frames are cut to fit, glue them back in and hopefully you'll have something that looks like this.  20180421_153306-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr Before  20180420_124816-1 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr |
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Post by spex84 on Apr 24, 2018 11:05:21 GMT -5
Wow, that is some clean work!! Looks great!
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Post by rat23 on Apr 24, 2018 11:45:59 GMT -5
YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY ROGER, VERY COOL
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Post by FordRodnKustom on Apr 24, 2018 12:13:23 GMT -5
Clean work, the proportions look just right to me. As said above, you make it look easy!  |
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Post by Mr409 on Apr 24, 2018 12:22:00 GMT -5
I think you nailed the chop, it looks very good! I think the new roofline turned out so good that if I didn't know how stock roof looks like, I'd think this is the way it came from the factory. Interesting to see how this turns out, I'm pretty sure it'll be killer.
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Post by Murphy on Apr 24, 2018 12:39:55 GMT -5
Very nice Roger...surgical I'd say!
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Post by Mr. Metallic on Apr 25, 2018 6:57:13 GMT -5
Proportions look great. And your work is surgical. well done
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Post by Plowboy on Apr 25, 2018 7:50:57 GMT -5
Thanx guys! This chop was actually easier than I thought it would be. I was concerned mostly about the quarter windows going back together. But, they went back together as close to perfect as I could have hoped. They barely need to be sanded. One thing I've learned is the more time spent on planning and making the cuts is more time saved on filling and sanding. They go back together so much easier! Prepping the headliner before putting the roof back on also saves a lot of time and hassle. I got the hood reworked, filled the corner on the door frame, drip rails and chrome strip back on. The hood and body fitted to each other.  20180422_162538 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr Another minor mistake I made was I didn't get the top trunk line as tight as it should have been. I added a strip of .010 to the line and rescribed it. About all that's left to do is make the recesses for the tail lights and do a final sanding before it's off to primer.  20180422_162606 by Roger Hayes, on Flickr I'm thinking I'll do a classic black with red interior right now. I need to nail down a set of wheels and tires for it. I want wheels for the metal axles to keep it simple. But, haven't found anything I really like yet in the stash. Open to suggestions. |
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Post by Dennis on Apr 25, 2018 9:26:02 GMT -5
Wow, the proportions of this chop couldn't be any better. Nailed it!!! Fantastic workmanship, too!
I'd be inclined to go hot rod with this and do Halibrand's or American's.
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Post by krassandbernie on Apr 25, 2018 10:30:53 GMT -5
All I can say is simply awesome Roger! Well done executing a not so easy chop! It is not how I thought you were going to accomplish it as a started scrolling down; but it worked out perfect! I can't wait to see it in primer now!
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Post by spex84 on Apr 25, 2018 11:39:41 GMT -5
As I gradually fill in the carnage on my '63 vette project, I'm looking with envy at your antiseptic slice-n-dice work, Roger. I always plan as far as I can, but at a certain point things become difficult to visualize and I just start cutting. This Tudor chop is a triumph of planning as well as clean workmanship. Well done  |
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Post by krassandbernie on Apr 25, 2018 12:02:43 GMT -5
Well, this is what Gary was searching for just a week or two ago! LOL!
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