What would you consider a good fair price to Chop a top, 4 inch's on a 31 ford coupe......weilds finished....window trim cut and finished, minus the cut glass. In the Los Angeles area. Thanks, D
Let's see, a Merc chop is $7500-$15K, so a MOdel A COupe should be about $49.99 at your local Earl Scheib's Body Emporium.
Just depends on the quality. I have seen quite a few guys brag about chopping their own tops, then when you go look at it, it was so warped that 1" of Bondo had to be used. I've seen guys do it for $500 and the customers were happy (looked like crap to me), but I also saw a guy pay $4k and I sure felt he was ripped off.
Many folks dont take into consideration that: A) real shops have to run a business and thats expensive or B) The fact that there's a limit number of folks who you can count on to do great work. I assume we're talking about quality work here. If so, anybody that charges you $500 either doesnt have anything better to do or is going out of their way in giving you something. If so, cool. That said, you shouldnt expect this dropping into a business. As for $4000, I can see how it could happen. Higher end shop that charges $100 an hour... 40 man hours total isnt totally offbase end-to-end on this task (particularly if you work slow and meticulous.) I've seen some real fucked up and dangerious shit done by guys who work "cheap." That being said, i think that if you're looking to jump into doing a chop and feel good about your skills-- i feel a model A coupe is a great first car to chop (I did a VW bug as my first, and only chop.) -scott noteboom
Is the body straight and aligned? Is there any wood in it? Is it mounted to a frame or bare on the ground? Is it rusty, painted, or bare? I'd do a nice one if it's solid and clean for about $1,000, TIGed, ground, and tapped smooth ready for a little filler. If it's rusty or bent to start with I'd have to charge at least twice as much.
It is about 2500.00 at my shop to do it right... doors, garnishes, top done and finished.. just need glass..my shop rate is 65.00 an hour... If I could keep the lights on and my guys employed for 10.00 bucks an hour, I would. I love doing this stuff but overhead is $$$$$... Jason.
If you have the tools, have a HAMB chop party. You buy Pizza and beer, meet a bunch of cool people, and get your top chopped. You will gain friends for life, and gain an ass pot of knowledge too.
Thank you all for your time and advice....and opinion's. I use to be able to do this kind of stuff years ago........had a pretty diecent shop, built some cool hotrods, customs, bikes and trikes, for many years in Wilmington Ca. It was called Ironhorse Engineering. But I ended up breaking my neck and became a quad, putting things to a halt for many years. But after a while I started to get back into cars. Though I could no longer physically work on the car's.......I could still design them...and give advise on how to do the work I've been lucky enough to have some nice projects....and good friends to help me. Although I cannot drive anymore........I still have the shotgun position, and enjoy the ride. But now as time goes on, most of my friends have passed away, or moved out of state.......that I've kinda become kind of a hermit, with the eception of 2-3 friends.......and kinda lost touch with dealing with people, or being out among people and making friends again. Anyway.......enough of my crap. Back to my question........I use to charge about $ 800.00- $1,000 but checking around.........places are doing it for a minum of $ 2,500- 4,500 for a 31 coupe. To me......that seem's a little steep. But I could be off base and out of touch with reality. Problem is.......I do remember how much work is involved in doing a coupe top, and doing it right.....proper gap's and seams. And the tedious bs getting the garnish trim to fit and line up. I guess that's why you see so many chop tops that are sold without window's or cut trim. Poor planing or patichence. But a good coupe body isn't really all that hard, comparied to a merc, or helmut top cars.....two of my hardest chop's was a 59 el camino and a 67 gto. But got them done....love a good challenge. Thank's for listing to my rambling on. D
Hey Smiley, Ya may wanna PM chopped50ford. He hosted one of these HAMB- Chops about a year ago for his '50 Shoe. He can probably tell ya what will work and not. From what I remember, everyone had a great time, and when it was over, Norm had a chopped car. Swankey Devils C.C.
The Jalopy Journal
