Ive been collecting pics and doing a bit of research on my upcoming chop of my 52 Customline. Ive been having a bit of a hard time finding a suitable donor window and surrounding sheet metal. Besides 49-51 Shoebox windows, what other years should I be looking for?
Hey, Take a look at Mopars from '49-'51, also, Chevrolets from this era in the 150 Sedan model may have what you're lookin' for. No matter what rear light you wind up goin' with, some metal- shaping will be necessary in the C-post area. Swankey Devils C.C.
Did you do a search here? Lots of chopping going on. Also, try 50chev.com and more to see shapes of rear windows used by others. You are on the right track to figure out the glass before chopping. A lot easier to bend and cut metal than glass. Have you thought of possibly dropping your rear glass into the body? Matbe you will find something a the Big3 Parts Exchange (Swap Meet) next month at Qualcom Stadium.
Yeah, Ive been reading lots of info on rear glass from the search tool. I saved a bunch of pics and written down what each was using. Dropping my rear glass into the body of my car will never happen. It just seems like such a half measure to me. I will be looking around at the Big3 next month for a few items- including rear glass and sheetmetal. I was planning on keeping her all Ford, but might have to go to the darkside for glass, who knows? Ive been looking online as well for rear windows, but Im having a bit of a hard time. I seem to always be just a day too late.
i have a 53 and been thinking about chopping it for a while. i think the back glass is the biggest issue with these cars and i've seen a lot of 52-54s screwed up because someone tried to chop it. i'm definitely not saying your gonna screw it up, and i think you are right about using a differnt back glass. i'm leaning twards leaving mine stock because i'm in love with jimmie vaughns 54. i was looking at the profile the other day and was wondering if some kind of pie cut section on the roof would acheve the look i was going for. i think the thing that bothers me the most is the crown in the rear seems too bulky or fat. if that could be slimmed down while leaving all the glass where it is, i think that would really help. i'm not an experienced metal worker so i don't know if its even possible. it would be a pretty subtle change. but what do you guys think? opinions?
i have a 51 plymouth roof and a 50 desoto roof both with the glass that i cut off parts cars for when i chop mine. i've pretty much decided to not chop it. hit me up if your interested.
I have a 53 I'm chopping now. I cut the rear window area right at the brace that goes across the top and the ugly ass hump somewhat flattened out just like I wanted. I found a 41 thru 48 plymouth donner rear window(you can look at those cars on google to get an idea of size and shape). you will find there are 100 different ways to chop a top on just about any given car. Some ways are a real pain in the ass and some ways are easier than others. some are just really screwed up. if you do a search on the hamb you will find different ways of doing it. Good luck!BOBBY FORD
Hey, You could run a cut just above the Cant rail, say just where it starts to crown, maybe 3'' off the drip rail. Drop the middle of the top panel, and spred the sides to match. It will be tough to avoid the "flat top look" doin' this, though. There will be some major welds along the sides of the top panel to pull this off. Swankey Devils C.C.
yeah, i don't think it would be easy to pull off. i seem to remember reading somthing a while back about someone sectioning the roof on a chevy. it think it might have been chip foose. anyone remember that?
Something you might not think of...if you use an odd rear window, make sure you can get window rubber for it. There is pretty good aftermarket support for window rubber, but some shit you just can't get. Good luck and post lots of pics. -Abone.
By the way..when you cut a roof like that, here is about what you should expect on C pillar reconstruction. This is a 51 Merc with a 50 backlight. Mostly done welding. Good luck, -Abone.
flamedabone-great examples of what is involved with a chop like you did. Your work looks great. Hope this will show those without the experience as a welder, etc to proceed cautiously.
Hey, Did you use any tubing or angle iron to reinforce this back light frame prior to welding it in? Seems as though the welding heat would totaly fuck up the pinch weld, and thus the glass fitment, without some? Swankey devils C.C.
Just an idea, but have glendale (above with plm & DeSoto glass)get your email and send you some pics and measurements of what he has. If the glass he has might work then put a request out and see if someone from Sacramento area is going to Pomona for the Grand National Roadster Show. Then you drive up there and get it. If it will not work you could resell it later.
Pimpin. Yes, I braced the shit out of the opening the whole time I was fitting and welding teh backlight. The above pic is about 5 minutes after I cut all the bracing out. Of course...the glass isn't in the hole YET............If it fits, I'm a hero. If I am sweeping up little tiny pieces, I'm a goat.
that is what i was thinking. here is a photo of a plymouth back window. and here is a link for a desoto with the same window. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DeSo...212340505QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230212340505
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