Chopping a 29 Model A

I like how Rolf moved the windshield pivot down lower on the A pillar.
Nice Build

 

Brandon You have any pics of how you covered up the hinge pads and the slot in the door or did they get cut out with the chop?
I didn't cut mine out as you can see but still might try and do away with the top hinge maybe, I need to give that some thought around a bucket of beers.

 

I cut 3.5" out of my '28 Tudor and the A-posts lined up nicely- it only took a little squeezing with a motorcycle tie-down strap to align them perfectly.

I cut the A-posts below the windshield hinge pin so that it's geometry remains stock. I also kept all three door hinges.

Do a search using "model A chop". There are lots of great threads.

 

djust, I like your tubing reinforcement..did you attach skin to it with tack welds to keep from squeeking?

 

The tubing is welded to the floor and the tubs at the bottom and basically plug welded around all the window openings, and runs all the way over the door headers and across the windshield header.
I plan on also running it across the top from side to side under the roof skin to help stiffen up the body as much as I can.
I built it all in the beginning to where I could pull it in and out until it was finished and that is why one of the pics above show it all out laying on the shop floor.
I finally got brave enought to weld it all in a month or so ago so it in permanent now.
None of the outside skin is spot welded to the tubing because as I have learned on here the metal will expand and contract with temperature changes and it will show on the outside if the skin is pinned down to the tubing.

 

I have an old Hot Rod mag in which Dick Dean does the how to chop a model a article. At the end he said " if you need body filler after chopping a model A, you fucked it up".

 

Mines really f@#*%d up then.
It's going to need filler I'm afraid.

 

lots of good help here guys, appreciate all the pics!!

keep up the good work djust!

 

djust,

What did you use to make your drip rails from? Is it solid steel?

 

1/4 inch bar stock was used to fill the drip rails Joe.
It was a lot of spot welds and tons of grinding.
Still have the other side to do but right now I am fighting with the door alignment.

 

the top hinges were removed from the program , due to some creative cutting..... the car had some top issues from a bobcat / backhoe lifting exercise.....all the cuts were in different areas to correct this issue......brandon