Customs anybody ever chop a 59 galaxy?

I have a 59 and was wondering if anybody has ever chopped one out there. It has the wrap around winshield which im thinking about recessing into the cowl. trying to get any help before i put saw to metal. THANKS!

 

Yes, but I never got around to getting gl***. I drove it with plexi for years. Not looking forward to the bill when it comes time to get gl*** cut.

Sorry that was no help at all.

 

Please refer to the May Cause Dangerous article in the latest Rodder's Journal.

 

Give Finked a shout he has chopped some tuff ones . 57 Caddie ,Mcphials 60 ? Ford.

 

berdoo how much was it for the plexi/

 

is it possible to make a wrap around gl*** with plexi gl***?

 

is rodders journal a mag?

 

that's like asking is the HAMB some old car forum.......

yes. it's a mag.

 

I would have to go with it is THE MAG!

 

It's been a lonnng time since I bought any, find a shop that sell plastics and tell them what you want to do.

Initially we used some that was thick and we had to use a propane torch to soften it to help shape it. Once that cracked, I got some thinner stuff and it curved to shape without heat. Maybe sure you get drill bits for plastic and take you time. (The crack on mine started from a tiny split from drilling with a regualr bit).

Do a search on the HAMB for plexigl*** windshields or lexan. Probably some info to be found if that is the route you want to go.

Something else to consider, if you can find some to cut the original windshield... have it cut down first and then chop your pillars to match the gl***. The Gl*** Guy in Pomona can get your gl*** cut.

Not to confuse you, but some would say the Rodders Journal is too nice to be considered a magazine. But if you like what you see on the HAMB, you should go find one.

 

GalaxIE

Section it...

 

My blue heaven was not chopped it was sectioned. One of my all time favorite customs from up here in the NW. First time I saw it was at the unfinished nationals and man was it rough years of sitting and rusting away. The resoration of the car was done awesome.

 

If you chop a car and can't use gl*** you ****ed up. Period. Either do it right or don't do it. It's that simple.

 

I think Gotgas knows that car isn't chopped, I think he was giving the new guy an alternative idea for customizing his car so he doesn't have to worry about cutting gl***... then he would only have to worry about destroying the whole car if the section isn't done right!

I love My Blue Heaven too!!

Zman, while I agree "If you chop a car and can't use gl*** you ****ed up. Period. Either do it right or don't do it. It's that simple." I don't see anything wrong with using plexi, temorarily like I did, until the car is ready for gl***. It can look decent if done right, like set into/behind weatherstripping.

On a custom, I believe finishing with paint, upholstery, and gl*** should always be the ultimate goal... but for some of us that takes years.

 

If your going to recess the gl*** into the Cowell, what about the dash? With the fast lean back of the gl*** you'll also half to extend the piece between the hood and windshield. I think that would look like Double ****. PM Noname and Ol-beet on here. I understand they are Old Gl*** guys that have done some custom stuff. There is also the option of having a new piece of Gl*** made off a buck. Not cheep but then what is. So what's the plan for the Back gl***?
The Wizzard

 

Well, I picked up the rodders journal with "may cause dangerous" on it like jeffrey said. It was a great mag buuut had no info on reccesing gl***. just a life story of the guy who came up with the very first customizing books ever. with a pic or 2 of doin a merc chop! not even the same kind of roof. The "May cause dangerous" article was cool but that car wasnt even chopped let alone talked about a chop! Thanks anyway jeffries.

DONT CHOP IT, SECTION IT? Holy ****, thats like saying "Dont paint the house", "build a new one!" That was pretty good. Thanks for the pic GOT GAS.

Thanks for all ur info Berdoo! I think u r the most sane person here. HAHA

 

Pist-n-Broke, u have to stretch the roof forward so it can clear the dash and stay in somewhat of its original place. From what im told. But i am very much an ammature so i could b wrong. Back winshield is just another project but at least that one is straight and not wrap around.

 

I can see a couple inches (2-3), any more and it'll start looking cartoonish. Below is somewhere in there...

 

Jeffrey James was hoping you could read between the lines on the May Cause Dangerous article. You are right Kirk's 60 is not chopped and it is dead nuts spot on. Consider your final product. Are you wanting to do a chop just for the sake of chopping the car or are you improving the look of the car? I'm not saying a chop is wrong. Just do it for the right reasons.

Have you read this thread?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399765

Then really ask yourself if a chop is in order.

 

..."My Blue Heaven" now resides near Savannah, GA. The current owner worked on the original build as a teenager, located the car years later, bought it and redid it several years ago. It is a stunning example of workmanship.

 

Did he really just ask that question

 

Technically, it's more like saying "Don't remove the attic", "Remove the second floor!" But I know what you're sayin....




















Wuss.

 

I get where ur goin buddha but I think it would look pretty cool. Im thinkin 3 to 3 1/2 inches. im sure any more would just b inconvenient. Its still not 100% that im going to chop it but if i never try Ill never learn. (I have never chopped a car before.) So it will also b a learning experience.

 

I think 3.5" will look great, if you can figure out the gl***. Commit to doing it RIGHT before cutting anything. Plexi is unacceptable in a properly chopped car IMO.

Post up a picture of your car and I will photoshop it for you. Or email it to 46tbird@gmail.com

 

Just my opinion of course, but I've only seen one '59 Galaxie chopped and it made the bottom half of the car look too big. Maybe it was chopped too much or the chop wasn't done right, whatever, I just remember staring at it and thinking that it looked wrong. You might want to do a photoshop chop to see what it would look like.

 

Ask a gl*** guy to look up measurements on a convertible w/s compared to hardtop. On 57-58 the ht and conv use same gl***, but in 59 conv and retract use one that is different from ht. You might get enough "chop" by using conv gl***.

 

hmm, im gonna post a thread about that. thanks cool.

 

OK, If you strech the top forward what then about the Wing windows? Here are 2 photos of my 59 and the back gl*** may look flat but it's not. It's also tempered so you can not cut it.
I know the front can be cut but not by me, so where do we go? A friend just did a 56 Crown Vicky and got the gl*** cut. I'm going to talk to him soon and will p*** along the info.
The Wizzard

 

Sweet thanks pist-n! I would remove the wings try and make it more flush. Its a postless hardtop so it would probably look better. Nice Galaxie! Anyone with a 59 is a friend of mine. Hey that rhymed.

 

You are welcome. Check with The Gl*** House in Pomona, he comes highly recommended from many, and he provided gl*** for my Model A and installed the windshield. I have spoken with him about getting the windshield for my '59 cut down and he said he had a guy who would do it. Another gl*** guy here in Berdoo told me he would try it.

If you go with polycarbonate/lexan or acrylic/plexigl***, whether temporary or not, read this first-

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370121&highlight=plexigl***+windshield

I had honestly forgot what I had used so I went and dug out the s****s I saved and they are polycarbonate, NOT plexi. But the opinions on this post like this-

...seem to not be based on safety concerns, but rather on whether it was chopped properly. While I am not out for trophy's or "acceptibilty" on my cars, my '59 won Best Unfinished Custom awards at reputable shows, so clearly I am not alone in thinking a polycarbonate (or plexi) windshield is "acceptable" in an unfinished car. Is it as safe as gl***, look as nice as gl***, or legal... NO. But it'll get you down the road enjoying your car (as long as nothing hits your windshield) while you work on it as funds are available... like I did.

By the way, the roof is gone from my '59 so I can't help ya with the back gl***.