Projects My 32 5 window build thread..now chopped.

Sweet, I just paid for a outer header section also from a hamber, last bit of the jigsaw puzzle for me. Nice install. Mine is gone in the corners. I tried to make them but its a SOB with the curves and feature lines to get spot on.

 

Tell me about it. I've been looking at that area for years wondering how the hell i was going to fix it without a scrap piece from another..Just too many details to get right without the proper tools....
Mine was completely gone from corner to corner below the reveal, like missing. haha
I got lucky as hell!! I traded a new pair of 32 door handles for mine per the fella's request. He helped me out big time!

Jeff, thanks man.

Tony

 

Started the pass door last night.......
Just about done now, but i gotta say it's the pain in the ass of the chop.
The main roof, simple...The front upper part of the door, not so simple.

Had to do a lot of work to match the upper and lower section of the door's A pillar and reshape the forward curve to fit the new roof. Easiest way i could think of was to break down the whole A pillar and build it one piece at a time.
Actually worked well because i was able to weld each piece fully before putting the outer sheet metal back on. Super strong.

I'll finish cleaning up the welds tomorrow, and hopefully get the drivers door done too. I cut that up before i left tonight.

Also cut the windshield frame to fit. a whole 6.5" of glass in the center.
You can also see the SHIT LOAD of holes i filled in the firewall too. Still have some left to do..some troll went nuts with a damn drill on this thing.

Tony

 

Lookin' good....

 

Wow - instant progress. Very impressive.

 

You really are a moving and shaking on this thing Tony!!! Holy shit man!!! Go Go GO!!!

 

I have a tendency to go non stop for a while then run out of steam and pass out. hahaha
happened last year when i did the lower part of the body. Did it all in a total of a month or something, then the car sat til 3 weeks ago.
i'm gonna keep on it this time though..hehehe
especially the body, i want to get it in etch prime asap to seal it up.

Jeff, i had no lower outer skin, or lower inner panel on either doors. Luckily the jam area of both doors were real good though for some odd reason. so i just had to replace the inner and outer but was able to retain the jam area's on both doors.
Incidentally, both my doors had galvanized panels riveted on as lower outer skins too..

thanks guys.

Tony

 

Well it's all very inspiring Tony. I need to figure out what I need to do between the roof section and the decklid now that I'm looking at yours. There's lots of things I need to figure out obviously but it's nice seeing one come together and come together quick.

I'd like to see some inner and out door repairs!!!

 

I have some light work to do on that panel between the trunk and roof, but it's original so if you need photo's of that area for your car just let me know and i'll get you some.
I don't think i took any pics of the repairs i did on the doors last year when i did 'em. When i get the top all squared away i'll get a few of those on for you as well.

And thank you..i post because it's fun to show the progress and kill some time here at home, never really thought any of my ramblings were inspiring. Thats very cool man, really feels good to read that.

Tony

 

Excellent job and progress on your 5 window Tony. Quick question are you going to fill the top?

 

Thanks hotrd32. To answer you, no.
I'm going to have a roll and pleat insert made out of marine grade vinyl that will snap in place where the original insert was so it can be removed when i want.
Had a buddy with a chopped 32 5 window a few years back that did that and always liked it.
Sure, it'll leak water in heavy rain, and maybe make a bit of noise at high speed, but it'll be fun

If i get tired of it i'll put a stock style insert back in. Personally, i like the look over a filled top. thats just me though.
Tony

 

You know your way around the sheet metal replacement business. The coupe is killer looking.

 

man i tell ya, you just cant beat a chopped 32 five window!

looks good

jeff

 

Aint that the truth!!!

 

Tony I remember looking up at the roof of your chevy at how well the chop was done on that and this one looks to be of the same calibur, looking good man.

 

Cool, the reason I asked was I'm looking for the insert metal bead for the roof of my 5 winder. I want to un-fill it.

 

Jeff, i couldn't agree more

Phil, thank you very much! This one's a hell of a lot easier i can tell ya that. The 53 was my first chop and i had help. This is my second, and it's just me so i hope it come's out close to the 53

Very cool! I hope you get the stuff you need to do it. Like i said, i really dig the unfilled roof. They just look "right".


So, today i finished up the pass door and got to the driver's side. I'd have that done too but i ran out of gas for the welder. Sucks, i'd rather run out of gas in my truck than my welder.....haha

Anyway, this time i took a few pic's of what i did to the front upper curve of the door. I had made a template of what it had to be when i did the other side, and obviously used it when i did this one too.
I have to make the filler strips for everything yet, it's just crudely tacked in place to make sure fitment is right. Must have had the doors on and off this car 100 times with with rebuilding the floors/rockers, and now this..
Also got on of the door gap. i'm anal with shit like that so it's gotta be right. lol

progress pics of the day.

Thanks again for the kind words and encouragement.

Tony

 

More progress!!! Geesh there's quite a bit to chopping one of these cars huh? Definitely more then I thought. Looking good!

 

You are really jamming on this! Awesome work.

 

awesome work nice car love the chop

 

Yeah there really is. I forgot about some of the thing's that are involved since the first one. Like in each window opening, aside from the rear, the sides needed to be cut and realigned with each other. The lower's are wider than the top because of the original taper stamped into them.
Probably be more forgiving on a light chop like 2", but that extra 1.5 left me with about 1/8" difference between the upper and lower parts where they mate up.
It's not only important for the visual, but also for the glass.
fun fun fun

Thanks guys. Tomorrow i have to take off from it but Tuesday i should have the chop DONE! about a week and a half's worth of work and it's got a whole new attitude. i love it!

Tony

 

Aside from the 2 little pieces of drip rail i have to make and weld in, this part is done.....
so, here's the ten day chop..

Tony

 

What a perfectly proportionate chop. It's sinister and evil but looks very balanced. That's what I would like mine to look like.


Let's take a side step from chops right now. What are the other plans for the car? Engine? Hood? Wheels?

 

That is how mine was done many years ago...they also added to the gutter. Looks very nice.

 

JJ......I think he would need at least an engine and wheels if he is going to drive it.....HA HA could not resist.

 

So true...here's the goods..


Yes to the hood. I have an original i plan to run on it.
Now, i know a lot of guy's are so against the venerable small block, but, i like em, have Chevy orange in my veins, so that's what will be under the hood 'cause it's mine and i just don't care.
I have a small journal 327 that will have some very nice upgrades in it .....and IF i can fit it under the hood, a GMC 6-71 on top.
Backed by a 5 speed and a '57 Ford 9".
There's obviously a lot of details i left out, but you get the general idea.

Wheels...now that's a tough one.
I WANT Magnesium Halibrands for this in a BAD WAY...but, i'm not willing to shell out the crazy coin they seem to gather..
May consider the aluminum version......
I have a pair of original Magnesium American 5 spokes on the back of the truck in my avatar that i bought for this car..
Maybe i'll entertain putting those on IF i can find a reasonable pair for the front..then just do a wheel change on the truck.
Or if ALL else fails, my old standby, chrome steelies.

Color..i have Hot Rod Flatz vintage burgundy pearl already..I love maroon's and burgundy's, but i also LOVE black. My original plan was satin black for a while, then gloss..........i have yet to make a final choice between the two colors...

Again, thanks a lot for the kind words.

Tony

 

Well I have no complaints on the Chevy engine. I just put a 265 in my '35 and I could not be any more stoked about it. The 6-71 is going to be be cool. I've rode in Josh's (TUDOR) 32 5w last summer. It has 800hp and it a real screamer and nasty as shit.




I love American 5 spokes and think they would be rad. Great plan for the car and can't wait to see it come together.

Thunderbirdesq is coming down to Charlotte this Saturday and heading back Sunday, you should come down here too. I'd love to pick your brain on my heap haha!!!

 

Damn dude!!! How did I miss this chop?! Looks effin' awesome, brother... not that I would expect anything less. Kickass... dammit, I forgot to send you those pics, DOH! I'll send em tmw...

Yeah Tony hop in the truck!