ready to chop my 54

I was given a 54 Chev body and decided I might as well build a radical custom. I have finished the two-dooring and hardtopping and about to chop it.
My problem now is the usual one of how to handle the back window. Replacing it with a 49 - 52 window is out of the question as I have no source for one of those, so I have to use the original rear screen. Studying pics on the net and from information from this forum I have two plans.
Plan One is to cut loose the rear frame and tilt it forward and recessing the leading edge of the rear screen, or Plan Two, to cut loose the rear frame and lower it completely behind the beltline moulding. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. My question is to those who have chopped one of these before is, which is the preferred method and why..?

 

i like the way they did this chop...


http://www.calclassics.us/calclassics.chopped54.htm

 

thanks mate, thats awesome.
cheers

 

I have one comment and one question about the chop sequence that was pictured. First, the comment... when you splice and re-position the top stub of the B pillar to align with the bottom of the B pillar, there is no need to cut into the drip rail or into the roof. It can all be done below the drip rail. My question is, does the rear window remain stock dimensions? I couldn't tell from the pictures. A rear window of this type cannot be cut.

Otherwise, I agree, for a mild chop this one looks good. I think with your hardtopped car you will have a little more freedom in how you lay the back window portion down.

 

Very tasteful looking chop but what the f@ck did it say??

did you do any reinforcing when you made it into a hrdtop...I hope you did!

 

Hey,

'may sound nuts, but can you cut the rear light frame loose from the
package shelf, c posts and roof, 180 the frame in that opening and
make that work? It would look much like a '52-'54 Ford rear light, with
a lot ot crown at the top /rear of roof. This would take some metalshap-
ing, but that would depend on how heavy of a chop yer after.

 

dude you a braver and more talented man than me,good job.
"IM HEAR TO STAKE MY CLAIM ON THIS PIMPIN AN HUSTLIN GAME".

 

slice the rear pillar into vertically Then slide the unaltered glass opening "UP and forwards".....
You now will have to REMOVE two or three inches of metal from the rear of roofskin- this allows the travel I mention....you can slightly slant the opening too.
Last you will need to rebuild the panel between the trunk opening and bottom of rear glass opening- it will now be slightly angled downwards between the two .....resulting in a pleasing "line of flow" ......
Here is an example on a 53 GM hardtop with a 3" chop

 

That's a very nice looking roofline. That's the Blue Danube clone isn't it?

 

kenny thats kinda the same approach used to drop the lid on a 52-54 ford keepin the factory backlite aint it?

thats what i keep kickin over in my mind when i do a mental chop anyhow