Looking for idea's, blueprints, pics, etc. On the best way to chop my 54. I really want to chop it nice and low and get rid of the curved back window if possible. Let the hamb idea's begin...................... Thanks
this would be good, i'd like to see this done. I have a 53 ford customline with the curved rear window.
the tex smiths "how to chop tops" book shows them choppin a 54 in it they use 2 roofs to do it instead of adding a filler strip to lengthen the roof . it shows a couple pages for ya.it doesnt say what they do with the back window though. if they have them in laminated have it cut down, sink the original into the trunk, or plexy.
wheres the pics of the guy who did a 54 ford with a buick wildcat roof? that thing was awesome... well to me anyways
I chopped my top using the Tex Smith book and sorta followed their instructions. Great book, but my suggestion would be to get a 49-51 rear window and surrounding sheetmetal, and graft it onto the car. I sank my rear window and it's very hard to keep it from leaking.
Me? I've had it since I was 11, if you can believe that. Bought it for $500. Chopped it when I was 15. Unfortunately, it was a real learning experience, I didn't really know what I was doing and the chop isn't nearly as nice as it looks in pics, although it does have full functional side glass, which apparently no one else takes the time to do. Eventually I'll go through it again and fix my mistakes, but it still looks OK so I'll leave it until it really needs it.
i dont know if i like the look of that back glass on the purpe one. seems like it doesnt flow smooth. i like the idea of a shoebox's glass for this.
I agree. It's hard to tell from the angle of the pictures but it sure looks like there is a V where the glass meets the roof.
The purple car is very pretty and well done but I agree the back window doesn't look right. My guess is that he moved the whole roof forward instead of lengthening it, then leaned the back glass forward, making the funky slope. Moving the whole roof forward would have worked much better with a different rear window. I still think the '50 Ford or similar rear window would be the ticket.
not a ford but.... i still had to deal with the wrap-around back window, i was gonna use the shoebox ford window, but it had too much curve to make right with the chevy roof (at least for a novice, like myself) so i used a 49 chevy business coupe window and frame. i didnt quarter the roof, just pie cut the pillers and layed them in....seemed to go pretty well.....
Is it a hardtop or a post ???// The best looking way to do either one in my opinion is a 3.5 inch chop in the front with a 4 to 5 inch in the rear. Bring the whole roof forward sink the rear window into the trunk. Youll have a to extend the panel between the trunk and rear glass as it moves forward wth the roof. LTR Dave
i been contemplating chopping my 53. i think they look pretty darn good unchopped, but the more i look at the roof, the more bulky the crown starts to look. i do like the curved glass in the back. rodders journal did an article on a barris chopped 52-54 merc with some pics of the chop in progress. i'll try to dig it up and scan the photos. here is a pic of a pretty nice chop. maybe a little extreme for me, but looks good slammed. anyone have any more pics of this car?
I'm with you. I have a '53 Mainline and I have yet to see one that made me say, "Thats it, I got to chop mine." There is something about the roofline itself, too bulky above the drip rail or something. And everyone I have seen chopped just dont have the flow like a 49-51 has. But I do have to say that the black and green one is the best example I have see to date. And I have heard that about the roof being a chevy.
That is why i'm trying to do it right, if there is a right way. The black and green car looks good to me, but i do want to keep the post.
If you get the latest issue of Hop-Up, they show the 54 Tulsa Merc being chopped. It is a hardtop. The crowns on these cars are really tall. Perhaps pancake and using the backlites out of other cars which are flatter or lend a better shape will be the secret? I don't know, but the idea about mine being has been kicked around with the understanding that it will be a difficult chop to pull off right no matter what.
Ok, yeah you know I had to jump in on this one. I've got a 53' mainline and just bought a 50' back window and frame w/ surronding sheet metal. i threw it up on the trunk lid and think it will give the car the right look, the look I want. My thought now is to maybee crown thwe thing once i get the chop complete, or am I thinking backwards? and what would be good canidates for doner tops, 50's chevy's? or maybee later 50's fords? come on great minds of the HAMB help some brothers out. Kaos
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