'36 3 window chop has started...pics...opinions?

I am trying to get that layed forward look in the B pillar area. Kind of like a carson top or a nicely done roadster top.

So I had him start with just one door to see how the window opening is going to look. Then he is going to take the roof down.

I know it's probly the backwards way to start a chop, but it's real important to me to get the door shape right and then work with the roof.

I am not a body man so I am leaving this work to a professional...even though it is tough because I wish I was doing it, but the results would no way be as good.

Sorry about the poor pictures but my camera is broke so I have to use my cell phone right now.

 

Just curious. If you're gonna chop it,why not lower it more? 4" instead of 2". Never could understand why someone would give a car a chop that is kinda un-noticable.

 

I have to agree with bad Bob, go a little lower. It will give the side window a better profile and not make it look like a 'Bubble'.
But hey its your car, just think long and hard about it. You'd hate to kill one of Henry's best looking body's.

 

I hear ya, but I wanted to just start with a small amount for mock up.

I only started really looking a 36's about 3 weeks ago, so I am taking it slow.

 

Thanks for the comments.

Bubble....That was my first thought when I saw it. I think a little more off the a pillar and flatten the top curve some.

I also thought the b pillar part of the door should be made a little thinner and the angle raised slightly.

 

The one Cole Foster did. He really raised the bar!!!

 

I'm sure what ever you do will look awsome. Those cars are hard to leave alone.

 

That was my thought, give it more of a tear drop curve than the rounded one it has now?

 

It would look really swept and compliment the tear drop door look you are going for with 2.5"-3" in front and 5"- 6" in the rear. That is one of the best looking cars to chop in my opnion.

 

Another case of potential disaster in the making IMO. First a '36 doesn't NEED to be chopped, just the suspension slammed hard.

second, with so few of these left why didn't you investigate the chopped examples out there and have a DEFINITE goal in mind before the sawzall was put in gear. I'm really not criticizing, it's your car, do what you want. It just seems that your kinda wandering around in hopes something will click. Carry on.

Frank

 

I'd angle the B pillar back about 10 degrees and flatten the top, it looks way to jelly-beanish like that, also since you are going with such a subtle chop I would probably take an inch or two out of the roof skin itself so it looks lower than it is but not making your windows hard to see out of.

 

Sorry friend ,but you are gonna have to change your plan here......

 

It's gonna be really difficult to make the roof match the door. I think if I wanted to see what it was going to look like, I would have tried Photoshop first.

 

Very difficult car to chop and have look good. Even the one Marcel's did didn't look right. I like 'em better unchopped anyway.

 

Thanks. That is why I posted pics for the comments.

As I said we just started with the door. I am not going to do anything else till I get it right.

That is also why not much was taken out.

I do plan on cutting more. I didn't cut my 32 enough and it still bothers me (probly one of the reasons it's been pushed to the corner).

 

I have tried photoshop and it helps, but not as good as real life.

Do keep in mind I live in NH and there are not to many to look at around me. I only know of 2 chopped 36's in my area.

 

My 36 Ford 3 window went to the metal man about 2 weeks ago. I too wish I had the metal working skills to do the job myself, but I will leave it to an experienced pro. Thank God I can do most of the work on the car myself.

The metal guys are doing the firewall and some floor work first and should be starting the chop within the month. I have been studying the chops on these cars for a while and have seen quite a few examples, many in person, including the Cole Foster chopped car.

The way you chop a car is very subjective.

The main thing I will tell you is don't try to "reinvent the wheel". People have been chopping these 3 windows for a long time and I think that most of the experimenting and trial and error has already been done. I would find a chopped car that you like the best and go from there. Use it as an example for your metal man. That's what I did.

I am using a car built by Roy Brizio and chopped by Marcel de Ley. It is a street chop (stock windshield angle), and was chopped 3 inches. I will be chopping mine 2 1/2 inches.

Here are some photos of that car.

Thanks to the great people who visit this site, I was also able to find a very valuable in-depth technical article of Marcel de Ley chopping a 36 Ford 3 window. It was in 2 parts and included many photos and very good descriptions. These articles were in "Street Rodder" magazine, May and June 2004. Check it out. It could be a valuable tool for your metal man.

Have Fun, Good Luck, and maybe you might want to do a little more research before you do any more chopping.

 

Looks really wierd..... I think the B pillar has WAY to much lay back in it. I also dont think you should chop it more... It will look disproportioned than.

 

Here's one way they did it back in the day

 

Says Willys to me.

 

the problem is your going to recontour the whole rear quarter panel,
and its going to be real thick and round to match that door.
I am surprised the metalman didn't throw any suggestions at you first!?
tp

 

Well I agree for what its worth! 2-2.5inches is just perfect, but you do what you want after all is your ride & your the one that has to be happy.
Looks like Im going to be one of few with an unchopped 35/6 3w, I just love the stock lines to much to chop it....JMHO

 

im no expert,,,but CHOP the TOP first,,make sure it looks good,,THEN YOU chop the door frames....

 

just my 2 cents worth.
me thinks you just ****ed up a nice 36 ford.

 

I like em unchopped and slammed also. 36 is one of the few cars (IMO) that actually look better unchopped as a hot rod, but it's gotta be looooow. I have one.

Gotta chop a custom, though. Did you say if it was going to be a custom or a hot rod??

If you really want an honest opinion, I think the roof is going to look like a giant egg with that shape. I wouldn't do it and I don't want you to touch the other door until after it's chopped.

Those doors are impossible to find and worth a ton of money.

Also, You need to change your signature line.

 

Alright, both of you... step away from the car...

 

What the heck! Go for it as is! What do you need anybody's opinion for anyway?

 

Yep.

 

That door.....

Only a mother could love that .