A Nice Haircut, or, Chopping a '37 Ford Coupe

B pillar will go straight back.

 

First off, I am strictly an anti-chop 35-40 ford guy.
Second... I love seeing custom 37's and metalwork is what its about.
Third.... You guys did a perfect chop on that car. Exact proportions. Simply beautiful work! I wouldn't have the balls to tackle so many complex curves as a car like that. I am really impressed. If ever I do one.. your technique will be followed.
Alot of work for a few inch chop that really isn't noticable to the average joe.
If it was a radical chop, I'd be on the other side of the line.
Fourth.. I rated this five stars because your work deserves it!
Thanks for post and PLEASE keep us updated!

 

its stuff like this why I love the HAMB

great job!

 

So we're on to the "B" pillars now. I started by getting the passenger side cut loose.





I decided to try something I've been wanting to do for a while. I partially dissected the pillar after removal. It allowed me access to the exterior skin for metal finishing. Also, I just made a whole new section of what people normally just add "sectioned" material to. It lessened the amount of welding, and also I have new material to weld to that's just longer, rather than a section that is two pieces.

Notice the piece that is separate. That's what I'll be remaking. It was a two piece brace connected the quarter window and sill that ran along the top of the door opening.

 

keep the pictures coming,,i love this kind of thread...

 

Before replacing the "B" pillar, I needed to lengthen the upper sill. Instead of trying to mess around with it and grind out the welding from where the pillar and sill met, I just trimmed the sill back toward the front of the car, and made a new panel.

Before:



The panel:





Notice the slight bend in the panel. I basically made the panel the length it would have been originally, with material added to allow for the door opening growth. The bent down section will be behind the pillar, and unseen. It clears the roof seam AND will allow for that brace to be re-installed between it and the quarter window.

 

No to replace the pillar. Here is it tacked in:



Yes, it's just tacked. Remember, good measuring and precision cuts (as best you can) are your friend with you get to this part. I've spared everyone the welding shots for several reasons. I was busy welding, the phone rang, I was busy welding, a customer came by, the phone rang ( it was Django), I was grinding, I was hammering, I was grinding, and I forgot to take photographs during this part.

Here's the metal finished product:

 

Here's that joint I was talking about between the upper sill and the "B" pillar:



Anyone that's looked at one of these cars with the paint off will tell you this is pretty close to what the looked like from the factory. So I'll leave this alone as is. You guys will also notice that the section of the quarter window attached to the "B" pillar and the section attached the roof don't meet up perfectly. A quick slice on both horizontally and they'll look quite natural. You'll need to do this on both sides, and your mismatch should be close in gap size. Not knowing the history of your car, don't be freaked out if they are slightly different. If all your other measurements are the same (rear window size, front window size, door opening dimensions, etc.) on both sides of the car, you've just met Henry Ford first hand. Anyone that's tried to make a Model A EXACTLY THE SAME both sides has white or no hair from doing so. The thirties cars are better, but still not perfect.

 

Reeeeeeeaaaly nice work fellaz. I need to stop by and pick up some header flanges and check this thing out. You got flanges for a 365 caddy in stock right?

 

Yeah, we have those in stock. Thanks for the complements on the chop.

 

I failed geometry, so I'm always impressed when guys chop something more curvy than a Model A, great proportions too!

 

Well,
Been lurking here a bit, joined to learn about the "Old Iron",
And my first post. I don't have a rare build, and am not part of the
"tenured lineage" (no disrespect intended, quite the contrary).

However, I am a 3'rd gen "wrench" (g/paw worked on steam run stuff in Kansas)
and I am 30 yrs in and have had opportunity to train 7 "young-uns" in the craft.

The thing you can not teach is the visual mechanics of the build....

Pops told me "you are born to it or you aren't "

You Folks are!

Apologies to the board for the long post, and my stumbling attempt
at a compliment.

 

No problem Claych. Thanks for the compliment and welcome to the board.

 

very,very nice chop job.done right the way it should be, to keep the original body lines.looks like you could teach george barris a few things.great job.

 

perfect job, so far

 

Man- I almost had a heart attack when you started cutting on that 37!
But man- is that nice!!!!! I mean it's probably the best I've ever seen!
I've got a 37 shell & damn you! You are giving me evil ideas! I don't think I could ever come close to something like this though- I'd be scared to death.
I'm definately saving this thread though.
Fantastic job so far!!!!

 

Wow, thanks Steve. I need to post some photographs of the finished chop. I'll see if I can't get some today and post them.

 

I haven't posted to this one in a bit. Here are some update photographs of what is now called "Desire".







Dash:

 

Freakin sick. Great work.

 

Really nice, the only thing I've ever chopped was my model A so it's cool to see how to chop stuff with loys of curves. Thanks.

 

Here are some shots of the dash, finished and installed:

 

hell of a job on the dash!!!!

 

OMG- just keeps getting better & better.

 

Our "New Guy" Adam did all that work. It took forever, but the result is stunning. And will look killer in paint. The owner is coming up from Arizona next week to see it. I hope he's impressed.

 

So the color has been selected. The owner was here yesterday, and chose Cobalt Blue over what I think is a really dark grey base. It's awesome. As Shoebox Mags would say, "that blue just before the light is gone and night starts." We also got the column modified and the steering wheel in, as well as the windshield chopped and in. And yes, the hinges are there and the regulator functions. I'll post more photographs in a bit. My data card from the camera is giving me problems. For some reason, the computer won't read it, and the "lock" thing on the side isn't in "lock" position. Maybe the card is old???

 

wow great work,glad you left the drip channel in place on the roof

 

Wow that dash looks great!!!!

 

Yeah, I'm definitely not into removing the drip rail. I do my best to make sure they stay on. Plus, the cars weren't designed around the door to not have one. And I like to build things that last.

 

Great job guys, not only does it look great, but it should work great too because you took the time to figure it out before you started cutting and welding. Lots of measuring and remeasuring rather than welding first, thinking second [never works],and trying to fix something you screwed up is always the hardest part of any job . Keep up the good work. agentwaldo.

 

Super nice chop and that dash is a beauty!