53 chevy sectioning help

Does anyone have any info or pics on sectioning a 53 chevy?Im looking into do it to mine and cant figure out how I will get the tailights to stay how they are,if that makes any sense.

 

sorry no pics, try a search im sure theres a couple of pics of jj's chopped and sectioned one on here if not try 50chevy.com. never seen one ive really liked but yours just may be the first, good luck

 

you remove the metal from BELOW the taillights and below the trunk opening........
you need to find the tangent (the highest point down the sides of the car).....you can determine this by dropping a plumb line,,,the point where the line touches the car is the tangent,,,you need to split the amount of your section on this line,,,(for a four inch section,,you need to cut two inches above the tangent, and two inches below),,,,on a 53/54 chevy the tangent in the quarters actually moves higher as you go towards the back of the car,,,hope this was some help......MEASURE THREE TIMES,,and TAKE YOUR TIME CUTTING,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,cut the posts and corners last after you triple check your measurements and cuts for accuracy

 

I think they did that on an old episode of monster garage maybe you could get it on DVD

 

also do a search on the recent thread about the polynesian....pretty similar style body (although that was an olds).....

 

Did you do a tech search here? Likely info already posted. Boy, sure hope that you have some super metal working skills, or someone that does to help you. One basic place to go online is to get a copy of the Jesse Jame's Show Monster Garage that was on the Discovery Channel. Episode #38 is called Old-School '54 Chevy. Top builder's in the country helped with chop/section and more on this car. Do a lot of research and measuring.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274578

cc

 

when you do the doors,,rather than taking your cut out of the middle of the door, take your section out of the inside door frame,,you will need to peel back the skin at the bottom and sides (you could actually grind the bottom off because you will refold the skin when you are done.....take the section out of the frame,,move it up and weld,,trim the skin at the bottom to compensate for the section, and refold the bottom and sides,,,did this on my car and worked out great,,,,one less panel to warp,,,,

 

The rear quarters on a 53-54 are one of the nicest features IMO. I like the rounded front of the buldge. If the quarter gets sectioned most guys allow this area to have a point in the center that ruins the original look to me.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313465&highlight=chevy+section

i know it's not a 53 but the section is the same

 

yea I agree, but if you take the skin off of the rear door on a 4 door you can graft the bulge in.

therefor keeping the point out of it.

also great advice 777!

one other quick thing,
when you see the polynesian in the section process you see it all cut out except the edges.
this will make your life a lot better if you do it this way.
that way you are not cutting a panel that is hanging in the wind

also your wheel tubs will need to be cut out completely and put back in.
easier than sectioning them and you can get a lil lower

 

I know, I know, i am going to have do alot of work on the back lower half... but here is how I did the Rear.. and if you do it.. trust me your going to want to use a plasma cutter for the inner structure in the trunk area... you can use a sawzall but you will need at a **** load of blades, because they will break with all the vibration.. I did a 4 inch section on it, but the wheel wells have a lip at the top that i had to cut off , so now the top outer part of the quarter panels are literally sitting on top of the wheel wells

 

you are my hero.

 

Wow,thanks for all the help and pics guys.I understand a little more now.This should be a good long project haha.I will keep all updated.Love the work area skyrodder,as Im basically working with the same thing until I get a shop up.

 

your welcome man... I hope to get this one back on a frame by the end of the year... I still have a long wayto go with my 1st 54

 

WOW! Now you my man have big balls!!! I am very impressed to see a person dive in and cut a car up outside, with minimal tools, and have it sitting on boards and blocks, you know what you want and nothing is going to stop you! That is awesome! I have dove into some projects but not quite that big! Keep up the good work! Jim

 

Thanks... if all goes as planned,tomorow i will be getting a 2 car garage for my projects

 

I have the mg dvd, it will give you a start, but as always, they hard part gets edited out.