I have a '38 Chevy coupe, that I want to get chopped 3". I need the same in the front and rear of the chop, and I need to get as close to as possible, but not exceeed 3" Anyone doing this in Northern Colorado? I've never chopped, or had any of my cars chopped. What's a fair price for this?
Guess I don't know! By finished, do you mean ready to paint? Does roughed mean welded, but still needs finishing to paint? If the above is correct, just roughed.
Rex's shop, Custom Auto, Inc, is about 20 miles from me. So is Pinkees. I don't need the runway quality, or the cost of the type chop they do- I wish I couls afford them. This is for a Bonneville build, so i need 'pretty damn good', but not 'knock your socks off' good.
Hey, If someone quotes you 1k an inch, run, don't walk to the nearist exit! That era GM turret top requires careful planning and layout, prior to any cutting and welding. It ain't no " A-Bomb" chop! Givin your planning on a race car, you don't need someones ****ty squirtgun welds and overfilled mud walkin off the job on the salt! Good luck with your build. " Meanwhyle, back aboard The Tainted Pork "
Steve, I want to get a decent chop, at the best price I can. I'm not trying to avoid giving a straight answer, but I truly have no idea what they cost. As far as buget goes, all I can say is, I'm selling ALL my toys to finance this venture! My Harley and this '38 is what I'll have left.
I don't know how some one can quote cost per inch on a chop. Car to car they are so differnt. The cars we are choping start off at about $ 8000. and could cost as much as $12000. This not for a Model A coupe but a car that will get new sail panels made so the car flows and are tig welded, almost metal finished. They are something you can be proud of and won't fall apart or crack out. We bill $65 an hour and it just takes that long to get it right. That's my 2 cents. Scott
I'm pretty sure that I won't get $8000-$12000 worth of extra speed out of a "3 inch chop. I know I said 'it will cost what it cost", but I never dreamed of those costs! I think I'd run t like it is before I paid that!
"We bill $65 an hour ..." Well there is a straightforward honest answer to compare others shop rates. But you better compare experience also. And that rate is per person, and a good chop is not a one man job. Good advice from Blue Collar I think...
http://brokenlightcustoms.com/home.html or http://www.facebook.com/#!/BrokenLightCustoms ask for James does awesome work.
Thanks guys. I'll make some calls, and see what happens. If all else fails, maybe I'll just break out the sawzall and MIG, and see what happens!
38 Flattie - This is Dave, BackStreet Kustoms, Colorado Springs. Give me a call we'll talk prices - we've done our fair share. Thanx, Dave (719) 331-5288
Buddy, I've got Tex Smith's book. When you in town you can swing by and take a peek if you want. Thom
The $1000 an inch was what I was told by several people as a jump off point. Not as a finished project, but as a jump off point as to budget to get roughed in chop and I have always kinda stuck to that figure. The finish work was what I was told they charge an arm and a leg for...double what the chop is. This was both East Coast and West Coast I have heard this... apologies for p***ing along info that doesnt fit well with some members. OH and I just had my 41 Plymouth top chopped close to 6 inches, finished, molded fenders and painted for under 12k...(trade)? Not LA Roadster quality work, BUT pretty damn good none the less... will post pics once the final paint is on next week...So not everyone is 8k-12k just for a chop... Scott at Blue Collar does amazing work, I have saw some of it around the area... and I am by no means bashing him with this post. His cost is perfection, ready for LARS....and it is worth it if you have the money and wanna show car...
If you're good with that MIG, the rest will take care of itself............ It's like anything else; The quality of a chop can't be measured in advance by how much the $$ estimate is. On average, DIY chops turn out just as well as those paid for. 'First chops', by one skilled in sheetmetal/welding skills can be as perfect as those done by someone that has done it before. For my first chop I was involved a couple of years ago with another guy, doing his first chop. Yep, bragging no less, the other guy and I admire it to this day, like "would you believe WE did that?" Ha. It turned out damned good, just took a lot of time.
Is the 3" maximum part of the rules you are trying to stay within? I looked up yours in the "how to chop" book. Clift notes: 2.5" in the front 1.5" in the back (window troubles?) Either tip the windshield back, or slice the roof across the door openings and fill gap.
A little late to chime in here but if you are building a salt car and need want a chop done the price all depends on what you expect for the finished product a straight 3" chop with the all seams welded up and metal finished out, gl*** channels align properly and I would say it would run around 3,grand for the basic. which would do a great job to get you down the track. Now throw in garnish moldings shaving gutter and the extra stuff most folks want to get done making gl*** patterns etc it will run you closer to 10 grand easy. A lot of the cost depends on how far you want to take the project. Our shop rate is 55.00 an hour and i try my damnest to stay with what i estimated for the project. Do plenty of research before you make that first cut hell even take the car and run it out at the salt first to make sure you want to go all out. Every one counts the bigger shops out of the deal before they even call them to see what there options are and price people just ***ume. if i can't help you out then we have some good leads on folks that might be able too. Just my two cents
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