Not just another 53/54 Chevy Sedan chop....UPDATED!

Not JUST another chop of one of these cars, but a Ronnie James inspired chop!

Ok, maybe it isnt too exciting to some who have seen SOOOOO many of the threads on here for chopping these cars, but the rear window is a bit different than most in this chop. From what I have seen, most of the chops on these cars that I have found use the 50/51 shoebox Ford rear window, a lexan wrap around or a Plymouth rear window as well. Ronnie James' car appealed to me because of all the chopped cars of this model I have seen, my opinion is that the 49-52 Chevy window and stainless trim look like they were there from the factory.

I'm not saying the other options people have used are not right, but don't appeal to me the way that this option does. I really like the proportions of this gl*** compared to the chopped gl*** on the rest of the car, the stock stainless trim that adapts nicely to the 53/54 belt line trim, and that it can be mounted very low at the back of the roof and still retain the stock belt line. I noticed that quite a few chopped sedans eliminated this rear belt line and that has become a pet peeve of mine, again not that it is wrong but rather something I personally don't like. Anyway enough of what I think is right, just hope this thread can help some others.

Ronnie's Car:

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Here's some pics of my 53 with a 52 Styleline donor roof:

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I've got it tacked in close to where I think it should be, but may tilt it forward a bit more and take a bit more out of the C pillar. Maybe not? How does everyone think the flow looks, I realize cameras sometime distort views a bit but I am open to all opinions. Thanks!

 

it looks good. it looks just like the stock window on my 53 coupe.

 

Clint, while wondering around an old s**** yard, I stumbled across the remains of a coupe body and wondered if they had the same window as the earlier Chevys. Any more pics of your car you can share?

Thanks

 

looks good so far, I really dig the car you have posted for inspiration too, and Clinthull, your car is the cats pajamas!

what about using posterboard to fill in the gaps and rattle can it so you can get a good ideas as to the flow?

 

I like that idea, thanks!

 

I totally agree with you on the rear window treatment. Looks like it arrived that way from the factory. Your is coming along nice as well. Keep us posted.

 

I'll be watching this one..

 

im pretty sure its the same back window

 

Good call..Im a fan of making the wrapped windows work too but the smaller back gl*** have really been growing on me as I have seen alot on here I really dig! great work btw.

Im signed on for this one

 

The '53 window is one year only and the '49-52 coupe and sedan gl*** are different.

Merge....if you have one of those metal yardsticks or something similar, you can use it to see if the contour of your roof and gl*** flow together. Depending on how far you lean it forward, you may need to trim the window surround closer to the gl*** as the metal has more curve than your roof and is hard to get to with a hammer and dolly.

Bryan

 

these rear windows with the stainless can be tricky if you lean them to much, I know as I redid mine after the first chop, started with new roof.

Check my thread on my rear window build here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448659&showall=1

keep us posted... and most of all have fun.


.

 

Rusk, thanks for the info. I had wondered if that window was a one year only because now that I look at it, I think it is actually a bit bigger (taller) than the older models.

 

I did a bit of photo editing to check the flow once the car is sitting where I want once the airbags are installed. I'm pretty happy with the flow. I also used the metal yard stick to check the mating of the parent and donor metal. It looks like I will make a new peice of sheet metal that is about 6" wide and will be welded about 1/4" from the top piece of stainless and across the width of the new window. I got in my new rear window seal so this weekend I plan to install it and the window to double check the flow of the gl*** with the new roof line. Then it is on to new sail panels. As usual, opinions are welcomed.
Thanks!

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I got a few hours this afternoon to work on the chop some more. I decided to use the suggestion of poster board and spray painting and am very pleased that I did. I have used posterboard for patterns before but never really to fill in some gaps to give me an idea of the finished product. I think once the paint is dry, I will be able to cut the poster board and tape into three separate pieces to use as my sheet metal panel patterns. This method really does give a good look at how the flow will be when complete. I am very satisfied with the way it looks. Please let me know if there is something you see that I do not, but I'm pretty sure the window location and its relation to the roof will be staying where I have it tacked. I do still have to put the gl*** back in just to be sure its curvature looks correct, but other than that I plan to move on to making new sheet metal panels. I am going to move it outside again to get a good look at the whole car though before anymore work is done.

For anyone considering the same window as a donor, dont worry too much about getting all the extra sheet metal you can get, I am using maybe a 1/2" strip around the opening for the window, that's it. The stock sheet metal on the donor has too much curve compared the 53/54 roof and isnt needed for this swap.

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Thanks for the info...subscribed

 

There you go, that's coming along nicely!!! We're doing a '54 chop next weekend hopefully so I am keeping my eyes peeled for updates.

 

Ya think that paper will hold at high speeds?? Lookin good man

 

you need to take care of your flag. Take it down and dispose of it properly.

 

I was waiting for someone to catch me on that. I am kind of fond of that tattered old flag, but I guess it does need to go.

 

I'm Canadian so you will have to take this with a grain of salt. I think those old, tattered American flags are cool as ****. Why not replace it and hang it on the wall of the garage. I'm not sure how you dispose of a flag properly but I think (excuse my ignorance) but hanging on the wall of the garage would be the ***s!

 

a couple more coats of paint and call it done.

 

the chop is looking good. the flow looks nice with the paper so far

 

Looks good! Looks like a similar window we used on my friends 54 chop about 3 years ago. and we only used about an inch around. He went with a more aggresive shop that came out good, but I like this a lot more than his. I think people get too carried away and take out too much sometimes.

 

I personally like about 4" out of the A-pillar on the 53/54 Chevy, but on a Merc and Shoebox Ford I like it too be a bit heavier of a chop than this. I too have got tired of the "chop the hell out of it because you can" cars. To each their own.

 

glad to see the poster board worked well for ya!

okay so I have a pretty big problem here...

I started the chop on my 54 this past sat. I too have a 51 styleline rear window from a 4dr car. when held up to my stock belt line it curves really hard on the sides.

the window wraps a lot tighter than the radius of my stock beltline.

did the same happen to you?

in your progress pics it appears that your styleline rear window follows your belt line almost perfectly?

any help would be greatly appreciated as I am kinda stuck and dont wanna use a shoe box unless I have too!

and just for clarification, I have a 54 2dr post and my rear window is from a 51 4dr.

thanks!

 

Looks great

 

nice job! major props i would of rather ran that window over the 49 plymouth i did

 

not too hijack, just curious if there were any rear window answers out there for me as I want to get that back window nailed!

thanks guys

 

post some pics .sounds like you might not be able to use that gl*** .when chopping a car one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you have to design the chop around the gl***.it could be that the angle of the lean is off and it might need to lean forward a little more

 

Updates? When are you gonna finish that thing, Chad?