Anything can be fixed. Yours is worse than this one but here's an example. Before After Someone else in-chopped it from 8" back to 4", still roughly done when it came to me. I have around 450 hours in the body as it now sits...ready to be color sanded and polished.
Its always been my opinion that i cant mess up something so bad that someone can't fix.That thing is very fixable and I didn't mess it up. Just keep working on it. I've fixed some bad stuff I didn't think I could. You will be surprised. You can't make it worse than what it is.
My 2 cents- I built Faye in my shop, first time ever building a car. It sits on a TCI ch***is, but I would purchase a Model A frame, true it up, bolt your body on it to have a stable platform. Run a stringline down the the center from front to rear, then start pulling measurements. Brace everything as you go, so when you start repairs things won't move and you have reference points. When I removed the wood out of the tub of Faye I found out the left side had different curvature then the right. I was able to reshape the curve with the pipe I bent, now both sides are symmetrical.
Id get the doner parts that were offered to you and square the body up as much as possible run a string line masking tape a lazer something to get a strait line and cut the chop strait above and below those can opener looking cuts lift the roof up where you like it tack some squretube from the inside and hold the roof up and start filling the pilliars. Wouldent be much harder than chopping it ull just have two weld seams you will have to smooth. Back window shouldent be that hard to find but if not go to a junkyard and find one similar and get creative. I like a challange like that but im also broke but its still an a coupe ruff or not
WOW....... What was it cut with,..A dull chain saw , aided and abetted by a hatchet.......? The roadster idea sounds the easiest / best option. Keep us posted..... One way or another, it can be done. Happy Roddin' 4TTRUK
I was thinking about picking that up untill i seen some pictures of it, then it was Sold. they realllllly hacked that car up. How far off did you pay from asking price?
the hamb makes me really sad these days... 41 post before someone mentions the words shrinker stretcher. some of you dudes should get off the computer and go learn some hands on stuff... now for the intended post! Props to you and your bro for having the nads to salvage that coupe, if you stay at it you'll cut your teeth, learn a ton and have a rad coupe when its all over with! remember, whether you want to or not try your damnest to put in at least 2 hours a day at least 5 days a week on it. you'll get it knocked out in no time!
Looks like it's almost ready to be on the cover of a mag!!! Needs a diesel motor and some rubber chickens hanging from the back bumper....perfecto!!!
Rich Wright - Amazing work man. Thats one sick coupe. Still looking for any s****s from Model A coupes to help fill my gaps. Door frames, A and B posts. Any of those would be quite helpful. My brother just bought a sub ***embly and a bunch of patch panels from Brookville. They are delivering them to him at the Nationals. Pretty excited to get started!
Many of us on the HAMB really don't want to talk about our first attempt at modifying anything by cutting and welding using the trial-by-error method, because that's all we had! We either sold our failure or hauled it away to the s**** metal dealer. Instead of learning from our screw-ups and finding out how to do the job the correct way, many just gave it up all together and resorted to making car payments on a decal optioned "muscle" car. I'm sure us older guys have seen this scenario hundreds of times. And yet there are a few who have the determination and perseverance to get with the learning curve, and to stay on the learning curve to where we are today. It becomes an integral part of our psyche. Not many of us older guys have had the benefit of being schooled by Fournier, Butler, Lazze or Covell, but picked up hints and tricks on metalshaping/welding one piece at a time from whomever we could. Thank goodness (today) for VHS and DVD for some semblance of education in this area. It would be interesting to know the ambitious mind-set that went into this botched top chop, but then again, what does it matter? It is what it is and it is a challenge to create a "silk purse from a sow's ear". Lots of good support here. I'm sure many HAMBers are captivated (you let the cat out of the bag), so we are expecting frequent updates on this project.
Hay pottsie454,I just finished a A Bone 4" chop I still have most of the parts ,you can have them for the price of the ride.
It does look like a ton of work but I'll be subscribed if this is the build thread because this is about the shape of what I expect to be able to afford! I say totaly worth saving, and talk about some fun learning!
Alright guys. Still need to start a build thread but I will update this thread until I do... Did some frame work. We gutted the thing of every tab and cross member except for the front and rear cross members. The idea is that when we get the body sub ***embly we are going to lay it on the frame to figure out how narrow we need to chop the frame down to. Then I will make some custom cross members and X brace. Make a frame jig and then narrow it. Right now we are cleaning it of rust and welding up the seams to make it look nicer. A BIG thanks to kiwicowboy for sending me some chop s****s. I think they are just what we needed to get started on fixing the botched chop. Here are some photos. THANKS AGAIN kiwicowboy!!
what a gift! good luck fixing that mess. although with that box of cut-off you should be good. just dont try and get through it to quick. go slow and respect the work you're doing!
Key to that statement is we are going to try and use it. It seems like it should work but we wont know for sure until we get the sub ***embly and see where we stand from there. Still looking for a rear end. Id love to find a quick change but thats just not realistic money wise. Does any later model cars have the right track width for a coupe are we destined to cut down a Ford 9? Ill do the research on my own, but if someone knows the answer save me the trouble! Also, for those who have Hemis, where in the hell do you find them? If we can find a good core for a decent price I am sure I can talk my brother into running it.
You are really lucky to get those donor pieces,i guess thats a cure for this ****ty fabrication.Good luck!
Hell yeah! Thanks kiwicowboy for the parts! I think they are gonna work out perfect for what we need!
Hey guys, dont forget the nats are in a few weeks at the fairgrounds. You may find some parts over there too. Also, hit up chico suave here on the hamb. he lives out in shepherdsville and may have some stuff lying around. Hit me up if y'all come to the nats and I will buy you a beer or three. I'll be in a dark red 54 chevy belair 2 door, silver roof and insert, no gl***, hood, or trim. Kenny
I agree with Vonkool13 and anyone else who has said to use an original A frame. Will make your life so much easier. Don't think that getting brookville panels will make it a clip in deal either, their a nightmare all on their own. Way cool to Kiwicowboy for sending you those off cuts.
The Jalopy Journal
