1953 buick riviera HT Chop

Looking fir some heldul info. Thanks to anyone who can help out.
I picked up a 53 buick riviera hard top. It had Bern chopped and a real bad job at that. I really think I'm going to get a new roof. So I'm looking for suggestions on what you all think would be the right roof for this car. Also any suggestions on back window choices?? Thanks

 

Man-that was REALLY a beautiful roof! Sucks it got raped! Maybe you could find doner car!

 

Yeah. This car would look great with or without the shop. A donor car would be great just not tons of these out there without spending arm and leg. So looking outside the box something unique and different. That's my hopes

 

I would find another 53 buick and use that top.

 

You could always build a Carson-style top.

 

I've seen some done with like a '65 Impala top but I'm not sure I care for the look.

There was a fairly well known custom Olds back in the day, the same body as your Buick, that had a new top made for it... it's in Barris Kustom Techniques vol 3, page 102-103, Bill Gaylord's car. The car had been burned and the original roof was warped so bad he cut it off and made a new one. The new top used the stock glass shape with a chop but was really flat, without the crown, and padded like a Carson top, but with a wide rear window. The car looked pretty good done.

 

Hey,

How bad is bad? A replacement roof clip may only be necessary if the metalman you find to clean up this isn't very skilled! Something to keep in mind is the fact that this roof will require alot of cuts and some panels added, even if it hadn't been previously chopped. A good picture of what you've got to work with would help with further advise.

Swankey Devils C.C.
"Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Compassion!"