I just got a 54 with the chop started. Do you think it can be finished or is this a Carson top Candidate. I have never don this before but I have to start somewhere. Mike
Lookin at the pic. I would be wary of what else is missing. Is there any kind of support in the car that prevented the car from moving when they cut the roof? I see that the b pillar is missing some metal. Which could be remedied by lowering the back some more. You'll have to make cuts or cut out the rear window and sail panel to make everything 'flow'. Are the garnish mouldings in the car? You'll have to slice or cut and re-align the pillars. If you are prepared to all of this (and much more) keep with the chop. Otherwise Carson tops do look good on those Chebbies. I don't know your experience, but the task of chopping a '50s car is always about 2x what you think it will be. Just my $.02. But what the hell do I know?
Thanks for the info. I am new at this . so unless I find someone to help in the south or someone that wants to travel I guess it will be a carson to. How much reinforcement does the undercarrage need for a Carson top?
You could hardtop it. Solves alot of issues with the parts of the door posts and b pillars that seem to be missing. If the floors and rockers are solid, the body probably didn't rack too much when the roof was cut off. 54chop
Bad *** car! Read some books. Learn how to weld. Talk to some people, I am sure you can find some people in your area that have experience. I have met guys around here in their 60's & 70's that were chopping stuff before I was even alive. Usually the price of a few beers and they are willing to give you advice on your project.
I am reading . Believe that. The floors and structure are rock solid original cali car. I would like to keep it a hard top. CALLING ALL CHOP GUY AND GALS IN THE SOUTH . NEED ADVICE OR HELP> i have beer!!!!!!!
Do a search in the "Tech" section on this board. Tons of info! Do you have any pics of how the car is braced internally?
I case you misunderstood 54 Chop, The term "hardtop it" means to remove the B pillars. So, if you left the B pillars in it would stay a sedan. Good luck!
I would go with the carson top unless you are up for a big job. but then again its a good way to learn and if you don't like the way it turns out you can always go back to the carson top.
Elky will be posting pics for me. I love this car but I do not want to kill myself with it but hell I have plenry of time. Thanks for all the help.Keep it coming. Thanks again elky for helping me. Mike
Finish it. It can't be screwed up any more than it is right now. That looks like one of those situations where 3 or 4 guys and a few cases of beer one night, get a brain storm and .............. The next morning they say, "We didn't do what I think we did last night, did we???" "Oh, ****".
Sometimes I think that Einstein was on to something with that whole rThe speed of light in a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 metres per second but is inedbted to hot rodders for trying to get there.... But other than that I thing you'd be taking a big chance on that car. I'm not saying it can't be fixed, there doesn't seem to be any bracing so it tends to make me think there is going to be a lot of work just to make sure it's square. If it was super cheap and you have a nice level slab to park it on and work on it there then with a bunch of time and a lot of measuring, bracing, measuring, tweaking, measuring, adjusting, measuring, it might be worth dealing with. Otherwise run..... Did I mention measuring? You really want to make sure it's as level as possible and then start getting everything square, probably with the roof off, check door fitment and brace as you go, you'll probably end up undoing some of the bracing and redoing it a couple of times, but it is imperative that you get it as close as you can before you put the roof back on. But yes it can be done, but you'll have to be patient and take your time. Good luck, but there are some HAMB'ers down there that can help you out, but I'm sure you'll have to buy them some beer...
I have a flat surface and time. I got it for 14oo. Do ya think it is too much. I just love the look. I also lve BEER and always have plent. Do you think it would be better tyo Carson top it? Did I mention I LOVE BEER. 24 years military I LOVE BEER. Mike
If you don't have previous bodywork and welding experience, and lots of it, your in way over your head. To complete the chop and still have something that you would want to be seen driving is an enormous task. You have 3 choices---#1-- dig deep into your pockets and have a pro bodyman finish it, #2--sell it and recoup your investment, or #3---buy lots of beer, invite all your friends over to help you finish it, and screw it up so bad that the next stop is the recyclers. Yeah, I know, that advice really ****s, but reality bites. Been there, done that, have a drawer full of the T-shirts.
I say try to save that top, take your time squaring everything up (you'd have to anyway for a carson top) and give it your best shot. The damage is done, if nothing else you just might learn something. This is coming from a guy that has probably 100 hrs into chopping a 50 chevy pickup (screw up redo, screw up redo, screw up redo) and probably 50 more to go, but it will get done. Not doing something you really want and settling for what is easier will alway be a disappointment when you look at the car.
The rest of it looks pretty solid, and that's a good thing in the southeast. Personaly I'm not a fan of carson tops, I think with some work and patience it can be fixed, but it'll be a lot of work. I think you should worry about making sure the car isn't all twisted before you either finish the chop or put on a carson top, that has to be done either way you go.
I'm with zman...body can't be close to square since it looks as if it was cut with no bracing. Doable, but very intensive to get it right. I've not ever cut one of these particular cars, but it looks to me like it's been cut in the totally wrong place, especially at the rear window opening. Getting that back into any kind of normal shape is going to be a bear and require sime pretty intense fab, especially if you don't have the cut out sections.
It ain't what it would cost to have someone do it for you - it's what would you LEARN by trying it yourself. What's the worst that could happen? You screw up a screwed up job. So f'ing what. You gotta start somewhere and it isn't with a bowl of corn flakes & piss. Ignore the naysayers with all the T-shirts (ahem) and try to do it. Think it through, get advice from those who have done it and are willing to help. Read up on it and take your time. Have the beer AFTER you finish. You will have earned the suds then. Good luck and post pics of your progress.
Im sure there are some guys around here in this area that could help ya finish the chop...Come up to backyard burgers on the cruise night and talk to some folks...I know a guy here in town that would be more than glad to help ya...pm me and ill give you his contact info...Jamie
It sounds like you already bought it so do your best. Trust me I know about getting frustrated with fixing body work with no experience. Hell I took a sledge hammer to my '50 chvey last night. nothing too bad just ****ed up some panels I made. I'll make them again. Last night I was ready to say **** it. Well today I'm planning my attack to try the same job I failed at again. I will say one thing the car will be done, it will be done by me and friends, at I will learn alot. Hell I have already learned alot. The best lessons I ave learn in my job, hobby, what ever have come from frustration. Just know your limits and alway press SAFELY beyond them, that's the best way to learn.
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