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Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?
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circlerounder
Posted 2007-07-06 4:07 PM (#88853)
Subject: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Hey all, I have a 1957 Chrysler New Yorker 2dr HT that I would like to chop the top. Before I get shot on this site for considering the idea, I'd like to point out that the car is very rusty. Surprisingly this excites me, because I can do whatever I want to it and not feel bad. It is a blank canvas so to speak.
From what little I've read, it looks like there are two options,
1: Tilting the windows to acommodate the shortening, or
2: Cutting the windows shorter.
I've read that the second option is most difficult on curved windshields.
Since 57 windshields are expensive and hard to get, I'd hate to break the one that I have.
I've wondered if a 58 windshield would work once it is chopped since those are made aftermarket. The cost is still prohibitive if any were broken.
The car also has the big back window, but I wouldn't be opposed to tilting it.

I've wondered about a third option although I haven't seen any literature yet.
3: Could the windows be kept stock height and recessed into the firewall and trunk respectively?
What problems, besides the necessity of very good sealing, would this pose?

I have a parts car for extra metal.
If anyone has pictures of finished cars, I would be grateful to see them. Thanks!
Mark



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Rebels-59
Posted 2007-07-06 6:22 PM (#88874 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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If the Car has Rust and been Left for Dead,,,, You can Chop it, Slam it , French it , As long as you are bringing a Forwardlook Car Back to Life, Do it anyway you like, I would rather see one Rebuilt to the Owners Needs , Rather than it being Crushed....

Goodluck with your Custom.....
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57plymouth
Posted 2007-07-06 6:32 PM (#88876 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Yikes that one needs love. Save that trunk mat, it looks pretty nice!!!

I would call a glass shop and ask them if they can help with the glass before the cutting starts. You will be far ahead by asking someone who really knows glass before you hack off the top and then can't get glass in it! Boy would you be pissed. If you can finde someone who can cut the original glass you will be ahead of the game. Are you going Kustom or Rat Rod? If you go Rat Rod, you could just heat and bend some lexan for the front and seal it in.
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itattoou2002
Posted 2007-07-06 6:46 PM (#88878 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?


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call jegs at 1800 345 4545 they sell a book on how to chop tops , this book is awesome it tells every thing even has a forward look car im pretty shure (the book is at the garage or id tell ya for shure i think it was a dodge in the book ) but this book covers how to cut the glass and trim how to make every thing fit its really worth it , it was like 25 bucks it was really worth it !!
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lawrence
Posted 2007-07-06 7:33 PM (#88882 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Maybe the look you are going for is a chopped and channeled 46-47 Pontiac-Buick with FL QTRS. The style could be much better. Lots of 57-60 FL 2 dr hardtop cars have an almost too slim roofline. That is my opinion, which don't mean jack.

Edited by lawrence 2007-07-06 7:37 PM
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ilikedodge
Posted 2007-07-06 7:49 PM (#88885 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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heres a sedan.



(savoy.jpg)



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lawrence
Posted 2007-07-06 8:29 PM (#88889 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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The Shark, 413 HIPO manifolds functional lake pipes. 2 dr hardtop back glass. I like this guys story about why the car has no bumpers. Power everything. Mike P chased this guy down for more info on the car. The Shark was straight as an arrow.
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alumcanTandThd
Posted 2007-07-06 11:03 PM (#88898 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Are the thin, lower, 1/4 mouldings on that car any good? Meaning. NO dents, dings or bends? 4 sale?

I think you can't go any lower than 3" in the front and 3 1/2" in the rear. To be able to retain the vent framesand overall look.

Do NOT bend the posts backwards, forwards, or whatever, to mate up! Finish product will not look right. (feces) BAD idea! That method is an 'amature' way of getting top section to line up.

Cut 3" out of the windshiel pillars. Make a horizonal cut about a 1 inch or two above the roof rail all the way back to the rear glass. (start that cut about 10 inches back from the front of the windshield You want to retain some of the drip rail in the front.) Make a cross cut about an 1 or two above the rear glass, to the other side. Slide that whole sction of top forward untill the posts line up. Tack weld and brace up from the inside.
Cut 3 1/2' out of the rear glass posts. Slide what is left BACK untill the posts line up. Tack weld.
You will now notice that the roof sction that you first slid forward is now almost aligned up, side to side, with the cut above the drip rail section you slid back.
You will have a gap 12"? or more. between where you made the 10" cut in the dirp rail forward and the section you slid back.
You must go find another HT, top section to get that drip rail section piece out of, to fill in.

Front, and side to side, your top in now chopped, roughed in.

Glass. EASY. Don't cut. As you say it's too $$!! Guys chopped a '57 Imperial, and lthe front glass cost 5K! Had to be shipped from overseas. (MORE $$)
Do your glass the EASY way.
On the front glass, RECESS the lower part into the cowl 3".
The lost space under the dash will make up for the $$ you will save.!
The rear dege of the hood must be modified for the 'sunken' OM wipers.
Drain tubes will have to be made for each side.

Rear glass. The rear glass is shaped wrong to lay down or cut. So, sell or trade your OM rear glass, for a '70 -'74 Cuda/Challenger RT/SE, the smaller rear glass and rear section of top.
This part will be the hardest to obtain. E-body guys are like us. Reluntcnt to give up parts for other modified vehicles.
Try not to use the regular Cuda/Barracuda/Challenger rear glass. It will work, but, the sharp corners won't look right on the Chry. (once you see one. You will know what I'm talking about.)

Why the Cuda/Challanger rear glass and sheet mstal?
The OM top angle on the Cuda/Challenger, is almost the same as the 3 1/2" top chop on your Chrysler. The smaller Cuda/Challenger rear glass looks right at home on the chopped Chry.

About now, you should have the ENTIRE top ALL to gether, and ALL tack welded, so as you hammer, bump, grind, heat, beat, will not break any tack welds. Give yerself a huge pat on the back for that is what shape the top will now look like finshed! You will probably be all happy, and giddy, you will piss yourself!

We're NOT done yet. You will need to get another set of vent wing housings.
Cut them to now fit the windshild post. You will need sections from the donor frames to fill in gaps. These will have to be sodered together. Or find a VERY OLD time welder who has exoerience in pot metal welding.
The chrome shop can fill in any imperefections.

The side glass.
You will need another set of HT side window frames, to fill in your frames, as you cut and extend, and reshape. The 1/4 frames will be the hardest. Door frames will reguire only a 1" extention in the top? Not sure.

Have fun!

Think of it this way. Get the top chopped. (welded, not filled or smoothed) The ALL IMPORTANT, front and rear glass IN. The vent frames to shape, the side glass frames to shape. You might (keyword MIGHT) be able to ebay the body for big $$$
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circlerounder
Posted 2007-07-07 1:05 AM (#88901 - in reply to #88898)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Tatoou2002 Could you please get the title of that book for me? Thanks.
I've already ordered "Chopping Tops: Practical Hot Rodder's Guide by Larry O'Toole " because it has a section on chopping a 56 Chev truck.

Lawrence. I'm not sure that I understand the Pontiac look mentioned. Maybe a reference to the back window of the purple car above? I personally don't like the rear window treatment on that car. The yellow one is much better.

Ilikedodge. Sorry I don't know your names. That car looks good. Do you have any detail pictures. I'd like to mentally reverse engineer their work. I think that Aluminum Can has answered the rear window question I had with the E body Challenger. Interesting, I wouldn't have guessed that on my own.

Aluminum Can
Awesome info thank you for taking the time. I can picture what you are saying. It matches up with most of what I have read. Does it matter where you cut out the 3" in the front posts? Middle seem preferable. I've got all of the extra pieces that you mentioned minus the Challenger rear window. In the picture below, do you think that this is an E body window?


Edited by urokinaise 2007-07-07 8:34 AM




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57plymouth
Posted 2007-07-07 7:25 AM (#88912 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Sure looks like one.
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spinout
Posted 2007-07-07 3:38 PM (#88949 - in reply to #88901)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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This '57 Kustom uses an early '60s Imperial LeBaron rear window as I read it in V8-Magazine 2/96 (FI). The violet car in 'Picture 1339.jpg' has too radical chopping, this sharp black one looks much better.

Edited by spinout 2007-07-07 3:53 PM




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itattoou2002
Posted 2007-07-07 5:57 PM (#88963 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?


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the book is a guide to chopping tops by tex smith he has lots of other books but this one covers coupes sedans convertables 4 doors , trucks , elcaminos what ever , ive done a top before measure 3 times cut once , leave more metal and then trim to fit ,its so much easer to remove metal than to add it alumcantanthd is giving ya the right advice on the glass man ,ya better listen cause ya can cut the glass your self using a small sand blaster but ya will never miss the space behind that dash and finding another windshield is gonna be tough as ya already know!! if ya havnt done this before your gonna have a few weeks work in it and lots of money in materials ie ,weilding wire and gas , grinding wheels ,sawzall blades ,fiber glass ,bondo ,primer sand paper and so on and so on id say 800.00 or so give or take a few bucks i use a plasma cutter as this is much easer but tips are expensive , my advice is order the book from jegs and look it over and decide if your ready for a big project and if so dive in !!!! adam
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circlerounder
Posted 2007-07-08 11:17 AM (#89026 - in reply to #88963)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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itattoou2002 - 2007-07-07 3:57 PM

800.00 or so give or take a few bucks

Looks like I should evaluate more than just the complexity of the project. I didn't expect that kind of cost. I figured that it was more labor than materials. Thanks for letting me know and for the title of that book.
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circlerounder
Posted 2007-07-08 11:23 AM (#89028 - in reply to #88949)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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I agree with you that the violet car is too radical. It looks cartoonish. I do like the barracuda type of hood scoops.

That 60's imperial window looks sharp! I like that very much. It looks classy in a way. My plans are for black too, so this look gives me the proverbial woody.

Thanks for you help!
Mark

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57burb
Posted 2007-07-08 9:03 PM (#89097 - in reply to #89028)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Personally,.. I wouldn't do it.

The proportions were so RIGHT on these cars that you're going to have a hard time improving upon Exner's work. The 1949 Mercury was designed to be driven by a professional man wearing a HAT. Okay, you have some material to work with here. But Exner was prepared to fire anyone that put his '57 FL cars over 47" tall - and that doesn't leave a lot of room for cutting and lowering.

I'm going to give you a few pics of this bodystyle and others, so hopefully you can glean some information about what to do (and what not to do). From the guys I know that have done this chop, they recommend Barracuda/Challenger back glass. I only ask one favor, if you DO cut this car, please send me your tall back glass and window trim.

Danny

Edited by 57burb 2007-07-08 9:18 PM




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57burb
Posted 2007-07-08 9:16 PM (#89098 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



Expert

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Also, do a web search for Richard Zocchi and John D'Agostino.

These guys both put out ONE new custom car each year; they aren't always Mopars but both have built a few Forward Look cars. Several of the cars above are theirs.

One of the body modifications they consistently do is chop the roofline. It's not normally severe, but they will not hesitate to take out 2" of a roof.
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alumcanTandThd
Posted 2007-07-09 12:00 AM (#89124 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Ok. You get your top chopped. Time to revamp the rest of the car.
The way old Virgil designed the Ply/Dod, there is very little that can be done to each car.
Dodge, is shave the hood, trunk and door handles. You might fit a part of a tube grill,,,,, but,,,,,.
'57, 8 Plymouths, all one can customize on them is, shave the hood, trunk, door handles. A full, floating, tube, grill is all one can do on the front. On the back of a '58 Ply, one can take the '57 ribbed lower bumper filler, cut the back up light out of a smooth '58 panel weld it in the '57 and blend in the edges. The ribbed '57 piece looks better on the ribbed rear bumper.

Your Chry can be customized in SEVERAL ways, using ALL ,57, 8 parts!!!! The fins on the DeS's and Chry's are the better looking, of the FwdLk cars. I might get a statment about the fins on a CRL. The Dodge fins can't be customized tastefully.
But, you are gonna customize a '57 Chry in a way it has NEVER been done! You will be first on yer block!
OK, on the rear. Use the OM '57 'Cathredial' tailights. Or, better yet, use a pr of '56 Packard tail lights! Makes the Chry fin look longer.
Use a '57 or '58 DeS rear bumper ends. You want the exhaust port look. Weld them, on part of a '58 Dodge front bumper.
OK, the '58 Dodge front bumper is split and has the little crossbar.
Fill in the license plate on your Chry trunk lid. Move the license plate down in the split of the Dodge bumper! THERE, a full customized rear on your Chry with the only body welding, are the Packard lights, a filled in trunk lid, and a moulded bracket to house the license plate between the '58 Dodge bumper.
Front. two ways. Retain your OM '57 Bumper without the little guards. Get a full, floating ,tube, grille.
Now, if you want to piss off some 300 people. Get a '57, 8, 9, 300 grille surround, and hood.
Again, retain your Om '57 Bumper WITH the little guards!
Use a full, floating, tube, grill. Now the hood will take some work. Like "Tattoo you" sez, measure a dozens times, start to cut, then measure again! Mis cut, and BOTH hoods are runied.
To customize a 300 hood, you want to get rid of that ugly center peak. Look how smooth your hood is in the center.
Two ways to do this. Hard way, is just cut the entire center out of the 300 hood, and weld in a flat filler peice. I guarantee you, that is one great big job, and you will warp the hood!
The easy way. The rear of the 300 hood, and your hood are the same. Measure back on the sides of the 300 hood untill it is flat.
That is where you will make a straight across cut about a foot. Then come clear towards the front, just past the 300 'peak'. in a 'V cut, then the same to the other side. Wish I could draw a picture on this machine! The 'V' cut with 'tails' will not lend itself to warpage if you use the 'spit on a stove' welding trick.
Anyway. What you are going to do, is graft the 300 hood corners, onto YOUR hood, for a full smooth 300 hood.
Ironic. I HAVE, ALL of those pieces, except for the '58 Dodge front bumper, waiting for just such a project! he he.
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57burb
Posted 2007-07-09 6:01 PM (#89190 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Is anyone still having trouble seeing these images? I downloaded them to the site directly, had no problem viewing them on a different PC (so I know the images aren't cached).

Danny
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Rebels-59
Posted 2007-07-09 6:38 PM (#89192 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Maybe it is the people who only have Dial Up and Not Broadband are having Trouble see,ing the Pic,s... I would Imagine on Dial Up they will take Forever to Open.. I see them with No Problems at All...
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CUSTOMSbyFLASH
Posted 2007-07-10 8:50 AM (#89238 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?


Member

Posts: 16

I haven't personally chopped one of these cars, but I've chopped about 40 something cars along the way.
Good advice about the glass...most regular glass shops WILL NOT touch cutting curved glass. You'll have to find a brave soul who will do it. I cut my own, because no one else around here would. I do NOT guarantee not breaking the windshield, though. I usually get 4 out of five done on the first try, but you never know. One car I did needed 4 windshields to get one that wouldn't crack. Sometimes they crack during installation, or even a few days later! No predicting what will happen.
On a car like yours, with such an unusual shaped glass, do not angle or modify the posts in any way. Stretch the roof to widen it, if you have to, but don't change the opening shape. I would have the windshield cut first, then work the roof to fit it. It will take some serious metal work, but there's no good alternative. The guys in CA either have custom front glass made in Finland (expensive) or drop the windshield down into a "pocket" built into the cowl. The pocket solution is OK for CA or showcars, but difficult to seal, as you just cut a slit in the windshield rubber to let it slide down into the pocket. godd for leaking, and buildup of water in the pocket in rainy areas.
Another important issue is the trim. Stainless takes a bit of expertise to cut, weld and polish up to be nice. If you build the roof around the new windshield shape, the trim may have to be reshaped as well. Not for the beginner!
The rear windshield cannot be cut. It is tempered glass, and will explode if you even try it. Either change it to another, as suggested above, or you have to cut out the entire windshield housing, and lean it forward. But that's not an option in you case, due to the size and shape of the glass.
In any case, chopping your car is not for the squeamish!
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57burb
Posted 2007-07-10 7:52 PM (#89336 - in reply to #89238)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Chopolds, I'm glad you replied. Maybe you should show some of these people here your work.

Fellas, I'm here to tell you, this is a MASTER of metal. If he's giving advice, PAY ATTENTION.

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55 john
Posted 2007-07-16 11:39 PM (#90195 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?


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Whew, Some beautiful wheels, I like the Plymouth with the Marlin grafted on top
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ttotired
Posted 2012-09-28 11:45 AM (#340934 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Sort of stumbled on this by accident, but wow, am I glad I did

What a collection of wonderful work (most of them) and absolute craftmanship

Way beyond what I think I would be comfortable doing (lack of skills)

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AceS
Posted 2023-02-02 2:18 PM (#627333 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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This is an old subject, but I thought I would add my two cents since there seems to be not much on the subject. What I have done is contrary to some opinions and matches others. The subject car is a 57 Coronet Club Coupe, so it is a post car .... not a hard top. I researched and pondered the subject for about a year until I finally just sawed the roof off one night to make myself do it!

1. First, after bracing everything with rebar, I cut the the roof along the front window lip, at the top of the a-pillar at 45 degrees, 2 inches down at the b-pillar, and near the base of the c-pillar. The roof was now free... however I left it propped up on the car and it was never fully removed.

2. The front window frame was left intact so I would not have to cut glass and can use the stock gasket. I cut 80% of the base of the frame loose from the firewall leaving about 6 inches attached in the middle. I cut about a 1 inch wedge out of the door support core and then tilted the frame back about 2 inches which yielded a 3 inch drop in roof height. The window frame was then welded to temporary rebar posts. This is close to as far as you can tilt the frame before it starts to bind with the firewall and becomes difficult to match to the roof skin. The other benefits of doing it this way is that the wiper pivots are preserved (vs. sinking the window down), and the window rake becomes steeper and sleeker. The extra work forced by this method is that you have to modify the doors a little more to fit the opening.

3. I cut the upper rear window frame away from the roof, removed a 3 inch section of the roof skin, pie cut the roof back 18 inches, spread it and welded the relocated upper window channel to the roof. This allows the rear window to sit it the stock lower channel and "slide up" into the lowered roof. To accommodate the new lean to the back window, the window channel at the front lower corners needs to be dropped into the body about 1/2 and inch, tapering back to zero over 9 or 10 inches.

4. B pillars are then cut 3" about 2 inches down from the top and aligned using the stock upper connection point to the roof and the bottom connection point to the quarter panel. They need to tilt in about 1/2 inch in due to the lower roof. The B-pillars were never removed - they stayed attached to the roof and quarter by about 1/2 inch of metal. This yields a near vertical post instead of it being slanted forward. One of the benefits here that the top door frame width remains the same as stock so that the door frame requires less modification.

5. Measure everything ten different ways, adjust, tack, and fill in gaps with metal.

6. Shorten rear side window trim, modify door frame in front to match the dropped A pillar and the rest of the door window frame to fit, and make new vent window surrounds and glass (yet to be done). I have yet to modify the front and rear window garnish, but laying it out it looks relatively easy since the stock glass frames are preserved.

Overall this is a good look for the club coupe which has tall side window glass at 15 inches. The now 12 inch window glass is a much better proportion, front and rear side window proportions are more even, and the raked front and rear glass look more streamlined. Overall the roof ends up being about 3-1/2 inches shorter in length and widened in the back about 1 inch (to accommodate the stock rear window width moving up into the roof.

One thing I would do different is that I would cut the roof so as to preserve the entire rear window frame and tilt it like I did with the front. It was a lot of fussing to get right once sectioned apart.

For the purists: This car is being built out of a parted out rust bucket and a parted out 4 door sedan, both which were were advertised for sale for several months and which nobody (but a fool!) would buy. They were both destined for parts or scrap and I will be able to make one car of the two without having to buy too many missing parts. Shed no tears.
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ttotired
Posted 2023-02-02 4:54 PM (#627334 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Very interested in pictures

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Darryl T
Posted 2023-02-03 12:25 AM (#627343 - in reply to #88898)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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alumcanTandThd - 2007-07-06 8:03 PM

You will need to get another set of vent wing housings.
Cut them to now fit the windshild post. You will need sections from the donor frames to fill in gaps. These will have to be sodered together. Or find a VERY OLD time welder who has exoerience in pot metal welding.
The chrome shop can fill in any imperefections.

Or just delete the vent windows altogether. That's what I did on my wagon, and it wasn't that difficult. Alignment as the window goes up can be tricky. I made a hard board pattern and had custom tempered glass windows made that included "wings" below the bottom track to provide more parallel edge to ride in the tracks.

Lots of good advice here. Good luck.


Edited by Darryl T 2023-02-03 12:32 AM




(IMG_0198.JPG)



(door glass.JPG)



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Attachments IMG_0198.JPG (56KB - 59 downloads)
Attachments door glass.JPG (81KB - 52 downloads)
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AceS
Posted 2023-02-03 10:45 AM (#627344 - in reply to #627343)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Thanks Darryl. Deleting the wing windows might be on the table even though I just picked up a nice pair. I may have to pick your brain
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wizard
Posted 2023-02-03 10:58 AM (#627345 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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In my humble opinion, no FL gains anything, rather lose by chopping the roof. Worst is the appearance of the rear windows.

Anyway an owner can do whatever he wants with a car.

There's a lot of projects that went bad in the world, rusting away in shame.

It's very difficult to get a better design than the original.

Best thing is to make a 3D drawing so that the car can be viewed in all angles before cutting.
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Powerflite
Posted 2023-02-03 4:17 PM (#627346 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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I agree Sven - for the hardtop models. But I can see how someone might want to chop a sedan. If it were me, I would have replaced the roof with one from a 2dr hardtop. The perfect height and shape was already produced.

The number one rule of customizing should be that it looks MUCH better afterward than it did before. If not, don't do it. Greg's '58 Saratoga still pains me when I think about it, but I think the owner was happy with what he had done. Once it goes into disrepair and is sold, who's to say what will happen with it because few people appreciate what he has done with it. It will likely be parted out and scrapped.

Edited by Powerflite 2023-02-03 4:19 PM




(Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 5.jpg)



(Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 7.jpg)



(Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 8.jpg)



(Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 9.jpg)



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Attachments Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 7.jpg (184KB - 58 downloads)
Attachments Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 8.jpg (170KB - 58 downloads)
Attachments Holes Saratoga DeStoryed 9.jpg (147KB - 57 downloads)
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AceS
Posted 2023-02-05 1:22 PM (#627376 - in reply to #627346)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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This is why I choose to chop my sedan. The sedan roof line is much taller, longer, and utilitarian looking than the hardtop. With the chop it is more proportionate to a hardtop, but at the same time different. It is definitely going to improve the looks of the car, and I doubt there will be another one out there like it.

I would have preferred a hardtop and would have left the roof alone in that case, but a couple of sedan parts cars is what fate tossed my way and I am just working with what I have.

I'll post some photos later when I get the doors back on it so that the total effect can be seen.

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wizard
Posted 2023-02-05 4:06 PM (#627379 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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A turtleback could be a good candidate for a nicely done top chop
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AceS
Posted 2023-02-06 12:26 PM (#627388 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Here it is before and after. Hard to get a good pic due to the dust tent I have it in.






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Attachments thumbnail_IMG_0398.jpeg (74KB - 72 downloads)
Attachments thumbnail_IMG_2653.jpeg (79KB - 69 downloads)
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wizard
Posted 2023-02-06 12:34 PM (#627389 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Nice work, do you plan to use a front window from a 2DHT?
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AceS
Posted 2023-02-06 3:07 PM (#627390 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Thank you. Both front and rear glass frames are tilted toward the cabin and use the stock sedan glass and gasket.
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wizard
Posted 2023-02-06 4:10 PM (#627391 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Ok, some better photos?




(thumbnail_IMG_0398.png)



(thumbnail_IMG_2653.png)



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Attachments thumbnail_IMG_0398.png (999KB - 64 downloads)
Attachments thumbnail_IMG_2653.png (1184KB - 54 downloads)
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57burb
Posted 2023-02-07 12:27 PM (#627423 - in reply to #627389)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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I like what you've done there, it will be a sedan "the way it should have been done." Nice work!

Powerflite - 2023-02-03 3:17 PM
Greg's '58 Saratoga still pains me when I think about it, but I think the owner was happy with what he had done. Once it goes into disrepair and is sold, who's to say what will happen with it because few people appreciate what he has done with it. It will likely be parted out and scrapped.

WHAT?!!?

LOL. Usually when people put a hundred grand into building a car to their vision, it ends up being appreciated and well-cared for. Not scrapped.

Edited by 57burb 2023-02-07 12:27 PM
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Powerflite
Posted 2023-02-07 3:08 PM (#627426 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Yes, while they are still the owner. After that, is when it's left to the fate of it's aesthetic quality.
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JouniK
Posted 2023-04-02 3:29 PM (#628683 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: RE: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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I have chopped 3 Forwardlook cars, 1959 Kingsay 4d, 1958 Windsor 2dh and 1957 New Yorker. Each one was different: Kingsway was also converted to 2dht, Windsor had the original back window, New Yorker has all the windows modified. 

 





(Image1.jpg)



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Attachments Image1.jpg (238KB - 50 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2023-04-02 6:12 PM (#628684 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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I really like the added grill insert in the '58 Windsor. That was a big improvement to it's looks IMO. You did a great job on chopping the tops, but I can't say that I like them better than stock.
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Viper Guy
Posted 2023-04-02 8:44 PM (#628688 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Look closely and you will see the upper bumper bar is from a 1960 DeSoto or Chrysler allowing room for the added
grille bar. Also there are no parking lights.
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JouniK
Posted 2023-04-03 8:49 AM (#628694 - in reply to #628688)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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Viper Guy - 2023-04-02 6:44 PM

Look closely and you will see the upper bumper bar is from a 1960 DeSoto or Chrysler allowing room for the added
grille bar. Also there are no parking lights.


Are You talking about my (ex) Windsor?? The bumper is original 1958 Windsor bumper, the grille has been replaces by a floating bar (with parking lights in both ends) built by me ??

J
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Viper Guy
Posted 2023-04-04 4:17 PM (#628741 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?



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My mistake - sorry.
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1961plymouthfury
Posted 2023-04-05 2:59 AM (#628746 - in reply to #88853)
Subject: Re: Has anyone chopped a top on a forward look car 57-61?


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Oh hell no that is 1 thing I would not do. I will tint the windows but I will not chop the top
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