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Old 04-27-2012, 10:36 AM   #1
Jive-Bomber
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Default The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Welcome to the last installment of Keith Tardel's chop on the ol' 1939 Mercury convertible. Part I was all about the A pillars coming down a full 3 inches and massaging the posts to line back up. In Part II, Keith tackled the tricky top bows, not o...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
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Old 04-27-2012, 10:42 AM   #2
koolkemp
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Man this car is a stunner already, I cant wait to see the finished product!!
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Old 04-27-2012, 11:54 AM   #3
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
A task deserved for the great ones!

This is awesome! The look is perfect!

Is the car going to be painted entirely or just the parts that were modified? I want to see the whole thing finished.
- Fernando
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Old 04-27-2012, 12:03 PM   #4
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
cool, looking good! can't wait to see it with the material on it.
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Old 04-27-2012, 12:19 PM   #5
CaseyK
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Wow looks great! The only question I have is when the top folds down - now that it's lowered - will the top bows lay behind the seat still?
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Old 04-27-2012, 12:21 PM   #6
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Do you have to lower the whole folding top mechanism into the car and/or widen the top?

Please tell us!
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Last edited by CaseyK; 04-27-2012 at 12:45 PM. Reason: too many thoughts at once
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Old 04-27-2012, 12:27 PM   #7
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Looks like s lot of work for a subtle upgrade. I hope people appreciate how much goes into chopping a folding top.
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Old 04-27-2012, 01:08 PM   #8
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Dude, your 39 already rules, but now with a real chopped folding top? = Beyond epic!!
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Old 04-27-2012, 01:49 PM   #9
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop: Part 3
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Originally Posted by Cheater Casey View Post
Wow looks great! The only question I have is when the top folds down - now that it's lowered - will the top bows lay behind the seat still?
The answer is yes. That's why this was such a difficult task- Getting a chopped convertible top to still fold up correctly, remaining functional and yet look good when it's up. Like Keith said, there's a reason guys in the 40s and 50s just welded up a fixed Carson top... It was easier!!!
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Old 04-27-2012, 04:28 PM   #10
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Thumbs up Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
That really looks nice Jay, great job.
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Old 04-27-2012, 05:03 PM   #11
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
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Dude, your 39 already rules, but now with a real chopped folding top? = Beyond epic!!

What Cleatus said!
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Old 04-27-2012, 05:04 PM   #12
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Looks great Keith and Jay!

Sam
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Old 04-27-2012, 05:09 PM   #13
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
done it the puurdy way, can't even imagine how hard it is to do a chop job on an operating top of this size 'n' shape! hats off, well done! i will follow..
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Old 04-27-2012, 06:36 PM   #14
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
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Originally Posted by flt-blk View Post
Looks like s lot of work for a subtle upgrade. I hope people appreciate how much goes into chopping a folding top.
I find the most successful customs are the ones the 'general public' just assumes is the way it came stock. Great, tasteful modifications make the car look like it was actually born in that killer that way.
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Old 04-27-2012, 07:17 PM   #15
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
nuthin sexier than a tight top..
and then will go down easy in the back seat without a struggle ..

we can assume that that each side is the same height
well done job and well done teaser story
thanks very much

please complete this with a follow up pictorial..
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Last edited by paperdog; 04-28-2012 at 11:07 AM.
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Old 04-27-2012, 07:18 PM   #16
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
very nice Jay!

My head hurts just considering the geometry involved in making that happen.

Keith, my hat is off to you my friend…Well done!
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Old 04-27-2012, 09:52 PM   #17
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Well done, That one should be a knock out when it's done.
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Old 04-27-2012, 11:45 PM   #18
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
Beautiful craftsmanship. I though that car was perfect before, but Keith and Jay have found a way to improve on perfection.

One question, will the new top fold down easier then the stock top?
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Old 04-28-2012, 12:47 PM   #19
otas
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop… Part 3
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Originally Posted by Jive-Bomber View Post
I find the most successful customs are the ones the 'general public' just assumes is the way it came stock. Great, tasteful modifications make the car look like it was actually born in that killer that way.
amen to that. impressing the 5% that will notice what has been done is tough. i think your accomplishing that. looks killer...........
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Old 04-28-2012, 12:58 PM   #20
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Default Re: The Art of the Drop Top Chop... Part 3
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Originally Posted by Jive-Bomber View Post
... Just wait till she get’s some freshly pleated upholstery and a nice, tight top…
Jay - Can't hardly wait ... Your Merc is gonna be even more "Bitchin'-er-er"

Keith - Nice work ... Well done!
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