Looking for ideas on how to chop a sport coupe and how much would look good ,I am thinking 4''-5'' wedge still using the vinal top and oringal inside ribs
Check out the chop on the one that Clark did.I think that it looks really good. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237693
Not that I'm against chopping the top on this (although it's a great looking car as it is) couldn't you find one that's in worse shape to work your magic on?
Well anyway,........ Good luck with the "Sport Coupe" I like your taste, I'm sure it will not disappoint. Welcome to the H.A.M.B "concreteman".....
I've got a '29 Sport Coupe that's been chopped 3 inches. It still uses all the original wood bows, metal braces, liners and factory pattern top though obviously modified where required.
G Inspector Way too cool ,just what I was looking for ,very nice job do you have any more picture's or ideas you can share Conman
As I said mine is chopped 3 inches, no wedge, same front and back. When it came to the chop, the A and B posts, along with the door frames were the obvious ones and were shortened 3 inches. The others to watch for are the belt to No 2 bow straps, the No 2 bow and the No 2 bow to B post straps. After it was stripped down and the metalwork finished I started by fitting all the wood with the exception of the No 2 bow, the wood in the B posts will have to be shortened at this point. The rear straps were straightforward and had to be shortened the 3 inches, they were then put in place, making sure that they were square. After that I mocked the main bow in place, securing it to the straps and that was then shortened at the point it meets the triangular brackets at the base of the B post. Once that was the right length and shape, (fairly basic woodworking) the remaining straps were altered accordingly. It was a straightforward operation, just remember to measure everything twice and cut once. The body is pretty flimsy without the bows so you may want to brace it in some way though I never as my car was built from parts rather than a complete car. I had the top covered professionally though I did aid and abet where I could. If you're using the correct cardboard fillers the rear ones have to be altered, the same with the top fabric if you're going to use original patterns. If you are going to reuse the top you have then the rear window flap will have to be remade to position the window correctly. If you're ordering a top from a supplier rather than having it custom made then specify that you want the rear flap without the window cut out. Be very firm as mine still arrived with a nasty plastic window and I still had to have it made from scratch. It's a fairly simple operation but one that would be easy to get wrong. Just take your time and make sure everything remains square as you go. A great book to look out for is "How To restore Your Model A Volume 5" from The Restorer, it has a fairly comprehensive chapter on Sport Coupe tops, certainly worth getting before you start.
i'd jus leave that one alone... maybe fix the stance and drive it check out this thread... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266309 If you can't here's a thread you might also want to see... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267209
Is that your Coupe in yer avitar ? If it is, You didnt look very hard for a Chopped Sports Coupe at Santa Maria. Cus mine was parked within shouting distance of that Coupe, Thought mine still has no top yet... It is a 6" choped Sports Coupe. You May have Heard mine, As it sounds like a Hot Hemi should.
Yes thats my Coupe ,I cant believe I did not see your car ,I must be getting old and near sited ,and a Hemi also ,I AM BLIND SORRY ,do you have any ideas or pictures to share Thanks
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain about the chop on your Sport coupe and the pictures are great ,the car I am starting with is very clean ,I hope to take my time and hope it turns out as nice as your's Thanks again you have a great looking car
Ill tell ya, Those pics look like its a nice car.. My input would be to build it in a VERY traditional way & retain the fenders, Flathead running gear including a closed drive rear, Dropped axle, drum brakes & '49 Merc wheels & caps. With a Squared chop, Not wedged or slant or whatever people are calling it.. Lower the middle wood over your head to eliminate the tall point in the middle of the top. Fuck all the new wave upgrades like Disc's & open drive 9" Build it like it would have been done in about 1951.. There are plenty of Old looking cars with new drive trains, Build a real nice period car.
Your a man after my own heart I can't agree more ,I want a tradition hot rod and the 1951 era is great ,I am going to start with a 4'' drop and drum brakes ,full fender's ,thinking of using the banger with speed equipment and a 39 trans with a 4'' chop and original vinyl top and bows Its got to be OLD SCHOOL period correct Thanks for the ideas do you have any pictures of your Sport Coupe to share
Meant to post this picture of the Joe Mac car before. Look out for a copy of Rod & Custom from May 1970 for a full feature on it. Chopped just 2 inches in case you're wondering. Makes me wanna put fenders on mine.
I just chopped my 31 pick up 5 inches and I love the look it gave it. I think your chop will look good. Can't wait to see it .
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