Im really interested in chopping my mercury , was wondering if anyone had any pics or things to look out for during the process ( i dont need final pics , only during chop pics) please its a 1956 , im only going 2&1/2"
Make sure you got a buddy or something to help hold the roof up! I did mine alone Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Search the Internet for Blaine Kauffmann's 56 Merc, he chopped it right brand new, coolest version of this car Ive ever seen....
Please tell me you have lot's of skill and experiance chopping tops before you cut up your hardtop(not one to learn on), or someone helping you is. That's a very tuff chop to pull off and a glass man's nightmare! Personally I think the preportions on a 56 Merc HT are about perfect stock, I'd suggest really thinking hard about it before you cut it.
I'd stick with 2-3 inches. that windshield gets narrow as it gets shorter. You'll have to remove or move the pinch welds in on the A pillars at 4 inch.
Nope, never chopped anything .... And i agree , the stock hardtop height is great , i only wana go 2" ,, ive been fabricating for 10 years now , and done a ton of sheetmetal work , the only thing that scares me is the glass but im pretty sure since im only goin 2 " i mite be able to just sink the window channels down and run my stock glass with just my own made weatherstripping.... Not 100% yet
I'm building a custom 55 myself and I picked it cuz they they have great lines and a factory chop. Metalman is right, do some real soul searching before you make that first cut and if you do 4" is tooooo much ! Good luck and I will be following your progress.
If you got sheetmetal experience I think you can handle this chop. It's only metal. Some people like to chop the rear alittle more then the front. Might want to look into that. Ryan Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yikes. Your first chop? Not the one to learn on IMHO, fwiw I've been chopping tops for 30 years professionally and any car with wrap around windows front and back would give me a headache. Sinking the windows are not as easy as it looks and opens up a new set of problems, espesally under dash issues in many cases. Do you have the skills to deal with the small stuff like welding up and dressing the stainless trim? Gotta be done to look right. Plan out EVERYTHING before you cut anything, I've seen so many chop tops fail when the builder runs into a wall, problems they didn't forsee or worry about till it was too late. I don't mean to rain on your parade and if you think you can do it go for it. Just do yourself a favor and honestly judge your skill level first.
I'm a BIG fan of the '56 and think it's one of the best looking cars right out of the box! A little attitude adjustment on the suspension is all it needs. I've had the magazine cover of Pepe Hereria's Mercury pinned to the wall for years.
'56 hardtops are pretty enough. Not saying it couldn't be improved to someone's own tastes. But That time might be better spent behind the wheel driving the already-pretty car. If a person has just got to get their grinder going, there are a ton of ugly cars that could use that kind of help.
I dont think he was asking your opinions IF he should do it but rather tips on how to do it. Measure more times than you cut! I love mine! 4 1/2 in the front and 7 in the back.
Looks bad ass! I have two hub caps that match your front ones if your interested! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I chopped my 56 slant chopped it! Pretty difficult process tabbing up a whole new section for the rear glass
I agree!! By the way, your 56 is bad ass! My uncle sold his 56 chopped montclair a while back and he regrets it to this day. I almost forgot...I believe I have a pair of stock but modified skirts if yo might be interested.
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