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Technical Need info/help on chopping a 53-54 Chevy Hardtop

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by NewmanZL1, Aug 12, 2015.

  1. NewmanZL1
    Joined: Aug 12, 2015
    Posts: 4

    NewmanZL1

    Hey guys, I have been searching for weeks to find any info on chopping a 53-54 Chevy Hardtop. Any real information for the hardtop chop seems to be non existent. Can anyone help me find any pics or write ups or point me to someone that has the info? Planning on using the stock glass. Having a really hard time seeing the proper way to do this. Thanks
     
  2. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    lower front and rear glass down into body - use open metal channel to support bottom of glass -line channel with rubber or use stock rubber - use stock rubber around upper glass that is visible - use split stock rubber across cowl/rear deck to seal with and look stock
     
  3. NewmanZL1
    Joined: Aug 12, 2015
    Posts: 4

    NewmanZL1

    thats about the only way I am seeing how to do it is to move the rear glass down and forward and completely re make the whole area on the rear deck to match the new shape of the bottom of the rear glass as it will now be smaller around at the bottom since the whole thing has been lowered down. And the bottom front corners of the rear glass will be towards the inside of the body a lot more which seems like a problem. I have seen people talk about leaning the rear glass but that will not work once you start tipping the rear glass forward the angle of the glass completely changes and it starts moving away from the angled roof line on the sides and lower corners. But If I knew I could get a piece of lexan molded to fit the window opening I would be happy with that, it would save a huge ton of work I would just have to make the body line up in the chop area and leave the deck area and everything alse alone
     
  4. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    Duane Steck and his brother formed the plexiglass rear window of Moonglow in their mother's oven.

    [​IMG]
     

  5. NewmanZL1
    Joined: Aug 12, 2015
    Posts: 4

    NewmanZL1

    I wish my mother had a 6ft long oven
     
  6. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    I assume they heated half at a time, with the door open. I remember reading about their burning their hands in the process.. [I never heard mention of a buck being involved.]
     
  7. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    I guess if you have more money than fabrication skills, or know someone with the skills, lexan is an alternative - you will need to make the buck for it to be formed with to get exactly what you need - how about acrylic: ad in Street Rodder magazine - amhotrodglass.com
     
  8. Torchie
    Joined: Apr 17, 2011
    Posts: 1,099

    Torchie
    Member

  9. NewmanZL1
    Joined: Aug 12, 2015
    Posts: 4

    NewmanZL1

    I have some pretty decent fabrication skills but I don't want to try and dive into making this whole channel and rear area unless I had some specific explanation of things and some pictures of how it's done on this exact car, I have way too much work put into this body already to dig my self a hole in the wrong direction so to speak.
    Yea I've checked that out before Torchie it's a bit of a different situation than the 53/54 one piece tempered wrap around glass area. I haven't looked into the cost of having something made to fit my opening yet since I am still deciding which way to go but if it would fit nice and look similar to glass I would gladly pay 1500
     
  10. Torchie
    Joined: Apr 17, 2011
    Posts: 1,099

    Torchie
    Member

    Your other option is to slide the rear glass intact, forward. If you look at the pic of the stock 54(Sorry it's so small) you can see the bulge in the roof area right above the rear window. You can bring the rear down quite a bit, moving the window forward into the roof by cutting out the bulge. It will also give you a better flow to the window/roof area. The angle of the rear window will remain the same.
    Or as you have stated you can have a new rear window made to fit a smaller opening if you choose to go that route.
    Torchie
     
  11. American Rodder magazine did an article years ago with chopping a 53. They moved the top forward and never even took the headliner out of the car. The magazine is buried somewhere in my basement. Maybe someone else can help out here. The car was red....:(
     
  12. cosmic12
    Joined: Oct 16, 2011
    Posts: 422

    cosmic12
    Member

    I would really like to see that article. You sure it was a hard top and not a sedan?
     
  13. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,409

    atomickustom
    Member

    Find that article! I want to see it whether it's a hard top or sedan.
     
  14. It was a hardtop. I'll see what I can find....they chopped it at the front, cut the height out of the dogleg-looking back pillar and slid the top forward. They only removed the last row of the headliner when they moved the glass.
     
  15. It's only metal u can fix it if it doesn't work
     
  16. 53catalina
    Joined: Jan 28, 2006
    Posts: 16

    53catalina
    Member

    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440852296.352226.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440852319.025977.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440852331.332897.jpg

    This was chopped in the UK. Rear window dropped into the trunk. Front screen cut down
     

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