Projects 1946 buick sedanette with top chop

Picture 2

 

Started with make a new filler piece for the c pillar. My first try with the english work in building a panel. Came out pretty good I think. See if I can make a second one with the same dimensions. For me the biggest challeng is building something twice.

 

Pictures:





As smal step for the Pros but a big step for aBeginner

 

Here is the start from my top chop, for the beginigg I looked at a lot of threads from chopping to see what was done and how problems where solved. I assume that the most difficult parts and problems where not documented for a pity. So I new from the beginnig I will run into these without knowing. Not all chops are the same since cars have differnt roof styles but you can pic up ideas from everything.

Since I work alone the most time I build two stand for holding the roof up. These where mounted in the front door section and in the rear window section. this was aa big help since I was able to ply around with angles. I made a tape mesurment on the c pillar to see how much it was lowered for the beginnig.

All parts such as hatrack, structure parts from the b pillar and c pillar where drilled out. I made extra lines on the roof straight down to the trunk lid so I had something to line up when it was apart and then put back together.

Here are my pictures from the steps:

 

Please don't forget this is my first top chop.

 

Step #2
After lining up I rolled the car out to have a look from the distance made pictures and a changed the angles and distance from the rear window. I must say the car looks good from 3m but the look from 8-10m makes a diffence. These pictures I posted before

 

Picture for #2

 

Step #3

for the rear window section I ran into problems since I didn't had a fixture for it. So I layed the rear section back onto my cutting lines and made a stand for it. After that it was much easier playing with angles and distance between roof and rear window.

 

Step#4
to give the a pillar a reinforcement I made a pice out of 2mm thik metal which is held with clecos for the beginnig from the out side. After I lifted the roof of i clamped them from the inside. In the end these will be welded around the a pillar and through the drilling holes. The a pillar had a reinforcement from factory which I drilled out from the roof top part on the inside of the pillar

 

Some more update from the weekeend
The roof was cut in so I could get the c pillar angle back in place.. I made two templates out of wood for the curve line from the c pillar and clamped them to a post wich is welded in the inside of the car. So I had both in the same curve line. The filler piece I had made before was layed on the marks on the body to check everything.
The the old c pillar was cut out and the new fillar piece layed on top and clamped into position. From the inside i started to draw the conture line from the low part and cut it slowly to have a nice match. Then up the c illar down the rear window and down to the body again. Each cut line was checked and filed into shape.
This I did on both sides.

 

Nice

 

New update,

I started with the right b pillar. The filler piece for the roof was made as original with the bendings.

 

Looking great, nice metal work.

 

Thank you too all of you.

 

very impressive work. Roofline looks great!

 

Great work!! Lippy

 

You're building a great car. I can only wish I was a good as you in the sheet metal department. Keep on keeping on.

 

A smal update to the doorframe

 

I am still working on the curve line of the c pillar. I cant make up my mind to decide between a sharp or a big curve.
the sharp curve would make the rear side window longer.

 

Wow Marcus, So Nice! Stunned bout your Skills N Job! Keep Up ;-)

 

we need updates....pleeeeeeaseee

 

Can I ask, what do the TüV say about this? It's possible to get it registered after the chop?
I'm asking because I want to do something similar.

 

Really nice lines, you have a lot of skill.

 

Yeah, I've been missing this thread and your skills! Keep the progress updates coming please...

 

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the nice words. I havent been working on the Buick this year. I hope to come back in winter time. As soon I start I will send new progress pictures.

James D: It is possible to get the car thru Tüv inspection. Befor I started i showed the Tüv peple what I was planing. You need a guy who is interrested in youre work, otherwise no chance.

 

Ah ok, that was what i thought. It seems easier for these guys to just say "no" than to do their job and see if something is actually allowed. I'm back in Germany and I have plans for some kind of kustom. Where are you based?

 

James D : You will have to get intouch with an inspector (hard to find I can tell you). It is a lot of work, pictures and dokuments to show how it was done in that time and how you want to do it. The welds will be checked and you need to have a welder licens because. So if you start make pictures from all steps. When you do a top chop there a a few guidlines from tüv ( sice of windows, so no radical chop). The laws change every year too!
I live by Frankfurt Main.

 

Love the flow of these cars when chopped, looks killer.

 

Thanks for the information! I'm also not far from Frankfurt. Lots to think about for sure.