Canadian Poncho

Chop

Ranchgoat12 said
Mar 1, 2020

Here's one for you guys. Does anyone know what it would cost to do a 3"chop on either a Streamliner 2 door sedan or a Chieftain 2 door sedan? I am talking about ballpark pricing or even how many hours it would take. I am just outside of Saskatoon.

Thanks,

Doug

Ranchgoat12 said
Mar 1, 2020

Oh yeah, I am speaking about 1949 -1952 models.

Cheviac said
Mar 1, 2020

I googled it once and watched a couple of videos, VERY Labour Intensive with that long slope. I'm guessing very expensive.

seventy2plus2 said
Mar 1, 2020

My guess is $20K and up.

Ranchgoat12 said
Mar 1, 2020

Wow, that seems pretty steep. I don't mean the body work, just the metal work.

timbuk said
Mar 1, 2020

watch a few youtube videos take it from there halfass customs has some stuff

otus said
Mar 1, 2020

One good thing is the metal involved. Such a treat to work with although it is heavy. This would be very involved considering overall size as well as roof design. A large chop like this requires at least two guys imo. Hammer welding is the way to go here using butt joint techniques. I've seen guys cheat and "rake" the roof instead of doing a full 1/4 cut job. I've also seen guys try a rake the windshield only to have glass fitment issues later on....when you don't need that!....Don't forget that glass fitment and door chops are required...one piece door glass or vent window chops as well....Hundreds....yup hundreds of hours involved to do a proper hammer welded quality piece. When I was in (trade) school one of my classmates had a 1953 chevy business man's coupe body hanging on their body shop wall....I was in awe ..He and his Dad had chopped,channeled and sectioned this shell...all welding done with torches and hammer welded...two of them... incredible. I think of it often!

Ranchgoat12 said
Mar 1, 2020

Otus, that '53 sounds very cool!!!

seventy2plus2 said
Mar 1, 2020

From my limited experience, most people who had the skill to do a chop like that are either dead or long retired. Anyone remaining is busy and expensive.

Ranchgoat12 said
Mar 2, 2020

Seventy2plus2 that may be a very accurate statement. It could well be that almost nobody chops (or gets their car chopped) anymore. I don't seem to see any around. Seems like there aren't even many, if any, at the "Draggins Rod and Custom" car show, which is the big car show in Saskatoon.
Tens of thousands of dollars is not an option. I will post any info I dig up, if there is any to dig up.

MC said
Mar 2, 2020

There is some info out there on chopping a Chevy of similar vintage, which should essentially be the same in concept.

Here's a thread on HAMB that I didn't read through, but skimming through it, looks like it contains some good info:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-chopping-a-1950-chevy-fleetline.78310/

Here's a step by step of one done on a model car (which might be a good way to familarize yourself with the concept and visualize a finished product):

http://cs.scaleautomag.com/sca/modeling_subjects/f/30/t/122345.aspx

Here's an article on chopping a 4-door (with fastback roofline, so similar concept):

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0903rc-1950-chevy-chopped-top/

A video:

Here's a video if you have 4 hours to kill (I didn't watch it...):

Ranchgoat12 said
Mar 2, 2020

Thanks MC

MC said
Mar 2, 2020

Hope it helps you make your decision!

DDBesse said
Dec 30, 2020

Hey Doug,

My name is Doug also, and I am in Saskatoon. My 1950 Pontiac looks eerily similar to the one in your bio pic. Am I talking to me? Lol! I do that sort of metal work and am not up for that level of challenge quite yet. I like the stock look... mine almost looks chopped already with the big sun visor on. Just my opinion. There was a shop somewhere out by Grasswood Esso that does chops I think, but don't know the name. Good luck.

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