Jason Foster Posted April 4, 2016 Posted April 4, 2016 (edited) Well, with the 48 Chevy project coming together. I started a new chop tonight. I seem to be becoming addicted to chopping cars lately. Yes, this time I took plenty of pictures of the process. Let me know what you think. First up is marking what to remove. Next I removed the door pillars. Followed by the rear window. More to come! Edited April 14, 2016 by Jason Foster
Mattsteel85 Posted April 4, 2016 Posted April 4, 2016 Nice can't wait to see this thread in a few weeks! Always been curious And wanted to try a chop
Jason Foster Posted April 4, 2016 Author Posted April 4, 2016 Now with the back window out. We can chop the top off. First we make a horizontal cut from the rear window opening to the side of the car. Then from the rear of the side window to the cut that is already made. Should end up with something like this. The front window pillars get cut on either side of the tape used to mark the chop. This now frees the top from the rest of the car. Quick test fit, looks pretty good so far. More to come.
Jason Foster Posted April 4, 2016 Author Posted April 4, 2016 (edited) Now that we have the top off. We need to cut some material off the rear roof to lower the back. I cut across the roof pillar, but not clear across to the edge of the rear window. I also made a vertical cut to seperate the roof top from the roof pillar. Like so. Then I scored on the inside of the roof, from one vertical cut to the other with a knife. This will allow me to bend the roof line up to match up with the laid down rear window. You will also need to bend the roof pillars outward to match up with the main body. Next I will modify the main body to match up with the roof. More to come. Edited April 4, 2016 by Jason Foster
Jason Foster Posted April 4, 2016 Author Posted April 4, 2016 So, now we need to bring the lower portion of the roof pillar in to match the upper roof section. I need to make a small wedge cut like so. Then bend the pillar in towards the center of the body. You can see the stress discoloration in the plastic where is was bent. Here's what it looks liked taped together Next will be to glue it together.
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 4, 2016 Posted April 4, 2016 Looks like you're off to a good start, but watch your proportions. A whole lot more isn't always better, and it's easy to end up with a car that looks sat-on rather than well-chopped.
Misha Posted April 5, 2016 Posted April 5, 2016 Very interesting... And very brave! This is a great WIP thread and very instructive to be following along. So far I've only attempted Model As, Dueces, and truck cabs as they are literally straight forward. Watching your technique encourages me too try my hand at it.Thanks for doing this, I'll be following along closely!Cheers Misha
charlesdcamden Posted April 5, 2016 Posted April 5, 2016 Ive chopped a few 50 mercs and ford shoeboxes.... Never used this technique tho. I always quarter and spread the top like you would a 1:1 and add material. This way seems MUCH easier
Jason Foster Posted April 5, 2016 Author Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) Well here it is all glued together, minus the rear window frame Now were left with some sheet metal to patch....I mean plastic. Once the glue has dried. I hit the high spots with a 1/4" sanding drum. Followed by needle files and sanding sticks. Next up I'll shoot some primer to see where I'm at with the body work. Edited April 5, 2016 by Jason Foster
Jason Foster Posted April 6, 2016 Author Posted April 6, 2016 Well here's what it looks like after some primer. No filler has been used yet. I also added plastic to recreate the door pillars. Next pic shows the first round of filler. Followed by a wet sanding. Then another coat of primer.
Jason Foster Posted April 6, 2016 Author Posted April 6, 2016 (edited) Next I rough out the window openings and door pillars. Needed to add some plastic to the back window. Top of the opening was too big and did not match the roof line. Some more sanding to radius the edges around the window openings and another coat of primer. Needs some more sanding and filler. Next up is to put the drip rail back on with some .010x.020 evergreen rectangular rod. Thanks for looking. Edited April 6, 2016 by Jason Foster
Jason Foster Posted April 14, 2016 Author Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) Small update today. Got most of the body work done now. Mocking up wheels. I think I'm going with these, there from the 58 Thunderbird. Cant remember what the grill is from, maybe somebody can help me out with that. Using the bumpers that came in the kit. Last pic has the drip rails installed and the silver base coat applied. Thanks for looking. Edited April 14, 2016 by Jason Foster
Foxer Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 These shots really show how well you did that chop! it's all looking fabulous!
Ace-Garageguy Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) NICE LINES! I was kinda apprehensive that you might have gone too low there in the beginning, but this looks great, flows really well and the slope of the B-pillar works just right. Edited April 14, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy
Misha Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Looking great! Also like what you've done with the hood. It's not sectioned though, is it? Just sort of a 48 version of pancaking...Looking forward to more! Cheers Misha
Jason Foster Posted April 14, 2016 Author Posted April 14, 2016 Misha I cut the bottom half of the hood off and molded it to the body. No sectioning or pancaking. I'm not sure if there's a customizing term for that or not. I did it partly so I could smooth the front end around the grill. Thanks for the comments guys.
mrm Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Looking fantastic. You say "base coat". What are you planning to paint it?
mod3l Lover Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Jason, Just wow is all I can think of right now!! And you make thatlook so easy in a time elapsed sorta way. Well I'm jumping on the "follow" band wagon! That is such a big, cool, long car for that kind of body work.The trunk lid looks like a "Third world country"! What do theyspeak on that thing? Styrenese? Nice work, I love it, David S.
John Goschke Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Really nice work! The shot in sliver paint looks terrific – perfect "flow" that's helped along by the replaced drip rail line.I think that krazy kustom grill is also from the '58 T-bird kit.
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