50 Olds Kustom

[Kanada Kustoms]

I dug out this old build of a 50 Olds to spray some primer on it.  I took some pictures of the top chop when I did it, then some mock up pics. 

This is how I did the chop:

I chopped the windshield 1 1/4 scale inches.  I chopped the overall height of the roof two inches so I pushed the windshield up into the roof slightly so it doesn't look too chopped.  Drip rail has been removed for the chop and will be added back on later:

I took the whole rear section of the car off.  I wound up sectioning the trunk area 1 inch.  You can see I have drilled several holes in the 1/4 window frames.  That is so they will bend and flex while I lay the roof forward and down 2 inches:

Here's a better shot of the roof before lowering.  I cut a groove in the roof, and let the B pillar slide up into the roof for a sturdier joint.  I cut the A pillar to match how much lower I wanted the roof.  And the frame of the 1/4 window is very flexible at this point and will bend to accommodate the movement of the roof:

And here is the roof lowered 2 inches.  The roof has been moved forward to line up the A pillar.  Then the B pillar is fit to the roof where it naturally lands in its new location.  I cut a channel in the roof for the B pillar to slide up into and filled the remainder.  I have filled all the wholes in the 1/4 window, but the holes allowed me to create a new curve that flowed with the new lower silhouette as it was lowered and moved forward:

Here you can see the top of the windshield frame back in place.  I had to split it in the center as the center naturally wanted to dip when reattached.  So I split it, that solved the problem.  I wound up angling each side of the windshield frame up slightly to create a curve to the top of the window frame similar to stock.  A filler piece was required behind the frame to blend it with the crown of the roof.  You can see I have trial fit the rear section.  Some relief cuts and filler pieces will be required. 

A shot of the A pillars all glued up.   You can see how moving the windshield up into the crown of the roof reduces the forehead of the roof significantly.  Cutting the door and the windshield frames in different places (staggered) creates a lot more surface area for gluing and a much stronger joint in my opinion:

Later I'll address the misaligned trim at the base of the rear of the roof and will also have to blend the trunk and create new panel lines. 

Here's the rear roof section trial fit.  I cut it so I could slide the roof section behind the trim at the base of the roof for a better, stronger joint:

I had to cut out the sail panels to fit the rear roof section.  The marker lines are where I'll cut to relax the crown and get everything to fit nicely:

You can see some relief cuts I have made and filled to relax the slope of the roof so it will blend with the rear section.  The rear section and the sail panels have been glued up.  The rear window was chopped 1 scale inches (combined with the sectioning of the trunk it is in effect, brought down 2 inches but it remains more open looking, like the windshield, to keep the top feeling airy and light).  just need to fill gaps now and sand joints and add a drip rail and the roof is done: 

With the major body modification out of the way, it's time for a mock-up.

Headlights from the Revell Predicta Kit were fitted with the '50 Oldsmobile bezels modified to fit. I wanted to keep the Olds bezels to lay over the Predicta custom headlights to keep the front end looking like a '50 Oldsmobile instead of falling toward a too radical look. The grill bumper assembly is a combination of 2 '50 Oldsmobile bumper/grilles, some .040" half round plastic stock and the '53 Pontiac grill from the Revell '49 Mercury kit. I used Bare Metal Foil to cover up all the joints. I made a pan to match the new grill: 

It's starting to look like a kustom:

With the drip rail put back on, it really anchors the roof.  It's sitting on Modelhaus 284 tires with Chrysler Turbine wheels with a slight speedboat stance.  You can see how the 1 inch section job and moving the windshield into the roof really lighten things up along with the extended fenders:

You can see I fixed the trim at the base of the roof and cut new panel lines for the trunk.  I extended the rear fenders quite a bit, like 6 inches or so.  Then I cut taillights into the ends with lines to indicate a custom bezel and custom lens.  They'll be covered in bare metal foil and the lens painted clear red when done: 

And a close up of the taillight cut into the fender.  I made a roll pan for the rear to give it a clean, smoothed out look:

And lastly, a comparison of the stock roof to the chopped roof and sectioned trunk.  Big difference.  But the chop still maintains the feel of the stock roof even though it has been significantly altered.  The extended rear fenders also add length to the main body elongating the overall look:

Thanks for looking... Primer pics to come!

[Spex84]

Holy moly, that's incredible work. Great ideas and immaculate execution. Thanks for showing us how you did it!!
I have an Olds I want to chop someday in almost exactly this style (based on the reference I've collected) and this will help. I might still be too lazy though. What a ton of work...

I think the Predicta quads mimicking the stock headlights, with the mirrored custom grille and Pontiac center bar is absolutely inspired. It's extremely custom without looking too labored about it.

[sidcharles]

you've made it look effortless*

 

*not the actual work, rather the design.  it's so hard to make something look simple; so easy to just add another layer or molding. this one is pared to perfection.

also; really appreciate the stress stop holes in the rear quarter windows' kerf bends.

[Glassparman]

Fabulous work! You are the master!

[NOBLNG]

Subtle yet distinct changes that give the model a sleeker look than the original. Yet the changes retain the character of the car. Well done!👍😎

[Ace-Garageguy]

Exceptionally clean work. Very nice.

[Ulf]

Fantastic work, I admire not only your work but also your ability to resist any temptations and pressure to cut more while you're at it. Very tasteful.

[rickcaps55]

WOW that new front end is awesome what you did with the head lights is beautiful i am doing a 50 olds custom and have been trying to think of something for the front end that is perfect can't wait to see this done.!

[customline]

Well this certainly raises the bar 😯.  Where is your home planet, Jon? There are so many lessons here I can't absorb it all in one pass. Gotta go through it again from the beginning. Absolutely amazing!

[dino246gt]

First off, THANK YOU for taking the time to post all those pictures with easy to follow explanations of step-by-step lessons on how to properly chop a top!

Awesome references for all of us.

And your sense of proportions and customizing taste is commendable.

Can't wait to see this Kool Kustom at the Rod-O-Rama!  

[Kanada Kustoms]

Thanks for the good words guys... Much appreciated and glad you like my build!

[BK9300]

Just in awe of your body working skills at this scale!  So methodical - truly inspires me to attempt more work like this.

Edited 3 hours ago by BK9300

[FoMoCo66]

Wow, thats some seriously clean work, and very tasteful proportions.