TOP SWAP '57 CHRYSLER

[customline]

The initial attachment of the new roof was at the cowl ends/A pillar. At one point I thought I might drop the C pillars down a bit to lower the profile but that would cause a problem at the trunk. I wish I had spent more time analyzing things because the trunk panel lines line up perfectly. It may have been possible to get a precision fit and retain the original panel lines on both mating parts. It's still pretty close but I have a gap to fill. The rear of the roof is attached now and this 👇 is how the finished profile will be. 

I reinforced the cowl with some styrene rod and CA. The top side will be filled and a strip will be added to the bottom of the windshield opening to have something to foil later on. 

I spent some time getting the floor pan to mate with the firewall. I had a 2mm gap caused by windshield-to-dash interference. I removed some windshield material, some dash material, and rolled the dash down at the front edge. Lots of trial and error. But I got it.

Yay! 😀

The rear attachment is reinforced around the C pillars inside. The "extra" material will be ground away.  Scrap sheet was added under the trunk gap to catch what squishes through the gap.

I

🤓☝ the next thing today is this stuff.  Let the fun begin! Thanks for your interest and your encouragement! 

[customline]

17 minutes ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

MADHD- Modeler's Attention Defi.....oh look!!!! A kit to start!!!!!

EXACTLY  !   🤣

[FoMoCo66]

20 minutes ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

MADHD- Modeler's Attention Defi.....oh look!!!! A kit to start!!!!!

Man this is driving me MAD, I high definition! 

[Kutnplastik]

1 hour ago, customline said:

it's not a perfect fit but close enough.

I have to say I was a sceptic and concerned about the gaps but you nailed it! The roof chosen is perfect! Can’t wait to see as you progress.

[Lunajammer]

I've always thought the '57 roofline was the weakest part of that design. Makes the whole car look clunky. I also think the GM swept back roofs look good on almost anything and I've been playing with your same kind of project on other cars. That roof swap looks wonderful on the AMT '62 Buick Electra.

[customline]

Did some body work.  It's my second-favorite task. I just like the smell 😌

Had to dremel the extra meat. Gotta plug a couple of holes. Sanded areas to be filled with 320. Almost Bondo time! 😛.  

More slugging at the C pillar, this is a backing wall for filler on the outside

Pistachio frosting 🥳.  Yay!

Blending in the dissimilar curves at the aft seam. The trunk panel lines will be a headache. 😕 but not if I square 'em off 🤔.......🙂

I tried to give y'all a nice mock-up. The Impala was available.  Not bad at this angle.

A bit of a wheelbase discrepancy,  apparently 🤣

I'm really into "roll pans". Bumpers are just dead weight. WDYT?

Uh oh.....who did this? 😦

Edited 11 minutes ago by customline

[FoMoCo66]

 

13 minutes ago, customline said:

Pistachio frosting 🥳.  Yay!

You guys may not understand this reference but...

[gotnitro?]

This reminds me of the Riddler cars custom designers dream up! So elegant 

[Starwulf]

It's giving off Chezoom vibes to me.

[customline]

10 hours ago, FoMoCo66 said:

 

You guys may not understand this reference but...

Mmmm....yeah. No........😔

8 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

This reminds me of the Riddler cars custom designers dream up! So elegant 

Uh...is this something I need to google?

7 hours ago, Starwulf said:

It's giving off Chezoom vibes to 

Now there's an idea.....🤓

[Bullybeef]

I’m liking this more and more Jim. It definitely needs to hug the pavement! 

[customline]

2 minutes ago, Bullybeef said:

I’m liking this more and more Jim. It definitely needs to hug the pavement! 

I believe so, Bil.  It's going to come down some.... but I don't want to worry about speed bumps. 😒