1951 Chevrolet Styleline Chop

[Rattyhotrod51]

Well, I finally got around to starting the 4'' Chop on my 51 Styleline about a week ago. Just so everything in one place here`s the car I started with.

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

First, I built the cage for the chop[. I "borrowed" the design from another 51 chop over at that other site. It`s holding so far.

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

Then Saturday of week before last I cut the window door frames That`s first step was fun! Then I skipped Sunday to let my heart get back to it`s normal rhythm. Then on monday I cut out the angles at the back of the rear quarter window.

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

I cut out around the rear window leaving about a three inch section of metal for now. Then, I cut the A pillars then the B pillars.

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

Then I noticed there was a inner structure in the B pillar that was nowhere around the outer "Skin" in some places. There was no way the weld was going to pentrate all the way in there. So after some thought I used some 1'' tape to mask off an area below the original chop line on the out side, Then taking a off wheel with a thin blade I cut off the outer skin (Had to drill some spot welds too) There`s still some on the inside. But there no way I can get a cut-off wheel in there without cutting off the inner structure too, and that would kinda defeat the purpose of trying to get back as much strength as I can back in the pillar. That`s about as far as I`ve got so far.
That`s doesn`t sound like a lot for as much as I feel like I`ve done this past week.

 

[Tim...Ok]

That first cut is the hardest they say..I get a little anxious anytime I'm making a cut that can't be easily undone..looks good so far, good luck with it.

 

[blacksheep]

Looks like you know what you want there. Looking good !!

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

Thanks, guys. Just making it up as I go along

 

[Sam_Fear]

Any idea if that inner structure goes all the way to the roof? My 48 B had no inner like that - totally hollow, but also a lot bigger around.

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

Yeah, I think it runs the whole length of the B pillar. But I cut the outer skin off about an inch down from my chop line on both sections of posts lon the car and on the roof. I`m going to weld that up. Then, I`m going to cut the outer skin off the chunk I cut out for the chop Then, I`m going the use that piece to fil in the section that I cut out.....Sounds good in theory, hope it actually works. Wish mine would have been hollow, woulda saved a lot of work.

I`m waiting on some metal I ordered so I haven`t done much to it lately, suppose to get it tomorrow so maybe I can get back on it soon.

 

[Rattyhotrod51]

Here`s a few more pics of my Chop. The First is the inner structure of the B Piller and the second one, and I know I`m going to take heat for this, but the it`s where I`ve added a piece of metal to the roof to line things back up. I think I`ve cut the A Pillars too short. But I forgot to measure the Windshield opening so I don`t have a clue what the opening should be after the 4 inch chop. Plus, I`ve hurt my foot since then and I`m having to wear one of those Plastic and foam boots( I don`t think welding sparks would be too good on it) so I haven`t been able to work on it in about four weeks.