Going from 2" chop to 3" on a 32 Roadster

[ct1932ford]

I think I want to take another inch off my windshield and paint it black. It almost looks like my 2" chopped Lebaron Bonney top will work but I don't want it to look messed up. Anyone chop their top irons??

[Muttley]

Take it apart, mock up something the height you want it to sit at and see if it works...........wont take long to see if it looks like crap or not.

[ct1932ford]

Originally Posted by Muttley

Take it apart, mock up something the height you want it to sit at and see if it works...........wont take long to see if it looks like crap or not.

I did that by leaning the windshild back and lowering the top. Hard to tell. I think it works but would look better cutting the top irons and fabric.

[Jalopy Joker]

so, what kind of look ya going for? 1" lower roof won't change things much unless looking for something to do.

[Jen......]

looks nice the way it is


Jen

[JeffreyJames]

Yeah I think with the stance that's about the perfect chop. Looks like the Pete Henderson Roadster with a little variation in the top sides....

[CTaulbert]

Originally Posted by ct1932ford

I think I want to take another inch off my windshield and paint it black. It almost looks like my 2" chopped Lebaron Bonney top will work but I don't want it to look messed up. Anyone chop their top irons??

Mine's chopped a lot more than what you're talking about, but it's not hard chopping the stock irons. I shortened the rear leg that attaches to the body, which brings the top forward (giving it a sleeker look I think). Then you just have to shorten the arms going out to the header board how ever much the top comes forward. Here's a shot of my irons:

[JeffreyJames]

I can't help to think (and this is me merely playing around with things) that if you wanted this car to take on a darker more "evil" look then perhaps painting the wheels black would do the trick. I love the red wheels but maybe black would help it come to the dark side. I'd even lose the trim rings perhaps.

[Black Primer]

I think it's sweet as-is. Maybe its time to start a new project?

[CTaulbert]

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I can't help to think (and this is me merely playing around with things) that if you wanted this car to take on a darker more "evil" look then perhaps painting the wheels black would do the trick. I love the red wheels but maybe black would help it come to the dark side. I'd even lose the trim rings perhaps.

This is a pretty nice combo....

[Deucedreamer]

I think your car looks pretty nice just the way it is. But if you do want to take another inch out of the windshield, I think you'll also need to change the profile of the top...make it look more leaned forward...sort of... Just chopping the windshield and leaving the top the same might make the middle look too high.

[ct1932ford]

Originally Posted by CTaulbert

Mine's chopped a lot more than what you're talking about, but it's not hard chopping the stock irons. I shortened the rear leg that attaches to the body, which brings the top forward (giving it a sleeker look I think). Then you just have to shorten the arms going out to the header board how ever much the top comes forward. Here's a shot of my irons:

So do you end up with more fabric than you need? What does your windshield glass measure in the middle? Thanks

[CTaulbert]

Originally Posted by ct1932ford

So do you end up with more fabric than you need? What does your windshield glass measure in the middle? Thanks

Well I never started with any material, but you'll end up with more fabric than you need. The angle of the back wall is going to change too (lean forward), but you may be able to salvage your top if you cut the panels apart and sew them back together to fit the car.

My windshield is chopped 4 1/2", and laid back 10 degrees over stock.....it's a pretty aggressive chop.....and I don't think that it would look good with the style of your car.

I think JeffreyJames is onto an idea with the window opening. If you were going to cut another 1" out of the height of the top, and had another top sewed for it, that Orr/Lee/Henderson/etc side window would look good.

[Sixcarb]

3" chop with cut down stock bows, my father cut the bows about 30 years ago and chromed them so unless i have another top next to it I'm not sure where they are cut., the only downfall is the top is solid so it doesn't fold. Either on or off.

[ct1932ford]

Originally Posted by Sixcarb

3" chop with cut down stock bows, my father cut the bows about 30 years ago and chromed them so unless i have another top next to it I'm not sure where they are cut., the only downfall is the top is solid so it doesn't fold. Either on or off.

Thanks! Nice Roadster

[Sixcarb]

another shot....

[Fenders]

Originally Posted by Jen......

looks nice the way it is
Jen

X2

If a little chop is good, more chop ain't necessarily better.

[OoltewahSpeedShop]

I know this is not a '32, but my '31 windshield is chopped 3". I'm 6' and the top of the windshield frame hits me about eye level.

Topless is not much of a problem because I just look over. With the top on, it's a challenge to see red lights. I usually just wait on the car beside me to go....

Your car is about perfect, not sure I'd change much.

[HemiDeuce]

Originally Posted by CTaulbert

Mine's chopped a lot more than what you're talking about, but it's not hard chopping the stock irons. I shortened the rear leg that attaches to the body, which brings the top forward (giving it a sleeker look I think). Then you just have to shorten the arms going out to the header board how ever much the top comes forward. Here's a shot of my irons:

Cory, did you cut any of the other irons, other than the rear leg and the side arms to the front windshield header?

[3banjos]

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I can't help to think (and this is me merely playing around with things) that if you wanted this car to take on a darker more "evil" look then perhaps painting the wheels black would do the trick. I love the red wheels but maybe black would help it come to the dark side. I'd even lose the trim rings perhaps.

x2

[Jeem]

Put the fenders back on and lower the front a little more. Done!

...and your windshield will be about an inch lower!

[CTaulbert]

Originally Posted by HemiDeuce

Cory, did you cut any of the other irons, other than the rear leg and the side arms to the front windshield header?

I only cut the rear leg and the side arms. I did cut off the overhang of the iron that the middle bow mounts to - the portion that goes past the pivot point there. That allowed the middle bow to come down some and lessen the pitch of the top there.

[charlieb66]

Roadsters don't need a top at all, a top looks out of place.

[HemiDeuce]

Originally Posted by CTaulbert

I only cut the rear leg and the side arms. I did cut off the overhang of the iron that the middle bow mounts to - the portion that goes past the pivot point there. That allowed the middle bow to come down some and lessen the pitch of the top there.

Thanks Cory, I'm in the planning stages of doing this to mine and like the profile you ended up with. I'm also going to shave the top bows for a slimmer profile which should lower them a bit more. I'm hopping my modified bows and irons will allow it to fold for the occasional topless cruise.

[ct1932ford]

Won't be this year. Car is just about finished. Took it out today for it's first quick run. I can't beleive how much better the car is in every way. Thanks for all the input!

[swifty]

Congrats Mark! I gather you finally got that steering wheel finished and installed then. And what's this "finished" bit, don't you know they're never finished but always a work in progress.