Thread: chopping model A

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what is a resonable amount to pay for a 4" chop of my model a,only the metal work.

Depends on where you are.

Why Not do it yourself? A Model A is the easiest chop out there. If you dont have a MIG welder, you can rent one, but a $500 Lincoln 135 will work great, and for the price of the welder, some cut off wheels, and a sawsaw, im sure its less money than going to a shop. The top comes straight down, no filler pannels to make. Isnt hot rodding about building it yourself? Or are you a "credit card Street Rodder"?

Are you sure you want to chop it 4"? My 31 has a 3" inch chop and there were definitely challenges in configuring a comfortable seat that would still allow me to see out the windshield and see the stop lights that are mounted relatively high.

Also, that 3" chop put the windshield wiper motor directly in my line of sight and is still an issue I'm working on.

If you'd like to see what the 31 looks like with a 3" inch chop, check it out at http://photos.yahoo.com/lesbateman31

Good luck with your project.

4 Inches is a pretty radical chop on something like this. I agree 3 inches is the BEST looking IMO. And yes chopping this top on a car like this is supposedly the easiest kind of top to chop. If you are not comfortable then first take your time and read how to do it and get a book by Tex Smith called "How To Chop Tops". It explains it all in there!
Good luck!

Park's book ' how to hotrod a model A ford' has a fair section on doing the chop.

Chingon, What I did when trying to decide how much to have the top chopped in my '32 was go to a large car show and look at different examples. By doing this I changed my mind on how much to chop. But now I see that everyone {including myself} still hasn't answered your question! Quote "how much should I pay to have my top chopped 4"?"..... Sorry I don't know how much, but I know a guy who chopped his '31 3" and he said it was easy......

I agree with the guys saying a 3" chop. I did a 3" chop on my fathers '31, and unless you are a very small person, you aren't going to be comfortable.I couldn't imagine a 4" chop..Also are you channeling it?If you channel it, plan on modifying the frame.I don't agree that it is a straight down chop. There is taper in some areas that have to be dealt with. As far as the price, it should be reasonable compared to most. It took me about a weekend to get it layed-out, cut, welded, and glassed.I hope this info helped you. Good luck!

For your area, I would imagine the shop rate is $75.00 an hour or more. Chopping an A is fairly straightforward. If I had to bid the work (which I won't do on a chop) I would say about 20 hours should get the top chopped and door frames cut and everything rewelded and ground. Most shops will only go time and materials on custom work.