Roof chop

Post by **Philippo** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:27 pm

Basically, I'm planning my Minor modifications in advance of actually getting my car, as it's proving difficult to find the right car at the moment!

I've been looking at roof chops and wondered what you lovely people think is the best height to take out, if at all. Most people seem to go for 3-4". Not sure if I'll actually do a chop. Just looking for other peoples preferences/ideas!

Oh, and it'll be on a 1000 saloon.

Thanks

Post by **plastic_orange** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:42 pm

There is a 'how to' thread on the NSRA website somewhere - quite recently though.
I personally prefer them unchopped, but each to their own.

http://www.nsra.org.uk/newforum/showthr ... +roof+chop

Pete

Post by **lukedauvergne** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:29 pm

i think if your chopping the roof it should be done like the green car that apears a few times on the above link. leaving the back window the same means a really slopey back. i dont think that complements the rest of the cars lines. but thats just me:D

Post by **toginthemog** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:44 pm

I never understood the roof chop thing I have seen it being done in workshops but my theory is like a cut and shut on a car [two welded together] as the roof is in place to save your life on impact I dont understand why you would want to weeken it. then you have the problem of none standard windows frames roof linnings

Post by **Philippo** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:00 pm

Thanks for the link. I like the sleekness the chop gives the car but, like you say toginthemog, it brings problems like window sizes etc. Also, from looking at those pictures, I don't like the narrowed windscreen...!
Does anyone have any interesting modification ideas they'd like to suggest?

Post by **Robins** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:07 pm

If a cut and shut car is done properly it can actually be just as safe as any other normal car. I would say some of these rusty horrors that have been bodged to get MOT's are also totally unsafe but people still drive them! and at the end of the day a roof chop can't be as unsafe as a convertible in a crash. personally i like the look of roof chops on minors but only when done right, and finished properly. Unfortunatley there are all sorts of horrors on the roads that really should not be there, and it's these that give the competant diy restorer/customiser a bad name, and bring in rules like the SVA. I've never done a chop but do know it is a lot of work!

Post by **aussiemike** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:14 pm

you could always section it? i.e take a 2 or 4 inch sdction out of the boddy wirk, so that it gives it the look of a car that the body is shorter, in height wise. looks tough as if done well. especially when the windscreen is left alone and no roof chop.
michal.

Post by **Innovator** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:57 pm

toginthemog wrote:I never understood the roof chop thing I have seen it being done in workshops but my theory is like a cut and shut on a car [two welded together] as the roof is in place to save your life on impact I dont understand why you would want to weeken it. then you have the problem of none standard windows frames roof linnings

If you are worried about safety then do not drive a Morris Minor or any car that is less than a few years old. The design of the structure on a Minor was not done with occupant safety in mind (safety cell , crush zones, intrusion etc) I have never seen a crash test of a Minor but guess it would not be pretty.

If a roof chop is done correctly the car will actually be stronger as the window area is less, A and B pillars shorter. It will certainly be much stronger than a convertible.

Post by **toginthemog** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:15 pm

well I have seen some show winning cars and it,s just my preferance not to go down that road more so for a newbie dont get me wrong not against it and as for safety can,t say mine is too much on that its just a pick up cab bolted to a home made chassis. if you cut the pillar and just butt it up to the fesh cut and weld it back together as I,ve seen done surely thats not as strong by the time you have ground it back to make it smooth. I don,t know just asking.

Post by **Innovator** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:31 am

From the asthetics point of view there is no argument as to wether its right or wrong, it is a matter of taste, some people will like roof chops others wont.

I like some but also think some are awful.

From a construction point of view then yes some workmanship will leave the car in a worse condition, hence my use of the word correctly.

I am sure a Minor roof has a weld across it from the factory.

If a pillar is butt up and welded well then it is likely to have little effect on the safety of the car. It may be weaker than standard but this will have little effect on the overall safety. When welding you get what is called a heat effected zone (HAZ) which is where most welds fail. This (trying to remember my metallurgy.....) is a brittle area caused due to more rapid cooling.

Therefore gas welding is actually better because it heats a larger area more gently and cools slower. Mig is a localised heat source. From experience a gas weld is much more ductile than a MIG weld.

I would slide tubes down the pilllars if I ever did a roof chop. When we built a convertible we slid a tube down the A pillar to try to reduce the flex you get on the A pillar.

Post by **Philippo** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:30 am

I would slide tubes down the pilllars if I ever did a roof chop. When we built a convertible we slid a tube down the A pillar to try to reduce the flex you get on the A pillar.

What sort of tube do you mean?

Aussie Mike - do you have any pictures of this kind of work? Probably not something I'd go for as it's not so much the height I'm thinking of, more the look of the roof following the line of the boot more. But I'd like to see it done!

Post by **aussiemike** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:30 am

hmmm i will have a look. maybe just type 'sectioning a car' into google images...? it is very much a hot rodder type if thing.

Post by **aussiemike** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:36 am

hope this lin works, excelent hot rodding site.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/basics- ... 45509.html

cheers, michael.

Post by **Kustom** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:35 am

Just to elaborate (visually) on Mike's post

Factory bodywork

Sectioned bodywork (and some other custom touches - grille - shaved handles - frenched headlamps - custom rear lights- radiused rear wheel arches)- but the car remains pretty much recogniseable...even if much sleeker looking!

Post by **Innovator** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:40 pm

Quote:

I would slide tubes down the pilllars if I ever did a roof chop. When we built a convertible we slid a tube down the A pillar to try to reduce the flex you get on the A pillar.

What sort of tube do you mean?

A piece of CDS, cant remember the dimensions, it was a snug fit and the thickest wall we had. It reduced how much the top of the screen flexed.

Post by **Sidney'61** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:57 pm

What's wrong with the shape of a standard minor?
sorry but I don't understand the point in roof chops and think they look ridiculousand reduce the practical driveability of the car. My favourite kind of modified minor is the street sleeper kind that looks completely standard from a distance yet is extensively modified underneath the bodywork.
Anyway, each to their own..

good luck Philippo with whatever modifications you intend to do

Post by **aussiemike** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:18 pm

think you hit the nail on the head there andy. each to thier own. i really love a good body mod because it shows a certain level of skill and individuality.
cheers, michael.

Post by **badobsession** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:25 pm

i have a front screen cut down it came out a chopped minor
free to any one that will use it .

haven't see it for some time but it is in the shed can post the size if any one is interested.

Post by **GAS** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:30 pm

How much has it been cut down by Mark.

Post by **badobsession** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:00 am

will need to find it

first will look in the morning
think i know where it is ........
hows things G.
hows the charger going ? or have you gone defer....
started the pick up last night for the first time since September
went on the second turn ..........