Fernons Chop

[jkien65]

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19805

I posted this here because I wanted to comment.
I just read this guys project thread. That chop looks relatively "easy", for lack of a better word. Much simpler that some of the others I have seen done.

I also had a couple of questions. The blue lines drawn from the quarter windows to down between the decklid and rear wheel well, was that material cut ou and the roof just layed down to take up that gap? And did you have to lean the windshield back to make up for the roof gap? This looked like a nice way to chop the top with out alot of patch panels and filler.

[Rumblewagen]

Hmm, I like the way that looks. He may have to clearance the engine lid for the alternator but I kinda think thats cool looking too.

Props to Fernon

[V8SuperBeetle]

Just finished reading it as well and it does seem a simple way to go. Nice work!

[fernon]

First off, thank you for the comments, I was actually going to post on the cutting board to get some feedback. I know, I know, everyone has an opinion and opinions are like assholes, everyone has one - but without assholes we would all be full of shit, so with that said lets start answering some questions.

The first question that I would like to answer is "what's this we shit kemo sabe" lets face it I am just a glorified designer with a vision and a VW my Brother-in-Law is the Evil Metal Genius behind the cuts.

The two blue lines that are on the back half of the car are guide lines for the chop, we decided that it would be easier to cut the roof only once and make all other cuts on the body since it is a little more stable. The bottom blue line is approxametly where we wanted to end up.

The main thing that we wanted to do is to chop a bug with the least amount of cuts to retain the original shape and not have a huge wedge to it. The entire roof was moved forward 2" to meet with the A-pillers and then they were both cut and leaned in to the roof thus eliminating the need to lean the windshield back. The roof top actually sets inside the body in the rear that is why we had to cut the rear fender wells to shape the body back in to the roof line.

I will post more photos of the chop and more explanations of what we did, I will try to upload the photos and info as soon as possible. - Funny it seems to take longer explaining how to chop it than actually chopping it.

Again thanks for the feedback and don't hesitate to ask a question that is what this forum is for.

Remember there are no Stupid Questions... only Stupid Answers...

[lehmikangas]

That is pretty much the way I was once going to do it, but never got to it. I even draw the lines already, but then got into another project.

There are a few good articles on Runtrod.com, like this Cappella chop

[Unkl Ian]

Good looking car.

[jkien65]

Does anyone think it would be super difficult to weld in an Oval clip doing this sort of chop? I have one lined up for a really good price, but if its to difficult, I might just skip it. Ah, who am I kidding. I never shy away from hard work. And i figure for my first chop, this way might not be to bad.

[fernon]

Yes, it is imposible to do an oval insert on this kind of chop that is why you should abandon the idea and sell me the oval clip. (LOL)

OK, actuallty the main benefit to doing this kind of chop is that the back glass is untouched therefore letting you actually use glass for the back instead of Plexi, also by using an earlier beetle the front glass is flat so you can easily get glass cut for the windshield, along with the sides.

Eventually the final build will have either an oval or a split section grafted to the rear section of the car, basically you can cut it from drip rail to drip rail and drop it in since the entire roof has not been altered a nice rear clip would just fall into place, the hard part is finding one.

[bugdust]

I must be becoming a purist...time to ditch this place I guess. What a waste...and with a perfectly good late model to cut up sitting right there. Let's see, a faded hot pink 72 that escaped from the late 80s-early 90s or a nice rust-free 62 body...which one do I hack up? And then, to do a Capella chop!

Fab work looks good though.

[jkien65]

Originally Posted by bugdust

I must be becoming a purist...time to ditch this place I guess. What a waste...and with a perfectly good late model to cut up sitting right there. Let's see, a faded hot pink 72 that escaped from the late 80s-early 90s or a nice rust-free 62 body...which one do I hack up? And then, to do a Capella chop!

Fab work looks good though.

Whats wrong with a capella chop? I am thinking of doing one, but altering it some.

[1slo3]

so i shouldn't cut on my 343 then? dang (insert 'snaps fingers' smiley here)... at least it is a very nice done chop! i love it when folks get the windows right!

[kyle242gt]

Well, the capella chop (how's it get that name, anyway?) gives a wedge look, where a cut and paste and cut and paste can have any profile you like. "Traditional" chops give a flatroof look similar to big US sedans from the 40's.

[jkien65]

Hmm, I dont see the big bubble butt on Fernons. I think it looks pretty good, enough to emulate it anyways. I think its a good starting point anyways. I would probably extend and widen the roof to fit the pillars.

[kyle242gt]

- hence the edit - bubble butt was a little pejorative, apologies all 'round - changed to "wedge".
Here's an example: http://www.volksrods.com/gallery/sho...php?photo=1140
See how the tops of the doors are nearly flat, and the effective height of the door and quarter glass is the same?

I agree that the Fernon Chop looks great - not trying to be negative, just throw out a possible explanation for a preference one way or the other.

[jkien65]

I get it. I think it might be a good idea for a first time chop. "appears" to be minimal cut and fill doing it this way.

I do like the looks of that split. I just dont know if I have the skills yet to take on a chop like that and graft in an oval clip. An oval clip is a must in my opinion, like it alot better than the big back window.

[Unkl Ian]

It's just metal.

Like Walt says: You just have to be smarter than a roof.

[jkien65]

Thats a good attitude to have, but i have ZERO skills in metal work. But I am gonna take it on soon.

[volksmike]

would it be rude to say I have an oval clip and a rag top section waiting for my next un-suspecting early model?

[jkien65]

Hehe, Rude? Yes. J/k man. Good for you, i need a rag section for my VR. I have the oval clip lined up already.

[Hebster52]

Well done! The cuts and welds look very clean and made with afterthought too!

I dont see why grafting an ovalclip would be any more difficult in that than in any other chop?

[bustedknuckles]

Damn that looks good.

[fishguts]

I've always liked capella chops and have been tempted to do one, just don't care for the fact that the decklid no longer fits and requires stand-offs. Is there a way to rectify this? Is the problem that lid hits the alternator or that the lid mounting surface as been distorted? Also, what happens to the roll-up windows when the pillars are leaned in? Do they still work?

[Hebster52]

Wasn't Bulldog's choptop a Capella chop?

[kyle242gt]

Originally Posted by fishguts

I've always liked capella chops and have been tempted to do one, just don't care for the fact that the decklid no longer fits and requires stand-offs.

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showp...1&postcount=52
yep - and you can see the drama there. Thanks for the heads-up on that, Fishguts - I'd forgotten.

[tiz]

Originally Posted by fishguts

just don't care for the fact that the decklid no longer fits and requires stand-offs. Is there a way to rectify this?

my buddy and i did a capella style chop on his ride,we took the whole luggage area out with the roof,the deck lid still fits but he might have to clearance the alternator pully because he`s raised
the tranny 2inches.have a look through his build thread and you`ll
see what i mean.

capella style chop