Roof Chop

[Jos]

I've been thinking of doing a roof chop on one of my shells. The only picture I can find of this being done before is:

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6196/novaroofchop1vm8.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=novaroofchop1vm8.jpg)

Has anyone else tried this? What problems were encountered? (luckily, I'm not a tell guy, so I won't need a bubble in the roof! - like a Ford GT40) I guess that I'd have to get glass specially cut, and looking at the picture the door window has been extended.

Any pictures, information, guides etc etc would be really appreciated :thumb:

Cheers, Jos

[Iain]

Here's another picture of it I saved from somewhere
http://www.iainel.co.uk/images/forums/nova_roof_chop_2.jpg

[Jos]

Thank you :thumb:

[Matt2107]

Problems

1. Custom glass
2. Making sure its level.

Tip - Join a mini forum as they are doing this all the time and bound to have a guide.

[Iain]

Thank you :thumb:

No problem :)

[Jack]

I've seen those pics of the black one before. I thought it was a photoshop?

[rednova]

tbh doesnt look right on a nova - minis yes but that just looks wrong like a small 2 dor volvo estate or summat

[db_1.2]

tbh doesnt look right on a nova - minis yes but that just looks wrong like a small 2 dor volvo estate or summat

I agree i say minis and beetles only maybe the occasional vw wagon :p

[Lucky Luke!]

I know the rough idea as i used to be into mini's. You have to strengthen the shell first ( only temp though as the roof will go back on )
then cut the roof off and into four pieces ( like a big cross )
then you take out a few inches weld it all back up and lead load the joins and weld the roof back on on the shortened pillars.

[Tim]

I know the rough idea as i used to be into mini's. You have to strengthen the shell first ( only temp though as the roof will go back on )
then cut the roof off and into four pieces ( like a big cross )
then you take out a few inches weld it all back up and lead load the joins and weld the roof back on on the shortened pillars.

easy then:thumb:

hahalol

[Lucky Luke!]

Oh yeah i could do it in a evening! ( it wouldn't look right, probably be held together with chewing gum and have less style than that ricardo thing )
but i could do it!!! lol

No really, not a job for the faint hearted.

[db_1.2]

I think about this all the time as ive wanted a beetle with roof chop for some time, you would obviously have to shop the pillers about 4 inches or desired amount then cut the roof inbetween each piller and lengthen it as you will notice it will be too short i think it would also look better if you de-seam the roof also you may aswell if your making the roof longer as you will have to strengthen the roof anyway so it will save effort putting in roof gutters, OR find another shell, cut piece of roof out you want weld together to make roof longer, ANYWAY the roof will have to be longer therefore its not just a case of taking a chain saw to the pillers, glass isnt a problem any double glazing firm should do them, seals shouldnt be too much of a problem, tops of door would also have to be made a few inch's longer, anyway all in all my theory is just step back take a good long look and make a plan batman and a spare shell and ALWAYS use the right tools - something i learnt along the way!

:thumb:

[Jos]

well thank you everyone, it never crossed my mind that I may have to lengthen the roof... but obviously that's the case now I think harder. I'd better get the mig welder out and practice...it's been quite awhile since I did a major project with it.

Would the shell suffer "stress" damage without a roof, even if it was stationary? How would I go about strengthening it temporarily?

Cheers again lads :thumb:

[rednova]

just put braces across the door apertures, just tack on some angle iron or summat, easily removed after

Phil

[mikey14sr]

you might have to modify the angle at which the 'A' and 'C' pillers sit at aswell. Also unless your local double glazing place can cut toughened glass it might be easier to use perspex or polycarbonate for the windows.

[db_1.2]

you might have to modify the angle at which the 'A' and 'C' pillers sit at aswell. Also unless your local double glazing place can cut toughened glass it might be easier to use perspex or polycarbonate for the windows.

Cling films always good!:p

Cant see why you would have to change the angle of A + C pillers if the roof has been made longer slightly, should be fine logicly???:confused:

[bump]

Cling films always good!:p

Cant see why you would have to change the angle of A + C pillers if the roof has been made longer slightly, should be fine logicly???:confused:

Go outside and look from the bonnet. The pillars bend inwards to meet the roof. by dropping the roof the pillars will be furthur apart at the point where the new roof will sit. As a result they may need a new angle.

[db_1.2]

ah i see now never thought of that one, now i have, make the roof narrower too!!!:p