Eli... the Transformed Sedan

[christcrusader13]

Angle rendering with front fenders set on.

 

[christcrusader13]

As you can see in the above photos I need to shorten the body, as the front wheels are way too far back , plus with me going to a two door it will help proportionalize things, at least i think it will.

 

[christcrusader13]

Paused... but getting ready to press play....

It's been a little while, I had to get some stuff done on my camaro to get it up for sale, took it to Rod Run, a lot of compliments and lookers but no biters.

My lovely wife and I celebrated out 1 year anniversary at the rod run, a repeat of last years honeymoon adventure. I'm super blessed to have a woman that loves God, her husband and hot rods! And now after she saw a 32 chevy sedan chopped with a suicide front end she loves Rat Rods so.... She has told me to get movin!

I picked up some odds and ends for Eli, his tail lights came in from a 1941 Caddy, I think they will look pretty sweet! Hopefully I'll get some pics of the body shortening up this weekend!

 

[christcrusader13]

It's too late now!!!!!!!!!

muuwhahahahhaa.... what have I done[S

got home last night had about 2 hours to kill, the wife had a meeting at the church with the ladies, so I went to action. Shortened 'ol Eli by 4-1/2" I think I hit it just about right for the wheels to work in the fenders.... what do you guys think?... I probably need to bolt the fenders on and air it up a little, it looks good layed out [cl

 

[skull]

like

liken' it[cl

Later

 

[zzrodder]

That's more like it, though it may be a little tough to close the rear doors...
Keep that Sawzall buzzin' [P[P

 

[BlueNorther]

I'm liking this more and more.

what's the old saying: "while the cats away, the mice will play"

 

[christcrusader13]

a LIL off tHe ToP?

Well, I got almost rained out Saturday, of course it didn't rain all week until I'm off work.... None the less after church Sunday I got I little copping done and even got help from the wifey .

1st picture shows hot little metal was left on the bottom of the passenger side rocker, it'll hold until the chop is done, then I'll cut out the rot and beef things up a bit. I forgot to brace the car after moving the post back so when I cut the A pillars the forewall and doors started to 'Lean Back!" But I had Eli layed out and ended up using some 4x4 blocks under the door to prop the fire wall and front back where is needed to be next time, I will know to cut, move, weld, RE-BRACE... and the cut move weld... repeat... I think things will be okay.

I got the front tacked in and will be working the back this week, cutting welding, measuring etc....

I removed the back window and kept it the same size, so I can put it back in when I'm done. It will be laying a lot more forward and very well may end up being a flat piece of glass when I'm done. I'm looking forward to getting this body don so I can roll to the floor and dash inside

 

[skull]

cool

l like it[cl

chop is looking good[

carry on.

Later

 

[christcrusader13]

Thanks Skull!

Here is a rendering of what I'm thinking the finished product will look like give or take a little.

I think that smoothing that hump out in the back definitely helps with the flow of the body.

 

[jfg455]

I like the last rendering. I think you hit it right with the hump area. [P

 

[sawzall]

WOW!! Keep going man, this is great! I am really watching this one>

 

[christcrusader13]

Thanks Guys!

So, I got frigidity yesterday and continued moving forward on the Chop[, moved the lower window channel forward, cut some more out of the rear of the car roof section on the drivers side, welded up the front window, put some relief cuts in the rear of the roof.

I also laid the rear window in to see how things were shaping up and I must say it's looking pretty sweet for my first chop!

So I've gone from to in a couple weeks... not to disappointing. I know I've got much more cutting and stretching and moving and welding to do [

 

[JBailey]

Looks like its coming together very well. I like where you're heading with this and will definitely be following along.

 

[christcrusader13]

Rendering

I'm thinking this is about how Eli will look when I get him all finished up, well at least the top...lol I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

this shows the rear window are finished, the doors stretched and the slanted 'B' pillar...

 

[Old Iron]

Would have been better to chop the top before shortening the body.
Less work that way and the top wouldn't have a seam either
Keep up the good work [cl [P

 

[christcrusader13]

Would have been better to chop the top before shortening the body.
Less work that way and the top wouldn't have a seam either
Keep up the good work [cl [P

hmmmm... how would I shorten the top 5" without having a seam?[S

 

[itsmecord]

Looking sweet man ! Gunna be killer.. [cl

 

[Old Iron]

If you had to shorten the top anyway, there would be a seam.
From the looks of this photo the top could have been cut loose here first and move the rear section of the body forward, the amount cut out of the roof.

Then again I may be missing the direction of your build completely
If so don't pay any attention to me

 

[christcrusader13]

Ok, Old Iron, I got ya know, then my roof would have lined up with the back of the car when I shortened it. Makes total sense now! That definitely would work if I was retaining the original curve of the car. Thanks I have that locked away in my memory now. That would work really good on just about any car with a sloped back, cool. (This explains why the mercs always add a filler panel in the rear when they chop them.)

Thanks for the explanation!