I had a thought last night on my way home so I started up the photoshop upon my arrival. Here is what I got. I believe this would be a VERY easy modification, the only window to modify would be the quarters, and no cutting the frame. I'm seriously considering this when I get around to painting my car.

Before


After

[This message has been edited by sactodreamer (edited 09-03-2009).]

I like it. Very subtle, had to study both pics for a minute before I saw what you altered. I wonder how difficult that would be?

I thought about doing that to my car as well
it would still give you the same head room but look a bit like a chop.
you would have to do the same thing to the inside door pannel as well other wise it would look like crap from the inside.
D.

VERY cool.... I passed on a chop top becasue I'm 6' 2". This could work.

Post your build!

You might just paint the bottom of the window to hide the inside of the outer panel.

I have mixed feelings about the loss of the upward curve over the rear wheel. It reminds me of a pretty young woman who, just approaching puberty, hasn’t acquired her curves yet so I look forward to seeing her in a few years.

In my opinion, at best, it’s not worth the effort.

i photoshopped one last year like that and liked it ,if you look at the original it looks like they lowered the body line on the door ,it has always looked weird to me across the top of the door and the triangle piece at the front,with another set of door skins and wipes your almost there ,paint the lower door glass so you can t see the back side of the door skin ....bam... chopped illusion
with no cutting door glass nightmares

Ooooohh.. daddy likey. I'm 6'4 and this might work for my notchie.

The window would also go all the way down. It could look good if done properly but I don't think that the overall change would be worth it for such a subtle change. You could get a lot of the same effect by painting part of the triangle at the front of the window to blend the fenderline down nto the door.

[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 09-03-2009).]

That looks good.

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Regards SHARKMAN
Europe # 1 choptop
http://www.fieroforum.se/fo...=1342&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
http://www.fieroforum.se/fo...topic.php?f=10&t=173

Looks real suttle, had to compare photos a few times to see the changes made.

As for the others who has passed up chop tops because they are 6' 2" - 6' 4" I'm 6'4" and I was able to sit in one of Archies Chop Tops with no issue. I was even able to sit in a Countach kit car but that was cutting it too close to my liking. One thing you have to consider is how "tall" is your torso on your body. I've got a short torso and long legs, a fellow PFF member who stands 6' 2" has less head room then I do because his torso is longer.

quote Originally posted by x-thumpr-x: Looks real suttle, had to compare photos a few times to see the changes made. As for the others who has passed up chop tops because they are 6' 2" - 6' 4" I'm 6'4" and I was able to sit in one of Archies Chop Tops with no issue. I was even able to sit in a Countach kit car but that was cutting it too close to my liking. One thing you have to consider is how "tall" is your torso on your body. I've got a short torso and long legs, a fellow PFF member who stands 6' 2" has less head room then I do because his torso is longer.

I'm 6' 5" with both long legs and long torso, I am uncomfortable driving a non-sun roofed Fiero because my head touches the head-liner. My head would stick out the top of a Chop Top!

Neat idea!

The only issue I can think of at the moment would be with the door panels. If you just bonded/molded on an extension to the door panel, it will eventually crack. You might have to make fiberglass door panels.

quote Originally posted by sactodreamer: I had a thought last night on my way home so I started up the photoshop upon my arrival. Here is what I got. I believe this would be a VERY easy modification, the only window to modify would be the quarters, and no cutting the frame. I'm seriously considering this when I get around to painting my car. Before After

Food for thought

I had the same idea for my (wife's) notchback. Kinda similar to the plazma/piranah rebody.

quote Originally posted by sactodreamer: I had a thought last night on my way home so I started up the photoshop upon my arrival. Here is what I got. I believe this would be a VERY easy modification, the only window to modify would be the quarters, and no cutting the frame. I'm seriously considering this when I get around to painting my car.

It's been performed before. The purist will complain about you changing from OEM look.... oh brother.

quote Originally posted by Archie: A few pictures of roughing in the area around the new 1/4 windows. Building a lip that's a little higher than what it was and a "pinchweld" area to set the window into. Note: the window area is not finished in these pics. (thus the term "roughing in"). We still will be smoothing & shaping the bottom line, adding a "pinchweld" to the top line & putting a nice pretty radis at the distal end. Another reason I wanted to change the rear fenders, was that there wasn't anything in this area a guy could build this window area into. In this case our new window lip is glassed right into the fender cap before the cap is final installed. Archie

I Solstice brings the upper roof section down the side a little to get the same affect. You brought up the bottom GM brought down the top section. I don't like the higher doors. I like to rest my arm on the door as I drive and don't like the door to be to high. The roof on the Fiero looks a little thin anyway?

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madcurl,

Was the project you posted ever finished? Is that your car?

I figure the quarter panel could be finished by using the lower quarter window are from a nochback to continue the straight line to the "C" pillar. This would be a mod using the Chip Foose style method of subtle changes.

Jake_Dragon, I like that window idea. The GT quarter could be used for that by just moving it up.

EDIT: I see after reviewing pictures of your car that it is yours Madcurl. I'm not much of a purist anyways.

[This message has been edited by sactodreamer (edited 09-03-2009).]

Sorry sir but I don't like it. To me the green house is just too tall and chopping it is the only thing that improves the look. You might as well put a notchie clip on it if you want the ultimate lowered quarter window.

quote Originally posted by sactodreamer: madcurl, Was the project you posted ever finished? Is that your car? I figure the quarter panel could be finished by using the lower quarter window are from a nochback to continue the straight line to the "C" pillar. This would be a mod using the Chip Foose style method of subtle changes. Jake_Dragon, I like that window idea. The GT quarter could be used for that by just moving it up. EDIT: I see after reviewing pictures of your car that it is yours Madcurl. I'm not much of a purist anyways.

IMO the only way to pull this modification off is too start midway from the door back and ramp it upward--- not straight thereby reducing the size of the sail window. Granted, as Jscott mentioned, it looks better if the car is chopped. Use a old door skin as a templet and glass in into the upper door leading back to the sail windows. You'll need new custom sail windows too-- so it isn't a cheap modification by any means.

quote Originally posted by Archie: A little bit more fiberglassing & the underside of the decklid will be completed. Then it's time to address the tops of the doors. Curley wanted the top edge of the door to get taller as it goes back into the quarter window area. So we cut off the top of another door skin & did some trial fitting....... Here's what it looks like before we glass it in...... Archie

Pics taken from the Arch Rival thread. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/000053-11.html

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"I drive modified Fieros- anything less would be uncivilized."

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 09-04-2009).]

quote Originally posted by x-thumpr-x: Looks real suttle, had to compare photos a few times to see the changes made. As for the others who has passed up chop tops because they are 6' 2" - 6' 4" I'm 6'4" and I was able to sit in one of Archies Chop Tops with no issue. I was even able to sit in a Countach kit car but that was cutting it too close to my liking. One thing you have to consider is how "tall" is your torso on your body. I've got a short torso and long legs, a fellow PFF member who stands 6' 2" has less head room then I do because his torso is longer.

I sat in a real Countach and there was no head room. I'm only 5' 10 1/2" and my head was hitting the side of the door or top, I don't remember which. I remember wondering how in the heck a race driver would be able to wear a helmet.

I really like this idea. The body lines flow together better in my opinion. Gives it a slight more "wedge" shape. I especially like where the door and front fender come together at the top. Makes that line look continuous. Very nice look. Now get it done!

Pat

quote Originally posted by katatak: I especially like where the door and front fender come together at the top. Makes that line look continuous.

That's what I was thinking, the area at the "A" pillar where it drops down to the upper door is an old design. Bringing that up and continuing the line makes it look more modern. Thanks

To each their own. I never liked the chop-top. Looks like a door wedge. Just awful! This on the other hand this one looks pretty nice. doesnt have that. "Lets jam my door open look"

[This message has been edited by TEXASGT (edited 09-04-2009).]

This concept is basically the same idea as the Plazma..........which, by the way, is simply incredible looking!!



Take a look at his door from this angle. Just bring it up like Curly suggested, and your good to go!



I'm doing a subtle version of this on mine........

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Order Pennock's Forum decals in this thread. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/040445.html
Other decal, poster, banner, floor graphic needs, go here: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/045657.html



2" Choptop
Shortened Front Bumper
Shortened Rear Bumper
10" Stretch
Dubs
350 V8 Conversion pushing 350 ponies!!

I like the white car it looks good the other one posted that needs paint is ugly. The blue car looks good I have to say it is very different.

I officially like fastbacks now. You hit on exactly what it needed. That is something I would want to do if I had a fastback.

Photoshop another pic but this time, leave the door alone and only change the quarter window. Black out the quarter window, and paint a border around the quarter window making it look like the lower line of it was horizontal and extend it back far enough to give it the same curve at the rear as it turns upward and toward the front. Why chop when you can paint and give a similar illusion. You would be keeping everything stock and all it would cost you would be a small area of paint.

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Jonathan
1987 SE wrecked parts car
1985 SE parts car 23K miles

Boostdreamer,

I'm not sure how you mean to modify it. You only want to change the sail window and nothing else?

The next improvement would be an extended windshield like this. That would be a lot more work though.


Before (so you don't have to scroll all the way to the top):

[This message has been edited by sactodreamer (edited 09-05-2009).]

I'm saying that the best part of the change is the straight, horizontal line from the doors to the rear of the quarter window. The cheapest way to do that (other than Photoshop) would be just to black out a small section of white paint under the quarter window. Just make it LOOK like a horizontal line. You would need to black out the window itself to pull it off. I'd like to see it in a Photoshop pic if you wouldn't mind.

To say it in another way, if you went out to your car with a sharpie and a ruler, draw a horizontal line from the lower front corner of the quarter window towards the rear of the car. Extend that line past the rear corner of the window. Now draw a line extending the diagonal rear edge of the window down to meet the horizontal line. Now round out that intersection like an original window. Color everything inside the lines black. Black out the windows themselves. This should fix that body line and make the car look longer and lower.

The next step in cost and difficulty would be to make and install something like this:

http://tinyurl.com/lrzma5

This 05-09 Mustang quarter window cover simulates the '69-70 Mustang Sportsroof body style.

Raising the door up to meet the front fender is good, straightening out that lower line on the quarter window is more important. IMO

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Jonathan
1987 SE wrecked parts car
1985 SE parts car 23K miles

I think this is what you are talking about?


I think I like Jake_Dragons idea. It's kinda a mix between mine and MadCurl's.

[This message has been edited by sactodreamer (edited 09-05-2009).]

quote Originally posted by sactodreamer: I think I like Jake_Dragons idea. It's kinda a mix between mine and MadCurl's.

I left the mirror where it is stock, I tried to think what it would look like if someone just took the top off a spare door and attached it to raise the body line. A mold of the current body could be uses do make the new part for the back quarter panel.

The greenhouse has that Chrysler 300C feel to it. Not my cup of tea but what do I know? I say if you like it, go for it!

As a rule; when in doubt, leave it out. IMO, having a straight line isn't going to enhance the over all look. IMO it's best to follow what is known to work. Ferrari, Lotus, and many other exotics appear to ramp upward... not straight across.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: I like how the rear side window flares upward.

Secondly, if the idea or design isn't better than the original--- go back and do it again.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 09-05-2009).]

Sactodreamer, just like that only with the origional picture where the door was stock.

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Jonathan
1987 SE wrecked parts car
1985 SE parts car 23K miles

Here ya go boostdreaner, not to my liking...............looks too much like an early 90's Ford Probe.


MadCurl, I agree completely about the window.

I for one REALLY like how that looks and am seriously tempted to try it out when I do my fastback swap on the Formula. I like the straight lines much better than curves.



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"If any car is both the parade and the rain, it is the Fiero"

Driving a Fiero is like driving a Rough-Draft, Pontiac got it to work, now its up to you to make it a good car.

[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 09-05-2009).]

Well, you hit it right on the head but it isn't pretty. I really like your original idea, though. Like I said, you made me like fastbacks (if they were like your first Pshop pic)

Thanks for making my pic.

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Jonathan
1987 SE wrecked parts car
1985 SE parts car 23K miles

Hey sactodreamer, could you try one more photoshop? This time just alter the door skin to raise front to match front fender and gradually extend back to the stock height of the rear quarter (leaving sail panel as is). Essentially just a door skin mod.

Thanks!

I did two, one gradual and one not so much.

[This message has been edited by sactodreamer (edited 10-30-2009).]

Quite a good idea wonder how much an existing choptop would look.