There is an option where you can do all the dis-assembly & re-assembly on the interior. http://www.v8archie.com/choptop.htm However, this means you have to take all the interior apart including removing the dash, so you'll have to trailer it here & back.
We prefer to take the body parts off here. In the past where the customer dis-assembles the body, he always forgets to bring a body part or some fasteners or small parts & I always end up stealing those missing parts off of one of my own cars to complete the car on time.
Archie
Archie, I drove THIS around I think I can make it up there with the interior out. lmao just joking around.
Archie is correct, or course, but I decided to give it the old college try and complete Will-Martin's chop top t-top. Everything Archie says on his webpage is correct. The art of chopping tops died when all the cars went to curved glass. His method of laying back the windshield is what makes chopping the Fiero economical. The art of cutting down a windshield is nearly a lost art. I've only been able to find one person in the country willing to try.
Don't expect it anytime soon, as I am trying to complete my "regular" chop top, (if there is such a thing) LOL
Glad to see Will's old car in good hands, good luck. I guess I'm on my own on my chop but I will post each step to help any other do it yourself members. After doing the 355 kits I'm use to chopping up Fieros.
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10:50 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Glad to see Will's old car in good hands, good luck.
Thanks. The cutting and welding are the "easy" parts. The devil is in the details. Getting everything to fit properly and put back together is what makes Archie's job so nice. When he's done everything looks normal. I may have a lot of work ahead of me to get my chop t-top looking normal. If anybody wants to see where the welds are, I'll be more than happy to show them to you.
Thanks. The cutting and welding are the "easy" parts. The devil is in the details. Getting everything to fit properly and put back together is what makes Archie's job so nice. When he's done everything looks normal. I may have a lot of work ahead of me to get my chop t-top looking normal. If anybody wants to see where the welds are, I'll be more than happy to show them to you.
I would like to know were Archie cuts and welds he has done them and has it down this would save me a lot of time. I know better than to ask him he is funny about giving out info to the do it your self people I've tried.
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05:59 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I would like to know were Archie cuts and welds he has done them and has it down this would save me a lot of time. I know better than to ask him he is funny about giving out info to the do it your self people I've tried.
to lower the roof i cut above the seatbelt bolts so the interior panels will still line up correctly with a little help. to shorten the roof i cut out from the center. you will see one area where you can remove material and still have the lines match up. then i cut slits in the metal so i could insert one into the other. this way is benefitial because it has less impact to the fiero's structure but won't allow a stock sunroof. you could make longer cuts in front of or behind the sunroof opening but then you will have welds the entire width on the roof. leaning the windshield down is pretty self explanitory and requires releifs to be cut to bend the roof up after the windshield goes down. i removed 1/2 inch from the center of the roof but i think my windshield is still too high so i would go maybe 3/4 of an inch. save the scraps you cut from the sides and weld them back over your welds for reinforcement. they will fit almost perfect so it's silly not to. pro-glass in illinois will make windows for $400. send them aluminum templates and one original window and they will send you new lexan with the edges polished and ready to install.
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11:24 PM
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
Good luck F355 spider on the chop top ! I love to see all chop top attempts be successful regardless who is doing them.
My suggestion would be to practice on a donor car first before cutting up your own. Why ? If it is difficult you will be glad you practiced first, if it is easy then no sweat, and no problem for you to come back and do another ?
Besides it is easier to build up a stripped down chassis than it is to fix a screwed up chop top hehehe.
As far as asking Archie for details ,...??? Can you blame him for not disclosing his secrets ?? You wouldn't ask Coca Cola for the recipe to coke and expect to get it now would you ???
Hehehe Best of luck !!
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11:45 PM
Aug 10th, 2005
Will-Martin Member
Posts: 1164 From: DFW, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2002
Good luck F355 spider on the chop top ! I love to see all chop top attempts be successful regardless who is doing them.
My suggestion would be to practice on a donor car first before cutting up your own. Why ? If it is difficult you will be glad you practiced first, if it is easy then no sweat, and no problem for you to come back and do another ?
Besides it is easier to build up a stripped down chassis than it is to fix a screwed up chop top hehehe.
As far as asking Archie for details ,...??? Can you blame him for not disclosing his secrets ?? You wouldn't ask Coca Cola for the recipe to coke and expect to get it now would you ???
Hehehe Best of luck !!
Believe me, F355 has had plenty of practice cutting and fabbing on a Fiero haha.
--Will ------------------
[This message has been edited by Will-Martin (edited 05-03-2006).]
On an Archie chop top you have about 4 inches from the top of the window to where the decklid starts to block your view. This is why I raised my spoiler or I would have no rear view at all. It's also why I don't want a decklid vent like the Mustang vent. It would completely block my view.
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11:51 PM
Aug 13th, 2005
opm2000 Member
Posts: 1347 From: Versailles, Ky USA Heart of the Bluegrass Registered: Dec 2000
On an Archie chop top you have about 4 inches from the top of the window to where the decklid starts to block your view. This is why I raised my spoiler or I would have no rear view at all. It's also why I don't want a decklid vent like the Mustang vent. It would completely block my view.
Good advice I have the spoiler and want to keep it so I might have to raise it then. Thanks 2000 for your pictures. I wish I could get my Nissan door panels back from the shop so I can get my console made and finish up the 355 so I can get started on this
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08:57 PM
Feb 5th, 2006
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
Well... If I went for the chop, I'm about two-thirds of the way there, but I'd much prefer an engine swap and a bunch of body mods. I'm sure eventually I'll go Chester-style, targa chop, because the targa just doesn't look right when it's not chopped.
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04:56 AM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
On an Archie chop top you have about 4 inches from the top of the window to where the decklid starts to block your view. This is why I raised my spoiler or I would have no rear view at all. It's also why I don't want a decklid vent like the Mustang vent. It would completely block my view.
I agree 100%. You can also, "split the vent" and have a "room with a view."
I've gotta shed to build then i have somewhere besides the driveway for a few goodies...
Choptop is after the shed, about 1 year away...
Curley, finially got that 'GT' big story behid her, but an exelent donor or a chop/widebody... got a chasis to start all that on when archie gets to do his handy work on maria... shed + fiero = madman
SIG V 'dreams never die'
------------------ :::: proud owner of 'Maria' ::::
I agree 100%. You can also, "split the vent" and have a "room with a view."
with my new rear end all I will see is a whale tail. I knew this before hand so this is what I'm going to do. what do you think? Rectangle Rear View Mirror Monitor with Radar and Camera
As for the chop top dream I'm very close, but then again the dream never ends.
[This message has been edited by troyboy (edited 02-05-2006).]
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03:56 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
I'm using the Alpine system that has a aux output. That will allow for a camera to be mounted inside the stock deck lid's key hole opening. I got the idea from Chester's "Dirty Rat." The camera cost about $100 bucks. So it was a easy combo package for me. Although I like your idea too with the built-in radar/screen combo.
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05:08 PM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
I'm using the Alpine system that has a aux output. That will allow for a camera to be mounted inside the stock deck lid's key hole opening. I got the idea from Chester's "Dirty Rat." The camera cost about $100 bucks. So it was a easy combo package for me. Although I like your idea too with the built-in radar/screen combo.
Hehehe...
------------------ The Dirty Rat Chopped, dropped and just plain NASTY! Choptop Targa #1 383 Stroker MPFI with N2O 1" Drop 3" Chop 11" Brakes 19" Motegi Roja's wrapped in BFGoodrich Gforce T/A KDW-2 rubber RCC Coilover Suspension Updated Jan 21 '04 www.dirtyratracing.org
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06:04 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
well, without a job at the moment there isnt a whole lot i can do or save.. but a chop top has been on my list since i got the car a few years ago.. but once i get a job and a credit card.. off to archies it goes!!!
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11:12 PM
May 19th, 2006
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
I was SO EXCITED at my 1st fierorama and seeing all those killer looken chopped cars like DRCPU 's car and a few others . Well as soon as I got home that day I basically took a sawzaw and destroyed my car almost to the point of no return . I dont know the 1st thing about chopping a car and should have left it to the professionals at Archies. Curly warned me as did Dave. I called Archie and showed him a few pics of this disaster and he said he is going to have to do some surgery on the car before my car can be chopped . With any luck I should have my car their this weekend if he has the time to get it in. Oh , I forgot . I am also bringing him my sawzaw . I am not worthy of owning one .
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06:44 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
I dont know the 1st thing about chopping a car and should have left it to the professionals at Archies. Curly warned me as did Dave. I called Archie and showed him a few pics of this disaster and he said he is going to have to do some surgery on the car before my car can be chopped . With any luck I should have my car their this weekend if he has the time to get it in. Oh , I forgot . I am also bringing him my sawzaw . I am not worthy of owning one .
I was speaking to so many Fiero owners at the CTHC. What is your name? Sorry about the car, my love for choptops can be overwhelming, but at least you're car can be fixed at Archies (I hope).
You got a pic of that infamous "sawall:?
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07:35 PM
cornersonrails Member
Posts: 788 From: Algonquin,Il USA Registered: Jul 2006
I was SO EXCITED at my 1st fierorama and seeing all those killer looken chopped cars like DRCPU 's car and a few others . Well as soon as I got home that day I basically took a sawzaw and destroyed my car almost to the point of no return . I dont know the 1st thing about chopping a car and should have left it to the professionals at Archies. Curly warned me as did Dave. I called Archie and showed him a few pics of this disaster and he said he is going to have to do some surgery on the car before my car can be chopped . With any luck I should have my car their this weekend if he has the time to get it in. Oh , I forgot . I am also bringing him my sawzaw . I am not worthy of owning one .
Holy crap !?!
And i thought i had choptop fever ! I can understand your desire, but man to start chopping without knowing what you were doing hehehe,...the fever must have slipped you into delirium ?
Hope Archie can get it all worked out. Welcome to the madness.
Hmmm I choped my top and never had done any thing like choping a top the body work is the part that takes the longest i need to get back working on mine and finish it up
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08:23 AM
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
Yeah but it sounds like he did not even research it ? I could be wrong ?
He dropped the car off at my shop on Friday. The way I understand it, he searched the Internet for some instructions. He found some instructions, started to follow those instructions. Then he realized he was in trouble when the guy sold the car right after partially completing the chop. Almost like he got rid of it so he didn't have to deal with finishing it right.
Well, Chris's car is at my place now, we have to remove all of the old top & put on & chop a top off of one of my parts cars. Because we are actually taking this car totally down to start over, it has been designated as Chop #24.
I had told Chris that we wouldn't have time to start on it for a week or more, but Rob & Kris decided to start on it Friday afternoon.
All the pictures & updates will be on the What's up at Archie's thread...... We'll let this thread go back on topic with a pic of what Chris's car looked like at 5pm Friday....
Archie
[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 09-30-2006).]
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07:03 PM
Oct 1st, 2006
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
He dropped the car off at my shop on Friday. The way I understand it, he searched the Internet for some instructions. He found some instructions, started to follow those instructions. Then he realized he was in trouble when the guy sold the car right after partially completing the chop.
The main Warning is Archie is up to his old tricks again. There was no reason to cut the top of that car like that but to put fear into people. Yes that car could have been fixed by someone that knows what there are doing in one day. It is true not every one is mechanical enough to work on cars. I have been told also that Archie is referring to me and my build thread and selling my car. My thread on chopping a Fiero is very helpful to a lot of people and has helped people chop their own car. Also every one that knows the truth knows I had to sell my Chop Top, my 355 and enclosed car trailer to fix a bad family crisis. Most can relate that everyone has bad things happen and makes them have to sell things to get money fast I can say only Archie would twist this around to make someone’s family problem benefit him and spread lies to make himself look good. Newsflash my car was finished I drove it to the Spring fling to prove it also every one there that saw it and had seen one of Archie’s told me my car looked better. The guy that bought my car drove it home over 200 miles called me when he got home and said the car drove great and he loved it. It is funny that Archie tries to always put other people down and take advantage of others misfortune. I ask how does this make him a good person. Lets face it have you ever seen him give help to anyone all he does is spread lies and disrespect to others to line his pockets. I ask everyone here is this car not finished.
LOL
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