Here's one for you guys. Does anyone know what it would cost to do a 3"chop on either a Streamliner 2 door sedan or a Chieftain 2 door sedan? I am talking about ballpark pricing or even how many hours it would take. I am just outside of Saskatoon.
One good thing is the metal involved. Such a treat to work with although it is heavy. This would be very involved considering overall size as well as roof design. A large chop like this requires at least two guys imo. Hammer welding is the way to go here using butt joint techniques. I've seen guys cheat and "rake" the roof instead of doing a full 1/4 cut job. I've also seen guys try a rake the windshield only to have glass fitment issues later on....when you don't need that!....Don't forget that glass fitment and door chops are required...one piece door glass or vent window chops as well....Hundreds....yup hundreds of hours involved to do a proper hammer welded quality piece. When I was in (trade) school one of my classmates had a 1953 chevy business man's coupe body hanging on their body shop wall....I was in awe ..He and his Dad had chopped,channeled and sectioned this shell...all welding done with torches and hammer welded...two of them... incredible. I think of it often!
From my limited experience, most people who had the skill to do a chop like that are either dead or long retired. Anyone remaining is busy and expensive.
Seventy2plus2 that may be a very accurate statement. It could well be that almost nobody chops (or gets their car chopped) anymore. I don't seem to see any around. Seems like there aren't even many, if any, at the "Draggins Rod and Custom" car show, which is the big car show in Saskatoon.
Tens of thousands of dollars is not an option. I will post any info I dig up, if there is any to dig up.
My name is Doug also, and I am in Saskatoon. My 1950 Pontiac looks eerily similar to the one in your bio pic. Am I talking to me? Lol! I do that sort of metal work and am not up for that level of challenge quite yet. I like the stock look... mine almost looks chopped already with the big sun visor on. Just my opinion. There was a shop somewhere out by Grasswood Esso that does chops I think, but don't know the name. Good luck.