Chopping a car’s top may seem simple, but true craftsmanship lies in the precision and planning behind it. Proper proportions, alignment, and seamless integration of trim and glass distinguish a quality chop from a poor one. This project focuses on a historic ’32 Ford 5-Window Hot Rod originally built by Barry Lobeck, one of his final creations. The new owner sought to honor its legacy with a flawless, factory-like chopped top. After extensive research, he chose a subtle wedge chop, entrusting Tin Man’s Garage to execute the work with surgical precision. The process showcases meticulous craftsmanship and timeless hot rod artistry.
Chopping the top of any car is typically the easiest part of the entire process. The initial cut often offers instant gratification when laying down the roof in a short period of time in comparison to the entire scope of work.
However, the difference between a good chop from a badly chopped vehicle is rarely discussed. The complex planning and time-consuming nature regarding the details is simply what separates the good from the bad. Proper planning is critical to ensure the proportions are correct and aesthetically pleasing.
The devil is in the details to get the door structure/gaps lined back up, fitting the interior trim, making the glass seal/slide correctly from unwanted water & wind noise.
This iconic ’32 Ford 5 Window hot rod was originally built by the infamous Barry Lobeck of Lobeck’s Hot Rods in the late 2000’s. This was one of the final cars that was completed by the late Lobeck before his passing. With the critical nature of this historic build being reimagined by the new owner, a level of integrity was needed to ensure respect to the vehicle’s history was prioritized. Our client wanted to chop the top on this car in a detailed manner. His phrase was that when the car would be taken apart in another 20-30 years they would be impressed with the level of craftsmanship regarding the fit and finish after the interior was pulled out. He wanted inner structure to look seamless as if it came from the factory this way. Our customer was in luck because that’s exactly what we do at TMG!
The new car taker of this Deuce high boy wanted the “Perfect Chopped Top” and spent a substantial amount of time studying and researching different cars to discover what the secret sauce was for his vision. He ultimately decided to do a slight wedge chop and commissioned Tin Man’s Garage to handle the chopped top with surgical accuracy along with some other miscellaneous sheet metal work. Review the in-depth photographic series sharing the steps that were taken to complete this traditional chopped top.
