73 Super Suicidal Turbo Choptop

[rochester73super]

Here's more progress on the chop. Look how well the 1/4 window rear curve turned out. I've seen some pretty nasty versions of this. The roof has a perfect stocklike curve to it.







The interior will be all smoothed and painted. The only headliner will be the very upper part, and with the OG ragtop, it won't be much. The inner of the 55 roof is different than the 73, so those will have to be cut out of the 73 roof and fabbed in.

[ghiastein]

With a 4" chop top are you planning on also lowering the seats? If I was to lose 4" of roof height I would have a hard time fitting in a Beetle

[rochester73super]

Feb 1, 2010 20:43:08 GMT -5 ghiastein said:

With a 4" chop top are you planning on also lowering the seats? If I was to lose 4" of roof height I would have a hard time fitting in a Beetle

It was like 3" at the B pillar, but yes... Prob. 2 1/2-3" max, as the backrest adjust knob will hit the tunnel if anymore. Because it's a 73, the center pan hub & rear seat legs will be cut. The seatbelt hole on the B pillar was lowered when the roof was

[dansam]

Mad skills in the metal work. Cant wait to see it done. Was the rag top a kit or oe cutout? Would love to see the detail when you are doing the weld in.

Dan

[rochester73super]

Thanks for the compliments. Hopefully you will see it completed this summer... Ragtop is OE, or OG as I like to say. I believe it's orig. out of a 63 because it has a folding handle, which is a rare one year handle, but it was cut out of (and was grafted in, some bondo gave it away, so that's why I believe it's a true 63 ) a '59. It's in great shape ;D.Talk about a journey, eh ?

[dansam]

They all are (a journey), yours more than some though.

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

Feb 1, 2010 20:43:08 GMT -5 ghiastein said:

With a 4" chop top are you planning on also lowering the seats? If I was to lose 4" of roof height I would have a hard time fitting in a Beetle

That is why you drive a bus.

[rochester73super]

More great progress on Super today. Windshield area fab is 90% completed. Look how well glass template (now cut down) from stock windshield fits. Wonder how many attempts at cutting the windshield down it will take (hopefully only 2, practice on the old one and perfect on the new ;D) Also picked up 68/69 ventless decklid today.

Rick @ 4R Kustoms out of Richmond (45 m ins. NE of Detroit) is absolutely doing an awesome job with all the body mods. He's a VW guy at heart and besides the 77 Choptop that can be seen in the background, he's got a 78 Super Vert and another nice stock restored 77 Sedan. His shop is behind his house and it's very nice, has a separate paint booth, and Rick is truly excited / enthused about working on VW's. I recommend him very highly.

[rochester73super]

Couple pictures of interior 1/4 window area. Note dome light cutout on passenger side also

[81pumagtc]

Very very cool! I'm curious, will the solid deck lid allow enough heat out, or will you have to louver or slot it?

Dave

[rochester73super]

Feb 3, 2010 23:13:21 GMT -5 81pumagtc said:

Very very cool! I'm curious, will the solid deck lid allow enough heat out, or will you have to louver or slot it?

Dave

Well I asked my engine builder (Petrucci Racing Engines) twice and both time he said the same thing - will cool fine....

Engine is a 2110 Turbo. I will be cutting out area behind license plate as that is where the air intake for the turbo is, and will definitely have my eyes glued to the gauges until I can build up the confidence. If it becomes an issue down the road, I'll maybe swap decklids and can always run with the lower decklid propped on extended drives.

[vwbugg2275]

looking good need to move wndshield pillars in some dont bendem that dont look right

[rochester73super]

Feb 4, 2010 14:22:26 GMT -5 vwbugg2275 said:

looking good need to move wndshield pillars in some dont bendem that dont look right

I'll post some better pictures now that everything is further along. They look perfect. Do you think I would have it any other way ? ;D

[rochester73super]

We're getting there. Long ways to go. Looking forwad to meeting some of you local guys this summer, whether my car is done or not ;D

Things are moving quickly now though. Roof is 100% fabbed, just needs finishing. Curve of roof is absolutely perfect, OG ragtop clip fit very well, esp. for a chopped roof. Windshield pattern is perfect. Front seats will prob. just have 1" cut off back legs. The windshield is exactly 25% smaller, doesn't even resemble a Super much, but just enough

[drwingtipshoes]

Boy Erik, I'm getting more jealous every time I check in and look at this thing! Looks great! Amazing the progress you're making in such a short time. Ready by Spring?