Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
54 ragtop choptop build
Page: 1, 2, 3  Next
Forum Index -> Beetle - Oval-Window - 1953-57 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:53 pm    Post subject: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


So it begins....

This weekend I will post more pictures of the car how it was found and a little history.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tehillah1
Samba Member


Joined: August 23, 2009
Posts: 305
Location: Colorado
tehillah1 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:07 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

'54 Ragchop...this will be fun to follow. Thanks for joining in.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:52 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

So the car was chopped in the early 70's and raced with a big T4 engine.

When in the mid 80's it was made into a street car.


What would you do with it?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tehillah1
Samba Member


Joined: August 23, 2009
Posts: 305
Location: Colorado
tehillah1 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:27 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Put it together with whatever you have and drive it...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
TomVaughan64
Samba Member


Joined: February 02, 2023
Posts: 87
Location: California
TomVaughan64 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:19 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

I keep thinking about your question of what to do with this car. It would be great if every 54 ragtop (especially if it an OG ragtop) was returned to some form of stock. There is another thread on here about someone undoing a Baja conversion, which will be interesting to watch.

I have watched a few videos on doing a chop top and it looks like it would be a really difficult to reverse. If you could do it, I would go for it. It would probably be a memorable experience and I would love to see a thread on how it was done.

If reversing the chop top is not in the cards, then I would embrace the look and go for it.

Here are a few pictures I found of some chop tops that I find interesting:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I am looking forward to what ever path you decide to take. It seems like an interesting project.
_________________
Tom

"Begin with the end in mind"
Stephen Covey

"Keep focused and seeking knowledge, you will never find disappointed, only small hiccups!"
Jimbo

56 Old Speed Euro Deville Influenced Build Returning
Returning My 55 Ragtop To Stock
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
NJ John
Samba Member


Joined: September 21, 2007
Posts: 2499
Location: HdG, MD & NJ
NJ John is online now 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:24 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

I’ll be watching, too. I just bought a 70 chopped bug. Didn’t even pick it up, yet. It’s a project, also. I didn’t start a thread, but you can peek in my gallery.
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:23 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Work is happening fast. The chop was rough being from the early 70's.
The plan is to make it like a drag car in the 80's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
txoval
Samba Member


Joined: January 23, 2004
Posts: 3696
Location: The Woodlands, TX
txoval is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:47 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

This is the car that got me into VW’s

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1847309.jpg

And a thread about it

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=710515
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
NJ John
Samba Member


Joined: September 21, 2007
Posts: 2499
Location: HdG, MD & NJ
NJ John is online now 

PostPosted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:54 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

The thicker window posts and already low windshield make ovals the best chop candidate’s. 3” looks like a foot. Chop a late model 3” and people ask “is that chopped?”
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:16 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Couple updates.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
banana split
Samba Member


Joined: January 22, 2002
Posts: 1089
Location: Beautiful British Columbia Canada
banana split is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:18 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Dang! Talk about not wasting any time and diving in! Great! Very Happy

I'm also building a chop top but it's on the back-burner for now :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768197&highlight=
_________________
My Beetles :
1951 Crotch Cooler 11G Split Ragtop
1953 Zwitter
1964 Chop Top
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
my59
Samba Member


Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 3883
Location: connecting the dots
my59 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 2:38 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Chopped sunroof begs for rear pop out windows.
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Busstom
Samba Member


Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 4451
Location: San Jose, CA
Busstom is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:16 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

13axle wrote:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

It looks like you were able to smooth out this transition a bit, whereas before it looked like an "elbow."
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)
cory464 wrote:
if you aren't perfectly centered in the hole you will have issues when you tap it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
OvalinAz
Samba Mini Tech


Joined: June 09, 2009
Posts: 1087
Location: AZ
OvalinAz is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:55 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

sweet this car is getting rebuilt!! one of my buddies used to own it back in the day, when it was a street car. ill have to ask him if he has any pictures of it. it had a Empi gauge pod hood on it that was for sale about 6 years ago and I regret not buying it.
_________________
Dad's 4/55 Oval
8/56 Oval
5/64 French Notchback
12/62 French 11 Window Bus
Wedge VW
Pandraggers C.C.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 8:35 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

That's awesome I'd love any info or pictures anyone has!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 8:43 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djfordmanjack
Samba Member


Joined: June 15, 2009
Posts: 2218
Location: Graz, Austria, Europe
djfordmanjack is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:11 am    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

^it hurts....Not hating on your project, because it has been chopped that long ago and is interesting for that fact. The lines are pretty good either. but I just can't help. Beetles don't lend them very well to chopping, they are crowned perfectly from factory.
and that's coming from someone who has chopped a Model A, planned a 49 Merc chop and still have a 53 Lincoln that needs 4" haircut. imho those big 'Shoebox' type cars are more natural to receive a top chop. That said, Enjoy the process! lookin forward to seeing what you make of it.
_________________
Hotrods, Fords, Veedubs and Triumph Twins !

52 Barndoor DLX Coachbuild project
55 Wolfsburg panel project, og paint Taubenblau L31
62 Dickholmer, custom color Seeblau L360
63 1500 Notch, og paint Rubin Rot L456
67 1500 Käfer, og paint Lotus weiß L282 w/red interior
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
13axle
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Arizona
13axle is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:03 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

I'm a hotrod guy.my mother and father have a 36 ford truck 41 ford sedan delivery and a 55 chevy. All hotrods. None are chopped.

I love early vw's and was told this car was just a roof. Well I love the idea of building it and daily driving it so I can hear the heavens open up of all the people crying that was done to a 3 fold ragtop and it's ruined.

I will be smiling every inch it moves.
_________________
54 chopped ragtop

13 tdi passat
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Blue Baron
VW Aficionado


Joined: June 16, 2006
Posts: 25861
Location: Southeast USA
Blue Baron is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 6:18 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

13axle wrote:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I think the back corner of the rear quarter windows come to too much to a point, and you may want to round the bottom rear corner off a bit.

Vintage gasser style would be the only way to go IMHO. I have the complete 'glass fenders, hood and decklid that a friend wants to buy real bad to build just such a car.
_________________
We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
NJ John
Samba Member


Joined: September 21, 2007
Posts: 2499
Location: HdG, MD & NJ
NJ John is online now 

PostPosted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:08 pm    Post subject: Re: 54 ragtop choptop build Reply with quote

I’m stickler for rear quarter window shape on chops. Many people ruin it. I like the way yours was executed. Later models usually end up rounder, but all look better when done like yours. JMO
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Beetle - Oval-Window - 1953-57 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2024, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.