w Hotrodders.com Project: 1950 Studebaker Champion

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Part 13: Chopping the Top II
1950bulletnose

A strip of sheet metal (approximately 4" wide) was removed from the roof above the window opening. Care was taken so as not to remove too much sheet metal than was absolutely necessary. The rear window frame was placed in the opening for a trial fit and, as I suspected, left a gap between the window and trunk lid. The rear deck area will be filled in with sheet metal and the subtle change will hardly be noticed. I believe the wider area between trunk lid and window will make the car look long in the tail, giving the appearance that the car was lengthened.

Rear window deck area showing gap between rear window and trunk.

To reposition the B pillars and side window frames to their original positions, a cut was made in the frame above the door, then along the roof line above the window frames, and the 2 window frames were removed. Next, sheet metal that makes up the C pillar had to be trimmed back to allow for the repositioning of the side window frames to their original post positions. The job went smoothly on the right side but took more time and tweaking to get it to fit right on the left side.

After trimming away sheet metal on the C pillar, the right window frame and B pillar were repositioned and welded in place.

Left side window frame and B pillar removed.

Same as the right side, sheet metal was trimmed away on the C pillar and the left window frame and B pillar were repositioned and welded in place.

Click here for Part 14: Chopping the Top III

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