Choptop

[Venomz]

Has anyone chopped their car? I don't mean making it a convertible, but rather, lowering the height of the stock roofline.

Does anyone know how much would be appropriate, and how much it would run?

[5.0zone]

I've seen a couple done by photoshop but not any actual ones.

[ajb999]

windows might be hard to find if you take it off the upper half of the car.

[htchbck]

you're looking at a lot of custom glass for that particular project, but having cut one of these things up, I can say that as long as you have a decent welder, it wouldn't take much to chop the body and lower the roof a bit. There isn't much to the upper body of these things at all... but yeah, getting the windows done will likely cost you a lot. I say, GO FOR IT!!!

[Damkid]

that would probably look sweet, to me the festiva is farely tall for it's size, might make for better areodynamics

[festivaWES]

the biggest concern is how much you want to chop. If you dont mind plexi windows go that route. I'm seriously thinking about doing it but i think it will take away fromt the "festiva" look.

[Venomz]

I'm going to strip the interior out anyway, so plexi-glass windows work fine for a pin-based raise-and-lower system. I'm not worried about the Festiva look ... it's an ugly car to start off with anyway. I'm figuring that with the weight I can save by stripping it, I can add a overly-comprehensive rollcage to it, to offset the lack of safety the Festiva has initially.

I don't know about a plexi-glass windshield though ... has anyone ever driven with one of those?

[lilred]

lxan is alot stronger and i dont think plexi is l dot approved at least not here

[pole120]

Use Lexan for your windows. There are companies taht will make you a custom Lexan windshield and hatch glass, the doors and quarter wintoes can be cut yourself out of Lexan sheet.

Let's just say i've been thinking aobut this a little.

~Josh

[packrat427]

Most reputable glass shops will rework your existing glass .

Seen it done many times
When you chop and take the car there after the top is back on , they take the glass and grind the excess off and shape the corners for a perfect fit .
Windshield and side windows , you will never know the glass was ever modified .

[25Horseplay]

I'm not worried about the Festiva look ... it's an ugly car to start off with anyway

Then why do you have one?

[Guest]

^^+1

[Venomz]

^ It's lightweight and primed for sleeper-status. It's a budget tuner, and what's more, it's not run of the mill. Admitting that the car is ugly is not the same as hating the car. I love the car. For comparison, I hate the way the WRX looks, but you can't deny its performance potential.

It'll look a lot better after the chop.

And for the record, I don't have one yet. I'm collecting the info I'll need once I do buy one. I've already decided on most of everything. I'm trying to get everything at once.

[25Horseplay]

, I hate the way the WRX looks, but you can't deny its performance potential.

I know they perform pretty good but I beat one with my pick up truck! The guy was mad!

[festivaWES]

Most reputable glass shops will rework your existing glass .

Seen it done many times
When you chop and take the car there after the top is back on , they take the glass and grind the excess off and shape the corners for a perfect fit .
Windshield and side windows , you will never know the glass was ever modified .

I'd like to see them grind 3 inches of tempered safety glass without heating it up enough to break it. Beside how would you take off 3 inches in material from the top or the bottom and "reshape it" if the window tapers...windshields i have done, glass cutter and 80 grit sand paper on a belt sander will do it

If you want glass you could take the old glass make a fiberglass mould of it cut the measurement you chopped out of the car ex. 3". Cut that 3 inches out of the fiberglass and send it to mexicali when Pilkington/E-premier will make you brand new chopped windows

Furthermore if you chop a car the windows will be smaller in total circumfrence......switch means splicing the rear gasket on each side, or possibly use a universal locking rubber like the Grand Wagoneers had in 89. Front windshield moulding would have to be shortened, the doors...etc