Sorry this took so long. I had to wait for my dividend check from the big investments I made last year in antidepressants. We took Archie's window out and made a sheet metal template for the RH and LH sides. The idea was to give the glass man a stable template that the could get his numbers from. We haven't locked in on the glass bender yet. We're looking for one that will give us a reasonable price. So far so good and I have my fingers crossed. We still have to have the glass fabricated and then it has to actually fit up tight. Well, I'm committed (or should be). The glass templates The right side fits real nice. the left side fits well also. Best of all. The template goes up and down smoothly and the door closes well.
You guys need to get a tissue or something to mop up that drool on your chin.
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11:38 PM
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System Bot
Carver1 Member
Posts: 2843 From: Edgewood, New Mexico Registered: Nov 2000
I think it would be way cool to havethose blanks for fun as well! I can see polishing them and at the shows (only) have them up! If you have a bad loking interior, that would be sweeter to have them up rather than the ugly interior showing!<< just a thought!
People would freak out.
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10:44 AM
85SEnochie Member
Posts: 2081 From: Tri-cities, WA Registered: Oct 2007
We still have to have the glass fabricated and then it has to actually fit up tight....Best of all. The template goes up and down smoothly and the door closes well.
If this choptop glass turns out to be as reliably leak-proof and water-tight as the stock side window glass has been for me, that definitely would make my day!
Will they be clear? Kind of hard to see through those
LOL. The cop's tint meter would definitely go off the scale on these. I will definitely keep an eye on this post. If things work out I would definitely go for a set + a spare set. Jeff.
[This message has been edited by GTGeff (edited 03-04-2009).]
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09:37 PM
Mar 5th, 2009
exoticse Member
Posts: 8650 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
The lack of glass side windows has been the one thing that has stopped cold any thoughts chopping my '88 coupe (I'm sure that there are many others that feel the same way).
Rodney, if these work, you will change choptop Fiero's. Good luck with your project, I'll be watching closely.
New Update: There ARE two curves in the glass rather than just one. I know Archie is saying, "HA, I told you so!" But being the stubborn knothead that thinks I am the only competent person on the planet, I had to see for myself. I choose the sheet metal because I could work with it and I knew it would stay where I put it. I just didn't trust the plexi for a template. We bent that metal in every way possible and had to concede to two curves to get it to make up with the weatherstripping. So, the possibility exists that I will encounter the same obstacle that Arch did. He scapped his efforts when he found out that the setup fee was going to be $100,000. I'm still subborn. I have to raise the possibility that they gave him that price to blow him off. But I really don't think so because Arch is a smart guy. I have a lot of resources working on this. I have a template that I am going to convert to CAD and start shopping. There has to be a glass bender that is willing to play ball. There is a glass bender that does custom boats I am chasing. It may take a group order to make this financially feasible. You guys have to be aware that we each have custom rigs and the way the windows will seat on each car may not be exactly the same. If I can pull this off, I would like to run all this through Archie if he is willing. He deserves the engineering specs on the glass.I will post again when the estimates start coming in.
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06:51 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
It may take a group order to make this financially feasible. You guys have to be aware that we each have custom rigs and the way the windows will seat on each car may not be exactly the same...
Not the best news I've heard all day. But, I'm glad that you are still trying.
I know the single curve wasn't close enough for Archie's taste, but for me, I would be willing for the window to be less than perfect. There is a certain amount of adjustability in the way the glass is installed.
It would take a small R&D effort if the glass deviates from the template too much and I understand why Archie doesn't want to take the time and money to do that. But I think you would find several volunteers that would play with some "test" windows.
Keep us posted.
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07:22 PM
Mike Gonzalez Member
Posts: 5093 From: Colorado Springs, CO. USA Registered: Jul 2001
Here you go http://www.kikkerbikes.com/choptopfiero.html I solved this problem years ago. Here is the utube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLq1TINDmOE Jscott1 I do not understand you or why you say all this you have a set of my windows and I have even said I would put them in an Archie chop for free. You are even in the same state as I. If you do not want the tented ones I will trade you for some clear ones. I cannot get the tint ones anymore. Ask anyone that has seen my cars what they think about the windows. Even if you hate me why would you deprive yourself of DOT glass windows? Come on don’t be afraid if you do not like them I will put the plastic ones back and buy the glass ones back from you for what you paid for them.
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09:35 PM
Mar 6th, 2009
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
I bought a set of your window, Spiderboy. I did my best to get them to make up and although I have no doubt they fit your chops quite well. I was not at all satisfied. I don't want to do test windows. My intent is to develop a product that fits Archie's chops precisely. To quote Charles Barkley, "Anything less would be uncivilized".
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08:50 AM
jaskispyder Member
Posts: 21510 From: Northern MI Registered: Jun 2002
I am not sure on all the deals of the 2 curves and such, but when I worked on my convertible it was easy to adjust the weatherstripping to fit the glass. It seems that if the weatherstripping is not lining up, that it would be easier to make new brackets to hold the weatherstripping.
What is the issue with the single curve glass?
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09:07 AM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Not the best news I've heard all day. But, I'm glad that you are still trying.
I know the single curve wasn't close enough for Archie's taste, but for me, I would be willing for the window to be less than perfect. There is a certain amount of adjustability in the way the glass is installed.
It would take a small R&D effort if the glass deviates from the template too much and I understand why Archie doesn't want to take the time and money to do that. But I think you would find several volunteers that would play with some "test" windows.
I'm up on the track adjustments. I was able to get the plexi in my suicide doors to close up nicely. For a while I had to hold the upper corner of the window to get the doors to shut. We looked hard at Spiderboy's window glass and adjusted as well as it could be adjusted. I could get it close, but not exact and medocity is not my friend. Plus, his glass just didn't fit the shape my car's weatherstripping. His glass fit, somewhat, but with the amount of money I have in this car, I just felt like I was just making do . I haven't "made do" since I got rid of my first wife.
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09:38 AM
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System Bot
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
I am not sure on all the deals of the 2 curves and such, but when I worked on my convertible it was easy to adjust the weatherstripping to fit the glass. It seems that if the weatherstripping is not lining up, that it would be easier to make new brackets to hold the weatherstripping.
On my 1st post on page #2, I detail the differences between "Barrel" windows & "compound" curve windows.
That thread was pretty informative until towards the end of page #2 when a few of Spiderboy's buddys decided to take it to the trashcan. Maybe they thought no one would find it there. The last 6 pages of that thread are a result of their efforts & are completely off topic from the topic as stated in the title by the OP.
I bought a set of your window, Spiderboy. I did my best to get them to make up and although I have no doubt they fit your chops quite well. I was not at all satisfied. I don't want to do test windows. My intent is to develop a product that fits Archie's chops precisely. To quote Charles Barkley, "Anything less would be uncivilized".
Sorry to hear you had problems with them if you had let me know about it. I would have worked with you on it. I notice you and Archie are trying to make this go bad by calling me names. I made JScott1 an offer to help him with his problems there is no need to start the name calling or putting down anyone or bashing anything. I wish you well in your quest and hope you get it right for you. If it makes you and Archie feel more like men to call me Spiderboy go right on it just shows everyone else who is trying to help and who is not. If you want my help I am just an email away if not that is OK and I wish you the best of luck the problem will be the cost but if money is no option anything can be done. Thanks, Michael AKA Spiderboy
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01:08 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
I apologize if the moniker Spiderboy offended you. That was not my intent. I actually thought it was cute. Sometimes my sense of humor is a bit off balance. I applaude your efforts to even get glass made. FYI, Archie and I are not in communication about this project. I'm sure he still thinks its folly and he may be right. If you want to be supportive, PM me some vendor possibilities.
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04:26 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Jscott1 I do not understand you or why you say all this you have a set of my windows and I have even said I would put them in an Archie chop for free. You are even in the same state as I. If you do not want the tented ones I will trade you for some clear ones. I cannot get the tint ones anymore. Ask anyone that has seen my cars what they think about the windows. Even if you hate me why would you deprive yourself of DOT glass windows? Come on don’t be afraid if you do not like them I will put the plastic ones back and buy the glass ones back from you for what you paid for them.
Hey, Mike,
I thought we had settled this amicably a long time ago...
I bought your glass windows for my chop top t-top thinking that a homebrewed chop could be made to fit the glass.
I have since sold the chop top t-top. And although I am tempted to put the glass windows in my Archie chop top I would prefer to have glass windows that are made exactly to fit the template.
There are many posts about how close it can be made to fit. I am not prepared at this time to take my door panels off, make any cuts, or change the weatherstripping in any major way. I'm not saying never, it's just that I've spent 4 years putting my car back together and I'm not ready to take it apart again, not even for a minute.
Mike, your windows are beautiful, and excellent workmanship. There is nothing wrong with them, they are just not designed to fit my car is all. I appreciate all you did to have the windows made, and the very reasonable price that you sold them for. I have nothing but admiration for your work and I'm sure you could make them reasonably fit my car, but if you knew what I went through on my car you would understand I'm not wanting any more changes at this time. At the show I just leave them open and all is good.
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09:51 PM
Mar 7th, 2009
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
hello, i have a home brewed choptop and am also trying to figure out side glass. here are some pics of my project. reading through all the posts here it seems the big obstacle is the 2 bends in the glass. from looking at my car and other chops it appears the lower bend in the glass is very near and maybe even a little below the dew wipe. would it be possible to make this a 2 piece design per side, with the top glass section with the single curve up top joined with some black anodized aluminum h-channel to join it to the lower bend/window track mount section below the dew wipe? i have seen 2 pieces of glass joined this way for a nearly flush fit. iv'e seen glass held/ fastened this way before and its a pretty secure joint, the glass wouldn't be easily pulled fron the h-channel. even if the edge of h-channel holding the glass would come above the dew wipe as long as it doesn't come up too far [less than 1/2 inch] i think it would still look good. you could even make the lower bend/window track mount section out of metal to easily get any bend you would need for adjustments for a nice sealing fit. what do you all think? does this sound doable? archie have you tried this? what is your opinion? i know my chop is not yours but i think it is similar enough that your windows would be possibly be workable in my car. i would love it if this is possible. you could even try it with some lexan to see if it could work. if it does work would you be willing to sell me windows? id' love to hear what archie / everyone thinks about this idea. thanks, chris
------------------ 88blackchopv8
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02:12 PM
rodneybooth Member
Posts: 158 From: Columbus, NC USA Registered: Aug 2005
Yah if you painted them gloss black it would look like so really dark tint. 
