This has been on the back burner a while, other projects to get out of the way first. 4.9 crate/Allante intake/4t65e ready to go in, Pantera body to go on. Maybe rolling by mid summer.

David Breeze

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Pantera Rebody Kits

I am contemplating doing mine after Daytona 2005 the only difference I will be doing it in a new Fiero facility here that I will be opening early next year

[This message has been edited by Master Tuner Akimoto (edited 11-26-2004).]

quote Originally posted by Master Tuner Akimoto: I am contemplating doing mine after Daytona 2005 the only difference I will be doing it in a new Fiero facility here that I will be opening early next year

Does that mean there will be a second source for professionally done chop tops? If only we could get enough chop tops so that we can cost effectively order the tempered glass side windows.

quote Originally posted by Master Tuner Akimoto: I am contemplating doing mine after Daytona 2005 the only difference I will be doing it in a new Fiero facility here that I will be opening early next year

MTA, Where is "here"? Your user info says USA.

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fourpoint9
87 notchback 4.9L swap in progress

quote Originally posted by fourpoint9: MTA, Where is "here"? Your user info says USA.

I believe MTA is in Miami.

quote Originally posted by exoticse: I believe MTA is in Miami.

or as far away from me as he can be (in the 48).

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fourpoint9
87 notchback 4.9L swap in progress

DREAMS REALLY CAN COME TRUE.

[This message has been edited by exoticse (edited 12-23-2004).]

quote Originally posted by exoticse: DREAMS REALLY CAN COME TRUE.

Now take that tax refund and get yourself the Chop top you have always wanted.

quote Originally posted by exoticse: DREAMS REALLY CAN COME TRUE.

Hey Tony, did you get to sit in Chester's chopper? I remember when I first sat in the Stinger and the PPE. After that....it was a done deal. Well, actually it was to late to back out. I had drove 2100 miles. No need to turn around and go back.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Now take that tax refund and get yourself the Chop top you have always wanted.

Haven't even gotten to the tax refund yet, but i have had an unbelievable holiday season sales wise.

I got to drive to Archies and get the chop top done before I drive it to California to get the paint done. then all I got to do is drive it back up here and install a nice V8.. I plan on having the body mods done by 2006

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86 SE 2.9L
Best ET : 14.9 @ 90 MPH

Okay who's getting a choptop in 2005? in the Fall, summer, or winter?

im damn close... almost there... i know im going to archies to get my fiero back and when i see her chopped i wake up... IM THAT CLOSE

Soaper

Hmm.

Insert engine. Subtract $5,500.
Insert new intake/exhaust, and turbo. Subtract another $6,000 or so.
Save up $4,000 for choptop...

Yeah, gimme until October, maybe a little later. I want a chop... and there's nothing you can do to stop me!

Steve

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Well since I have so many irons in the fire with moving, getting married, honeymoon etc, etc, my funds are quickly diminishing. Oh did I mention the ring?!?!?!?! Anyway my chop top fund is through my stock purchase plan here at work. The way I see it is the funds will be there sometime mid to late summer. I have already got the "OK" to use that money for the haircut!

Mike

I am just trying to finish up getting my garage cleaned up and safe to do all the welding and I'll be on my way. I am thinking about practicing on the parts car thats in there now, so maybe there might be a rust free chopped frame for sale in the future. I have a lot of thinking, measuring, marking, thinking marking, and measuring goin on with this right now, so when the first actual cut will be made is not known yet.

Rick

Sorry. I bump my head on this thread again. This one is for the newbees who are emailing me about Archie's choptops. Please add to list if you plan on getting one done.

would that mean you are planning to do it for customers?

quote Originally posted by Master Tuner Akimoto: I am contemplating doing mine after Daytona 2005 the only difference I will be doing it in a new Fiero facility here that I will be opening early next year

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86 and 87 fiero database www.geocities.com/cwandall/fiero.html

Okay, what happened to the home-brewed choptops? NAFAL, Will-Martin, and Slueglue? Will any make it to Daytona?

quote Originally posted by wiccantoy: would that mean you are planning to do it for customers?

Yes Wicca, He will be doing them for Customers.

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4.9 Caddy ON CRADLE in Garage! Car in Driveway! ACK!

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http://home.cfl.rr.com/fierose
Central Florida Fieros
http://www.centralfloridafieros.org

Proud Member and founder of the DOWN SOUTH SUNNY WINTER PICK ON SNOW PEOPLE COALITION!

I understand why Archie won't chop a T-Top, but wouldn't smaller glass solve the problem?

quote Originally posted by TUrd Furgasun: I understand why Archie won't chop a T-Top, but wouldn't smaller glass solve the problem?

Yes it would...there was one member who said he chopped a t-top that way but the opening was too small to be satisfying.

quote Originally posted by TUrd Furgasun: I understand why Archie won't chop a T-Top, but wouldn't smaller glass solve the problem?

Saying smaller glass would solve the "T" top problem is a lot easier to say than to make happen.

Besides making a smaller pc. of glass & getting it curved and drilled just right, you'd need to design new outside trim for it. You'll also need to figure out how to redo the latch and inside trim.

Archie

.

[This message has been edited by joshua riedl (edited 04-09-2005).]

quote Originally posted by joshua riedl: pretty close, i just dropped off the body at the paint shop.

Huh ?? WHy would u paint it before you chop it ??

The paint is going to be toast after the chop.

.

[This message has been edited by joshua riedl (edited 04-09-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Archie: Saying smaller glass would solve the "T" top problem is a lot easier to say than to make happen. Besides making a smaller pc. of glass & getting it curved and drilled just right, you'd need to design new outside trim for it. You'll also need to figure out how to redo the latch and inside trim. Archie

No doubt that would be a lot of work...

Who will be first to "break-in" the new V8/choptop house?

Probably going to wait until i come back from Ireland in October before i get this done. Don't want any unexpected overseas money hassles.

I know at least one other person will beat me to it (first chopper in Archie's new shop),..anybody else getting chopped in the next few months ??

quote Originally posted by exoticse: I know at least one other person will beat me to it (first chopper in Archie's new shop)

Who..?? Who..?? (not me...)
stopped working on mine until I get the V8 in there..

Any chop'rs breaking-in Archie's shop? Who's next?

Bump. Because---good "Pipe Dreams" should never die.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 08-07-2005).]

Wow for a minute there i was sure that was a chop top fiero there !

Amazing how similair the lines are.

After alot of debate I have ended up just going with a convertable.
Sorry Archie,
Brad

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All i can say is Brad be careful where you put your money. Archie is dependable and solid, some of the others out there
can be kinda shady.

Who wants to sponsor my chop top

A questoin here. Would Archie be willing to do a chop, if I brought him the car tore down, the parts that he needs to take off removed. Also just giving back parts that he doesnt have to put back on to test fit. To at least save some time and money.

That is a good question, that you need to direct to Archie, but to be honest i don't see that great of savings. The real work is in the cutting, rewelding, and fiberglassing IMO.

quote Originally posted by 86GT3.4DOHC: Who wants to sponsor my chop top A questoin here. Would Archie be willing to do a chop, if I brought him the car tore down, the parts that he needs to take off removed. Also just giving back parts that he doesnt have to put back on to test fit. To at least save some time and money.

There is an option where you can do all the dis-assembly & re-assembly on the interior. http://www.v8archie.com/choptop.htm However, this means you have to take all the interior apart including removing the dash, so you'll have to trailer it here & back.

We prefer to take the body parts off here. In the past where the customer dis-assembles the body, he always forgets to bring a body part or some fasteners or small parts & I always end up stealing those missing parts off of one of my own cars to complete the car on time.

Archie

I have a few Qs about chopping the Fiero. one is Why do you have to remove the windshield if it is being laid back? Two is do you have to make a cut at the top of the windshield or does it just lay back and rest on the rear quarter pillars that you cut? Three, will some one show me the best place to make the cuts? I can do it on my own but if there are helpful tips to save time and material I would like to know? I have a saw made to cut rock this uses a diamond blade and a special oil for cutting I plan to see if it will work on a spare side window if it works I will chop my 85 coupe.

quote Originally posted by Archie: Saying smaller glass would solve the "T" top problem is a lot easier to say than to make happen. Besides making a smaller pc. of glass & getting it curved and drilled just right, you'd need to design new outside trim for it. You'll also need to figure out how to redo the latch and inside trim. Archie

Archie is correct, or course, but I decided to give it the old college try and complete Will-Martin's chop top t-top. Everything Archie says on his webpage is correct. The art of chopping tops died when all the cars went to curved glass. His method of laying back the windshield is what makes chopping the Fiero economical. The art of cutting down a windshield is nearly a lost art. I've only been able to find one person in the country willing to try.

Don't expect it anytime soon, as I am trying to complete my "regular" chop top, (if there is such a thing) LOL