Datsun 240Z gets a chopped-top

[boodlefoof]

Hey guys,

Well, I thought about just posting this in my big thread dedicated to my new 240Z project... but this is just so cool I wanted to write a whole new thread about it!



I decided that I wanted to lower the roofline on my 240Z and give the windshield a bit more of a rake. Well, today I started cutting and now the car has a lowered roof. Only took about 8 hours to do! I still have a little welding and grinding to do, but it is basically done.

Check out the pics. Before and after...

Hmmm... doesn't seem to want to upload my pics. Well, I'll have some posted on my website soon if they don't show up here.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

John,

Looks great!!! It looks like two different cars, nice work!

[Bill Howell]

That is cool. It gives the car an Italian sports car look if you know what I mean. I am guessing the rear hatch will still fit without mods. Looks like 8 hours well spent.

[MrQuick]

Nice progress, you know after looking at that, this wouldbe a cool idea...have a Charger style wing back and use a 69 Vette or Honda DelSol roll down type back window. can't wait to see more.

[WhackyGoat]

I think it looks kind of like a Chrysler Crossfire. Very cool

[parsonsj]

Agreed: very nice.

Are the front and rear window openings still the same size? The hardest part of chopping a roof is getting the glass to fit again ... keep us posted on how all that works out. Most "chop the roof" stories don't cover that.

jp

[Steve68]

Wild, I agree Italian sports car type, keep going!

Aer you still doing the body like Darius's

[boodlefoof]

Thanks for the responses guys!

Yeah... about the glass... well, it ain't gonna fit anymore! Actually, none of it will fit anymore. I had hoped that the windshield channel would remain somewhat the same, but I just wanted too much rake.

As for the side windows, they could be made to fit with some cutting... but I'm not sure if this is possible on tempered glass. The rear quarter windows I planned on just making out of lexan anyway. I'll probably make new rear glass out of lexan as well. I would like to maintain functional door windows though, but I have not yet figured out what I will do about that.

The hatch will not fit anymore either because I pulled the roof back so far. But, I planned on not keeping the hatch. Well, I may reuse what I have and modify it, but the plan is to make it an affixed piece rather than an openable hatch. So, I might trim down the current hatch and weld it in... or I'll make a new piece out of fiberglass.

I will certainly be sure to include a writeup of how I solve the glass problem when I get to that point on my website.

My next step with the car now is to get it ready for all of the custom fiberglass work I plan to do. = )

[boodlefoof]

MR Quick,

I'm not familiar with how the roll down rear window works. I planned to just keep the window flush with the roofline though.

Steve68,

It will involve lots of custom fiberglass like Darius' car, but I think it will look very different when I am done. I'm looking to make a car that looks a little closer to this...
http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/pictures?userid={7DC317B0-8EDB-4B2E-A837-F708D07C9769}&inv=9C67398D46D99D9&userid={7DC317B0-8EDB-4B2E-A837-F708D07C9769}&AlbumId={3CEF2C28-3C52-4815-BB6C-C63C07278985}&inv=9C67398D46D99D9&GroupId={3509F54 1-ED66-4885-A9A5-19AFBC9720CA}

Sorry the link is so long... I hope it works.

[Blue70]

WOW!!!

That guy did some nice fab work on that Z hu!

I love your roof chop! that looks awesome! :icon996:

My friend picked up a 280Z to resell, I was thinking of picking it up untill I went to go see it and it was a 2+2, I don't even think a chop would fix that roof line

[Kenova]

Wow, what a difference. How much did you chop it?
About the glass, I've heard that tempered saftey glass can be cut, but it's tricky, usually requires a few "practice pieces".
Ken

[boodlefoof]

Kenova,

I think in total the roof moved down about 4'' and the windshield was raked another 3-4''. I actually made two cuts... the first cut was a vertical cut at the rear of the roof which allowed me to pull the roof backwards 3''. I then made a pie-shaped cut along the sail panel (B-pillar, quarter... whatever you want to call it).

As I pulled the roof back and down I was able to line it up with the lowered sail panel piece... so I was able to keep the gentle arc of the roof. It looks completely continuous... there is no change in angle on the roof.

At present with no engine, trans, interior, or differential (with suspension standing at full extension) the car is about 48'' tall. When I fab the custom suspension and load it down with weight, I'm guessing it will be about 42'' tall. = )

AND, I will still have plenty of head room. ; )

[chevyz240]

Hi John,

Is this build still ongoing? We have a very similar roofline! It would be cool to know where you´re at right now!

Henrik