The Chicken Coupe Project Intro
(Words and Photos by Matt Graves) – Meanwhile back at Chicken Coupe HQ…
Last time we ripped out the pimp-tackular interior so we could get the trans tunnel work done. Next we are finished removing the rest of the interior and took the 2000lbs worth of doors off. Believe it or not, they actually spot welded parts of the door hinges on at the factory due to the weight. At this point we are going to proceed with removing the body from the frame since it’s really not that big a job. The body mounts have seen better days and it will be easier to fab up the trans mount, fuel line plumbing etc.
One of the big debates has been the vinyl top. Do we remove it? Do we leave it? My final decision was to remove it. This may have been a mistake. My buddy Norm came by to help work on the car one night and being the impatient people we are. We decided to rip into the top to see what lurked underneath. This could be big project in its own.
The back window on these cars are recessed into the body to make room for the top. There is a plastic cap that gets covered in the vinyl. With all that removed, we’re facing a ½ gap to the edge of the window frame that either needs A: Custom glass to fill in the edge or B: Weld in metal strips to and body work the area to make it look right. Also one side of the body seam held water and has completely rusted through. So looks like a ton of metal work is on the horizon. If somebody had busted their back glass on one of these cars back in the day it would be a NIGHTMARE to replace it. You have to rip off the top to service it. Check out the pics and captions. Coming soon- body removal from frame!
Scroll down to see the photos and captions!
The back seat came out...along with whatever DNA was on it.
This massive door opening is normally filled with MASSIVE doors.
Norm begins the precision ripping of the vinyl.
Close up of our window frame problem. Suggestions are welcome at the this time while we hit the Jack Daniels to drown our sorrows.
Removing the NASA grade foam adhesive. You can glue rockets together with this stuff.
The horror of realizing this will be a massive job
Cancer at the body seam
The window...what the hell do we do with this window?!
Replace it with scratch-resistant lexan? WEIGHT SAVINGS!
Since you have to do metal work for the rust, I would suggest welding in metal strips to do the job properly, after you have recovered from the Jack Daniels.
I think a bigger back window from a same-generation Olds or Buick sedan will fit w/o using the plastic insert
I agree with Jack. They had windows that fit the opening on the cars that didnt have the opera type vinyl roof. The lower based models didnt get the tiny back window.
Ah, I have removed the vinyl top off two cars to date. Always a surprise.
I think Scott nailed it. Looks like glass from a non-vinyl top car will slide right into place once the plastic filler panel is removed. Easy fix.
Jack and Scott have a good idea,go for it with the bigger glass from a lower base model,hope everything works out.
Dude, just trace the existing window, to create an outline, and cut a hole in some aluminum sheet. Make the outer border the same size as the existing roof edge. Glue it or screw it.
Scuff/paint to the color of your choice, or get fancy with some black anodizing.
Aero glass and decklid from a 77-79 Caprice Coupe!
Jack is right, Buick or Olds glass will fit. An Old 98 or a Buick Electra are the same platform as the Caddies
Great paintings! That is the type of info that should be shared across the web. Disgrace on the search engines for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and discuss with my website . Thank you =)
What a stupid comment. I get that its auto generated , but it has nothing to do with this clip, the name of the user or anything. I doubt anyone’s going to visit your website based on this crap.
Keep the progress coming…..wanting to build one like it!!