Jerry Feather

I am going to customize one of my 928s. Actually it will involve two of them, one that is already pretty much stripped out, the way I acquired it, and the other possible one is one that is bent and has a salvage title. They are both S4s.

Some background----
Many years ago in my youth I was fascinated by cars and spent a lot of time reading car mags. I learned a lot from some of them and taught myself a lot of various customizing techniques, some of which I actually put into use, but not to any great extent. Nevertheless I developed the skills and have acquired the tools to do just about any of it at this point.

My most favorite custom car of all time is a 1934 Ford five window coupe that was chopped about 4 or 5 inches and sectioned 3 or 4 inches. It was however put back together looking very stock except for the new profile and came out JFB. Since then I have adopted what I call my Porsche Formula for something similar and that is a 3 inch chop with a 2 inch section. I actually accomplished the 3 inch chop in one of my 356s, but never got around to doing the sectioning. It was done in a rust bucket that I had acquired; and maybe someday I'll get back to it and finish it up--perhaps after this 928 project I now have in mind.

I did an online search about a chopped 928 and found only images of the photoshop ones done some time ago by Sterling and by RDK. The thing about those is that they both look so radical and cool mostly because of the out of proportion wheels and tires put in the images. That aspect of this project is not likely to be realized, but will come into effect somewhat by virtue of the 2 inch section; also probably by virtue of the 3 inch chop since that is going to entail shortening the rear of the car quite a bit.

I was going to keep this project under my hat until it was completed, mainly because of the very negative feedback I kind of expected about it, but when I reviewed the old 2008 thread I see that there is much more positive response than I thought there would be. Therefore I'm going to do this as a thread here. In addition I have planned to write a book about it as I go along and maybe self-publish that someday after it is finished.

At this point I pretty well have the whole thing designed including just about all of the cuts and modifications, but now I am kind of interested to see if anyone else has ever given any thought to any of this, in particular the top chop. Anyone?

My first thought about chopping the 928 was that It can't really be done, but I have solved that now and know that it can be. It isn't going to look too much like the photoshop ones shown before. I took a picture of my paper cut-and-tape version of this project and I'll try to load and post it shortly.

hacker-pschorr

Sounds like fun, I look forward to seeing this take shape.

I've been fantasizing about taking a clapped out OB and making a "Rat Rod" out of it. With the front upper control arms (versus MAcPherson Struts) I've been imagining something that is open wheel in the front.

bureau13

Ha ha me too! Damn I thought it was just me...

James Bailey

Good idea...I always thought 928s had way too much head room .....

Madturk

Do something along rbw. Subscribed.

SeanR

This could be a really fun project. Good luck Jerry, make it happen.

Jerry Feather

Here it is:

SeanR

You are going to have to be my height to drive it

James Bailey

Have fun ! that is all that really matters. Myth Busters already did something similar they just got the body back on backwards....

hacker-pschorr

My primary reason with going the Rat Rod route is I figure it's a great project to have while learning how to weld.

RKD in OKC

Here is one of Sterlings without the big wheels. Just lowered and chopped.

Jerry Feather

Thanks Sean. I really appreciate your encouragement. As to the height, I am only about 5'"6" at this time in my life, having shrunk about 2 inches, I recently discovered. However, my design process, as to cabin height is as follows:

The interior height will be reduced by 5 inches by virtue of the 3 inch chop and the 2 inch section. The sunroof will be eliminated so that will give back about 1 1/2 inches, The seat cushioning can be reduced a bit, perhaps about half inch. The seats, likely sport seats, might be lowered by eliminating the lift screws and motors, so I am thinking about an inch there, and then, if it comes to it I think the floor can be lowered about an inch. In total that can bring back almost 4 of the lost 5 inches.

Jerry Feather

Compare the shape of the window in the door with the one in my picture.

Jerry Feather

One of the processes I intend to use is one I taught myself called hammer welding. I do it with the use of an oxy-ace torch and a hammer and dolly. I got really good at it in the past. However I notice that these days that technique is almost never used. They seem to use the mig welder most of the time and a tig sometimes. I have both of those and will be trying the tig in particular with the hammer welding technique. I may also see what I can do with the mig; and I even anticipate buying a cheap 120 volt flux wire feed welder from HF and may see how that fits in with this sheet metal work.

Daniel5691

This is really interesting.
I think you have a great idea... and the original lines of the car are actually greatly enhanced and improved by what you have in mind. I love it.
Do you have any other ideas as far as customization thus far? Interior? Paint colors? etc?
Thanks and good luck !!!!
Dan