DID WE DO THE RIGHT THING? 😬 (shortening the roof 12.5 inches) 

I love the way the shorter roof looks. Can’t wait to see the rest of the mods that you do. It looks like it should be made the way you’re doing it so far.

Love it!! Came back today and it looks exactly as I'd pictured it. No sail, no opera windows... I love the new lines!! I know you like fender skirts, but my mind is saying weld in the skirts to fill in the rear wheel gap, and then properly radius those rear wheel wells... just a thougGao, Just keep doing your thing, both of you! Fina will keep you on the right path!!

What a great idea! This is going to be a very sporty-looking coupe. The '58 -'60 T-birds were often customized but I don't thing anybody ever did it like this. If you used lots of the original chrome trim, it could be a real factory prototype-looking car.

Good Morning Chad and Jolene, Thanks for thinking of us Aussies. You both are 2 of the most respectful people on this Planet. ❤ I love the fact you are doing everything as we see it. It is great for us. It is also great for you guys. Enjoy the spare time doing those other things you need to do or love to do. Enjoy your Spring. We now have Autumn but it is still warm here in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 30°Celsius It will be a week before it drops down to 26°C Thanks for all your amazing advice. Whether it is life advice or workmanship advice, to me, you have been spot on everytime.

The short roof is a classic look and with a '56 port window, it would be even better me thinks. Window fitting on the side will be really interesting to see as well. The longer trunk area makes it look lower to the ground without lowering blocks and the skirts will help that look too. Great work to both of you!

I had a 58 Tbird years ago. I think your idea is awesome. I would leave it just the way you got it now. Don't add anything on the back. I never thought it would look so good like that. Just think if ford would have done that. Keep up the good work, you come up with some wild ideas. Love it.

its amazing how taking 12.5 inches off the roof can change the looks so drastically. nice job.

Looks really good 👍. Wasn't sure if I wanted you to chop it but you are winning me over. Good thing you are taking your time to think things through. Haste makes waste and you don't want to have to redo a screw up. Great video work by Jolene as usual well done 👏 ✔.

As with a lot of your mods I often don't see where and why you are going there but they all seem to work out in the end and I'd be happy to own most of them. However, I'm still not into patina and would prefer to see a great paint job to compliment the great work you do, particularly the Hudson, maroon and black or maroon and cream. Anyway enough, and Hi from Australia.

When you started your idea about the shortened roof to continue with the look of the 55,56,57, & now the 58 T-Bird. I saw your vision immediately. Great idea you have there. It is going to look awesome !!!! One off as far as I can see. Port holes on the side bring the car back to the 50's look. But, hey that is up to you & Jolene. Great project. Glad to see that you did not sell it and put your brain to work on this one.

Looks better than I thought it would,I like it,I hope you don't add sail panels,I like the shorter roof. Do your thing like always, I'm learning a lot from you!! Good luck

Hi Chad, Jolene great content, your both complimenting each other, great to see a "vehicle artist" at work your art is going to be talked about and seen for many decades to come, Jolene you have manage this whole business so professionally, and with Chad you have given the next generation something to strive for, as they start to go back into there Grandad's, Dads or uncles Barn's/Shed's as us Aussie's call them, they will want to give new life to that old GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Dodge maybe even a Kia or Hyundai😉😉 I have my 2 son's watching this 38 & 17 and steering the 18 year old grandson too look at vehicle's as a nice lines, shape or sculpture as we do when trim hot ladies walk by, look at the shape and admire her. I believe in my heart that is why men fall for vehicle's and hold them as close to heart as they do with their women. Your a shining light in that mans heart Jolene, we see and hear it everyday. Thanks from Ant in Brisbane...

My only worry is shortening the roof is going to exaggerate the total length, it already has a stock longer rear proportionally to the rest of the car, so now this will seem even longer and will be emphasised? This is before watching the video, so I may be completely wrong! 😊

Glad to see more people are behind you on this one. Some people concerned about your chopping up a T-Bird but why not chop up a car that isn't going to be worth that much, unless it is uniquely customize and a great way! I like what you doing. If you were to put in the fastback which I'm glad you're not, I would say leave the backseat in. But you've made the best choice and you still left room for the water cannons to pop up between the back window and the trunk lid or t-shirt launch cannons. You know for the kids in the parade from two through 92 years old! One way to show appreciation of a car is for the price to appreciate. As a rule Thunderbirds just don't keep up with the competitors on value. So customized version is doing no harm and will bring interest to this body style. Plus you're building a bird that Ford should have built to begin with.

I am SHOCKED how much better it looks with the shorter roof!! I thought it would look better, but not THIS much better! What was Ford thinking back in '58!? Keep going, brother! Cheers from Alberta!

I didn't think it would look so good. You truly have vision. I agree with the sail panels - makes the C pillar too thick. I thought that the shortened roof would make the trunk look too long but the proportions work! Great job!

That shortened roof is even better looking than my mind’s eye was expecting. Well done Chad and Joline.

When I saw the back half go on, I immediately thought about your window shape. The window will work just like my 55 Nomad and is about the same size. The tracks are vertical and have the same curve, just like your opening. The gasket along the top is about the same shape. That has a great shape. If you have the vent, you don't get the wind blowing in the side of your ears and allow better air circulation because you can adjust the angle as a wind deflector. It's looking great!

This is a GOOD MOD. Shortening the rear deck would also help the look too. Keep on with it Chad. Jolene continues to make amazing Video for us.

Going good, loving it, I would try the slant back template further to the front to check it out, skirt gonna take some flaring to get around the back tire lower edge possibly exaggerated body line ? Just love what you're take on all you do.

I like the roof short like that looks sweet as a 2 seater, me personally I wouldn’t add to the back , think it will look great as is but of course its your call , keep up the great work , love these videos

you did this ALMOST the same way i did my 60 belair 4 dr., but i shortened the back doors 14'' along with the body/frame. carl fisher showed me how to cut the door and extend it longer so i thought i could cut/shorten it the same way and it worked. lol great job.

After watching you videos for a long time, I'm amazed at your creativity and your skills with the zip wheels. Jolene needs to be in each segment.....

Love the look! One thing you could consider with the back of the roof, is match the slope with the slope of the door glass, so maybe a small sail panel…similar to the 66 and 67 chevelles.. but either way I think this looks great.

Shorter roof looks awesome! This is going to be a fun build to follow.

I have an 87' SS Monte Areocoupe with the fastback glass and our 67 Chevelle 2 dr ht that has a sort of factory sail panel extension built in the roof line at the back glass but, I like the T-Bird with the "razor" back roof with no sail panel ...... Looki'n good !

I really like this build. My favorite T-Birds were the 55,56,57,58...all were great. Maybe make it a removable top. Keep up the great work, you two! Awesome job!

Really nice work, great on-camera personality - in short, enjoyable. Personally, I think the sail panel is now out of proportion and needs to be shortened, maybe even sloping the rear window a bit. I'd imagine either of those is a fair bit of work. Looking forward to the next vid and continuation of the project.

I'm curious what you'll do about welding the inner side rail structure of the roof since it's multiple layers, and is part of the structural strength of the car.

The sails make it look more like a Lincoln Mk2. Not to mention having them would make it hard to see anything if the driver was trying to look over his/her right shoulder. Now you've got me wondering if you're going to section another trunk lid to form the deck behind the roof in order to continue the contours of the trunk. So far, so good!

Not sure if it’s been mentioned in the comments but you need the vent window because of the slope of the windshield. Door glass needs a straight up and down line so it will work. I’m interested in where this will go. 👍

Chad…I think in 58 Ford was working on an Air Suspension. But Failed. So, the 58 ended up with Coil Springs in the rear! Therefore, this would be a good candidate for Air Bags! And if you could add a couple of inches to the Trialing arms, you would center the tire in the Wheel well.

As Chad showed yesterday, the proportions of this car will get better by shortening the roof.

Bad Chad is the surgeon, cutting the roof shorter is what the doctor ordered weee haa, and look at Queen Jolene having some fun with the surgery. That is going to look so cool with the extended sleek longer tail or back end. however you describe it..

Move pakage tray forward so you can use original back glass

I like the 'after' look of the roof. It is a great improvement. I think it would be good to shave the fins off, starting at the hole in the door for the door handle all the way to the back end. I understand the lower quarter character line is matched at the top by the fin, but I think it would look cool without fins.

Really starting to look nice can’t wait to see what you do with the back interior

Again guys, make it the way you want it. I must say that I once had won a prize from you guys and I've had health issues so I hoped you gave it to some willing on looker. My prize is that I get to follow you on You Tube. Keep up the great work.

I live in east Texas. In the 1960s several shop owners built 55-56-57 Chevy 4 doors into 2 doors by cutting the body’s to shorten them. They are really sharp cars. I know several are still around my town, my buddy has a 57 that’s bad ass cool. I’ll ask him for a pic and send you. One shop owner I remember built a short station wagon.

Yesturday i commented about making the roof with more of a sloped back. Using the card to show the slope answered all the style questions. Keep it square chad. Great video jolene.

A small sail panel may help the angles. The angle of the B pillar is slightly more than the A pillar. If the rear of the B pillar was just slightly more than the front of it I think it would be pleasing to the eye! Just my two cents! The side window reminds me of a Nomad . Really sharp!

To connect the roof rails, make an insert to fit in the roof rail. Plug weld the front of it and slide the roof into the insert. The insert will help align the pieces and hold it in place for fitting and welding. I use this method in collision repair to attach front or rear clips on damaged cars Its called butt weld with an insert. Drilling a coupleof plug weld holes in the cut piece, you can plug weld it to the insert to hold it.

Hi peeps love the shorter roof. I think the back looks better longer without the fastback flap. Like the style of the jfk car. I can see it with a rectangle porthole in the roof black gloss with no chrome. Just my opinion 😊. Great work great show keep it up. Over and out from the uk.

I like the slope created by that sail panel which gives it the correct coupe look, but then I would slice off 4 inches from the B pillar right across the roof otherwise it would look too wide in proportion with the new roof length and the remaining length of the trunk.

I may have doubted chopping this one, but this Thunderbird is going to look fantastic. My lack of knowledge begs me to ask a question about ensuring the structural integrity of the unibody car. How do you weld around the hollow tube members when the roof sheet metal is surrounding it and in the way? Do you insert tube on the inside of the existing hollow tube, weld it, and slide it in?

I take back my comment from the other day. Now that i know where you are going with the car, i think your idea of making it a baby bird/square bird, is a great idea. Especially with the port hole, and personally, i would be putting the quarter windows back in, coz when your going down the road, and you want some air, you don't have to wind the main window down, and get Jolene's hair all messed up..!!

I'm probably going to be out of line, but when I saw the 58 the first time, I saw it with the roof shortened , just like you have it. I also saw you turning the back of the car into a bed,the first Ranchero was after all made on the frame of a 57 Ford Fairlane. Now that is how my brain saw the Customized Thunderchicken. The 1958 Thunderbird is my Second Favorite car FOMOCO made, My First Loved FOMOCO Product was an Edsel. Who couldn't Love that Horse Collar Grill?

Hi Chad and Jolene. Initially I was skeptical about you shortening the Thunderbird's roofline. But it is definitely a great improvement. The sails would add even more uniqueness to this project and make it a genuine "Chad & Jolene" one-off custom. I'm waiting to see what other great ideas for this '58 you can conjure up between the two of you. Certainly, this car would benefit from an outstanding paint job to compliment your customization! Kind regards from Down-Under (Australia). ☑☑☑☑☑

The correct terminology for a sail panel is a "Buttress" or "Flying Buttress". I think the buttress idea would work well if you adjust the angle slightly by having the same amount of roof material at the bottom as you have at the top, the factory angle is about 60/40.

Lifting the roof back on was a real wow moment. I love it as it is.

I like the shortened roof. I like the idea of shortening the rear, so that the rear slant of the fenderwell is at the back of the rear wheel. I think, that if the back is shortened and the front looks out of proportion, then shorten the front fenders as well. One thing about this squarish design, it makes it easy to make this type of change. I always thought the 58 Fords were mutts, such a disappointment after the 57, such a beautiful design. I am 80 this year, and that is a long time to hate a design like the 58. Maybe find the rear glass from a late 50's Olds or bubble top, or from a BMW 635 Coupe. I like where you are going with this.

I like the shortend roof better then what you mocked up with the card board, but I like the angle that you created with the cardboard in the back better. Would changing the angle of the rear window, making it the same angle as the rear of the doorwindow, something you would like to see?

We love the show and watch daily. Here's just one suggestion for Jolene. When Chad asks you a yes or no question, shake or nod the camera when you answer. Keep up the good work guys!

It looks good, kinda' Ranchero looking, My brother had a '55 T-Bird with the porthole roof, He said the porthole window came in play when you'd come to a "Y" type diagonal intersection to the passenger side, and you'da missed seeing an oncoming car, just wanted ya to be aware of that !

I like the way the roof looks chopped. Not wild about the idea of making it a fastback with the side you placed in. I think it would look really great if the glass of the back window was similar to the front window, just a little larger to fit, when viewing from the side. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me the fastback look is more Mustang. I love what you do, Chad, and the creative ideas, but also like to stay somewhat with the ideas of the original design - if that makes sense. What is it about a T-Bird that makes me wince at seeing it changed too much?

Hi peeps I love the look of the car so far, I like the look without the fastback ends. The longer back looks kool as fook, Like the styling of the jfk car. It will look sick in black gloss without any chrome.😊. Great work great show keep it up. Over and out from the uk

The shortening looks a lot like the MKII Lincoln Continental, which was a beautiful car. The rear deck is going to be long. Do you think the portal windows might make a sail panels look less chunky? I know it's not your vision, but it's begging to become a T-Bird/Ranchero.

I like the short roof look. I would like to see how it looks with the wing window in it. It most definitely doesn't need to look like a fastback. If you could find another trunk lid, you could most likely save yourself a lot of work on the back sell panel. By tuning the truck lid backward would give you the look all the way to the inside.

I was really sorry to see the T-Bird go from a 2 seater to a 4 seater., I think Ford made a big mistake. Chad your version is exactly what Ford should have did. Chad you are very creative and should have worked for Ford in 1958. Great job Chad, this is going to be a one and only 1958 T-Bird. You are amazing. Bill

The short roof looks way better , great job!!

In 1978-81 there was a tv show called Vega$ starring Robert Urich, whose claim to fame was his 1957 two seat convertible thunderbird. It's on the internet as one of the 50 top tv cars of all time. Give it a look.

In a circa 1961 French railways video I saw one of this era Thunderbird converted to a flat bed ute for use as a high speed camera car. This was in a SNCF vid on the introduction of a new high speed locomotive with capability of running in four different voltage power railway supplies that were found in that part of Europe at the time. Running on some nice scenic curvy roads at likely just 100 kph or so. Wish I could find it again.

good job on the roof , the rear wheel arch and the front wheel arch look a bit odd , maybe you could play about with remodeling the front arch ( if only with card as you did with the sail panel ) to show how different it makes the car look

As soon as you guys set the roof back down in it, I knew you had done the right thing. well done. Be well.

Hey Chad were you have the top of the part from the trunk fro were the back seat touched to the trunk could you cut that piece with the holes and make some kind of storage with a lid that open I think that would be cool hidden under that part now you've moved the roof forward

I was not wishing for you to cut the roof but, I love it!!!! You should be a car designer for a major car corporation! Everything car you do turns out GREAT!

I like the sail panel for the roof with the exception I think if you added more of a curve to it where it swoops down and follows the body lines. If you notice the car doesn’t have very many sharp angles on it and it looks out of place like that.

Man , you are getting so great with these roof chops , This is the look that car should have had from the factory .

Nix the sail panel. By adding the sail panel, you are in effect, just lengthening the roof back towards the original and the sail panel angle is competing with the windshield angle. It'll look awkward - hard to tell if the car is moving forward or backward.. I think the roof line looks surprisingly good with the 12-1/2" cut off. Sometimes too much is just too much !!

The short roof looks amazing. My opinion, no sails and no port hole. Will watch and see where you take this. Great job and great camera work.

Looking good the way it is . Maybe you could cut out a paper shape for a porthole design and stick it to the roof to see?? Also take a look at some older Lincoln Continentals , and check out their roof window designs.( some are more oblong than round or oval) Many thanks. Ps : Fina is such a great dog !!!

That new roofline is perfect! I always thought the long roofline was ugly and took away from the good looks of the car. AWESOME. Good job.

I really didn’t think I would like it, I thought the car would look to out of proportion, but it really looks great, I should never had doubted you Chad you have great eye for customs!

Really like the new look …I think it would be a good idea to flatten the flier behind the front seat .. add carpet so fina can have a spot too .. for nice Sunday drives … great work guys

TOTALLY FRIGGN AWESOME! TOTALLY GENIUS!

This roof cut is exactly what this Bird needed !!! It should have been done at the factory.

I really didn't think it would look good but when you set the roof on the car it really look pretty good. Don't add anything to it don't chop dont nothing off it or add. The way your doing it is perfect. The only thing have to do is to add on the port hole on the side of the roof that will make you badder then bad and your queen Jolin well I don't have to tell you Chad but she will look like a million dollar 💵 bill driving her Bad ass thunderbird . keep up the good work Chad & Jolin

Love the shorter roof line and the way you treat your queen.

I wasn’t sure about shortening the roof, however I think it looks good. And a porthole window might look good too. And I wondering how the interior/back seats would be. Or becoming a 2 seater It’s looking interesting and I like it.

I love the shorter roof, for the vented windows (just my opinion) I don’t think you have the room for them in that window space. If you could somehow make vented windows in front of the door windows I think that would still look good, but that would be cutting into the windshield making all the framing yourself (which I’m sure you could do) and also a new custom front windshield if you went that way). But your much more experienced than I am for sure. As for the back I’d leave the window as it should be and cover the package tray to be inform with the trunk, I think that would be the best look…so far with the shortened roof I think it looks amazing and still keeping the original look of the car which was in amazing when you got it.

The angle helped it. But it still made a wide side look even wider. I think if it was me. And I know it's not. But I would cut out the two center holes in the side of the roof out. That would give it a super long trunk. I like a long trunk. If you go to short on the side then you go from a two seater look to a Ranchero look. But Bad Chad is on the case

Looks awesome with the roof shortened. Still think it would look awesome with the whole roof chopped 4”. Love watching every day, never miss an episode!!! 😎

You two are some amazing team ! Question : Would a brace on the inside of the back window , from driver to passenger side before cutting it work ? Would this pretty much guarantee the window fitment ? Like you did with the door and front roof to be sure of the door fitment. 🧐🧐🧐. I’m probably over thinking it …

"....manual. We probably won't open it." I laughed out loud. Beautiful.

Knowing you Mr Chad , you’re gonna make something beautiful out of this 58 ford Thunderbird that’s for sure my friend.

Yesss!!! Chad the shorter roof looks awesome! Looks great! Keep up the great work both of you! Good eye😊

I love the way Chad is fearless. Just cut it.

Wow! I have a 60 T-Bird, a few years ago I had a similar idea but never did it. That top should have come as an option for the square birds. Great video! I am inspired! Can't wait to see the finished product.

I owned a 55 T-Bird in my younger days (wish I still had it) and when I was parked at a local ice cream hangout one night I made a comment to some guys who were standing around, that I could (with very little effort) touch the real tire while sitting in the driver's seat. Now the problem as I see it with this project is that the rear tire is too far back and the trunk is too long to make it look right. I would suggest jacking the entire car up and driving a 55, 56, or 57 in under it and then quickly drive away when no one was looking.

Looks really amazing with the shortened roof . Sporty and sexy . Like a concept car from it's time !!

CHAD THE SHORTER ROOF LOOK GREAT - YOU HAVE AN AMAZING FORWARD VISION AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU FAR ABOVE ANYONE ELSE!!!!

Pretty rad, bad chad..... like the short roof. Look forward to seeing this whole project develop. Cheers mate. 😊

Leave it to Bad Chad to do what Ford should have done! Looks great, once the details are ironed out, awesome.

Lovin the look ya'll. Didn't care for the sail panel. Kind of defeated the purpose. I've been building hot rods for 45 years Chad and I really love how your mind works. Great videos and great channel.

That redo on the roof works. The side profile of the window line and the back of the roof is now almost parallel. Would be neat to find actual porthole windows from a boat to put in the pillars.

There are a plethora of car channels & builders on RU-vid ...But ,Chads original style & Creativity Along with his contagious personality makes his Channel unique..Of course Queen Jolene is awesome as well.. Love how appreciative Chad is of his fans and viewers. 👍 Excellent Content ..Look forward to each New Video!! You two keep up the great job!! best wishes and blessings to both of you 🙏😇

I can't believe it...thought you were crazy 😅 It is gonna look amazing!

Hi Chad! I've been watching the show for a long time but just subscribed. To b honest I didn't know how to😂Probably about 20 years ago my Dad n I dropped in to your shop.We enjoyed the tour and got the green goblin t-shirts😊You n Joleyne are very talented.I 'm happy to see that you r doing well.On the T-bird what do you think if you added a very short piece to the back of the roof like you showed but just enough to get rid of the curve at the top.Just an idea😊All the best, Brian

Beautiful, yes it would look great with port holes, I believe.

At 23:14 that roof looks absolutely right. I love it when I see a plan come together like that.