Thread: to chop, or not to chop...

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I'm currently building my first rod, a 1947 plymouth special deluxe coupe and absolutely will have the top chopped 3"-5". I know that the style of top this generation of cars had makes them more difficult to accomplish but hey....these are hot rods we're talking here, it's all about personal tastes and no rules right.
I've seen a couple of 40's mopars with chopped tops and they look awesome but thats just me, I'd think a school bus would look great chopped!!
Any way there's my 2 cents, good luck with your ride either way.

Aligning all those posts would drive you to drink!There's a reason you don't see many 4-doors chopped, its just too much work for the end result.

I really like the chopped version. It smooths out the lines of the rear end and makes it look less hump backed. If you can do with metal what you did with photo shop I think it would look bitchin'. Now that may be a lot of work, and easier to say than to do.

Either way is nice, but chopped is my choice.

Pat

I believe that Hot Rod(?) magazine did an article on chopping a torpedo top cadillac this past month. I have the mag at my other place and it doesn't look too much more than a "typical" chop. If I do chop, it needs to be at least 3.5 inches. Why go subtle if you're going through all that work?

hey 47mopar
you have any pics of your project? I'd love to see what other guys are doing with these things. thanks
Oz

I went to look at a 1930 Model A a few weeks ago and this old black man was chopping a 48 Ford coupe and a 49 and 51 Merc. He had a few other cars that he chopped in some old ran down little shed that you can BARELY move in and did an AWESOME job on them. He said that he chops all the tops on his cars and does his own snad blasting. Pretty interesting. Take pics throughout the process if you decide to chop!

Don't chop it!
Just lower it and keep the origional wheels and those wide whites.

Oz I'll post some pics either tonight or tommorrow. I just got the car a few months ago and have been aquiring the drive train and other parts so I haven't done much except pull a few dents and put together a game plan. My goal is to make a cross between an ol skool rod .....flat black, chopped top, shaved, door poppers ect and the guts of a 60's muscle car. I have a 440 BB with a 727 trans and will put a 8 3/4 sure grip in the back. The only non-mopar stuff I have is a set of red leather seats from an 91 Vette and the mustang II front end which I mentioned in another threat that I may not use. I also plan on taking the hood hinges off and using hood pins like the ol super bees and chargers. I'd like to see some pics of your ride as there aren't many of these on the road...at least not here in BC.

These cars have way too much cool crome to shave it off I'm leaving all my chrome. The only things Im smoothing out are: 1 the gas filler (move to trunk) 2 the deck lid handle because its so huge and 3 the antenna. I just didn't like how it was slapped on the side of such a classy car.
as far as power goes, I'm thinkin a simple 360 or 383. but its definately gotta be mopar.
My seats still have the original upholstry, and I think they're going to stay that way.
As far as your hood pin idea... I'll be honest... I just don't like it.
as for the moosetang II, I'd stick to the spindle swap I mentioned in the other thread.

It's funny your from BC, because thats where my car is from.
My bro bought it from a professor at the university of BC
Its a small world after all.

If it aint chopped it aint shit. Air bags don't do any thing for me,I like to drive my rod as low as it sits in the parking lot,not have to pump it up!

Oh she'll be low alright. Frame on ground. But here in MN/ND we have two seasons: winter and road construction. Its one thing for my bike frame to drag over potholes and speedbumps, but since I'm putting a hellova lotta time into this one, I'd rather keep as many parts on my frame as possible. I agree that low is the only way to go, but you can't be have something you're afraid to drive because of road conditions. I'd rather spend that extra 2 seconds raising my car off the ground than that extra 2 weeks trying to straighten and repaint a fender or two.

Originally posted by dick lobach
If it aint chopped it aint shit. Air bags don't do any thing for me,I like to drive my rod as low as it sits in the parking lot,not have to pump it up!

Look whos talking! You have a Terraplane, noone can top that. Haha. (*I meant this in a funny sarcastic way like saying your Terra is a sweet ride and you have no say so). lol

Oz, that's funny that your car came from BC, besides mine I've only seen one other and it is bone stock. I know of another one in Washington state but the owner wouldn't sell it to me when he heard what my plans were...lol.
I know the hood pin idea sounds a bit wacked but like I said before a big part of the theme of my car is 60's muscle and it's just a little detail I'd like to try. I respect your opinion though, I see other guys doing stuff that makes me scratch my head as well. That's what I like about rods, you can try anything, it doesn't have to appeal to the masses...unless that's the owner's goal....not mine!!
Any way I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

P.s If you ever need extra chrome trim I have lots LOL

It is totally up to you to chop or not. Word of advise make sure whoever is going to do the work is going to measure 5 times and cut once. One more comment, 2 door sheetmetal is getting harder and harder to find so some of use have to settle for the four door taxi. With some creativity they still look good!

The chopped version looks WAY better, it's so much sleeker. The airbag suspension is a good idea for your climate. That's cool that you're going with an all Mopar powertrain. It will really be different. Love the sound of those Mopars!...