Projects Channeled or not channeled, that is the question...

I picked up this 5 window project that is already channeled. The floor is only tacked, so it wouldn't be hard to lift the body up if I wanted to. Being 6'-2" channeled cars are usually iffy with me but i like the look overall on this one for the most part, BUT I'm also thinking about lowering that roof a bit. I've been searching for some inspiring pics, but nothing is really jumping out at me. Love too see some pics of some 33-4
5 windows if you guys have any.. Thanks!

 

That car is on the wrong coast




That top piece of green tape is the stock depth of the floor. She's got a really deep channel.

Weld the floor to the bottom of the rails. Unibody style and you'll get to drive in a seated position with your knees bent in a comfortable position.
I can barely get a boot under the rockers on this one.

 

Yep, heavy channel with stock roof is early East coast style. Great looking 34!

I say chop it to your hearts desire then if you don't fit, start un-channeling it.

 

That is an age old question" to channel or chop?" I too am 6-2" and I like to ride with my arm on the top of the door on any hot rod I own. So that pretty much dictates the seat height of the car. That is how , because of being a little tall, I opted for no chop and no channel. It just fits me. Let the next guy cut it up when I'm dead.

 

Driven by some one taller than you. Not channeled.seat is about 2" off floor. Very comfortable. . I like the look of your car as it is......

 

More recent photo.

 

Keep it channeled
Looks cooler and are more rare
Both my cars are channeled
31 Roadster 8" 1950's survivor
31 Coupe 4" 5 yr build

 

No channel but chop it. My vote.

 

2" off the floor for a seat isn't comfortable.
It defies every ergonomic principle.
Looks cool though.

 

That channeled car is sweet.

It would be work but you could gain some legroom by tacking your floor to the bottom of the chassis. It would entail building a hump on the floor and then the body would become just a shell that mounts over the chassis. The upside is that the 5 window model 40has less wood and more metal in it then the 3 window, which makes it a better candidate for that type of build.

Anyway lid lowered or stock that car you have is setting just right for me.

Sorry no pics for you.

 

Its not a real heavy channel, I'd leave it and not chop it. Looks good as is.

 

That thing looks good as-is. Having owned a channeled car for the last 16 years I'll never own another one, too uncomfortable for this old guy. But it's your car... build it the way YOU want it.

 

Why not Z it? It'll sit low, AND have room inside.

 

Hi what nice lookin coupe! Roger

 

If you are not going to run fenders I think it will look better channeled and unchopped, just as it is.

 

Matt (@slddnmatt) Townsend -

Chrysler HEMI powered, chopped & channeled 5wd Coupes are so cliché!

My vote is for you to un-channel it ... and to drop a flathead in between the rails.

 

That coupe looks great just that way it sits - what a fantastic find.

 

My 2 cents....
I agree with the posts about NOT chopping it.
Everyone on here talks about"Cookie Cutter" cars or "Belly Button" Cars usually about some one running a SBC or whatever. When I look at pics of the different shows half the time all I see is chopped coupes. Talk about "Cookie Cutter".
I would leave it as it is and drive it for a while. You can always cut it up later. JMHO
Torchie

 

Yep way easier to cut then to uncut.
Good advice right here fellas.

 

My 30' Chrysler coupe is channeled 6", I would never do another one. The car was an old hot rod when I got it so I left it channeled. I also chopped it 3". Should be interesting when it's done! I'm 6'-2"!

 

I kinda like the non-chopped, mild channel you already have there. But if you do chop it, I'd bring the body back up.

 

Are you heavy, or skinny?
Do you have long legs or short arm, or the other way around? Do you set your right leg in first, or sit your ass down and swing legs in?
Do you sit down to pee?
If you are asking what you should do, we are not the one who has to like it, and it doesn't count as much.

But since you asked;
What I would do, leave it channeled, not chop it, paint it Washington Blue, anddrive it a lot!
Run a 265 SBC or a 21 stud flathead. Only because everybody says they are worth nothing, to other people at least, and I'm strong out for cash. [emoji4]

 

I am 6'1" and fit in my channeled/no chop coupe just fine (sorry -- 3W and not a 5W). I channeled it 6"at the cowl and roughly 3" at the rear. No driving complaints as I moved the seat back and down enough to give my legs room to run the pedals.

Like said above way more chopped cars than channeled cars out there -- leave it.

 

Re post 9 ...That is what I thought as I got in it for a 200 mile run, but it may have a lot to do with angle of seat and back of seat and leg room. Or maybe I just enjoyed the car so much that I didn't notice....

 

Im looking for pics, if I see something i like ill lean in that direction on the 34.

I can care less what people think, unless its a customers car..Even then I might just give them a dumb look if they suggest Lambo doors on a Merc or something...

 

If this came out like a; do what you want post or my dad went to war so I could could do it my way-post, I'm sorry.
I was going more in the direction of, if you smack your right ear on the rain gutter going in, it dosent matter how it look, you will never love it.
If you are very little flexible you will love it less if you can't relax in it.
And if you knock you long legs on the back of the steering wheel when you go to apply the brake or clutch it will be a pain to drive.

But I do love em channeled and un-chopped


There is a car known a the Kinsey rod or kimseys rod that is a hardcore channeled un chopped east coast style, and I like it too, but can't find a pic on my device. I will have to go to my PC later.

 

The body had about a 4.5" & 1" wedge channel to it. Ended up cutting the spot welds loose on the floor and addressed a few issues that were just covered with some new metal. I left the rear where it was and lifted the front 2". Im happy with the look. Next step is to finish the sill on the passenger side then off to the blaster to get it cleaned up.

 

Just another opinion, but chopped un-channeled hot rods are more west coast. When I chopped my 3W 2+ inches it corrects the body to top proportions that Ford used in the design. My car is very comfortable for me at 6'2" and to me looks right.

 

No channel.....one very neat element on a 33-34 is the bulging front inner fender panel.....and you loose that on a channeled car. The stock parts.....frame, lower cowl, inner fender and hood flow better than what you end up with on a channeled car.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Here is a pic of my own stalled project - a channeled 33 five window. I like how you have your coupe set up now, just a great project. View attachment 2902493