Do all customs have to be chopped?

Here is a picture of my 53 Plymouth 2dr HT. Many have told me it should be chopped and lowered, while others have said just lower it and give it a nice paint job. Im kind of stumped on the deal. I have also never chopped a car, so I would like to not screw it up....i guess if I went that route Id find someone to chop it for me.

Maybe someone can photo shop me some ideas???

 

No, they do not.
Someone will list a few pretty quickly here.

 

NO...some look better unchopped...( and that rear window would be a bitch if it was chopped...it'd need some other kind of rear window in its place).

Yep, it needs lowered...

R-

 

Yes, and Choprods is the guy to do it! He did mine in 2 weeks, has a great eye and he's reasonable.

 

The thing about a custom, it will speak to you. When YOU look at YOUR car and it says something you clearly understand, it will be time to do something. Until then, leave it be. At ths point you have the opinions of others and, I'm guessing, they aren't the opinions of anyone you really trust or you wouldn't have posed your question. Customizing a car is very personal. I believe it's something you should even keep to yourself about as you develop your own ideas. When the time is right and the ideas have come together, you will know.
For now, let it be.

 

They do look nice chopped

 

This is some of the best advice I have gotten. Well next to "there is no such thing as getting a girl a little pregnant" ha

 

My windshield is too small to chop the roof so I am going to raise the belt instead! Remember, you are building your car for you!

 

No, you do not need to chop but on some cars it really looks better. Some cars should not be chopped and look strange if they are. IMO your car looks great with the factory roofline.

 

no...but yours definitely would look great chopped but I agree with the sentiments of scottybaccus

 

It's your car, build it the way you want. Chopping the top is alot of work or alot of $. Doing it because someone else thinks you should is so '09. I'll stay in the 50's.

 

I was thinking for the back window I would use Plexiglass. I think they used that back in the day right?

 

Cool car - I did a quick and dirty lowering job in photoshop, just to get you started.

 

They did...but that's old school...and it scratches easily...use Lexan...

R-

 

Lower it and keep the full brim for a while. I love a chopped top, but I think these days yours would stand out. Good luck and post pics.

 

Lexan scratches even easier.

Only glass looks right on the street.
Lexan is fine in a race car.

Nothing wrong with a mild custom.

 

no chop.

 

I think your car will look great lowered. Don't go hacking it up. Like someone else mentioned--keeping the roof like it is will make you stand out. I'll try to get around to photoshopping it for you sometime in the next few days. Check out "the photoshop thread to end all photoshop threads". Cool ride.

 

Actually, if you could post a larger pic it would be easier to 'shop. Lemme know.

 

Car needs lowering, but I say no chop! You're car is already a standout in a sea of Fords & Chevys, keep it simple and clean. ( very nice car, by the way!)

 

I dont think your car has the proportions that a chop would enhance. It'a a short wheelbase car more suited for a custom rod appearance with a nice paint job and a V8 in it. I'd leave the body just as it is.

 

Yeah i'd say mild custom, slammed on the floor with no major body mods... but like others have said it's your car, only you can decide what to do with it and when it's done and it looks right to you that's all that really matters... you'll always get someone saying 'you should have done this' or 'you shouldn't have done that'... can't please everyone all the time so just make sure you please yourself

 

My '52 Buick was neitehr lowered nor chopped..

 

yea leave the roof like it is, if you want to get crazy air bag it so it sits on the ground while it's not moving. I like an un chopped roof myself

 

in that case I'd say just leave it alone.

 

my 50' is not chopped but i feel is just as cool as chopped ones.

 

Well thats why they are called CUSTOMS, otherwize you could just cal them a car with cool wheels or hubcaps!
The roots of the Kustoms were taking everyday affordable cars and customizing them so much you could tell if it was a Cadillac Lasalle or a Ford with a Cadd grill. The Kustoms of the 40's were trying to show-up the high dollar Duesenburgs, Cadillacs, and Packards.
A chop, channel, section, grill or tail-light change was taking a cool car to the next level

 

There are several "mild custom" treatments you could try first. Lowering, nosing, decking, frenching, etc... I always heard a chopped car is a "full custom" You have a nice old car there.

 

You have to realize that a custom it what the owner visualizes he or she wants. In other words, its in the eyes of the beholder. Customs starts with a set of rims, to the radical ones done completely wild. That leaves an own only to see what they want and go for it. Let your imagination run wild, and as far as your money will go. Chopping a top should not be preformed by the amatuer. Only someone with the skills in body modifications should take this difficult task on. I have chopped many cars in my time, but I have been doing it for over 40 years. Just my 2 cents

 

its your car and your decision. what do you like? this rod/custom thing is about doing what you think looks cool. personly, i think chopped cars rock but thats only my opinon and it aint my ride.