Customs Can a 4 dr look cool as a custom? 1953 Ford mostly..

I agree with Screwball; build it for yourself, not anybody else. I own a '53 and a '54 tudor; but, I've seen so many fordors that I've liked. The reason they look so cool customized is that hump in the lower quarter runs into the rear door, which throws off how short the front door is (I think) and doesn't make it look weird and disproportionate. Also, the rear door flows well with the roof unlike a shoebox fordor (which has that filler piece between the rear pillar of the door and the drip-rail). Just my two-cents.

 

Personally I'm not big on 4 doors, but that's just me. With that being said, I think a custom 4 door car could definitely look pretty cool if done well! And I've seen a few that are pretty nicely done. I agree with the others that is not about what anyone else thinks, if you like it then build it ad enjoy the heck out of it!!

Bryson

 

Back in the day fordors were looked upon as "the family car" or "grandma's grocery getter". Pity the guy who had to resort to "the family car" to take his date to the local drive in or diner on Saturday night. All the guys with the cool cars lined up on the back row would be on their case the minute they pulled on the lot. Although there are those who argue that a four door can be made visually pleasing, there is no way to avoid the stigmatism that will be forever know as "the family car"...

 

Full custom four door, chopped top nosed, decked, shaved, scooped 1/4's, molded 53 grill surround, tail lights moved to the bumper guards, rounded hood and door corners, volcano dual ariels, flared and extended molded rockers, 1/4's and skirts.

 

Browsing through my collection of digest-size car magazines, I found the July 1953 Car Craft featured Joe Siegfried's 1953 Ford Four-Door custom.

Pete's Body Shop of Venice, California did the customizing.

 

Fuck yeah! After seeing Brad's posts I am having a change of thought about converting my car into a two door. Maybe just chop it as a four door. More doors more whores

 

My old 49 Dodge and my 51 Chevy I have been slowly building off and on for the last few years.

 

I love your Chevy! That thing is fucking rad!

 

I have a 1954 4-door Ford Mainline, and I honestly think the 52-54 fords are one of the better 4-door body styles. Some cars look terrible as a 4-door but it just doesn't seem as noticeable to me on this body style. Sure, it would be cool if my car was a 2 door and it would probably be worth more money, but it really doesn't bother me that it's a 4-door. Plus the extra doors do come in handy at times. And I think that if the car has a nice, clean, quality overall look, it will be a cool car no matter how many doors are on it. Good design and workmanship are what makes a custom cool.

 

Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder....I love 4drs bc, well...a 4dr '55 Chevy is STILL is a '55 Chevy. My 4dr htp '60 Olds is just a cool as any 2dr htp.

Just makes it easier when you have a family, and you usally have something others don't at a show!

 

Heres my moredoor. I think the 4 door looks way better then the 2 door. This car looks custom, STOCK.

 

And let me add that I've used a conv. '62 Olds 98 as a "parts car" for my '62 4dr sedan! BWAHAHAHAHA!!

 

Those have to be the koolest fucking tailights ever!

 

I think it can... but I am biassed cuz I just picked up a 51 custom fordor. The most important thing I can pass on, that everyone is telling me... don't listen to anyone else. Do want you want style wise. However... a lot of members here know there stuff, and will recommend you NOT do something if it won't work mechanically or if it is unsafe. Best of luck.

 

This one is neato! It makes me want to keep mine.

 

This topic, like herpes, never goes away completely and has flare-ups now and then. To me it is like arguing about what baseball teams, vegetables, cuts of steak, or sex positions you like best.

I like what I like. At present I have a '58 Chevy more-door that I am going to turn into a sled, this is the first more-door I have owned for this purpose. I got it because I want a family friendly car. The whys don't really matter for me or anyone else who has one or doesn't have one.

If its what you want, go with it. For the haters, I've seen plenty of shitbox two doors in my time, so there is no immunity given by only having two doors. It's like anything, do it tastefully and do it well and pretty much anyone will like a more door.

 

Hi.... I had a more door custom for more than 20 years to cart the family around to the rod runs...as well as 2 hot rods..some time would take 2 cars...Doug

 

He he he...

Love that freakin' car...

 

My Desoto as it sits right now.

James D rendering

 

Love my 54DOOR!

 

Hey if COE trucks can look good as customs, even a four door sedan can do it with no problem. Look in the old rod books from the 50s-60s in the Reader's Rods or Reader Writes columns and you'll find plenty of four doors being worked on and finished. Folks use what they can afford and what is available to do their car thing then and NOW.

 

i think they can and its different!

Heres an example of a car Brad Masterson is doing...

 

'55 Chrysler New Yorker. That was driving me nuts! Looks real good on that car.

 

Thanks, Squablow; it was driving me nuts, too!

I was just about to post the answer, thanks to the '55 Chrysler thread.
Just when you think you know everything there is to know... <label for="rb_iconid_10"></label>

 

Poor me. My car has two strikes against it. Four doors and it's also a Studebaker .....

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Yes - ANY car can look good as a custom. Whether I like it or not is immaterial. I love them all - even the ones I would not build.

 

Any more pics of this one Brads workin on? Looks kool! I have a similar plan for the rockers and lower quarters on my 51 Chev.