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Technical TO CHOP OR NOT TO CHOP THIS IS THE QUESTION

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by topher5150, Mar 2, 2023.

  1. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,755

    topher5150
    Member

    I found some pics from the chop cl*** that a local hot rod shop put on recently. The donor car was a 41 Ford business coupe that they put mild chop to. Looking at the pics he used, compared to other chops that I've seen, very minimal cuts. I know chops are very involved and not for the faint of heart, but would I be able to apply what he did to a business coupe to a 47 Ford club coupe? I know there are some differences with the roof shape and there are some other steps that weren't do***ented.
    Screenshot_20230222-092503.jpg Screenshot_20230222-092450.jpg Screenshot_20230222-092443.jpg Screenshot_20230222-092428.jpg Screenshot_20230222-092419.jpg
     
    D-Russ, Stogy, chryslerfan55 and 7 others like this.
  2. 62rebel
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 3,233

    62rebel
    Member

    The mechanics are the same, the dimensions are up to your desires. The techniques shown are sound and proven to work.
     
    dirt t and dana barlow like this.
  3. Mark Grabo
    Joined: Jan 26, 2018
    Posts: 110

    Mark Grabo
    Member
    from Upstate NY

    Every car has its own problems when it comes to chopping them , cut a little at first alot easer to cut of more than to weld more back on
     
  4. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,675

    alchemy
    Member

    The "magic" to chopping any car after around 1936 is the slant of the roof. Some are just straight down chops, which are OK for a hot rod. But some are delicious rearward slanted chops that make a custom flow like no OEM designer could ever imagine. Cutting up a large side photo will help you determine what you need to do to get the look you are after.

    Cutting up a photo will also help you realize the amount of new panel fab you will need to do to match the curves. You can't bend the ink on the photo, and sometimes you can't bend the original steel panels. But you can create panels from scratch, as shown in the pics of the catwalk in your pics above. And some chops might require a whole new rear quarter of the roof.
     
  5. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,755

    topher5150
    Member

    Some good ideas thanks. Maybe I could buy a model kit and try that too.
    The thing that makes me nervous is that they made it look too damn easy.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  6. Your post ***le is "TO CHOP OR NOT TO CHOP THIS IS THE QUESTION", I'd vote no.
     
    chryslerfan55, TagMan and Just Gary like this.
  7. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,853

    goldmountain

    With the information now available on the internet along with affordable welders and English wheels, I think you really have to work at messing it up. When I chopped my car over 40 years ago, all I could find was the occasional magazine article that couldn't do as near a good job of do***enting the process. However, on the plus side, there were a lot more donor cars back then.
     
    chryslerfan55, Outback and mario711 like this.
  8. You could just raise the seats and it would feel chopped when you drive it. :D

    Some cars do not need to be chopped, '40 Ford coupe is a good example, but when they are and it is well executed they are just delicious. I am not a resto rod type myself, so chopping or not chopping is a non-issue for me. For me it is a matter of how much work I am willing to do. I think that is something to be considered for sure.
     
  9. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,498

    Squablow
    Member

    The club coupe has a little more crown over the back seat area, doesn't it? That'd be the critical area I'd want to change when comparing to a short-door coupe chop. Otherwise the basics are all the same.

    For a first-timer, when you include the gl***, window regulators and vent wings, and all the little incidentals, you could easily figure this job to take 200+ hours of work. You can get things tacked into place and looking cool in a few days, but that's very much the beginning. If you know you can devote that kind of time to doing it right, and if you really want a chopped car, I'd say go for it. But be realistic about the amount of time it'll take.
     
  10. wheeltramp brian
    Joined: Jun 11, 2010
    Posts: 3,341

    wheeltramp brian
    Member

    Do you have a link to that chop as it looks pretty nice and I have a 41 Coupe that I will be chopping end of the summer after I enjoy it for a while
     
  11. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,907

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I would seriously have to debate chopping a 41-48 Ford coupe if it were me. I have seen as many that I didn't like as I did. Anyway, good luck in deciding. My decision to chop my Merc coupe is easy...it looks silly not chopped. :D
     
  12. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,755

    topher5150
    Member

    It was on the Gas Axe garage's instagram
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  13. 31Apickup
    Joined: Nov 8, 2005
    Posts: 3,627

    31Apickup
    Member

    Being that you’re primarily working in the backyard without a garage, I’d get the car up and running, drivable, then worry about whether to chop or not later.
     
  14. That is actually really sound advice!
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  15. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 10,697

    Rickybop
    Member

    Depends.

    What style of car do you want to build?
    Custom? Chop chop chop.
    Hot rod? Maybe yes maybe no.

    In my opinion, the roof of a 40s Club Coupe looks too humpy. Always needs a chop.

    But a Business Coupe doesn't need a chop. They've got a pretty high roof, but as a hot rod, for some reason it works.

    On one hand, they say that easy doesn't often produce awesome.
    On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for leaving stuff alone.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2023
    chryslerfan55 and guthriesmith like this.
  16. I say:
    14A902DF-57E2-4EC6-B8E1-61D044DE49B9.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2023
  17. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,907

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have been staring at a chopped 41 for the last month on my RoyBoy calendar... I do like this one chopped by Jeff Myers that has been shown here on the HAMB many times. Photo credit to @travisfromkansas

    A8C69538-E04C-4CD9-894E-3CCAD0BA5F97.jpeg
     
  18. F-head
    Joined: Oct 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,482

    F-head
    Member

    Here’s a long door I chopped a couple years ago
    No small task to get it to flow
    Get the 1/4 windows looking right and to cut all the stainless and garnish moldings
    I think it was worth it though
    The long door coupe has a clumsy looking top stock 9B1B3463-787B-4B56-89FE-95F40EEB6F26.png
     
  19. To be polite, your car is rough and your skills are just growing. Get your car on the road and enjoy it. Hone your skills and find something to chop later.

    I have had a hand in several chops, worked in a rod shop for several years, and would love to chop my 51 GMC like Geislers was done decades ago. However, it would add a huge amount of time and work to the timeline when I could be driving it.

    Add to that the fact that many projects end up with a FUBAR'd chop and sold off before they ever get done.
     
  20. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,364

    19Fordy
    Member

    Just doesn't look good with the rain gutters gone and the quarter windows
    made too small.
     
  21. Nacifan
    Joined: May 19, 2011
    Posts: 411

    Nacifan
    Member

    any more picture of this cl*** ??...please post
     
  22. millersgarage
    Joined: Jun 23, 2009
    Posts: 2,310

    millersgarage
    Member

    The cl*** was held thru the Gilmore Auto Museum, and done by Gas Axe Garage. Look online, there were many posts from many people about it. The car was on display at the Detroit Autorama last weekend too.
    Really nice chop, not extreme, just perfect.
     
  23. BamaMav
    Joined: Jun 19, 2011
    Posts: 6,969

    BamaMav
    Member Emeritus
    from Berry, AL

    I’m with ******, not all cars need a chop. Chopping something with straight pillars like an A would be fairly simple. On the other hand, chopping a post war car with sloping pillars is a major undertaking for a first chop. Not to say you couldn’t pull it off, just saying it will be much harder than it looks, especially without tools like a English wheel to make filler panels. Above my pay grade for sure.
     
  24. patterg2003
    Joined: Sep 21, 2014
    Posts: 885

    patterg2003

  25. I'm not a fan of most chopped tops.... it takes more than metal working skills... it takes an 'eye' to pull it off successfully.
    As @Tman said, a lot of chops wind up FUBAR and sold off as parts cars.
    My opinion.... DON'T!
     
    A Boner likes this.
  26. Nothing like a good chop on a '41-'48 Ford Business Coupe, the green one in the pics looks great...
     
  27. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,755

    topher5150
    Member

    -This is what it looks like right now
    -I'm going for a custom look as much as I can, but not too wild either.
    -In my defense, my skills are pretty sick for a newbie, but looking at some of these builds maybe not so much.

    IMG_20221022_130409790_HDR.jpg
     
    guthriesmith and anthony myrick like this.
  28. Hmmmmm
    That car is cool. Make it go and stop.
    The chop? Depends on either skills, willingness to learn skills, tools, willingness to purchase tools needed or just a big wallet to pay someone.

    Can you weld? Willing to learn?
    The skill to cut something is often never mentioned along with patience.
    Vision has already been mentioned. (Flow)
    Hammer and dolly work? (Metal finish)

    No of this is rocket surgery. And I do metal work with simple basic tools.

    There’s more than enough info here and folks that can help along the way.
     
    R A Wrench and guthriesmith like this.
  29. topher5150
    Joined: Feb 10, 2017
    Posts: 3,755

    topher5150
    Member

    @anthony myrick
    Always willing to learn new things, and I've gotten pretty good a welding too. This was my car a couple of years ago, but this was all straight lines
    IMG_20200501_163941234_HDR.jpg
     
    guthriesmith and anthony myrick like this.
  30. Cut it

    take a good profile pic. Print off a few. Chop the picture.
     

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