Technical 1950 4 door Merc Chop Questions (head room)

I'm planning on starting a chop on my 50 4 door Merc but before I do so I have a few questions for the guys that have done it. IF you have a pic of your car and you or someone inside I appreciate you posting it as I'm curious how much head room I and my p***engers would have. I want it to look good but don't want to chop it so far that someone of 6ft can't sit in the back and I can't drive it reasonably comfortably. I know I can chop some out of the seat to lower it but don't really want my legs straight out as I want to be comfortable. Here are a few I have for inspiration but no one has pics of the head room after the chop. Voodoo Larry I think pretty much nailed it.
VooDoo Larry



BoHuff

 

Those sure seem like some short mail-slot windows... esp Bo's.
Suppose you could also drop the floor(at least around the pedals) for abit more footroom/leg-angle, but then you've got to consider what has to disappear/get-rerouted from that area. Tilting the seat angle(s) can compensate for some of that, while comfortable, it might look weird, & would be harder to get into/out of. I think I'd rather have a less-chop along w/a flatter roof curvature. Need some photochopping to decide.
Marcus...

 

Do you want to sacrifice comfort for the look? if so go for it and figure out the seating later.
Your 100% right Voodoo Larry nailed it and he looks like a pretty tall guy too . Maybe you can find some videos of him driving it to get an idea.

 

1960 and later cars are way lower inside than cars from the 40's and 50's. I just mounted later bucket seats onto the floor. It is just like having a later car as far as headroom is concerned; only with the dashboard raised a bunch. Drove my mom crazy riding shotgun and not being able to see above the glove box. My 6'4" buddy, not a problem.

 

My 49 Buick has a 2 1/2" even chop. I chopped my stock seat 2 1/2" and moved it back. Otherwise I was looking through the blue part of my shaded windshield.

 

I don't think I want to go as low as Bo's but Voodoo Larry's seems pretty dialed in.

 

I think Larry's is the best example for me to go off of. I messaged him myself and he said he chopped it 5 inches in front and 7 1/2 in the rear. When I sit in the car I have a ton of room over my head but I will take measurements to be sure.

 

Btw, I was ***uming you'd cut the seatbase down at least as much as the chop. Which may not be possible, therefore the need to get creative w/seat positioning, & even the make/type of seat used. If you need stock for tradition &/or looks, then it can get real interesting. Glad to see you're chopping a 4dr. Just be careful w/the proportions, & flow.
Marcus...

 

Nice work bro!!

 

Larry's every bit of 6'0" and I'm 5'11". Had plenty of head room to wear a hat w/o my head hitting the head liner. Now the back seat.... Might be a whole different kind of issue trying to get someone 6' back there

 

My 51 Merc has a hard chop, 7 1/2" cut at the windshield. Using T-bird buckets and rear seat.
Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, but for now the plan is to only let short folks or kids ride in the back seat, and when it's finished, I'm planning on identifying as a 5'6" skinny guy.

 

Hey, Willie;
Would that work for a T-bucket, too? .
You will keep us updated on that, no???
Marcus...

 

Thank you for the inside pic. I think I will do my best to sit in there and test it as the chop is in progress. I want it to look right but if it isn't comfortable what is the point.

 

I personally have never been 100% comfortable in most of my old cars but I'm willing to give up some comfort for the experience. The cool factor is way more important than comfort. The "chopped top slouch" is all part of the fun.

 

Definitely going to be some give and take but I want to drive this car as much as possible so being somewhat comfortable is huge. Plus my wife and I hope to some day drive route 66 in this car.

 

You can make new headliner bows that put the headliner closer to the roof and gain an inch or two.

 

That is a good idea. I took measurements last night with stock seat and I have 6 inches over my head to the headliner. If I push the headliner it feels like another inch to inch and a half.

 

Remember to leave room above the headliner for lots of insulation to keep the heat out.

 

Now if that rear door side gl*** was just shortened up a bit.

 

I firmly believe that the seats should be lowered at least as much as the chop. Most cars have six inches wasted space under the seats. I love how my coupe looks but it’s ridiculous to have to bend my head over to to see where I’m going. I want to chop my Lincoln, but want to be smart about it. Don’t forget there are tricks to be done like sectioning the windshield header. It can still look great, but you can gain a couple more inches of visibility.

 

And don't get a shaded windshield like I did, or you may end up looking through the tinted part.