Hey, Weren't early Dean chops a collaboration of Dean and Sam Barris? Didn't Dean work with Barris in the early days? Thad splain the "Sam-look" to Dean's chops, no? I too, recall the sale of chopping templets, maybe about the time of the '89 Street Rodder magazine feature? That article featured templet shapes and dimentions, if I recall corectly, so that might go a ways towards splainin' the rash of cookie-cutter Dean-like chops goin down, or not. Swankey Devils C.C.
Hers the deal .Sam Barris had no standard chop.The Quesnel Merc and his own were completely different cuts.Songzonis was yet again a completely different cut.By the time the magazine article you are talking about came out,Dick Dean had cut Mercs every way possible 15 times over.The classic Dick Dean cut is straight down at the B pillars,leaving nice full lenghth 1/4 windows,straight posts,back window in stock location.Sometimes he capped the roof with thet of another merc because of all the splits to keep a stock roof.A perfect example would be the famous yellow and brown chopped merc that ended up out east.The closest thing Sam did to Dicks early style was his own chopped merc in 49.By the time Dick Dean started chopping Mercs ,Sam was finished altogether.
Javier.There were pics of the car at the first west coast kustoms meet in the Petersen Publishing Custom Cars Annuals from the early 80s. The car had big fuckin scallops on it.
I cut my Merc the way Dick did. Straight "B" pillar, full size 1/4 windows, leaned rear window. But only 3 inches. Looks like a factory low roof....OLDBEET
HMMMM....Ok BOYS....You are talking with one of DICK DEANS kids...I don't remember my dad EVER selling any Templates...but will ask just in case...you never know...so glad I came up on this site...fun to read all the threads..oh and if any of you have any questions...I would love to forward them on to my Dad and Mom or if you email me...I will give you an Email addy straight to the Horses mouth...)
Here's a couple of pictures of my Dad's Merc. Dick did an amazing job. I will always miss him. The first picture is my Dad's Merc and my Truck at Paso in 07 and the other is me and a girlfriend with my Dad's Merc in O5. Katie aka Mrs. Von Franco
how Remember this article this was my dads ca i Remember this article I have the magazine this was my dads car club he started in the 70’s
OOmack here is some more pics before street rodder article and after Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The kid down the street, I call him a kid he's over 60 now and retired, bought a cherry 51 Merc at least 35 years ago and had Dick chop it. It sat in his Moms garage for years even after he married and moved out. A few years back he moved it down to his place in south Orange County and has finally done a lot. 460 Ford engine and chassis work. For some reason I don't think it will ever be done. Now stored in his moms garage is a roller 34 chopped 5 window. I love to see them both done but I'm not holding my breath.
Chopped my last 51 Merc in the mid 90's, following Dick Dean's article in Street Rodder. The rooflines on all his Merc chops always had the right look. The secret was splitting the top from the B-pillar back, and relaxing some of the crown ahead of the rear window. I sold this car in 1999. Went to Colorado and disappeared. I'd love to find it and buy it back today. I've been searching for it for 15 years, with no luck. But I took notes of all the cuts I made and will be able to duplicate this one perfect, although I am thinking if I build another one, thinking about leaving the stock 51 rear window in it this time. Time will tell.
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