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Hot Rods "No one chops 32 Fords anymore."

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by MikeRose, Mar 18, 2026 at 12:39 PM.

  1. MikeRose
    Joined: Oct 7, 2004
    Posts: 1,586

    MikeRose
    Member
    from Yuma, AZ

    Is that true?

    I was watching a very popular YouTube channel and they made that comment. My first thought was that the host was out of touch and only knows about restomod cars, but then I started thinking about it. Maybe it's mostly true and I am out of touch?

    I know there are some still getting chopped, but has it become a largely a thing of the past, even with HAMBers? I am not talking Brookville cars, but genuine Deuces.

    Have you chopped a 32 Ford in recent years or know of one? I've been away from this site except for the occasional peak.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,988

    alchemy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    My Dad’s current project is an unchopped 5-window highboy. It is an exceptionally nice body, and came with a set a chromed window moldings. It took some convincing to keep him from chopping it. He really wanted to.

    IMG_5474.jpeg
     
  3. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,984

    Fogger
    Member

    There are different opinions on chopping '32 Fords. My rational was to correct the proportions of the roof height to the body. On my 3W 2" looked right and my '32 Roadster 3" and laying back the windshield. We chopped my 3W in a friends backyard after it was wrecked and it was the perfect time to correct the height. It may be that the cost to chop a top has gotten too expensive and unless the owner has the ability to do the job himself it won't be done.
     
  4. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 3,740

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

    Too Many Were Poorly Done And Unfinished......Wasted and A Crime 74835367_10156766319202776_5826458921862168576_o.jpg
     
  5. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,837

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Pick a number, any number (within reason), just don't make it f#@k'd up looking with a radical tapered chop!!!
     
  6. 29Sleeper
    Joined: Oct 25, 2023
    Posts: 644

    29Sleeper
    Member
    from SoCal

    I recently p***ed on a chopped 4 door. If it had been a Tudor I'd have bought it in a heartbeat.
    I think that a 3" chop is best. Improves the look without being too much of the overall focus.
     
    LOU WELLS likes this.
  7. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 16,253

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Mine, while I own it will never be chopped just to piss everyone off.
    my32.jpg
     
  8. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 65,272

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I didn't chop my '32 5 window and had a gl*** chopped 3 window, My rational for not chopping is I'm 6'4" tall and 75 years old, as much as I like chopped cars I've had a couple of them in the past and comfort is more important to me. HRP
     
  9. Paladin1962
    Joined: Mar 10, 2025
    Posts: 270

    Paladin1962

    I used to be in the save what's left bunch, but there's not much logic in that anymore. Chop 'em if you want, but as HRP said, keep in mind the comfort issue. Not much fun trying to fold yourself into a severely chopped car and then struggle to see traffic lights.
     
    bchctybob and HemiDeuce like this.
  10. JimSibley
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 4,107

    JimSibley
    Member

    I chopped both of mine. I like them unchopped, but a chopped hot rod has a more sinister look. I am currently working on a 1934 ford 3w, which I will also chop. It will sit nicely beside my chopped 33 ford 3w. IMG_1414.jpeg IMG_1415.jpeg IMG_2271.jpeg IMG_2630.jpeg IMG_8489.jpeg IMG_3373.jpeg
     
  11. NealinCA
    Joined: Dec 12, 2001
    Posts: 3,577

    NealinCA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    We did a mild chop on my 5w

    67425.jpeg 32 5w during chop.jpeg 32 5W rear.jpg 20250502_191645.jpg
     
  12. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 4,372

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Before 35 ish yrs old & Talking about
    A's & 32s
    Chop & channel , 20 year later No ,
    33 up seems more room ,
     
    porkshop and MikeRose like this.
  13. MikeRose
    Joined: Oct 7, 2004
    Posts: 1,586

    MikeRose
    Member
    from Yuma, AZ

    I think the show was making the point, or trying to, that they are too valuable to cut up now. That and maybe that they are just not popular anymore? IDK. If I had one I'd want to chop it I think.
     
  14. MikeRose
    Joined: Oct 7, 2004
    Posts: 1,586

    MikeRose
    Member
    from Yuma, AZ

    Uncle Ronn, i.rant and NealinCA like this.
  15. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,837

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    There was a time when chopped 3W's were the end all deuce for me, until I rode in my pals' car, this was not long after having a cervical fusion, nowadays uncut works for me.
    Looks good from the back side of the camera!

    20181004_134500.jpg
     
    catdad49 and Lil 32 like this.
  16. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,683

    oldolds
    Member

    Look at mine in my avatar. Not chopped.
    Built about 1962-65
     
  17. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 65,272

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    My chopped gl*** 3 window, It was cool at the time but I was also in my 30's.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. So true....what we think is cool in our '30's isn't so cool when we're in our '60's and '70's!o_O
     
    Paul B likes this.
  19. lostone
    Joined: Oct 13, 2013
    Posts: 3,708

    lostone
    Member
    from kansas

    I think it has to do more with the value of the body. I know if I had one I'd want a 3" chop just for the looks and dimensions BUT I would wrestle with the idea of cutting one up... but I'd still chop it....

    ...
     
    hotrodjack33 likes this.
  20. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 65,272

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Why cut a original steel 3 window to make it look exactly like a gl*** 3 window? HRP
     
    finn, Toms Dogs, 49ratfink and 3 others like this.
  21. Just Gary
    Joined: Oct 9, 2002
    Posts: 5,899

    Just Gary
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Don't trust people who begin claims with blanket statements like "Everybody" or "Nobody".
     
  22. lostone
    Joined: Oct 13, 2013
    Posts: 3,708

    lostone
    Member
    from kansas

    Because the chopped steel body was around long before the gl*** body, I'd say it's safe to ***ume the gl*** body is a copy of the chopped steel body, not the other way around ;)

    ...
     
  23. Johnny99
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,187

    Johnny99
    Member

    Or “I heard”
     
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  24. tim troutman
    Joined: Aug 6, 2012
    Posts: 1,398

    tim troutman
    Member

    Why cut a original steel 3 window to make it look exactly like a gl*** 3 window? HRP One of my club members had a chopped 5 window that had a mold pulled off of it he took some kidding that his car looked like all the gl*** cars
     
    Fitty Toomuch and catdad49 like this.
  25. tim troutman
    Joined: Aug 6, 2012
    Posts: 1,398

    tim troutman
    Member

    I am defiantly not a restorer but have no desire to chop or fill anything on my 32 20250718_101418[1].jpg
     
  26. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,165

    pprather
    Member

    Some would ask, "Does the hot rod world need another chopped Deuce?".
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2026 at 9:38 PM
  27. wheeldog57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2013
    Posts: 3,898

    wheeldog57
    Member

    @NealinCA nailed it. That chop is what I would call perfect.
     
    VI Lonewolf and Just Gary like this.
  28. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,984

    Fogger
    Member

    '32 Fords were chopped long before the gl*** copies became available. The fibergl*** copies are an affordable visual option for those who want an early appearing hot rod. Chopped original '32 Ford bodies don't look like fibergl*** but the opposite is true. Anyone who thinks an original chopped Ford looks like fibergl*** is trying to justify owning a gl*** copy.
     
    Johnny99 and NealinCA like this.
  29. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,837

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

  30. Corn Fed
    Joined: May 16, 2002
    Posts: 3,449

    Corn Fed
    Member

    I'd guess more coupes, both 5w & 3w, are now chopped than remain uncut.
    I like them both ways. But I probably wouldn't chop one today.
     

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