<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I am starting a new project and need some ideas on a 40 ford coupe? The car will be chopped (thanks to B***), lowered and with a little extra custom touches. Really looking at going with an early Westergard look. This project should be at the next Pistons and Paint in Nov 08. Thanks RC </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I agree.. There is no improvement that can be made to the rooflines of 36 trhough through 40 Fords. They have perfect proportions.
Chop it. B*** will make it look awsome. And I don't agree with Petejoe here. There is always room for improvement.
Geez...what are you guys, restorers? Are you saying that the '36 that Cole Foster just finished was a step backward from the way it looked from the factory? I happen to disagree. Once you get the back down into a tail-dragger stance on a '40 Ford, the top starts to look too tall and bulbous. Sure it's hard to chop a '40 Coupe and have it come out "right", but there is room for improvement if you cut it correctly. A lot of guys told me not to chop the '49 Fleetline I'm building, and I think the chop has pretty much made that car. I can promise you that if I'm cutting it, then it will be done tastefully....and it will actually improve the looks of the car. It's OK, everyone is en***led to their opinion....and I realize that not everyone understands what makes a good custom. But just don't piss on me and tell me it's raining.
Here's a couple I like (although I don't like everything about each one).... I think Verne Hammond's coupe (the dark green one above) is one of the best ever done. Probably the biggest issue with chopping a '40 Coupe is keeping the quarter windows proportionate. It's real easy to get them too small....that's why a lot of the earlier chopped '40s, such as the Earl Bruce car, had filled quarter windows. I like that Verne's coupe is not hammered so hard that the quarter windows lose proportion. The later rear window is a neat touch as well.
Verne's coupe rules......choppin' a '40 is really dicey, not many look good....look at the red one, looks too high at the back of the roof....IMHO... But after looking at what B*** has done in the past.....it'll be "right"..... A Westergard '40 build???? BAD***!!!
Good luck. You've got a great canvas to start with... Here's a couple of posts I had in my que. HAMB Art Challenge - 1940 Ford Coupe: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214780 Chopped 40 Ford Draggers: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225091
GO, B***,GO!!!Chop it ....it's a great challenge ,especially the 40 roof..bur,yeah..can be improved!! Verne Hammond rules,great proportions..you said it all!! GO for it!!! actually i'm very curious to see the results... and i'm sure they will be a bad*** car....sled
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Thanks for the ideas, I am making notes on the way it will be laid out. later RC zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...... </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
After looking at the above cars, I think the key to keeping it "right" is the drip rails. It doesn't look right without em, they help the flow. Plus the door gap on the green one is killer, the red one is too "right-angley." Just my opinion, not worth much.
Chop it! if you can retain the drip rails it looks better in my opinion. Better a coupe than a sedan!
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Ya, thats right needs the drip rails and the doors need rounded corners </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Well well...looks like a hit a nerve. I love to see a well done custom and those pictured are absolutely beautiful. Nothing I could even begin to accomplish. There are alot of cars that I consider to be poorly porportionate from the factory and need cut. All I am saying here is that these years are perfectly styled and look great as they are. Regardless of the opinions stated on this post most agree with me. Think of how many of these years have original rooflines vs those chopped. I too would love to have one of those customs.... but I could never take a knife to one. Some things in my mind look good as is.. Now I think I'll find another post to piss on and tell them its raining.
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