Thinking about chopping my beloved '52. What are some of the special challenges in chopping a 4-door? Anything more you have to be mindful of to get the lines right? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Plus don't forget the PICS! Thanks -Tyler
Well that went over big, didn't it? Not a lot of responders. I'm kinda considering the same thing. You would at least expect a few smart asses to jump in. Twice as many door post to cut. That kinda stuff.
I wouldn't do it. If you're gonna consider chopping it i would make it a 2 door first. i like 4 doors, but they look goofy chopped.
just make sure u get the proportions right(i.e. dont chop it too far) , or it could look 'goofy'! i personally think mine looks pretty damn good!! i would post a pic but i dont know how
I say restore the car,but make sure the engine compartment isn't too shiny. Make sure you get all of those little factory chalk marks in the right place!!!
Yeah, stupid like a fox. I used to subscribe to the "four doors don't make good customs", but boy, did you just prove me wrong beautiful car, congratulations on making a dick out of me Paul
Here's pics of my '53 Buick Special 4d we have been chopping. Rear doors are already suicided. Took 4 inches out of the top and using a 50 Merc back window. Still have some odds and ends to cleanup before paint. Fryguy
Give it a try.....Shouldn't be any harder than a two door, just a few more cuts..... Moordoors are cool in a lot of cases... Look at the '56 Chevy four door hardtop.....a classic all it's own.. Good luck, Cheers,
I say do it! It can only look as stupid as you make it look. Can play with the b-pillar a bit and put a little style in it. Maybe chop the b-pillar out? Make her a more door coupe! Suicide rears perhaps? I say with doors "the more, the better".
look at a ppicture of Leroy French's 1950 plymouth 4 door chopped. that is the best 4 door chop EVER! the best thing about it still looks like the stock roofline. if its done right; it looks awsome.
Chopping a 4 door is ALOT more work then doing a 2 door, which is all the more reason to do it. The hardest part of the 49-54 Chevy cars is the rear of the roof/beltline area. Getting the window to lay down and still follow the contour of the beltline trim is real tricky. That is why you see so many of these cars with the rear glass moved up and a filler piece between the bottom of the window and the beltline. Here is the most recent pic of mine: chopped 4", rear window moved forward 3", drip rails molded, and roof skin sectioned 3/4" above the drip rail.
Ok. Now i know this is obivously not my car. but a good friend of mine worked on this when he worked for Bo Huff. The "Dixie-Deluxe" I think is the nicest done 4 door merc!!! (just my opinion) So hell yeah!! Chop that shit!!!
The rear doors are a lot of work figuring out the geometry, and making it look right. I had to make the rear parts of my rear doors. Sure its a lot more work than a 2 door, but it is possible to make a decent looking car. Not all of have the luxury of money and availability of buying 2 doors.
I just quickly "photo-chopped" my 49 Plymouth 4 door to help me form an opinion and I like it! Of course it is easier said than done. I photo-chopped it keeping the same front and rear window angle by adding length and width to roof to match existing pillar location. What would be tough would be fabbing the extended door window frames to match, this way the flat glass would be easliy cut. This does make one question the necessity of door frames, post and glass though.
4 door chops are great for having your friends / family getting in and out of your car .. now that my son is older ,, 16 -225 lbs . i really hate to have him getting his sweaty body bumping against me .. working on another 4 door ... still a long way off .... '48 dodge 4 door ,,4" chop...
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