Customs 1949-51 Ford kustom; To drip or not to drip

I'm thinking about chopping my '49 Ford coupe and so I've been looking at other ones to see what style I like. One thing that's strikes me is that many chopped kustoms in the '50s ran with no drip rails. Today, other than hard topped cars, everyone seems to leave them on.

Why?
- easier that cutting them off and doing the body work?
- guys are really concerned about flowing water to the back of the car?
- since everyone is doing it, it must be the right thing to do?
- ??

To me they look good both ways, but I'm leaning towards running without them. Isn't the whole point to smooth out lumps sticking out from the body?

I'm interested in peoples thoughts on this.

 

shoebox fords don't look right without drip rails in my opinion

 

Like you said,with or without it looks fine. Do what you feel like doing.

 

^^^ AMEN! Not to mention they serve a distinct function. Consider reworking them with some pencil rod or scaling the size of the lip to match the chop.

Jim we going junking' this morning?

 

who cares what others think. its your car.if you like them leave them.if you dont like them take them off. look at a lot of different pictures of them and see what you like.

 

Yeah dont listen to Gregg he's full of shit. Whats up Jason? See you at the Big 3, I think...

 

I think that they look wrong without them. KEEP THEM, or rework them to fit the style of the chop.

 

i say keep them! i was going to get rid of mine, soooo glad i stayed with them! looks sooooooo much better than without them.

 

I think shoeboxes look better with drip rails. Besides, there's a reason Ford put them on.

 

I agree keep them

 

Drip!

 

I saw a 50 Chevy without them and it looked funny. Everyone was commenting that he should have left them on. Both of my Ford shoeboxes have drip rails.

 

Another well thought out response! Why even post that?

 

I prefer cars with them. Don't like the way the top door gap disrupts the lines of the roof. It's more of a preference thing though.

 

i prefer with them on... heres a pic of a shoebox i just sold

 

So you sold it huh? I really liked that car...

 

yea this is one badass box for sure!

 

Bad Bod

thanks but it was time for something new had it a few years but she was sexy i need to replace it with something better been looking for 36 ford

 

thanks Big Creep

my all time favorite shoebox was the shoebox that bill hines chopped a good friend of mine had it but ended up selling it

 

its nice, but i think yours is better! but thats just me.

 

i think the drip rail needs to stay on...

 

Me too... Lucky's shoebox is (was) perfect.

I say keep'em

 

Keep the drip rails. They accentuate and complete the 'flow" of the roofline, making it appear lower and longer instead of higher and bulbous.

 

keep the drip rails

 

keep them if poseble
i shall try to make new one on my shoebox ht chop

/Stefan

 

you know i wasnt talking about you.i just think people need to think for them self. who care what other think. you full of shit? no. just good texas food. real barbq too.

 

I guess I hid a nerve here.

Thanks for the input.

 

Of course not man, I was just making a funny and wanted to say hi. I guess I should of used a smiley. Pretty sure I'm making it to big 3 we'll catch up....

 

Keep the drip rails

 

No drip rail = leaks.