1951 Cadillac Chop

I got a 1951 Cadillac Coupe De Ville.

I have been pondering if I really want to chop the top. The funny part is I just had the body work finished and new paint.

Over the past few week I have been studying the car and trying to find the right areas to cut to lower the lid and keep the factory lines intact, ie: drip rail flowing; including the use of the stock 3-piece rear window.

Sometimes trying to re-invent the wheel can be confusing so I was hoping I could get some information and/or pictures from some of the metal fabricators here. There isnt alot of information detailing a chop for these cars.

These GM cars can be difficult to do with the taller winshield and slope to the back; A "Wedgie" chop on this car is out of the question.

"Nadine" has the perfect flow IMHO. I want to duplicate this chop in my car. I was told that the chop on 'Nadine' is 2 3/4", doesnt seem like much, but as you can see, its plenty.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Thats a hard call... I think cadillacs 99.9% of the time dont need to be chopped... Cars like Nadine are the exception. I don't have any real advice as how to chop it... all I want to say is I think those models look perfect the way they were made.

 

Thats probably my favorite caddy. Completly sick, so that being said if you can make it look like that CHOP IT!

 

do it!

 

Cut it up!!!!!!!!!

 

I love 'em chopped! Check out the Hersti autoshop outcome:

http://herstiautoshop.com/galleria_caddy.htm
http://public.fotki.com/Recyclers/cadillac_-50/

Hope this helps!
--mika

 

Mandatory CHOP!!!! After looking at one that is done right, go for it.

 

Lets See the Car as it is right now...

 

wow i love that dark blue color , a chop would look nice to though good luck with your decision

 

I say "DO IT", and when you get it figured out and looking right, come down to Florida and do mine too..

 

Call David Guymon,Cartwright,Okla...He chopped "Nadine"
He is on the board here but I dont know his screen name..

 

here's the roof line I like...

 

I love the roofline on this caddy as well, but they used a smaller rear window instead of the 3 piece. I believe those windows are from a limo. That definitely makes it easier to do

My other Delima is the vent wings. The surround is made of pot metal, anyone know anyone who can weld these back together?

 

What the **** cut into it ...

 

Sorry...I'll go against the grain and say not to chop it. I don't think lowering the roof with a subtle chop improves the look that much.

 

i agree too, NO CHOP...

 

I like all things chopped, but think yours is already to beautiful to redo. Just my opinion.

 

Here's how the car sits today.

The interior upholstery is getting done right now.

 

i say leave it. you should have done that before you spent the money on paint.

 

Man,I love chopped cars,but I say your car is perfect the way she is,I think it looks KILLER!! In the end,it is your car,and you know what will make you happy.I Z'd the frame,on a finished truck,just to get it 2'' lower.Everyone said I was crazy,but I was completely happy with the end result.It was one of those things I just couldn't get out of my headGood luck!!

 

Having just chopped my '59 T'Bird, it kinda hurts me to say it'd be hard for me to cut it if I'd just painted it. But, it would't be that hard a chop. Check out the '51 Chev hardtop chop on the board here a day or so ago with the removable top. You'll want to get the sawzall out!

 

I'm another chop top nut but I actually like your ride as it sits. Nadine is one of my many favs and has a beautiful flow to her but that doesn't mean an unchopped version can't be just as kool.

 

wow now that i have seen it as is... I definitely say dont chop it, again. She looks great. My opinion, but, those are one of the few cars that just looks like it shouldn't be messed with. granted a subtle chop looks great but, as far as you already are... not worth it.

 

I say drive it awhile then cut it. Get some enjoyment out of it and get your plans ready before cutting it. That said, I am going to cut the roof on mine once I get it running. The look is super koolsville.

 

Just joined and running around on all the builds and Car ****.

Just wanted to jump in...Car looks better ...great job, can't wait to see updates. I have a 51 Cadi 2 dr hard top and roll her stock. I like the look of chop tops and even convert top...done right makes your ride sick. If you are not going OG...Cut into it after a few miles on the new paint. I have been in the garage a few times and just wanted to cut into her..but still haven't. I like my lines on her and don't want to get her cut just yet.

Just do what feels good to you.. your car for the time.

Will post up some of my chica soon and drop lines.

 

i dunno man, you went and did body and paint already, and all stock...seems silly in a way. do you want a custom or a stocker?

 

NOT everything needs to be chopped...and certainly not your Caddy...

R-

 

The ratio of top to body is about right on the Caddy. Are you sure you can make it flow better? I bet not...

 

You have a very straight looking caddy, I would drive it this summer and get a few scratches on it. But I would be looking at donor tops in the junk yard. You really need to play with this idea on a paint program before you make the first cut. It's yours make it your own. my 2c's

 

I drive a '50 Buick Super Riviera 2-door HT (almost identical roof) and thought about chopping it for a long time.
Definitely would want to retain the 3-piece back window.
In the end, though, for me, the amount of work and potential headaches involved in a chop (side window fit, quarter windows, rear window angle, cutting the curved windshield, etc.) simply outweighs its cosmetic benefits. My Buick looks kinda chopped the way it is, plus I have enough headroom when I hit those freeway whoop-de-dos at 80mph on the 101 coming into Ventura in the morning.