Well, it's still early in the chop, so I figured I'd run it by the knowledgeable HAMBers. 3-1/2" vertical, planning on sectioning the rear of the top to better conform to the driprail lines. I started the chop over the weekend (see the most recent "What I did this weekend" post), but received some time in the garage this evening for good behavior. Funny thing is, my wife came home tonight with a vision for the car (her first). Candy red with gold flake and dark brown interior. I was leaning towards a single stage gloss black and black tuck n roll with white piping myself. Any guidance so far?
You can't really see it in these pictures, but I have some lines drawn so that I can take a wedge out of the back of the roof. That should lower the rear of the chopped section another 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Then, the back glass area can be pie cut and shaped to eliminate any double hump. Does that sound correct? This is my first chop, so just trying to make sure I have all of the bases covered.
what are you doing to address the back pillar on the roof....I dig the body lines on these cars but the c pillar is ugly and tough to overlook.
I think part of that has to do with the conflicting body lines. The driprail has a nice gentle curve, but the roof curve was pretty much parallel with the ground. The wedge out of the back of the roof will help bring the curve down and the C pillar will end up being thicker at the bottom than at the top. A quick photochop of what I'm looking for:
the car is looking nice. You should post more pictures of the car as you go a long, so i can have something to go by when i chop my 49 since its going to be my first time doing it as well.
We did a 3 1/2 on a 51 Cranbrook (3 window bus. coupe) a few years ago, and I would have to recommend leaning the B pillar forward. That makes ALL the difference on those Plymouths. Photoshop it and check it out. I think you'll be amazed.... My draconian server won't let me do anything with pics, but I will try to get one before and after up when I get to my other job later today.
the one that Hellfish posted looks like a completely different roof. I like the photshopped black one. that looks way better. I dig these cars alot and beacuse of the funky ten gallon hat roofline they remain pretty cheap. the motors are bombproof even the straight eight flathead. I dig em period.
I was just concerned with the angle of the B pillar not matching the C pillar. Does that not really matter?
After looking at it over the weekend, I think leaning the B pillar would look better. And, just to clear up any confusion, here is a bigger picture of my avatar. It's kind of funny how Iowa plates resemble New York plates.
The Plymouth looks good, then again I'm partial to them myself, since I have two of those in the works.
do a search for moparsled's chop. hes got a dodge that he chopped/is still chopping, and the roof line is outstanding. i cant remember how much he took out of it, but it looks perfect. maybe he'll chime in and let you know how much he took out. if not you could pm him. dave s
I had a a 52 Belevedere hardtop for a parts car. Used the roof and drip rails plus the doors and six inches of the quarter panels to finish off the roll up quarter glass. I droppped the C-pillar an extra couple inches to git rid of the vertical section. this was all done to a 52 wagon
DON'T just chop it like that photochopped picture is, it looks like a giant has stepped on it. Here in my hometown is one chopped '51 Plymouth, done like that and it ain't good lookin. That Hellfish's example is much better, sure, there is lots more job to do but it looks much wiser. But one thing what I would do different in that flat maroon Dodge, build a clear edge to between roof and trunklid that smooth line looks "cheap", in this case. Sorry if I hurt builder, it's only my opinion These early 50's MoPars are rather kinky to chop and make it good lookin in same time. Anyway those are looking rather dummy allready so probably it's getting better whatever you are doing. Major problem is that body is quite rounded allover and the roof looks like it's been taken from '67 Dodge Dart
Since we're talking Plymouth... How would you guys chop a 1950 twodoor sedan? That's a fastback kinda model... Similar to the Hamb chop one?
I started this car over three years ago, finally got it down off of the stands yesterday. I started the chop long ago, but still am not fully happy with the shape. I have accumulated some tools over the years like a nice MIG welder (no more flux core), HF e-wheel, shrinker/stretcher, etc; so I hope finish that soon enough. I have swapped in a 440/727 auto, 65 Fury rear, Scarebird disc brake swap, rebuilt 11x2.5" drums on rear, notched the rear, fabbed bag brackets front and rear, planning on putting in a Cavalier rack. Hope to work on cleaning up the engine over the winter and then get ready to take the body off next spring. I'm on the National Guard plan with this car: one weekend a month, two weeks a year. I stay energized with the HAMB and for that I'm very grateful to Ryan and Kevin Lee and all the other mods that keep this place running.
I think when you chop a "custom style" car as opposed to a "hot rod" style, there are two things to consider. If you radically chop the top (3+) then they usually need to have the rear tilted forward to make a more streamlined look. A basic modified custom (3-) on the other hand often looks better with maybe 2" removed and just somewhat adhering to the cars original lines. I think lowering a roof too far often makes a vehicle look bad (not good) if the rest of the car retains the same proportions. Many of the older cars had rather bulbous roofs and a "slight" lowering often makes them look much better......as if the factory should have done it that way. Watched an episode of "Wrench'd last nite where they chopped a Buick Rivera. Minimal chop really brought the lines of the car out.
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