Chevy 54 chop question...

HI,guys
Havent posted in awhile...had some $$$ problems,sold the A...but now IM back at my feet...Ive spotted locally two 54 chevys...one two door no pillars(column) and the other two doors with pillars...
Im planning on chopping it in the future...Is one better to chop than the other?
Most chopped ones Ive seen on the net have columns...

I need help decide the most suitable car for my chopping needs...
Thanks for the help,
Dan

 

I've done a couple 54's a while ago and I can tell you the hard top is worth more money. They are both cool cars, but when chopping a post, there is alot more work in the post and window frames. Just make sure you brace the hell out of the car or you will run into a lot of problems. Also move the rear window up about 3 inches or it does'nt look quite right, you will block it with your back seat. As long as you keep everything aligned your windows will still roll up. Something you want to keep in mind if you want to finish it.

 

yeah hdtps are worth more and personally i think they look better then "post" cars...but both are killer when chopped

 

Do the cars have glass in them? I've never chopped one personally but my brother is just getting ready to chop his hardtop. Through some research we've heard that it's best to sink the rear glass because it's about impossible to cut and not break due to it's curves. I've seen 'em layed down but the angles don't line up IMO. The front windshield on the hardtop is shorter and isn't easy or cheap to replace either. I like the look of the hartop more and have heard the metal work is a bit easy. If you look at both cars side by side you can see the hardtops roof sits lower from the factory
Good Luck!
Jerry

 

the hardtop might be worth more, but i like the look of slanted b pillars, the chop on this car is easy, the only hard part is figuring out the back window, like the guys said above...

 

American Rodder (I think) did a chop article a few years back on a 53 hardtop chop where they took the top down 3" and slid the back window ahead and trimmed it in the rear pillar area. They moved the window ahead and higher into the roof and then filled in the area between the rear window and the trunk. Didn't even remove the headliner.

 

As far as stock hardtops are nicer to me, chopped I prefer post tops slanted a bit in the pillars.. now.. if we're talking cole fosters 54' hardtop where he took the dogleg out... yeah.. got to say thats my fav chopped 54.. hands down.
Anthony

 

Hardtops or sedans its all preferance. Look at some of each and see what you like ,they are both cool