Chopped '48 DeSoto - Has anyone done this?

Wondering if any of you guys have chopped a '46 - '48 De Soto or Chrysler Club Coupe? Want to chop mine at some point and looking for some direction. Any pictures out there?

Thanks!

Gary

 

hey the guy i sold my 48 club coupe (dodge ) to plans to chop his this month ill let you know more as i know im supposed to go help him with it more so attend a chop top cl*** lol.. but anyways ill get pics if it happens.

 

39Plym: I'd really appreciate that!

Gary

 

Hard to find a good picture, but here you go. This´ll work very well - just don´t chop it too much and make sure you lay that back window forwards.

Before...


After...

 

nice!

 

Once again, NICE WORK, JamesD ! Hey, not to intrude on another's thread, but (yup!) this seems like a perfect time to do so AND maybe answer a burning question I've had.

I've always felt the midline side trim on the 46-49 was definitely functional, rather than appealing, design-wise. It actually detracts (my 2 cents) from what are otherwise VERY smooth lines and contours!!! James, could YOU lose those (and, maybe, fill the back-fender seams) so we can SEE if that renders a sleeker look? Thanks in advance!

 

jimi'shimi291 - good ideas. My plan is to loose the side trim as well. James D, anyway to estimate how much of a chop you did in inches? Maybe 3? Thanks.

Gary

 

It was about the thickness of the door/window frame. 2 or 3" i suppose.

 

48Rules, PLEASE don't get me wrong, buddy. I think the LONG trim (running alll the way from back to front) is about as beautiful as it gets. Follows the design lines & contour just gorgeously.

My eyes have a problem with those four trim pieces on the four fenders; they just seem to be there to protect the paint. Not artful at all.

The PROBLEM I see with removing them is that ya have to modify the diecast portion that goes clear across in top-front of the grille (I mean, of course, the left and right end of that exercise).

So, I thought, maybe JamesD could PhotoShop it, before anybody gets into a corner on somehting that isn't easily do-able. Thanks for bearing with me!

 

Hate the rear fender trim. Like the front fender trim. Of course mine is all rust anyway. I do have NOS rocker trim. Just not sure if I like it or not. In any event JamesD's picture is great. What a difference a 3 inch chop makes.

 

Here you go, with and without skirts.

 

I have a 47 more door chopped if this helps with the looks

 

JamesD: lookin good. I think no trim would be nicer......maybe? Chilly1: Do you have any pics of the chop work? That's what I was hoping to find.

Thanks!

Gary

 

Chilly1: by the way your car looks great!

 

My 1950 Dodge has the same style trim... Im keeping the trim closest to the windows but Im ditching the fender trim and the rocker trim.

 

You have to be careful or the car just turns into a big blob. I like a bit of chrome and it has the added effect of making the car look longer and lower - which is what we are after, after all. I even like the chrome on the fenders, but you wanted to see it without.

 

JamesD is the man with the eye here,and I have to agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you shave ALL the chrome & stainless, there simply is no DEFINITION to the original shape, form, etc. YES, guys back in the day shaved off everything. But, as JamesD said it becomes a noisy, fast, but AMORPHOUS blob -- NO style.

Everybody wants style & cl***, maybe ESPECIALLY in rods & customs?????????? Those concepts are BOTH about making a style statement, which reflects the personality (presumably) of the owner/driver.

 

BTW, I always thought the hood ornament was to heavy, busy & didn't make any sort of artistist statement, SO I like the car bettre without it. Some finer, more streamlined sub hood ornament might work, though!

 

Is that really true though? Barris Brothers were busy adding different chrome trim to a lot of their cars - Buick onto Merc famously. They knew the score. I always think that Shoebox Fords look wrong without their chrome - too deep in the body. That side chrome works like a poor mans sectioning job.

 

Whoa! Thanks for the catch, JamesD !!! That's what happens when one tosses out a generalization. I should certainly have made myself clearer. Back in my home town, a group of rodders were into shaving everything off. They thought it was a mean look and a weight saver. I imagine others, elsewhere, were shaving it all off, too.

But I NEVER meant that there was any period when 100 percent of guys were shaving all the trim. Things were way more imaginative than simply to do it ONE way, if only a few years. Sorry, my BAD! But it was toss-off generalization not a complete brain hemorrhage!

Good catch, James!

 

You guys are correct, too bad I don't have the side trim. Well I do but it's crud. One big pit. But then my car is one big rust bucket too. JameD, if you get bored and have absolutely nothing else to do, what would it look like without the vent windows. I know, I like em...but mine are toast too. Love the skirts by the way!

Gary

 

I kept all the chrome on my MoreDoor '48 DeSoto, except the kinda big and bulky trunk handle;

I kept hood ornament


I removed bulky (IMO) trunk handle, kept original brake light on trunk, which now functions as "3rd" brake light



I did replace long stainless from hood to rear of car, and air brushed instead

 

Man what an improvement!! That looks so nice, go for it!!

 

There is a guy in Colorado Springs Co that has a red chopped 48 coupe that is kick ***.Man that car is awesome .Sorry I don't have a picture but maybe some one else here does,Like Roger Jetter?

 

Yes, I did a '47 coupe, will try to find a pic. It was pretty straightforward. I left the B-post angle stock which required filling a large gap in the top of the window frame since the post angle is just the opposite of the windshield. I played with the size of the quarter gl*** opening until it looked right, and then laid the stock gl*** forward, taking some of the hump out of the roof.

 

I´d like to see that.

 

^^^^Me too^^^^^™

 

^^^^Me three^^^^

 

Are you still thinking about chopping your 48 DeSoto? I started one a long time ago, Its bad that I have never finished it! I think they can be real cool! cool Would like to know if you have started and what it looks like.

 

Love the look without the fender trim. We are currently restoring a 47 New Yorker.



Here is a link to the photo bucket pics
http://s23.photobucket.com/user/jonpreeder/library/1947 chrysler?sort=3&postlogin=true&page=1