Hot Rods Chopped tops . . . . .

There is a certain "sweet spot" for most chops. And it depends on the body style. a 28 sedan can take a harder chop than a coupe and look the same. To make a heavy chop work right takes a certain car and even then lots of other proportions need to be tweaked and exagerated to make it work. Many fail.

 

OK. Now that we're on the subject. I agree with Pete. Proportion is everything. Just because you can chop it 10", doesn't mean you should. That T-Bird in my avatar is chopped about 2 3/4 inches. I chopped it about 4" and thought it was too much. So I raised it back up. I also don't get the tapered chop look. When you look at the door windows ,they should look the same height front to back. Thanks for letting me rant. I don't mean to offend anybody.

 

I go by the 1/3-2/3 rule....1/3 above belt line, 2/3 below the belt line

 

Just a wild guess, I'm almost certain it's illegal.

 

I'll throw this thought into the mix.

Back in the day, most guys building rods didn't have the tools or talent to chop a car. There were fewer shops around that could properly chop a top, and even fewer guys that could afford to pay someone to do it. Chopping a top was a pretty extreme modification, compared to nosing, decking, and shaving. Even channeling was pretty easy for the average guy. Only the "elite" of rod building had the access to professionals who could chop a car the right way.

Fast forward to now. There are an infinitely greater number of guys building rods at home with both the tools and the ability to chop their own tops. There are also a greater number of shops that are willing to chop a car. Willing....not always able. Plus, the hotrods being built now are not the daily drivers of yesterday. Screw up your car, and you were a pedestrian. Guys seem more willing to pick up the axe and make the first cut. Not quite as scary anymore.

Point is, there are more cars being chopped now. Not all of them will be tasteful or well done. just because you can, doesn't always mean you should.

 

Now that's the subtle chop I was referring to earlier. Nice job, Dave.

 

After driving chopped top cars (HighBoy Roadster/bolt on top, 32 3 window) for 15 years, both had mild chop, love the look, but I actually drive my cars, don't think I'd get another one anymore, somehow, I got old and like the visability around me now, both of mine had huge blind spots and in today's city traffic made me nervous, was going to have my Merc chopped but after driving it around, decided I like the visability and all the Merc's (not many) I see around here are chopped, so it makes mine different, which I like. Will agree with most, the right chop makes or breaks the deal on any car AND some cars (Tri-5 Chevy's) should never be chopped.

 

Going by your illustration, that's the perfect height to kiss that sweet young thang when you get home. ( POST # 23)
Plan Ahead!

 

I still like my tastefully chopped Merc better than stockers, and the visibility is not a problem. Can't go through the drive-thru at McDonalds, because a large coke is too tall to fit through the window, but I still like it.

 

I bought a '32 5W back in the early nineties and suffered with the 6 1/2 inch chop. I ended up un-chopping it 2 1/2 inches to make it where you could see stoplights.

 

You do realize this is a race car with an Airplane engine...


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I think I did, hahaha!

 

This pretty much nails it. Granted if someone has less taste then sense and doesn't have sense enough to pour piss out of a boot the roof can end up silly low and as @dana barlow mentioned end up un-drivable. I never built a car until about '68 but I have been around cars and bikes since Dana started building building 'em, I have seen some real abortions in my time and others that just hit the mark. It is not a matter of inches it is a matter of eye ball.

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I think that guy drove from a trailer behind the car. its just a damned good thing he was never in it for very long I'll bet it was hotter than a 2 dollar pistol in there. I still have no idea how he saw where he was going.

Not legal any place I have ever lived. I don't know what is actually legal in Missouri I have seen cops using a dollar bill to measure front glass, but I have also had cops tell me that they could write you up if they feel that your vision isn't appropriate.

That car is designed with one thing in mind, minimum front area.

 

That's a nice chop.

 

If you look closely you can see the drivers helmet sticking out the top. I've also seen a silver model A dragster built not long ago built this way.

 

Funny I never noticed that.

Hey you got any idea what kind of numbers they put down? I know its OT for the thread but we're here right?

 

this one really grabbed me, perfect chop.

 

Shit man I think if your short,bald and dont wear a hat than .060 to about .080 clearance between the skin on the old noggin and the wood bows is just about perfect

 

I never saw the need to chop all cars. Like previously posted many chops destroy the proportions of the car especially 35 -48 Fords. Way too many 32-34 Fords wind up over chopped. Why would anyone chop a 33 Plymouth coupe? It looks chopped from the factory. Left mine the stock height. Maybe I just don't get it but think 32 five windows look the best at stock height. Go the HRP's post about the 2017 Deuce get together and see the picture of the 32 five window in his post. That to me is the quintessential 32 Ford Hot Rod. Years ago I remember a friend ruined a buddy's 48 Chevy coupe by chopping it. It really looked bad and had about 50# of bondo in the top. If a chop must be done I like the ones you look at and have to ask is that top chopped? To me less is more.

Gary

 

Most really successful custom body mods just slightly tweak an original line to emphasize its role.
"...have to ask is that top chopped?" is really a good point.
Look at '40's and '50's Detroit cars in the flesh and in the ads...in the ads, the car was very often stretched and lowered in numerous ways, sometimes to the point of absurdity but sometimes to great effect.
I think that was really a THREE step evolution...the mad stylist drew what he saw as a great design, product development jacked it around based on corporate policy (Must clear 6'-3" driver wearing a Homburg...must clear my 45 degree driveway out in the 'burbs...etc.) and so tamed it, then the advertising guys tried to set it right by distortion.

 

I feel the same way about cars slammed so low they can hardly be driven

 

7 1/4" haircut....

 

I probably won't chop my sedan. If I do I probably won't chop it much, no more than 2". But I do like the idea of chopping the back window when one gets chopped. For some reason that makes the chop for me.

I like yours with the mail slot in the back. it just makes it right as far as I am concerned.

 

love chopped Studes this one is my favorite

 

another

 

If that's to much than I'd like to see what's " just right " ... Oh wait I just did. Perfect chop!!!!

 

There are those that say I took too much out of my Merc also.



And, they can also kiss my ass.

-Abone.

 

Nothing wrong with a heavy chop if:
1) Your young
2) Your short
3) You have good eyes
4 You have a good back
Luckily for me I'm none of the above and would rather do less is more at this stage of the game.