Chopping a 1950 Nash Ambassador (Unibody)

So what do I need to know, besides how to weld?

Oh, yeah, I know I am totally crazy. I have a lot of company here, too, but Nashes are kinda rare.

Looking for an early 50's sleek look, and this "school bus butt" isn't working for me. I'll post a pic if you promise not to run away. And it is a two door.

And if you don't think I should chop it, pay your dues to the Church of Nash (Nash Car Club of America), but don't mention me. They would think I was the devil if they knew. Hell, they hang people for converting to 12V.

 

The green one is mine.

Nothing personal against the black one, but this is the view I'd like to alter most.

 

Of course you should chop it, its one of the coolest cars ever.
Love to see some pics durin the process.
So what if its rare its just metal and if the original freaks gets mad at you thats just another reason to chop it right?
pics,pics,pics

 

Sorry about the colour - its the only profile pic on the entire internet!

Stock profile...


Chopped...


That trunk lid will take a ton of work to make it fit again, but the roof is hardly chopped at the front at all.

 

What if you photoshopped and radiused the wheels? Wonder what that would look like. I'm not good enough with photoshop to do it.

 

Loose the rear lights and chrome, french in some '59 Caddy taillights on the fenders, open up the front wheel wells a bit, and weld in the rear side windows. It will make a cool sedan delivery. No need to chop it, it already looks chopped.

 

I was thinking about that myself actually.

 

There's a nice write up on a stocker in the current Hemming's Classic Car.

 

My two cents, I wouldn't open up the front wheel openings, its what makes it unique and different. Photo chop went from looking like a Nash to a Dodge Wayfarer with the front wheels radiused.

 

I agree.

 

Damn, that looks pretty damn good ... ! (to me)

 

I had a 1949 Ambassador 2 door I traded for a lawn mower. I still have all the original stainless trim. probably worth as much as the car

 

I really hate Nash's... but if I was made to chop one, thats what Id do... not my best photoshop work...

 

I just noticed what you did with the wheel well...

*altered*

 

It would be a really hard car to chop, but you know that.
I think a chop would just accentuate the already odd look those cars have.
Leave it alone......maybe you just don't dig this unique car, sell it and move on maybe....

That flamed tub looks cool to me....but I'm really weird.

 

Nix on the panel wagon...

 

The Panel design dosent look to good.. Like the one with the front wheel wells cut.. it suits the car..

 

I was thinking something along this idea... side by side.

Actually thinking of skirting the the front mini-wheel wells, too. I'm really weird, because this is the car for me!

 

Looks nice, kinda like a Kaiser. I want a lower look.

 

No,, Not that one,, The one with the Traditional Back..

Its bad enough with people asking if a Chopped Merc is a Hudson..

Next it will be a Nash that looks like a Kaizer..

Those Nashes have appeal.. the front wheel well would be a neat change..

 

Chop that sucker and it's going to look like a submarine.

 

I might need open front wheel wells if I use my '72 Ranchero frame, but I like the streamline look right now.

 

Well, I always wanted to take my date to the Submarine Races.

 

Side views...

Maybe... I need to fix that.

 

Instead of a whale?

Can´t see much point in adding a trunk/making it a notchback - seems like you should just start with a Merc of thats what you want.

 

I am going to go out on my own here and say that it looks great factory. I would not change the roof any.

 

I think at the end of the day, you either like a car as stock, or you dont...

If you like it just lower it, all cars look better lowered... dont feel you have to chop it.

If you dont like it, hack away at it till you find something thats beautiful to you... Then be happy knowing you have something you like, even if everybody else doesn't...

 

I think it could look very good chopped. It really does have a spectacularly fat arse as a stocker.

 

btt

Anyone else?

Any opinions about maintaining the Unibody? I've been told why? I guess I need to know why not. I'm stupid that way.

 

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To chop that vehicle you'll really have to do some good engineering.<o></o>
Given that it's an early unitized constructed vehicle, and has no conventional frame under it, you'll wanna sleeve and weld completely all joints/cuts. Any where you don't, you'll have a box with no bottom-can you spell trapazoid?<o></o>
The cuts at the A posts will be straight foward, but the roof panel will require a pie cut or few to get the flow you're after. The replacement of the rearlight, trunk opening and rear deck with that of a shoe will get rid of the " Jennifer Lopez" ass shape, out back. Many, many cuts and slices to the oem deck would be necessary to "tone-down" the oem shape out back. maybe even a deck off a '49ish GM would work?<o></o>
I hope your sickness is exceeded by your skill and ambition, as you'll need them all to pull this chop across the finish line.<o></o>
Upon compleation, be on the lookout for someone driving a Metropolotian or Pininafarina bodied Nash- they may be packin' an Uzzi!<o></o>
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Swankey Devils C.C.<o></o>
" It's time for another Tea Party ! "