Thread: to chop, or not to chop...

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I am looking to get one the same exact car 47 plymouth, my question is to you is there one specific sub frame that will fit this car? Nova, caprice, I even have an access to a 96 Astro van. Just wondering if I could adust a frame to fit under this girl. I guess it is a trial and error

Originally Posted by CHACH3835

I am looking to get one the same exact car 47 plymouth, my question is to you is there one specific sub frame that will fit this car? Nova, caprice, I even have an access to a 96 Astro van. Just wondering if I could adust a frame to fit under this girl. I guess it is a trial and error

First off, that's about a 4 year old post......but nevertheless, why subframe the car when there are so many good options to update the suspension and brakes on the stock frame???? Grafting on a sub-frame brings on a whole host of other problems....... Track width, reattaching the radiator support, making mounts and brackets for the inner fenderwells and front body mounts, getting the steering reconnected in a manner that is safe and still offers engine and header clearance. Along with this, plan on spending a bunch of time measuring, measuring, then some more measuring to get the old frame cut off in the right place, the subframe cut off in the right place, then getting it all welded back together square and level, along with getting the tires centered in the wheel wells....... Also requires some very secure stands or a chassis table and well above average welding and fabricating skills to get everything back together correctly and safely.

Then, when you're all done with this, you still have a subframe with a bunch of old worn out bushings, brakes, bearings, etc. etc. etc.........

i also like the chopped look.

chop it, im no expert, but ive compared my 49 thats been mildly lowered to other stock 49's and it just doesn't have that low profile, sleek look.

I'm currently building my first rod, a 1947 plymouth special deluxe coupe and absolutely will have the top chopped 3"-5". I know that the style of top this generation of cars had makes them more difficult to accomplish but hey....these are hot rods we're talking here, it's all about personal tastes and no rules right.
I've seen a couple of 40's mopars with chopped tops and they look awesome but thats just me, I'd think a school bus would look great chopped!!
Any way there's my 2 cents, good luck with your ride either way.

Aligning all those posts would drive you to drink!There's a reason you don't see many 4-doors chopped, its just too much work for the end result.

I really like the chopped version. It smooths out the lines of the rear end and makes it look less hump backed. If you can do with metal what you did with photo shop I think it would look bitchin'. Now that may be a lot of work, and easier to say than to do.

Either way is nice, but chopped is my choice.

Pat

I believe that Hot Rod(?) magazine did an article on chopping a torpedo top cadillac this past month. I have the mag at my other place and it doesn't look too much more than a "typical" chop. If I do chop, it needs to be at least 3.5 inches. Why go subtle if you're going through all that work?

hey 47mopar
you have any pics of your project? I'd love to see what other guys are doing with these things. thanks
Oz

I went to look at a 1930 Model A a few weeks ago and this old black man was chopping a 48 Ford coupe and a 49 and 51 Merc. He had a few other cars that he chopped in some old ran down little shed that you can BARELY move in and did an AWESOME job on them. He said that he chops all the tops on his cars and does his own snad blasting. Pretty interesting. Take pics throughout the process if you decide to chop!

Don't chop it!
Just lower it and keep the origional wheels and those wide whites.

Oz I'll post some pics either tonight or tommorrow. I just got the car a few months ago and have been aquiring the drive train and other parts so I haven't done much except pull a few dents and put together a game plan. My goal is to make a cross between an ol skool rod .....flat black, chopped top, shaved, door poppers ect and the guts of a 60's muscle car. I have a 440 BB with a 727 trans and will put a 8 3/4 sure grip in the back. The only non-mopar stuff I have is a set of red leather seats from an 91 Vette and the mustang II front end which I mentioned in another threat that I may not use. I also plan on taking the hood hinges off and using hood pins like the ol super bees and chargers. I'd like to see some pics of your ride as there aren't many of these on the road...at least not here in BC.

These cars have way too much cool crome to shave it off I'm leaving all my chrome. The only things Im smoothing out are: 1 the gas filler (move to trunk) 2 the deck lid handle because its so huge and 3 the antenna. I just didn't like how it was slapped on the side of such a classy car.
as far as power goes, I'm thinkin a simple 360 or 383. but its definately gotta be mopar.
My seats still have the original upholstry, and I think they're going to stay that way.
As far as your hood pin idea... I'll be honest... I just don't like it.
as for the moosetang II, I'd stick to the spindle swap I mentioned in the other thread.

It's funny your from BC, because thats where my car is from.
My bro bought it from a professor at the university of BC
Its a small world after all.

Originally Posted by kustom_oz

It's funny your from BC, because thats where my car is from.
My bro bought it from a professor at the university of BC
Its a small world after all.

That sticker is a cool little piece of history...my '35 still has a Rutger's University parking sticker from 1963 from when my dad drove the car back then in college. the window is separating and the quarter window on the other side cracked taking it out, but I plan to reproduce the parking sticker and give it to my dad as a surprise for the new glass. the car is not following a 60's theme by a long shot, but i think he will appreciate having that old/new memory on the window again! (yes I know this thread is old and that user is probably not here anymore )

If it aint chopped it aint shit. Air bags don't do any thing for me,I like to drive my rod as low as it sits in the parking lot,not have to pump it up!