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

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Here's the dillema. I have recently aquired a 48 plymouth special deluxe. The thing is basically complete (sans engine/transmission). I can't decide what route to go : restore, or kustom. The previous owner (my brother in law) would love to see it restored, My friends want to chop it up. I can't decide what route to go. I'd like to hear your feedback on the subject. Ive attatched two pics, one of a restored, and one of our rendering with the chop. thanks for your help.
Oz

In my opinion ,that car is too nice to screw up by choppin the top.

this is not the actual car I have. its a picture of a completed one that I found online. I'm having problems putting up the chopped version at this time, but will try to get it posted soon.

My vote is No to the chop top. Slam the suspension with an air bag system Leave the body stock.

Originally posted by Corvette64
My vote is No to the chop top. Slam the suspension with an air bag system Leave the body stock.

I'm thinking the same thing.

To me, it really depends on what your plans are for the car and what is YOUR favorite type of cars. #2 is that (No Offense) it's a four door which isn't the most popular type to customize IMHO. I have had a couple of nice older 4 dr's and both where mint stockers and I just ended up dumping them becuse there wasn't a market for them. With the streamlines of the rear of that body it would really look good IMHO air bagged, chopped, and fender skirted. They have alot of nice chrome and would make a great custom.

It is my opinion that chopped tops look stupid on anything other than '49-'51 Mercs.

If your buddies are hot to trot to fire up the Sawzall, have them do a sectioning job on it.

I'm in process of dropping suspension right now. bags are a must. and skirts are in the works. also lake pipes moulded into the rockers are in the plans. Brickman brings up the real issue here of a moredoor. If it were a 2 door, I'd have no problem leaving headroom as is. But being a moredoor, I'm not sure if the coolfactor is there. It's only saving grace is that they're suicide rears. I'm still workin on that chopped rendering. hopefully it'll be up soon. thanks
Oz

here you go...

I also have a visor that will be going on it. And dual antennas that will be frenched somewhere. The final color will be some variation of dark blue, almost black. Thanks for your input.
Oz

In case you're interested. this is how the car looks as of last week. and yes... that's my friend in the engine compartment holding up a fender, not someone I ran over on the way to the shop.

I would just leave it. Seems like on a car like this that it would be a PAIN in the you know what to chop. If you do decide to chop then nothing more than 2 inches. I have a 48 Chevy Coupe and I was going to chop it since it was as about high as yours there but decided not too... Someone said on a 48 it's way too hard and I would need to have a lot of other metal to reform the back section, etc and also it's a coupe and doesn't look real high anyways. Two tone the thing with a light color below and a dark on top and that will make it look lower. I agree on the bagging too!

so it seems the general consensus so far is to bag, and no chop. Here's a quick rendering of that.

IMO that looks good. Chopping it 2 inches will give it a lower look too but then it will look too flat and the hood and all will be way too tall. I'd leave it and just bag the thing.

I like the chopped look