Well, here goes... I was asked by a friend to chop a car for a friend of his. The car is a '53 Chevy 2 door sedan. It's airbagged, and not exactly my style (I like chrome!) but I respect where the owner of the car is going with it and his passion for it! He's always wanted a chopped "sled" so finally he's getting his Chevy chopped... By me! This isn't going to be a conventional chop. I've taken a few extra steps so far in the sail panel or C pillar area to give it the look that we've decided on. Radical, but practical; an exercise in doing things a bit differently from most '49-53 Chevys out there. I might throw a "curveball" at the B pillar as well... Please follow along over the next week as this project progresses! This is the result of one day's work. Enjoy!
Great! thank you! Sounds good! I plan on booking a few around the country this year, if you'd like my help we'll talk! Stay tuned!
Sorry in advance for the fuzzy photos, my phone's photo lens is scratched up. I'll take a series of clear photos when I'm done.
The rear window is now set in place. I moved it forward and laid it down, avoiding the trunk support and elongating the tulip panel in the process. I'll add the filler strip next.
TOO bad the member introuble with the '54 chop nightmare isn't closer to you! Looks like he could really use your help.
Thank you! I'll post more tomorrow evening, just doing finish welding and grinding today. Thank you very much! Thank you! The quarter windows are 3" shorter lengthwise than stock, so I reshaped the rear curve. They'll need a skim coat, but they'll look good! Thanks again!
Just about done! I'm just handling the metal work, including the garnish mouldings. I'll post a few more pictures when I'm finished with the doors and B pillars. There really isn't a bad angle on this car, which is the point, isn't it?
I fixed the drip rails where they'd been hit with the sawzall. I'm about done with my part of the chop (metalwork). The owner is going to do the body work and paint. I've got full confidence it'll turn out great! I started on the garnish mouldings today. I found the best way to do it is to hold the bottom of the mouldings in with their respective screws and work from front to back. The quarter window was trickier due to it's shortened length and tighter curves. More pictures tomorrow! As far as "custom theory" or "chop theory" goes, in this case it was very easy to retain the stock drip rails. The drip rails form a very nice definitive line that gives the top a "set" look, which allows the viewer to appreciate the other aspects of the top. The C pillar is neither too thick nor too thin. The angle of the B pillar follows the natural door gap line. The rear window is set at an angle that allows for as much rearview capability as possible, while maintaining the flow of the top. This is very important for a couple reasons. I personally hate rear windows that are simply laid down at an extreme angle. This is neither traditional nor practical. For an extra days worth of work a rear window can be moved forward in the tulip panel area laid down a certain amount to enhance the roofline and continue the flow of the roofline. Doing this also helps avoid flat spots in the C pillars from certain angles. (Front or rear 3/4 view). Anyway, I did it this way because, to me, it's a practical chop with good proportion and visibility.
Great job, that extra day of work was worth it. Learning from this thread thanks for sharing Sent from my SM-J727T1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
After 12 days of welding, grinding, and fitting, I'm done! I finished last Friday, but have just gotten pictures of the top in primer so I'll show them now. All of the garnish mouldings are done, and it's back to the owner's garage to get ready for the car show season. To quote the customer: "It's great, got it home yesterday in the garage. Ready to start working on it today. You completed making my 53 the lead sled it was meant to be, thanks so much for all your hard work. You have unbelievable talent at such a young age keep it up." I'm happy to do so, Stan! If you're reading this I really appreciate the opportunity!
Looks good. Can’t help but think my next step would be raising the front wheel openings. Looking forward to the photos of it with skirts!