Help make this car cool BIG CHALLENGE

This is my Dad's 50 Chrysler. I bought it for him for fathers day 18 years ago, it is currently running a 440 with a 518 OD auto trans, 4 WDB etc...
It needs some help in the looks department, what can you guys do to make this thing cool? I've been thinking the bumpers have to go, and maybe a 3" chop? It is just so square, and grill is so heavy looking.

 

I was thinking about removing the chrome around the parking lights, I think that may lighten up the heavy look up front.

 

I say bag it and you're done. I think the car looks awesome as is. Maybe some skirts. Other than that I would just drive it.

48 Poncho

 

I think moving the bumpers in closer to the body would help a lot... I'll see if I have time to mess around with it.

 

It gets driven for sure... About 40K miles on it in the last 3 years

 

i think it looks good how it is, but thats just my 02.

 

Yea I would lower it and leave it be. It's cool already

 

Yeah, I agree. As far as the grille/bumper goes, heck thats the best looking part of the car. Looks almost like a Caddy from the front. Looks like that 440 could use a set of rings though.
V/8

 

There is nothing anyone can do to make it look better.
(except customize it so that it appears to be a 57 Chevy)

There was one here that had been customized but you could still tell what it started out as.

 

Drive it.

 

My personal feeling is that I love the car the way it is, and you would be making change for change sake.

It would be like having an elegant woman who is nice and goes like a mink in the sack and sending her out for plasctic surgery to make her look more like Pam Anderson.

$.02 please

 

Lower it add skirts and a 2-3" chop. paint it another color, that red is just to wrong.

 

her's matt wilson's 49 plymouth it looks but so does that

 

Ditch the bumpers and find something cleaner maybe Caddy? If you did about a 6" vertical section on the quarters and roof, it would look more coupish...

 

1. loose the visor.
2. Slightly lower
3. Dark color.....black or red
4. 50's Chrysler wires & whitewalls
5. Fix the door handle so it's straight.
6. Done.

 

you people need help,,why ruin a perfectly good running car ???Just drive teh damn thing,,find something that needs work and butcher that,,not enough solid old cars left why ruin another

 

Enjoy it for what it is. Its a nice stock appearing car and theres nothing wrong with that. It is not good cutom material to begin with. Or he could sell it for something more to his liking. Thats my opinion for what its worth.

 

Can't be said better. Color does seem wrong (read, not a period color for this car).

 

Cut up your 1953 Suburban. Leave your Dad's car just like it is.

 

i say some skirts and drag the ass on some bags maybe a real mild chop like 1.5 to 2 at the most. i like everything else. color could use a change but thats about it.

 

Make that car cool? It IS cool.

 

Here's a progression from uber mild to just mild...
Lowered:


Lowered with bumpers tucked in close to body:


Lowered, Mild Chop, Bumpers tucked:


Lowered, Chopped, Tucked and Skirted:


I like the visor on this one because it balances out the weight proportion the front end seems to have. I didn't cut the A-pillars since they seemed angled back so much. Just brought the back window forward, tilted the B-pillar a little more and stretched the curve of the angular rear window.

 

that looks real good although now i kinda like it without th skirts.

 

I do too ... looks meaner.

 

yeah the skirts make it look real passive but with out em i looks like that thing could really run.

 

I like the last version, I would also shave the handles and the hood. I think I would also have to let the visor go. I would have to see it first though. I might change my mind. The bumpers aren't bad but I would shit can the bullets or whatever you call em.

 

It's not the grille that's heavy, it's the bumper, which belongs on a truck.
Skinnier bumper, simplicate the grille, and you're done.

Nothing wrong with the color, either.

 

Allright, lightened the bumpers and shaved:


In new paint, Black Cherry:


And without the visor:


Looks kind of funny without the visor to balance that forward weight IMHO.

 

Put the skirts back on and you nailed it. IMO.
The Nip and Tuck on the bumper is the biggest improvment.
You coul play with the chrome too, More spear and less large flat areas?

I just got a visor for my wife's 48 and am thinking about skirts as well.
This gives me some more mental porn to toss around.

Jeff
If your wondering heres the '48: