Customs What did you do for Thanksgiving, I chopped my Hudson!

This year instead of going to the Turkey Run(first time I missed it in about 15 years) My dad and I cut the roof on my Hudson. All the prep work was done, and after we ate the roof came off. I had been kicking this around for years. I knew it had to be a mild chop. I decided to cut it 1 1/2 inches. It is amazing how much difference it makes. I also did not want to shorten up the roof at all. Coupes often get real goofy looking when the roof is shortened too much. I never too the rear window out, just leaned it forward. I also kept the length of the quarter windows so they would not shrink up too much.

Here is what I started with


The layout





Liftoff

 

First trial fit



Here you can see how I left the back of the quarter window still attached. I wanted to keep the length, so this would be my refrence point.


After some cutting and fitting




The B pillars leaned forward just a little

 

outstanding! looks good.....

 

That is a lot of work for an inch and a half but your right, it does make a big difference. Quality workmanship.

 

looks good

 

That's going to look sweet.....

I would have loved to chop the roof on my Hudson but they have a sleek look anyway.

 

Now it was time for the rear window. Reliefs were made to help the roof flow




I could not get the corners to flow, so I had to cut out these big sections and make some new pieces.





I also rounded the door corners while I was at it


Today I rolloed it out side to check everything out

 

looks good, looks like one of the easier chops, and i like only going an inch and half, kinda makes it look like it wasn`t done, came factory.....excellent work...

 

What an awesome car!! Fantastic profile. Man that looks good.

I loved your car before but now....whew!






BloodyKnuckles

 

very nice

 

I usually cringe when I hear about someone chopping a Hudson Stepdown coupe or Brougham, because these cars are so right from the factory! This car is what caused everyone to start chopping '49 - '51 Mercurys, because the Mercs look like hell stock and NEED to be chopped to look as good as a Hudson does in stock form. Remember, the Hudson Stepdown styles first came off the assembly line in October 1947 as a '48 model, a full year before the first '49 Mercury!

Your efforts on your car seem to have paid off! It's so easy to go too far on a Hudson chop, and it does not take much to ruin the lines! Your is just the right amount of chop. It really does look good! Can't wait for the updates!

What are you planning for the windshield? Are you staying with a two-piece that has been cut to fit, or having a one-piece (1954-style) cut for it?

 

Very subtle, I like it.

 

Very kool, good on ya for showing some restraint - Hudson's look chopped to start with.

 

WOW looks like it should have came that way I like it alot!!

 

Thanks man. I wanted to keep a factory looking profile. I like when things a subtle. Thanks everybody for the kind words. I am happy with how it turned out so far. Now its time to do the details, vent windows, stainless, and garnish moldings.

 

I loved screwing with the Mercury guys before this was done. It is going to be even better now. I am keeping the two piece windshield. I wanted to put a '54 window in it, but decided to stick with the two piece.

 

Should look tits when you are done! Any ideas on paint?

 

Nice, Whats up for Christmas

 

Absofrigginlutely fabulous. Well done, love it!

 

You nailed it!

 

I almost shit kittens when I read the title of your post- who in their right mind would chop one of those Hudsons? But you exercised great restraint and did a great job. Well done! Now nobody ever try this again unless you have skills like this.

 

Wow...what a perfect amount taken off the top....your car is even more bitchin now then it was before bro! Congrats u nailed it!

 

Thanks guys

 

Great work and nice pictorial. Should help some of us dreamers!

 

I had the same thought. Who would chop a Hudson!? Looks great! Just right!

 

Nice and clean...looks great!

 

what else can be said... "two thumbs up" for you

 

Great work,a very tasteful chop goes along way and you nailed it.

 

I really like your chops man. I have looked over the shoebox chop thread you had 1000 times. Can't wait to do mine someday.

 

Flows nice.I like it alot!

Bill