To Chop Or Not To Chop!?!?!

i think if you are gonna finish the car glossy, i would love to see it mildly chooped. real mild 1/2 inch maybe a full inch. the car is real low and i think a little off the top with a mile deep black paint job would look great. Even some flake up top like Lee Pratt's 58 chev. Do it after you got money for paint

 

Please don't . Chopping that top makes the proportions bad. The '57 Ranchero is rare and just look so cool without being chopped. It's your choice of course,but why screw up such a cool looking vehicle ? Also sitting flat on the floor sucks.

 

Nope nope nope....

 

Started a thread called "Chopped 1957 Ranchero"
Here's a PS I did to start it.-------TwoChops

 

no. if you really want to chop one, find another car that needs work on the top already. yours is killer the way it is.

 

A few have already said it, "NO CHOP". Spend the money or time on what it absolutely needs. Proportions are good now.

 

WOW, is Masterson really re-doin this car? any chance of having more info?

Ah ah! i know what you mean, when i 1st seen it on the GNRS coverage thats exactley the impression it gave me, but hen I got struck by it from Viva....if i had it it would lose the port holes in the hood and the scalops.
But overall its great!

Thanx


Back on track:
so what are your thoughts now?

 

If chop it don't take to much it is nice in original hight

 

depends....do you want a mild custom that looks like every other stock 57 ranchero that has been restored and lowered....or a real custom with a mild chop that blows people away??? I know what I would do....but it's not mine!

 

My vote is no. While a mild chop would certainly look good, most auto makers in '57 were already getting on the "low roof looks good" bandwagon, so a stock roof height on your Ranchero would look best, especially if you intend to put graphics of some sort on. Also, one other thing to consider about chopping is the windshield. A wraparound windshield like the one on your Ranchero is always a pain in the rear to cut down. Aside from having a one-off custom piece made, your only other option is to take the windshield to a fine-grit verticle belt sander and take it down to dimension that way. All in all, if it was up to me, I probably would not chop it.

 

There are some cars that just don't need chops and it is rare that they are done right when someone tries; Riviera, 40 Ford, Shoebox, 57-59 Ranchero! Not saying it CAN'T be done, just saying they usually end up ruined! If you insist, no more than 1"-1 1/2" on a Ranchero. Otherwise it looks all out of proportion!

 

Nope.

 

No.

 

I say chop it, if you want to stand out or don't if you want it to look like the other Rancheros at the show. Is a 57 Ranchero really that rare? Or is it just really desirable? It seems like I only ever see 57's at shows, not 8's or 9's.

 

Cut the roof plum off and build a carson top then extend the wings up 7 inches quad the headlights and french in two lakepipes......... errrrr NOT!!!!!! JOKING!!!!! JUST JOKING. Bo's looks great but yours is clean. 57 rancho's and 54 Merc hardtops are just sweet looking outta the gate. Maybe a 59 bird hood scoop to break up the flat hood. I did that on my 57 wagon just give's it that lil bit of oooh to it. Saw yours at Viva and gotta tell ya it caught my eye great looking car man. just smooth!

 

The chopped one in the pics is fuckin sick, DO IT!

 

No, once again sometimes the factory gets it right. This is one of them. The red one above looks like the garage fell on it.

 

No,don't chop it ......but you could section about an inch and a half..that would really drivem crazy

 

Doesn't need it.

 

Definitely no..

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys i appreciate it! Ya if i were to chop it i wouldnt do anything over 2 inches! Like i said i think they look stupid if its too much. After alot of thought Ive decided to hold off on the chop and focus on finishing up the body and adding a few more custom touches and a real paint job by the mooneyes xmas show in december! Thanks again guys!

 

Mine was already chopped 2 3/8"... but we replaced the cowl and front roof section to utilize an OEM 500 series windshield (un-chopped)

 

i have seen a late 50s ranchero chopped here in yuma and it looks pretty sick aside from the fact that it isnt finished , so the welds are still pretty noticable but i think it looks great...chop it

 

CHOP CHOP CHOP> that is what they are made for.

 

Really cool, do you have any full pics of the car?

 

Didnt know this thread would be brought back to life...Ive seen a few chopped 57s that looked cool, i think anything over 2 inches would be to extreme though...I decided not to go through with a chop and focus on other things (interior, custom touches, paint) ...Maybe one day ill decide to chop it though but no time soon (i think) haha

 

the black looks good for it not being the paint job you are planning on....car looks sick bro

 

I vote NO! It looks killer the way it is. But it IS YOUR CAR so do what YOU want! Either way, very cool car!

 

That looks slikxk lets see some more pics!