What is the best chop for a Model A Ford coupe?

Yeah I have to totally agree with Porknbeaner.
I dont understand these type of questions.

I like a decent chop and channeled look myself, like these examples.
If your tall you really need to take that into consideration.
"Best" however is really a matter of personal preference.
At least you now have a variety of looks from which you can chose your version of "best", which is really the only one that matters.

 

photo shop is a friend in these situations ask the guys on the photoshop thread to chop it a certain amount of inches till it looks perfect and find some with a similar chop or add the height to your seat and check for head room and visibility.

4" looks great but there is no best chop

 

Maybe that's why I think a channeled coupe can have more of a chop than a highboy...
On a highboy, the frame adds to the visual lower section, and so makes the same chop look more extreme, and squashed.
Remove the frame view by channeling, and you get closer to the golden ratio.

 

5 1/2" is perfect... that's just my opinion...

no channel on deuce rails, but channeled just enough to cover the frame if you're running an A frame.

 

yea but is that a diesel engine or not that is the real question here.

It is just a shame I got to sell my olds engine and hydro or I would still be trying to talk you into stuffing it in front of your firewall and shooting for the yahoo cup with me.

All that said I am real glad that you are getting back after it.

 

Suck me Sideways. Now I REALLY want a Model A. Thanks a lot

 

Hi, guys... Actually, Benno, the term 'Gentleman's Chop' was coined by Dick Dean, (around 1980) when he chopped 'A' pillars 2" on a '53 Stude. (Dick surmised that the era was 'hat conscious', as styles for gentlemen went back then...'Fedora Friendly' cars allowed the wearing of hats whilst driving)
He removed just enough to 'level' the top, not losing too much headroom: thus calling it a 'Gentleman's Chop'. The whole job was covered in Rod Action. Frankly, I thought it sounded more like an Ivy League haircut!

Kevin's 'A' is well planned, and better executed. Gorgeous lines there, but more importantly, the frontal visibility. (you haven't lived until you try to see the overhead stoplights at an intersection thru the reduced height of an 'A' windshield with visor! Especially if it's raked!)

I just keep going back to the pics of Kevin's coupe. Can't see enough of it! Astounding...

 

Here's mine. It's been chopped 2". I couldn't do any more because of my size (6'6"/250lbs.). To be honest, even the 2" chop makes it less than comfy to drive... You short people get all the cool cars!!!

 

I swear this car tugs at my heart strings. Glad to hear there might be some progress to it soon.. Can't wait to see it moving under its power.

I was unaware it was going to get a blown flathead. Killer.


Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad

 

_________________

This car would be claustrophobic. Hard to see out of, making it dangerous. What happens is it causes states to change laws making it hard for all hot rodders. Something might look neat, but it has to be feasible.

THERE IS A PLACE FOR A CAR LIKE THIS AND THATS ON THE SALT FLATS.

 

Well we could build everything to the NSRA's liking or we could just live life a little closer to the edge. Life is just so much sweeter close to the edge.

 

This is a great thread. I got a line on coupe(maybe). Ive been wondering this too? chop? channel? or both? or just mild chop on deuce rails?. Like the looks of those early salt flat lakes cars but yes too much chop and not enough window visibility not good for the streets.

 

Here´s some photos of mine showing both 3" and 4" on the same car. The two first pics are 3" chop but I wasn´t really pleased with the look so this weekend I took out another inch and I think it looks a lot better to me. Some friends told me not to do it but I just couldn´t stop my self . Remember its your car and it must please you´r eye otherwise you will hate the car.





Here´s 4 inch.

 

Thanks for posting these photos, I have been waiting for a 3'' chop to emerge. I like it the best.

 

The best way is to hold a piece of string next to the car, fold it in half, and make a line at 2/3ds of the height of the string held vertically. Perfect chop height in seconds

 

Mine is 5", if I had it to do over I might have taken more out but at 5' 10" and the right seat it is comfortable.

 

Here's another 3 inch for ya

 

The original question was to look at the car and ask yourself if its chopped or not. 2 inches is "that" chop.


Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad

 

Yes, 2 inch chop is about the most that might keep people guessing. Beyond 2 inches, most guys who have been in this hobby for a while will notice right away, epically if they're into Model A's. Here's a 2" chop we did on a Coupe a couple years ago (sorry, not HAMB friendly)

 

I'm planning on a 3 1/2" chop and 4" channel on my 31 but will wait until I set the body on the frame with the channeling complete before I make a final decision. Thanks for all the pics guys, that helps those of us that are still undecided.

 

I like the 'ratio' idea, and it may be possible that many of the top designers of the day considered that in the more exclusive cars. I've never spec'd it out but it wouldn't surprise me to see that. Look at these to see what I mean:

 

I think 6 plus,it's all in what you like and the work involved to make it work, mines chopped 5.5 but its going to get a little more.

 

Mine's chopped & channelled 4" & 4",I'm 5'10" it's pretty tight in there.

 

Dang upside down pics!

 

While I kinda like the 4-5" chop on a channeled fenderless car,I'm doing a 2-2 1/2" with a channel equal to the Model A frame height.

I like that as it just takes the extra height out,but not too difficult to drive.....just pleasing to my eye.

I also think that it makes a difference whether it's highboy,channeled,or full-fendered

 

I am in the 4" chop camp. This is a lousy 'photochop',but I think it will look good.

In my simple-minded brain,I think about it like this: 3" chop is a nice '50's lookin hot rod. 4" chop is a more mean lookin '60's rod. 5" or more is for scaring women and little kids..






On second thought, my photo chop looks closer to 5"... I may have to rethink this.....

 

8in.chop for sure is my flavor

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

My 2 cents.
The stock height model a looks a little odd.
2-3 inches looks proportioned correctly for the car.
4 inches looks perfect for a hot rod.
5 inches looks a little exagerated. May not stand up as trends come and go.

 

Any side shots of that?