Projects A Nice Stocker Gets The Axe- Chopping a 31 Desoto Coupe

Pedro, are those headers CAST? Either way, they go with the rest of this class act!

 

Cast... repops of Fentons. Thanks!

 

Very nice.

 

Looks great! Be cautious about the ignition system you use! Wouldn't want to upset anyone.

vic

 

You guys nailed a stance and style so far that fits no definitions! I really dig it man.

 

Man, I can't wait to see this with the hood and grill back on. It looks killer. Great job.

 

Got hood!

 

Very nice.

 

Red wheels would be killer..

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This is going to be one of the best coupes out there. The best part is, it's not a ford....and I'm a ford guy.

 

Looking sharp.

 

I don't think I've asked you. Are you running stock headlights? or painted BLC's?? or...

 

So far this has the look of a very sneaky hot rod. With the stockish colors and big original wires, it looks like it could have been a Desoto factory prototype. The chop looks like something the designers would have come up with, but the engineers would later raise up to make room for Grandpa's hat.

 

People unfamiliar with Mopars will never know it is chopped. Really nice transition.

 

Wow this car is really turning out nice! Leaving the wheels black? I would, makes it look very aggressive. Great work as always.

 

Factory Autorama show car or a coachbuilt "sports model" built for someone who wanted a special vehicle but didn't want to be seen as a show off with one of the high dollar vehicles of the time.

I'd say that Pedro and Jalopykid have carried off one of the slickest transformations I have seen in a while and nailed it. I can see a 35 year old Montana Banker having that car built and delivered because while he could well afford a Chrysler 8 coupe with all the bells and whistles he didn't want the local farmers and ranchers to think he was being extravagant with "their" money and the Desoto would be seen as being a conservative car.

 

Today's progress ~ Right side fenders and running boards, headlight bar, cowl lights, and the super rare S&M fog light.

 

Cooper looks like he approves

 

Great work guys. I like subtle changes that keeps them guessing.

 

Wow! Cool car! I'm excited to see it with the dropped axle. I'll bet it'll sound neat too.

 

Nice work!

 

Very cool build! It's nice to see somebody doing their own thing, thinking out of the box.

My 2 cents (since you didn't ask ) dropping the headlight bar 4 to 6 inches would really bring the front end out of the sky visually. Or maybe even mounting that cool fog light upside down? That would create a V shape with the three lights.

You're doing a great job! I can't wait to see it all finished going down the road.

 

The front end is still a work in progress. The "fog" light was supposed to be a "driving" light, but I dropped the clear fluted lens during install , so I don't know if it's staying on there if I don't find another clear one that's not stupid money.

The headlights are getting switched to '33 Chryslers, which has been the plan all along.

I was analyzing dropping the light bar yesterday. There isn't much room between the fenders and grill shell to lower them, and I hate headlights that are mounted too far forward. The Chryslers are even bigger than the Desotos. I won't know for sure until I modify them headlights for mounting.

The goal is to find a balance between stock and hotrod and keep people guessing...

Thanks for the input,

Pedro

 

Car looks freaking awesome. Motor is way trick.

 

very nice job. the pics look all too familiar. i did the deed on a 31 chrysler cm-6. i wish i would have kept the rear window the original size. you will really like the extra view out of it.

 

I am really diggin this!!!!!

 

sure makes a statement!

 

Man does a Mopar look better that a Ford or what!!

Bonneville 2014???

 

Final assembly of the F head begins!

 

Been thinking about this project a lot lately. Any progress?