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Technical Chop Top-How Much

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by maicoman, Jan 2, 2016.

  1. maicoman
    Joined: Aug 21, 2015
    Posts: 5

    maicoman

    Hello to all.Getting ready to chop the top on a 30 5 window coupe.How much is to much? Im thinking 3 ins.Looking for that street rod look.Please chime in if you have done this.
     
  2. 3030
    Joined: Dec 21, 2010
    Posts: 206

    3030
    Member

    Depends on how comfy you want to be and how much you want to see. Tape the windows at different chops sit in it check out what you like and cut it. Mine is at 4 but I like 3 to 5 for looks. They all look good even 6 or 7.
     
    scrap metal 48 likes this.
  3. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    To me in Gen,cut out anything over 4in. an it looks mashed an kind of cartoony{ cartoons are cool,yet suck for real driving].
    But whats best for your own car is up to you. Key things to do are like 3030 said,if you've got your body mounted{but not cut}with ,seat,pedals n steeringwheel in place that all have been adjusted too fit well to you=only then should you play with ideas of how much to cut. Even after you deside on cut,keep the parts you cut out in a safe place,for later,ether you or some one down the line may need to bring it back up some,an thats 100 times EZer if the old parts are avalible.
    Bottom line is,lots of rods get sold off after the owner fines out he over chopped it too much or buys one that is over chopped thinking ,but it looked so cool to him at the time,only after driving it for a time it was not so cool after all.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2016
    pat59 likes this.
  4. poprivit
    Joined: Jun 27, 2010
    Posts: 77

    poprivit
    Member
    from Hagerstown

     

  5. poprivit
    Joined: Jun 27, 2010
    Posts: 77

    poprivit
    Member
    from Hagerstown

    I'm voting for a four inch chop. I have two at four inches and love the look and plenty of head room. Both are Hi-Boys!
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  6. Too much depends on how tall you are.

    As for "The Look" that is personal. I like a 3-4" chop real well, not angled. But street rod fashion almost requires an angle chop. But it is like I said personal.

    What we used to do was take poloroids and scissors. Today we do that with photo shop. be sure and put an indicator on the pic so you can cypher how many inches you are taking out.
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  7. Hot Rod 50
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 500

    Hot Rod 50
    Member

    I just chopped my avatar 4 inches. I replaced the bottom seat cushion with one about 3 inches thick. I recommend 4". Looks awesome and I still have a couple inches of head room. I'm 5'8".
     
  8. [​IMG]
    5" 1/2'' chop
    channeled 3"
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2016
  9. pecker head
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 4,237

    pecker head
    Member

    My 28 is chopped 5'' and channeled 4'' , its cramped for room . But looks COOL.
     
  10. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,253

    brady1929
    Member

    I like 3 to 4 inch chops on model a coupes
     
  11. Brizo
    Joined: Jan 15, 2011
    Posts: 222

    Brizo
    Member
    from Indy

    A 5 inch chop and a 4 inch channel gets a little claustrophobic for some people
     
  12. joeycarpunk
    Joined: Jun 21, 2004
    Posts: 4,446

    joeycarpunk
    Member
    from MN,USA

    No more than 5" or less than 3" depending on your height and if you channel or not. Less than 3" there is not much point in my opinion.
     
    scrap metal 48 likes this.
  13. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,177

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    mail slot!
     
    chopper99 likes this.
  14. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,245

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    IMO 3" is the perfect A coupe chop. using the 1/4 windows as a guide I think some of the straight line at the back is needed in order to look right. If it's lost completely, like over 4", that window looks off because no vertical line is present at the rear. I also like a full back window because it's like getting more metal out of the rear profile above and below. A chop should improve the look, almost as if it wasn't done at all but it just looks "right". 3 1/2 is the max to still have a decent looking 1/4 window. I'll admit that this is something that I think looks right. Your results may vary, tax n title extra, void where prohibited, see your retailer for details...
     
    Bam.inc and 31Vicky with a hemi like this.
  15. 5" is the ticket!
     
    pecker head and chopper99 like this.
  16. What's better , static looks or driving dynamics?
    Driving straight legged and with a crook in your neck or not?
     
  17. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    28/29 coupes are 1" taller in the side windows than a 30/31.. However windshield and back windows are the same height all 4 years.. So a 4" chop from the side will look more chopped on a 30/31 than a 28/29, if all this makes any sense to you...
     
    partsdawg and lothiandon1940 like this.
  18. jbon64
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 511

    jbon64
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  19. Cleveland Coupe
    Joined: Aug 16, 2008
    Posts: 72

    Cleveland Coupe
    Member

    3" is my favorite !!!
     
  20. Cleveland Coupe
    Joined: Aug 16, 2008
    Posts: 72

    Cleveland Coupe
    Member

  21. mike bowling
    Joined: Jan 1, 2013
    Posts: 3,560

    mike bowling
    Member

    There's a great thread on here by "wex65" that shows PICTURES of Model A coupes with chops from 2" to around 7". Great visual aid. "jbon64" gave you a link up a couple of posts ^^^^

    I like a 3" chop myself ; you can still see and the quarter windows don't get distorted.
    Before and after
     

    Attached Files:

    texkbc likes this.
  22. My avatar is chopped 5", I would never go more than that!
    DSCN9780.JPG
     
  23. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    I saw a guy crawl in and out of his car at "Burn Out" a couple years ago. I bet he thought he was a real cool.
     
    maplefrm likes this.
  24. Rehpotsirhcj
    Joined: May 7, 2006
    Posts: 1,440

    Rehpotsirhcj
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1451781883.219218.jpg

    Maybe less than practical, but practicality isn't everything. Always liked this coupe. Six inches I think.
     
    Fire Fox, pecker head and texkbc like this.
  25. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,406

    stuart in mn
    Member

    Less than what everyone tells you to do.
     
    partsdawg and X38 like this.
  26. As shocking as it sounds, this question has come up more than once and the range of answers is always the same. So, once again the search function will come in handy, as already demonstrated. But there is more.
     
  27. brokenspoke
    Joined: Jul 26, 2005
    Posts: 2,968

    brokenspoke
    Member

    It also depends on the frame your using....a 32 frame vs a model a frame.....less is more IMHO
     
    pecker head likes this.
  28. 41fastback
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 360

    41fastback
    Member

    I have a '31 cp highboy with 4" chop and using a minivan seat. I have just enough headroom and I'm 5'10".
     
  29. Bphotrod
    Joined: Sep 19, 2006
    Posts: 271

    Bphotrod
    Member
    from da U.P.

    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1451827297.888052.jpg this is 5 with windshield header raised 1.25. Windshield still opens.
     
    dumprat likes this.
  30. lothiandon1940 likes this.

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