Projects 53 Chevy Mild Chop (w/ a ton of pics)

Great job on this, did you convert the rear leaf springs to a 4 link for the bag system? If so did you swap out the drive shaft to an open end shaft to accommodate for the new lower angle?

 

I like the way the too's color transforms itself in the sun. Looks conservative and old school single stage in the shade and pos in the sun. The cream paint is a great color too. Nice lookin ride!

 

As it sits now its 4 linked with open drive, a T5 trans and s10 blazer rear. The first year i drove it around bagged using the torque tube rear and stock trans. I notched it and ran 3 leafs with 4inch blocks and bags over axle. It drove fine. But i was worried about the leafs breaking. So i swapped it out the following year for the setup i have now. Thanks for the kind words guys

 

Oops saw i wrote "looks pos in the sun". Meant to write "POPS in the sun". I hope you didn't think I was calling your car a POS!

 

Im glad you bumped this thread back up. This is one of my favorites as far a chops go. I can only hope mine turns out as nice. Got a ways to go before cutting but seeing your car gets me pumped for sure!

 

Hadn't noticed. LOL. Thanks again

 

Thank you. There's a lot of chop threads on here. Thats nice to hear.

 

great looking ride! thanks for the stainless tips for shortening the beltline trim. will use that on my 48.

 

Thank you. Glad it could help

 

Just read the entire thread... The 53 chop is about as good as it gets and like others said the integration of the Packard trim is spot on...

 

My car is for sale on the classifieds here if anyone is interested.

 

Great looking car


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Thanks

 

In the pictures where car is blue does that have the four link rear end or is that still on the lowering block and three leaves with the bag over the axle? Also do you have any pics of the rear end. I've just bought a 53 and I wasn't going to chop it but after seeing your mild chop I'm thinking about a chop


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Thank you. I believe the blue pic you must be talking about is the mid chop picture? If so, that was after the 4 link. Though, I think it is pretty close to the same height as the leaf setup. Maybe a 1/2 or 3/4 inch lower with the 4 link.

Here is a picture of it with the old leaf setup, right before i did the 4 link and pulled the motor out to do the engine and trans swap.


And here is a similar angle of the car now. I have 15's on it now. I was running 14's before. So the wheel/tire combo makes it look different too. But just to use as a comparison.


And here are the only pictures i could dig up of the rearend setup. When i built this setup. I was already planning on doing the 4 link the following winter. So i set it up like it should be for that. It actually rode great with air in the bags. But got a little growly in the torque tube if i tried to drive aired out. Anyhow, hopefully it answers your question. Good luck with yours.
(oh and my buddy who owned it before i did was good friends with cody at Hurst racing tires, which explains the hurst stencil on the rearend. Im sure someone will mention it. Lol.)



and one with the trunk somewhat back together.

 

Thanks for the pics. Definitely something to consider doing to mine.


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So you were able to retain the stock fuel tank and location with the air ride set up?

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I had to rebuild the floor back there. But the stock gas tank (Repop new tank) went back in the same spot it was before.

 

Does it sit higher than the original location? Basically what I'm curious about, does the tank hit the ground when you're aired out? I'd like to retain the original gas tank location if possible when I add air ride to 54 hardtop.

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Its roughly in the stock location up and down (might be a 1/4 inch higher or lower depending on how good i am at rebuilding trunk floors. lol) Its definitely the lowest thing back there. But my car doesn't lay all the way out. That being said. I drive it real low everywhere and have never clipped it on anything.

 

great job . btt

 

Great job on that chop!
What blue was that on the car before the repaint? Been looking for a satin blue like that.
Thanks

 

Amazing, my friend and I, in France bought this car last month, and i must finish it.....;-) Link on my youtube channel.