Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects 2 door vs 4 door

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Paulhunt2014jd, Oct 13, 2019.

  1. Tri-power37
    Joined: Feb 10, 2019
    Posts: 510

    Tri-power37
    Member

    Growing up in the late 70s early 80s anything 4 door was instantly defaulted to parts car status. That’s what the older guys taught you - it was like a unspoken rule. They would think nothing of finding a decent 4 door - taking what suited them off and throwing the carcass away like garbage. Looking back now when we did this it was extremely wasteful.
    Now it’s like the younger generation is teaching us by showing us that these cars are worth fixing up!
    I still can’t bring myself to fix one up?
     
  2. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    My thoughts haven't changed.

    A 2 door implies that you are an unencumbered, sporty, free spirited individual ready to take off for parts unknown at a moments notice. A four door implies that your in-laws are waiting for you to pick them up at bingo night.
     
  3. chopped
    Joined: Dec 9, 2004
    Posts: 2,139

    chopped
    Member

    Back in the day four doors sucked, this is a different day.
     
  4. 8746112A-247C-4E2A-B697-F77A00851273.jpeg 37CFF22D-E835-4FA3-B128-DF3BDFE43371.jpeg B76F8DFF-CFBD-4C59-A268-A7609D794A70.jpeg

    Lowriders and bombs are cool
     
    1stGrumpy, BigO and i.rant like this.
  5. I preferred 2 dr's even when we had children. No rear door for them to open and fall out. My wifes OT vehicle is a 4 door. It has a locking feature that keeps the grandkids from opening the door or putting down the window. Once I owned a 65Pontiac Lemans 2 dr and the back glass got shattered. We where driving down the highway and our two year old son Chris crawled out on the trunk. Little urchin was sumthin else. The same car he would crawl between the bucket seats and push the automatic shifter into reverse. Never hurt the turbine 300 two speed trans just killed the engine.
     
  6. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,132

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    I think if many of the new generation that are "embracing" four doors were honest you would more often than not hear that that's all they can afford given the current price trend, not that I am unsympathetic.
    It's not an issue of not being able to find a given two door, scan the internet, if you want it, it can be bought.
     
  7. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Been a two door man ever since my first date.
    ebay 098.jpg
     
  8. Definitely prefer these in 4 door
    60BBAB3F-41DF-42CD-AD45-CF05E7586F27.jpeg
     
    BigO, Nostrebor and Mopar Tony like this.
  9. proartguy
    Joined: Apr 13, 2009
    Posts: 657

    proartguy
    Member
    from Sparks, NV

    Paulhunt2014jd likes this.
  10. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    I was one that would not touch a four door or wagon but the older I get ( I have a 1927 Ford Tudor T ) a wagon sounds better all the time. A good riding car and swap meet hauler.
     
  11. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    A 1955 Chevy 2 door is my all time favorite but a 1955 Chevy wagon is creeping up towards the top of the list.
     
  12. Really? Not as popular as two doors, but here is proof people built four doors back in the day and got respect!

    Chet Herbert's 32 Fordoor Rod & Custom
    upload_2019-10-13_16-10-38.png upload_2019-10-13_16-11-14.png

    Dawn Wells' Barris built four door 50 Merc.
    upload_2019-10-13_16-15-19.png upload_2019-10-13_16-16-3.png

    The Barris Modern Grecian
    upload_2019-10-13_16-19-28.png

    Note B post
    upload_2019-10-13_16-20-0.png

    Dennis Reinero 56 Oldsmobile
    upload_2019-10-13_16-22-48.png upload_2019-10-13_16-23-13.png

    Rod and Custom cover car June 1960
    upload_2019-10-13_16-28-13.png
     
  13. proartguy
    Joined: Apr 13, 2009
    Posts: 657

    proartguy
    Member
    from Sparks, NV

    Back in the day? Here is a Barris customized 4 dr. featured in Rod & Custom in 1953. Many of the readers letters photo submissions in the old magazines are 4 doors. A45E3E57-22D5-48E8-8DD2-EF0BB70D4905.jpeg
     
    BigO and Robert J. Palmer like this.
  14. On another forum there was a guy who was building a 4 door. He was very defensive of said 4 door. He got upset if anyone talked bad about four doors, even in other threads. Some time later he found a good deal on a 2 door and never mentioned 4 doors again.
     
  15. There are, and always will be exceptions, but if you're 60+ yrs old 4 drs weren't cool-they were your parents cars..and as already said often used as "parts cars".
    Different times now, 4drs to younger people don't have that same stigma.
    Build what you want, and can afford..in the end it's what excites and motivates you into the hobby.
    It isn't my/our place to look down on whatever you choose that allows another generation to "carry the torch" so to speak.
    Good luck in your search, and welcome.
     
  16. Ive got enuf viable 2 dr cars and short bed trucks in my hoard that I & my grand children will never have to settle for a more door.
     
    chopped likes this.
  17. LM14
    Joined: Dec 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,936

    LM14
    Member Emeritus
    from Iowa

    2 doors only for hot rods. It's how I grew up. No interest in 4 doors at all. Something that drives me nuts is removing the rear door handles so it looks more like a 2 door. That just shows me the owner wanted a 4 door even more. Another trend is converting a 4 door to a 2 door, then you have a junk title in my eyes. VIN won't match the car anymore. May be fine in some states but would be hell to straighten out if you sold it. I wouldn't consider buying one.

    SPark
     
    chopped likes this.
  18. Rooster53
    Joined: Oct 30, 2016
    Posts: 5

    Rooster53
    Member
    from Chicago

    It came down to price, price, price for me. Buy and build what you want, your the one paying for it
     
  19. if 4 doors are so great, why are Chevy Nomads 2 doors?
     
    chevy57dude, Old wolf and warbird1 like this.
  20. I own a 56 chev more door that is a very 56 chev Bel Air 004.JPG 56 chev 4 door 034.JPG solid car just surface rust. Runs & has a good title. cant sell it everyone wants a 2 dr. If I ever decide to start driving it . I will do the 2 dr conversion first.
     
  21. The public bought more 4 doors.
    The rarity helps the nomads value.
     
  22. HOLLYWOOD GRAHAM
    Joined: Apr 11, 2007
    Posts: 1,437

    HOLLYWOOD GRAHAM
    Member
    from Ojai,Ca

    I am older generation and 4dr. was Dad's car hand me down or Aunt Ethel's. I have had a couple more-doors but only to resell (mostly to low rider guys). I do own a 4dr. 1941 Grahm Hollywood that only came in 4dr.. I have seen a couple 2dr. ones that were altered from 4drs, they look so much better. If you are a young family guy and drive it a lot 4drs. are more convenient. 4 drs. still has a stigma with me so doubt I will ever buy/build one again.
     
    Paulhunt2014jd likes this.
  23. Ok heres a prime example of a more door being a parts car to repair a viable two door the pink wagon is the one in my avatar. 55 chev 3.jpeg 55 chev 7.jpeg 55 chevy 1.jpeg 55 chevy 2.jpeg 55 chevy.jpeg 55 chevy.jpg 55 moor door 2.jpeg 55 more door 1.jpeg
     
  24. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    I would bet that most, if not all, of the four door fans are under 50.
     
  25. 1953naegle
    Joined: Nov 18, 2013
    Posts: 281

    1953naegle
    Member

    I'm still young and though I idolize the old generations, when I was in high school, a 4-dr. "Party car" was a better choice for getting the crew around. Now that I'm older, I get to haul my kids around with ease in the same car. If I was building a straight up drag raceing car, a 2-dr. would be the first choice and would also be an easier body build having half the door alignment issues to mess with, but my car's a cruizer and 4 doors are best for that IMO.

    As far as looks go, I think it depends on the specific car. Some 4 doors look like the back doors were an afterthought, but if you are going for a "long" look, 4 doors often give a little more stretched out look with the split pillars, trim, bigger back windows, extra handles, etc. Often the roof lines are just a tad lengthier too. My 53' 4-dr is black too which really highlights the trim and helps the effect.
     
  26. dave plmley
    Joined: Oct 24, 2014
    Posts: 195

    dave plmley

    you never see anyone make a four door from a two door!
     
  27. Dave Mc
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 2,575

    Dave Mc
    Member

    Beggars can't be choosers
    JelliPups5179 016.jpg
     
  28. jailbar joe
    Joined: Nov 21, 2014
    Posts: 415

    jailbar joe
    Member

    if you want a 4 door build it...if you want a 2 door build it...
    don't matter what anybody else thinks...
     
    Paulhunt2014jd and wvenfield like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.