1936 Ford 5-window... to chop or not to chop?

I need some help making a decision. I have a 36 Ford 5-window. The restoration has began and I've come to the point weather to chop or not to chop. I don't see many chopped 5-windows. I see a lot more chopped 3-windows. The lines look great on a chopped 3-W. I'm not so sure on the 5-W. Maybe that's why I don't see many of them around. I'm looking for some advise/suggestions on what to do, not only on the chop but other suggestions you guys have. We are in the early stages, so there is time to make it right. I really enjoy the threads on here, I'm more of a gawker than a poster... Here are some pic's. Ill post the progress, more pics coming.

Thanks

 

That body looks great. I would leave it unchopped.

 

I have seen some chopped and depending how there done,.... sometimes they look pretty darn good,... But the 3 window's lines work really well with a chop.

With that said, I have a chopped 1936 5/W that won 3rd. place overall in the first Detroit Autorama in 1953 (Needing restoration). But it had the quarter windows filled when it was chopped.... cause that's how the original owner/ builder liked it

(And a word to the wise,.... go back and do a intro before you feel the wrath of the HAMB)

 

You did call it a restoration... restored cars aren't chopped.

 

And one question,.... Hey sluggo,.... have you ever chopped a top before ?

 

The question is not to chop or not...... but how much to chop.
Wack it!

 

Here's the car in 1953





And how it sits in the barn now......

 

I'm a fan of chopped cars but I think the 35-36 fords look sweet layed out and full fendered IMO. Either way that's a bad ass car period.

 

Nice car...if it were mine, tough decision but I probably wouldnt chop it.
But its yours so do what you think looks best and enjoy!

 

I think start with getting the car to the ground where you like it, stand back look at it, then get the fender skirts on it, stand back and look at it some more...That said when you like the stance, ...chop it...and don't turn back

 

Hard to argue with Harms Way's photo's, chop it

 

I wouldn't chop it. unless you know what youre doing.
I've seen too many chopped 5 windows that just look horrible

I hope you dont make it lay frame either, these cars look stupid that low. They need a good stance. Slightly lower in the rear, teardrop skirts.. simple

Ford nailed it from the factory on this one..

And thats coming from a custom guy.

 

DON'T CHOP IT! Those cars look great with a tall lid.

 

Don't do it.

 

I haven't, my buddy is doing the work & he has... BTW I'll get the intro done! Thanks for all the great info, I really appreciate it. I didn't expect to get all these responses. I was hoping to get a couple!

I'm about 80% keeping it original, and focusing on the stance. Something tells me not to chop it and keep the tall lid.

 

4Rod has a great approach. Get it sitting nice suspension wise and see how you feel. Also consider drivability, personally. How well you fit and visibility may well determine how often it gets enjoyed while moving down the road.


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No on the chop !

 

If you have never chopped a top before, a 35 or 36 would be a long row to hoe..... They look good when done right,... But if you get the proportions screwed up.... it can turn into a nightmare.

To get a chop on that 36 to come out looking good... You better know what your doing !!

 

I would not chop that car.

 

me neither.

 

don't chop it. not every car has to be chopped.

 

Its pretty hard to un-chop your car. Whatever you choose, and it does have to be YOU who chooses, don't regret it. Like Edith Piaf said, "Je ne regrette rien"

Good luck

 

I say chop it . But in my humble opinion, the biggest challenge visually when chopping a 36 5 window, would be two things, the rear roofline where it meets the body above the trunk. It tend to be a bit to square in the joint. It shuld be angeled forward a bit, but then the rear side windows tend to be a bit crammed up.
Also it depends of the building style you choose.If ts a traditional swooping Kustom you`re going for, a slight slope in the roofline would be good, to encrease the flowing line backwards, as in picture #3, but if its a Hot Rod rake the slope should not be there. Then the roof should follow the beltline.
I am not a bodyworker, so this is only from a visual point of view. heres a couple of pics of more or less good looking chopped 5 windows:









...And Kevin Andersons gorgeous 36.

 

you did'nt say if it would be a kustom or a hot rod, ether way i would not that car. it's to nice and to me. there's to many chopped cars nowadays that it's just not unique anymore. but it's yours, do as you will.

 

If I were to chop it..............it would only be 1 to maybe 1 1/2 inches.
Not really worth the effort.
That being said, I would not chop a 5 window.
I would put it on the ground, chop the head light stands and loose the spare tire out back. Simple stuff.
36's are perfect the way Ford built them.

 

Don't chop it, their perfect from the factory.

 

You can set the ride height so low now they don't need to be chopped. I say don't do it.

 

it guess it depends on the direction of your build. i like 'em both ways when done nice.
whatever you decide, post some pics of your progress.

 

they look nice when somebody else own them