New to Studebakers, so looking for input. Anyone chop a 53 Studebaker Commander? I would like info on something more agressive than the gentleman's chop. Also would like to delete the vent windows. Any other common mods for these?
Wait.....do not cut that up unless it is needed. Leaning the windshield back or modifying the back window will alter the great lines of the car. Here is one the fiancée is working on.
Before chopping it, go to the photoshop thread and get them to chop one so you can actually see it and make sure just how much to chop it, or to leave it alone, your choice!
There was an article quite a few years ago, called the "Gentlemans Chop" I beleive Dick Dean did the chop and my mind (not necessaeily my memory) says it was in Rod and Custom Magazine. The Gist of the deal is the Studebaker, in this case a hardtop, has a taper that is high in the front and low in the back (stand back and look at the cars profile). What Dean did was chop the FRONT only and bring it down to level. I'll bet someone will remember the article and post it. Bill
The trick in keeping it sexy looking is not to flatten the roofline, and to keep that round curved top.
Well one of my Best friends who had a 56 Hawk and a parts car that I sold for his wife used to use the term "radical" on anything with a hard chop or a rig with a blower or tunnel ram sticking though the hood. Anytime he said he had a photo of a "radical" ride I knew it was going to look like shit. Refer to post 8. Unless you are racing at Bonneville in a class that calls for it those hard chops on Stude coupes look goofy. I do like that Gentleman's chop that brings the front down just enough to make the door window tops square with the rest of the window though. I thought that was a fantastic idea when I saw it. Side note, I don't like trucks like mine with a hard chop either and mine has a 4 inch and my buddy's has a six inch chop.
You might have a better chance for info if you at least tell us where your dad was located, it would be great if you would fill out your profile!
thanks for the reply. My father was from Palm City Florida, however he purchased the car and shipped it from another state, so I don’t believe my location will shed any light on its history The picture shown above in this forum was apparently taken many years ago, as the poster mentioned. I asked him if he remembered where he received that picture from, but he said he did not remember
Well, since you want something outside the norm.......Modern Rodding had this well done example. (Good reason to subscribe) Barracuda meets Studebaker