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Technical 1953 Studebaker Commander Chop

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Joey Sanford, Feb 14, 2020.

  1. Joey Sanford
    Joined: Feb 14, 2020
    Posts: 1

    Joey Sanford

    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?
     
  2. 62SY4
    Joined: Oct 30, 2009
    Posts: 102

    62SY4
    Member
    from Irwin, Pa

    No but it would be helpful to know if your Commander is a hardtop, coupe or sedan.
     
  3. 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.
     

    Attached Files:

    swade41 and Jalopy Joker like this.
  4. Dick Stevens
    Joined: Aug 7, 2012
    Posts: 3,710

    Dick Stevens
    Member

    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!
     
    Jalopy Joker likes this.

  5. hot rust
    Joined: Sep 18, 2007
    Posts: 779

    hot rust
    Member

    one that i've worked on with a friend for about 4 yrs now
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    think about what to do about front/rear glass - maybe do online search for Bonneville racers
     
    partsdawg likes this.
  7. Bill Rinaldi
    Joined: Mar 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,877

    Bill Rinaldi
    Member

    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
     
  8. I saved this photo many years ago
    studehawk.jpg studehawk.jpg
     
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  9. aircap
    Joined: Mar 10, 2011
    Posts: 1,748

    aircap
    Member

    The trick in keeping it sexy looking is not to flatten the roofline, and to keep that round curved top.
     
  10. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
  11. Anthony Kalil
    Joined: Oct 19, 2022
    Posts: 2

    Anthony Kalil

    Attached Files:

  12. Dick Stevens
    Joined: Aug 7, 2012
    Posts: 3,710

    Dick Stevens
    Member

    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!
     
  13. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,116

    327Eric
    Member

    I believe it was Custom Rodder, early 90s
     
  14. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,919

    Slopok
    Member

    Looks like photoshop to me!
     
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  15. Anthony Kalil
    Joined: Oct 19, 2022
    Posts: 2

    Anthony Kalil

    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
     
  16. ekimneirbo
    Joined: Apr 29, 2017
    Posts: 4,216

    ekimneirbo

    Well, since you want something outside the norm.......Modern Rodding had this well done example. (Good reason to subscribe) Barracuda meets Studebaker

    StudeCuda 1 001.jpg
    StudeCuda 2 001.jpg
     
    Hnstray likes this.

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