How many of us genuinly prefere the look of a stock roof line vs. a chopped roof line?

Don't get me wrong here, there are many excellent examples of chop tops, but does everything need to be chopped to look good? I can honestly say that I prefere a stock roof line. I see the day when these chop top guys are hailed as "gods", or has that already happened? (not trying to step on any current chop-owners' toes, just getting a little conversation going)

Voice your opinion.

personally i like the chop look. it's more stream lined and more pleasing to the eye. if you look at a regular fiero at eye level for about an hour you'll see the roof does look bulky. On the other hand i think if the chops archie does were about an inch higher it would look perfect.

quote Originally posted by Mike OHIO: , but does everything need to be chopped to look good? Voice your opinion.

If you ask Curley the answer is yes. If you ask me, I think the chop top improves the lines of the Fiero. I think most cars look better chopped, that's why hot rodders have been doing it for the last 50 years or so.

But it's not for everyone. It obviously reduces the headroom, increases the distortion on the windshield because of the increased angle. You have to deal with the lexan side windows, or have custom bent glass side windows made and lastly there is the expense of having it done. But in the end, I think it's worth it.

I think it makes the car look like it got stepped on. So yes, I definatly prefer the stock roof. I also wouldn't fit in a chopped Fiero, not that I'd want to be seen driving one.

i like both, and have both.

Choptops definatly set themselves apart with the more exotic look.

But i also think stock fieros can look equally as impressive. Add a widebody, some nice rims, a few mods, and the car can look equally as exotic IMO.

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1985SE chopped and dropped/ V-8 Archie Choptop #4
1986GT
1986 coupe 2M4

quote Originally posted by jscott1: If you ask Curley the answer is yes.

And the survey is:

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050119-1-044600.html

quote Originally posted by madcurl: And the survey is: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050119-1-044600.html

Touché

quote Originally posted by madcurl: And the survey is: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050119-1-044600.html

That thread really brought out the chop top haters, but I wonder how many that said the lines were thrown off, actually have seen one in person? It's difficult to judge something based on pictures that you have never seen before. The mind plays tricks on you and imagines things that are not there. In person I think the chop top lines are perfect. After looking at a chop top the stock Fiero looks wrong. A "bubble top" as Curley calls it.


Which would you rather have?

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 02-18-2007).]

The chop top looks wicked! What number we up to in chops now? I am ready to chop my 88gt, soon as fastfieros finishes my 3800sc conversion. After seeing all these choptop pics, im totally hooked! They look awesome! I am so ready to hack my roof off and get to glassin, its makin me sick!

I need chopped. It's a social status thing. I gotta have it.

That and so every other non-Fiero person who sees me rolling down the street can cream their jeans at the sight of my fly ride.

So yeah, Archie, I have an '88 notchie coming your way closer to the end of the year.

I really do like the look of the chopped fieros; but every once and a while I see a non-chop and I think it has something that the chop tops don't have.

I personally am not a fan of choptops... like someone said above, it makes the car look squashed... the doors and overall bottom of the car look completely bulky compared to the top window half of the car, and makes it look completely disproportionate.

Sometimes I get the feeling that some people in certain circles regard the Fiero as the next "hot rod", chopping tops, adding suicide doors, and BLING.

Everybody has their own vision, but I believe that the Fiero is meant to be regarded, and modified in more exotic lines, not to be confused with some muscle car fanboy's wannabe hot rod. Don't get me wrong, I'm continually impressed and amazed by the quality of craftsmenship that some of these choptop cars have, but none of them are among my favorites on this site.

Let me put it to you this way:

A Ferarri F355's Roof line looks natural and purpose built.

A Stock Fiero GT's Roof line also looks natural and purpose built.

A Choptop Fiero looks modified, and just plain odd, or out of place if you will.

Want to look at a Fiero that looks just right? Check out MinngreenGT's Fiero GT, or Yellowstone's GT. just prime.

[This message has been edited by Leafy (edited 02-18-2007).]

Why must we start topics that question a persons personal choice? If you like it chop it, If you don't, don't chop it. Btw I have both and each one has It's pros and cons.

quote Originally posted by troyboy: Btw I have both and each one has It's pros and cons.

That is the reason for this thread, why not give examples of the pros and cons?

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"If any car is both the parade and the rain, it is the Fiero"

It is hard to explain, but I love the chopped look, but I would not do it to my car... even if it was done at no cost. The chop does not look practical as a daily driver. That might be a misconception on my part, but it just looks more like a show car than a daily driver...

quote Originally posted by Leafy: Want to look at a Fiero that looks just right? Check out MinngreenGT's Fiero GT, or Yellowstone's GT. just prime.

With all due respect, I haven't seen a Fiero yet that didn't look better chopped, including MinngreenGT or Yellowstone's

Some photochops:

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 02-18-2007).]

Whereas I would really like to see a few of those Before they got (photo)chopped.

Edit to add the before pics, (where available)

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 02-18-2007).]

I thought I was convinced before, but thanks to jscott1, I have no choice. It's going to happen.

Do you mind chopping this one and painting it red with the silver stripes for me? Thanx

depends. if i just have one fiero it'd be stock (and a notch at that). the more i have and could afford (actually affording them is a hard lesson i'm recently learning), the more variety i'd be after so i could see having at least two choppers, notch and fastback, amoung many more stockers if i could buy any and all i want.

i can say i like my chopper project enough that of three non running projects, in cluding a couple of more sought after models, i kept the chopper, let one go, and put the other on the bubble.

quote Originally posted by topcat: It is hard to explain, but I love the chopped look, but I would not do it to my car... even if it was done at no cost. The chop does not look practical as a daily driver. That might be a misconception on my part, but it just looks more like a show car than a daily driver...

I disagree about it looking impracticle as a daily driver. I can not even see how a chop could affect that.
I agree though in that I also love the look. I have seen jscott1's chop in pics and in person. Awesome. I have not seen a chopped notchie in person but they do look good in pics. I also would not chop either of my Fieros even if it were done at no cost. If not original, anything looses value. j/k, we know the Fiero is not a value investment. It is unique though and I hate the thought of ruining the purity of the original design. I feel the same way about dash swaps. I am not a puritan. I can see engine swaps, lowering, different wheel configurations, and such.
I suppose that one day an all original Fiero might mean something. Fieros are getting rarer. Any mod which can not be converted back will take away from value. I would much rather have a modded 57 Chevy or Model T but there just is something about an original which makes it nicer to me.

I am in and out of my car numerous times thru out the day... driving from one meeting to the next, to the next and so on. Getting in a stock Fiero is pretty easy for me since I am use to it, but when I have a passenger, they struggle to get low enough to get in. I have never sat in a Choptop, but I have to imagine that ensuring your head does not hit the roof and getting your butt low enough to get in the seat has to be a challenge until you are use to it.

So when I say the chop makes the car impracticle as a daily driver, that is my point of reference.

Perhaps if I went to work and stayed in one place all day my opinion would be different, but for now....

[This message has been edited by topcat (edited 02-18-2007).]

Modifications such as chopping the top are strictly a matter of vision to the current owner. That vision or chop may very well be a modification that will endear the car to the buying public or make it a permanent part of the "chopper"s" collection because no one else wants it for any number of reasons. I doubt I'll ever see my Fieros worth "collectable" status but I hope I'm wrong. I get email frequently asking me if I am interested in selling any of my collection of Fieros, (nine). I always put a price on them because everything has it's price but I always tell folks that I'm not trying to sell my cars and they are priced that way. Chopping them is a personal choice and is not done with the thought of resale in mind. I am chopping or maybe I should say changing the top on my Pantero project but, it is not being done with the thought of resale. It's being done because I think the Pantero will look better with the roofline changed. It's all about my vision. Will I chop any of my other Fieros, very doubtful, way too much work and cost for what the end results are in my opinion for what I want my Fieros to look like.
What you do with yours, depends on your vision.

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Ron
Land of the Free because of the Brave. Most gave some, some gave all. Some ran the other way.

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 02-18-2007).]

just have one of each and stop all this nonsense


J/K :P

Before I had thought that the chop look on a Fiero was the coolest thing. I had only seen pictures of them. And then I went to Daytona, and saw it in person. It looked rediculous. I would never chop a Fiero. Actually I take that back. I think the problem (at least from my perspective that is) is that all the chopped Fieros are chopped too much. I believe it's something like 3". But if they were chopped say 1" or 1.5", then I believe it would look just right. It would look more exotic without distorting the lines of the Fiero. It would be a nice subtle mod that would enhance the look. But how do you justify spending that much money/work to chop it only an inch? Then again look at what lowering the car 1" or 1.5" does to it's appearance. But of course lowering the car is a hell of a lot cheaper then chopping it. Those of you with photoshop skills should try chopping them somewhere between stock and what has already been posted just to compare. Keeping in mind that, like me, you should never make a final judgement on the chop look until you actually see it in person.

i was pretty set on doing a chop top for my car, but the more i look at my car, vs a chopped car... i can honestly say i will never chop one. at first i thought it was the coolest thing you could do to a fiero, but just because you can doesnt mean you should. over time, i grew up and realized it looks rediculous. no offence to anyone with a chop.

quote Originally posted by Leafy: I personally am not a fan of choptops... like someone said above, it makes the car look squashed... the doors and overall bottom of the car look completely bulky compared to the top window half of the car, and makes it look completely disproportionate. Sometimes I get the feeling that some people in certain circles regard the Fiero as the next "hot rod", chopping tops, adding suicide doors, and BLING.

Squashed? In what way?
Building the new "Pinch Weld" for the new windshield to sit on.

Welding in the bar accross the base of the windshield.



This is going to be what it look like....





The all Handbuilt Pinch Weld is welded on the car.....



Welding in some sheet metal to close off the front compartment from the interior side of the windshield.....



Hot Rod? In what way? None of my cars have never been compared to a "hot rod" rather a Lotus, or a [Fiero] on steroids...but never a "hot rod." Besides, I have N*...that's a old mans motor, hehe.

Bling? In what way? I stick to traditional paint colors...red, white, and blue, hehe. As for "shoes" I stick to HRE's traditional 5-star spoke rims. The 5-star pattern has been around for years.

quote Originally posted by trots: i was pretty set on doing a chop top for my car, but the more i look at my car, vs a chopped car... i can honestly say i will never chop one. at first i thought it was the coolest thing you could do to a fiero, but just because you can doesnt mean you should. over time, i grew up and realized it looks rediculous. no offence to anyone with a chop.

No offence taken, btw I'm glad you grew up.

quote Originally posted by Mike OHIO: How many of us genuinly prefere the look of a stock roof line vs. a chopped roof line? ...

I personally just like the lines of the basic Fiero shape. Always have.
But that's just me. It would truly be a boring world if everyone did everything exactly the same.

I'm happy that this thread hasn't turned into a flame fest. Props to everyone for being cool about it.

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Raydar
88 4.9 Formula IMSA Fasback..........................88 3.4 coupe................................................

Read Nealz Nuze! Praise the Lowered!

This picture is perfekt too show how my car looked at the begining. It was red and original GT -86
Before and after on the same picture

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Regards SHARKMAN
86 GT, 3.4 Camaro engine,
choptop # 1 in Europe/Sweden

I am starting to dislike the chop more and more. At first I liked it, was dead set on doing it. I saw the GBCT and PPE.

Now it looks TOO chopped. I might be growing up too. I got my first Fiero at 16 now I'm 21.

Sidenote: I have not seen on in person yet, so who knows. I might fall in love all over again.

Cory

quote Originally posted by CoryFiero: Sidenote: I have not seen on in person yet, so who knows. I might fall in love all over again. Cory

Seeing is believing...

GM/Pontiac must think chop tops look better. You ever notice that concept cars are always chopped? Compare the G6 Concept to the Actual Production G6

I loved chop tops until i sat in one. Im 5'10 and I just felt like I didnt fit right or something, but then again I only sat in it for a minute or so. If i had a second fiero and cash to do it, it would be done.

I suggest you find one and take it for a spin before you commit

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Seeing is believing... GM/Pontiac must think chop tops look better. You ever notice that concept cars are always chopped? Compare the G6 Concept to the Actual Production G6

Yeah, I remember seeing that G6 Concept at the Chi. Auto Show the same year they showed the Solstice the 1st time & I loved it. Couldn't take my eyes off of it.

Archie

That G6 concept is stunning... you interested in Chopping a G6 Archie?? Add in an LSx motor and it would be a hot car.

While I can see the appeal of a chopped Fiero, I'd never even consider having it done to mine.

What I love about the Fiero is how clean and fluid the lines of the car are. It's a very smooth and sleek car, in fact a little too sleek and non-offensive and that's why I added side scoops to it. It adds a bit of agression to the car but in a subtle way, without compromising the lines of the car, it still flows. The only thing that ruins the lines of the car in my eyes is the stock ride height, it needs to be lowered a bit and the wheel wells need to be filled out a bit with bigger rims, no more that 18s though I prefer 17's on the Fiero.

I can see what some are saying about the roof seeming bulky but to me, it looks just right. I don't think that the windshield/roofline needs to continue the drastic slope of the hoodline. To me, it just looks too extreme and ruins what I love so much about the car.

[This message has been edited by FieroGTChile87 (edited 02-18-2007).]

I really like the chop look but when your 6'4 like me, you could use the extra inches.

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"A mobile home with a flat tire, is just a home."
"If some one ask if your ticklish it doesn't matter if you say yes or no, they're still going to touch you. That's why when they ask you say something like, I have diarria! but yes I am very ticklish"
How fast does a zebra have to run before it looks gray?"

There's really not all that much difference between a Chop & a non-Chop.







Archie

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Squashed? In what way? Hot Rod? In what way? None of my cars have never been compared to a "hot rod" rather a Lotus, or a [Fiero] on steroids...but never a "hot rod." Besides, I have N*...that's a old mans motor, hehe. Bling? In what way? I stick to traditional paint colors...red, white, and blue, hehe. As for "shoes" I stick to HRE's traditional 5-star spoke rims. The 5-star pattern has been around for years.

Here's a little Idea of what I think looks wrong with a typical chop.


Curley, your car(s) are a nice piece of work, but I don't see any of them holding a candle to a Lotus as far as Exotic go... and that's perfectly alright if you do... All I know is that when I look at Yellowstone's car, it LOOKS like a true exotic. Although it may seem like I'm comparing apples to oranges, but your car reminds me more of this than a Ferrari or Lamborghini:



Maybe I just have the lonely opinion on this, but I see more pro street than Exotic Machine with Polished oversized wheels, chopped roof, and Lambo doors. That's just me though.



As far as bling, well, I just don't see how wheels that big hold complete function on the small Fiero chassis, again, that could be just me, but I think 17-18 inch would be more beneficial if Exotic is what you're going for. Of course I don't pretend to own, or to have taken a ride in your car... therefore that's just an opinion based on what I see.

The Engine is a great choice though!

quote Originally posted by Leafy: As far as bling, well, I just don't see how wheels that big hold complete function on the small Fiero chassis, again, that could be just me, but I think 17-18 inch would be more beneficial if Exotic is what you're going for. Of course I don't pretend to own, or to have taken a ride in your car... therefore that's just an opinion based on what I see. The Engine is a great choice though!

Well at least we agree on the engine, hehe. As for 17/18 rims...not too long ago, some thought 17/18 was too big for our poor little Fieros.