I have just seen my first episode of Chop Shop on Discovery HD channel and I was just wondering if anyone else out there had the same opinion on the show as me. The only episode I have seen was the one where they were building that “Sumo” 3 Series BMW. You know; the one with six inch wheel spacers and hideous quarter panels. First of all, anyone who knows anything about cars would know that adding six inch of wheel spacing would wreak havoc on the wheel bearings and especially the steering geometry. What’s worst? The aluminum foil grade steel sheet that they use for the body panels. I am sure bugs would put dings on those panels if they were to splatter on it at highway speeds. The things these two so called “mechanics” do in their shop are perfect examples of what you should not do in a REAL shop. I am shocked that Discovery Channel would ever air anything like this. They are a disgrace to mechanics everywhere.

Hi, i have seen too, 1 or 2 episodes of Chop Shop and i have to say that i share the same opinion as u. They made the car completly by eye, they have no specific plan for it. They decide the things in the moment. i agree too with the therm "mechanics" !!
I think that those cars are not safe anyway, i would´n drive any of them.
Chop Shop and Overhauli´n are completly the opposite.

Agreed. Supposedly these guys are professionals but I suggest they should read a few custom magazines such as Britchopper and visit a few shows before slinking away with their heads hung low in shame.
I just hope the viewing public doesn't believe this is the best the custom scene can offer.

If I happen to see it on tv, I might keep watching. I see it more as a sort of comedy reality soap. Technically all the cars are a disaster. I just watched another episode with a Jag XJR. They cut the springs ffs to lower the car...what the hell. Adjustable coilovers aren't that expensive and even the cheapest set is better than cut off springs. For 150 euro's you can buy a new set on Ebay Germany. Find one from a car thats just as heavy.

And 10 quick seconds to reach 60mph? Right...My SOHC VTEC Civic from 92 does that in 7.7 second with some light modification....

Technically speaking, the show is ****.

Couldn't agree with all of you more. I don't see any art (like "baboo" or whatever is his name like to call) on building cars from spares, i just can't.. i'm not a huge chip foose fan, i don't even like Paul Jr (the person) on American Choopers, but in both cases they create from almost nothing and we can see a all vision of what they want. Honestly i thing Discovery channel would do a huge favour to the european mechanics, specially for the english. Please find someone with real talent.

I think Chop Shop is a great program and I'm really sad to see it stop!

At least they are real people, not squeaky clean like Foose or daddys boy like Paul Jr.

I watch some programs Chop Shop, and in general, I like to watch, not the actual program itself, but by the type of program. Some call LEEPU of mad genius. I just call it MAD. He did not know how to measure the limits of a car, or keep the style of a car. I watched today the modification of a Golf 2 for a client (commedy actor) known, and both I and the client we are saddened by the transformation of LEEPU. Just ruin the car completely. Bury. The only car I could really like, was the BMW "juice", maintained the originality of the car, and in the end, it was BEAUTIFUL. But still, a bit unrealistic, because those who understand the mechanics, you know that any car can not be so Polgar of spacers. What to use daily, eventually shorten the life of bearings, and ultimately damaging other parts of the car.
I'd like to see Leepu maintain the originality of the cars, just keep them beautiful with its touch of magic, and keep them "real", as its transformation. So the program would remain more interesting, as the "Chip Foose" (now the king of the transformations of cars) in the U.S..
Hugs from Portugal.