Looking for Studebaker restoration shops in Tri-State Area

[JayArchbold]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I have a 1957 President, I have had the car for about 10 years now but was bought new by my grandparents. I have rebuilt the 289 V8 and had the Trans rebuilt but over the years I have not been able to finish the car due to not having the time or a proper garage to work on the car in. I want to finish up the car so I can drive and enjoy it on weekends. I am looking for a shop or specialist that can finish the project. The main concerns I want addressed is replacing the suspension items, disc brake upgrades, and also the interior needs a lot of work. The car is located in Hudson Valley NY so I would be looking for shops up to a 3 hour radius that have experience with Studebakers.

[JoeHall]

Hope you have deep pockets, and do not mind waiting 5-10 years for the restoration to be completed. Much better to take the job on yourself, if you can possibly do so. You will learn a lot about your car, 'A' to 'Z', and have an appreciation for it that money cannot buy.

[Michidan]

You sure have a nice example to start with - I like it as is!

[Blue 15G]

You sure have a nice example to start with - I like it as is!

Agree 100%. I like your car a lot. I'd be proud to drive it as is!

[JayArchbold]

I am not looking to do any body work or change anything I just want to get it up to safe driving condition. All the rubber on the suspension bits are original and dry rotting away (Not something I really want to do myself). I also want to upgrade to the turner disc brakes cause 4 wheel drum just doesn't inspire much confidence haha. I'd love to do the work myself but living in an apartment complex in NJ I street park and I could work on it on the street but I don't want to do that. I have put a lot of my own work into the car when I was living with my parents and did all the work myself along with a neighbor who showed me most of what I know now about cars. But I don't have time to go up there and work on it anymore so I want to get it road worthy so I can enjoy it, it is like 80% complete.

[JayArchbold]

Thanks. I am really lucky to have an example that was well preserved with no structural rust in the north east only very minimal surface rust

[70Avanti2]

What you want is not really a restoration. You dont need a restoration shop. Try going to a old car show or club meeting. Someone should know someone capable and willing to do the work for a fair price.

[rusty nut garage]

Restoration from a shop will likely run 60K to 200k. Find a local garage with some old mechanics (if they call themselves technicians you don't want them), have the suspension and brakes done. Drive it and then decide how much you want to put into the interior and paint . Its a solid looking car from my where I sit at my desk.

Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I have a 1957 President, I have had the car for about 10 years now but was bought new by my grandparents. I have rebuilt the 289 V8 and had the Trans rebuilt but over the years I have not been able to finish the car due to not having the time or a proper garage to work on the car in. I want to finish up the car so I can drive and enjoy it on weekends. I am looking for a shop or specialist that can finish the project. The main concerns I want addressed is replacing the suspension items, disc brake upgrades, and also the interior needs a lot of work. The car is located in Hudson Valley NY so I would be looking for shops up to a 3 hour radius that have experience with Studebakers.
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[JayArchbold]

So I misspoke in my original post. I don't want a restoration I guess I am looking for any shops or mechanics that specialize in studebakers in the NY/NJ or PA area to get some work done. No body work or paint but possibly carpet/ reupholstery, and mostly brakes and suspension and some engine tune ups work.

[TWChamp]

That's a very nice example of a really nice original survivor, and you are lucky that it has been in the family since new. Your brakes will stop the car just fine. If it was my car, I'd grease all the fittings, wax the paint and enjoy it as is. Are the rubber parts really bad, or do they just appear aged on the outer edges?

How many miles on the car?

[JayArchbold]

It has around 60k miles. It still has the NY registration from 1964 I think on the windshield, It was parked I think because of a seized engine. I got the car around 2003 it had been sitting under a tarp in a barn for 40 years. I rebuilt the engine and had the block machined, I also had the transmission rebuilt, replaced all the fuel and brake lines, cleaned the gas tank, flushed the radiator changed all the rubber hoses in the engine bay. Then I went off to college and kept the car in my parents garage turning it over and taking it around the block a few times a year and now I just want to put some more work into it so I'm looking for any shops or mechanics in the area to get some work done. I have some money set aside to put into it so I'm just reaching out for some contacts/people/shops that would be able to help.

That's a very nice example of a really nice original survivor, and you are lucky that it has been in the family since new. Your brakes will stop the car just fine. If it was my car, I'd grease all the fittings, wax the paint and enjoy it as is. Are the rubber parts really bad, or do they just appear aged on the outer edges?

How many miles on the car?

[JimKB1MCV]

Jay, thats a pretty nice car as it sits.
It sounds like you already have done a lot of the work it needs.
I think we all understand the time constraints a young family entail, but what I would do in your situation is first, join the Studebaker Drivers Club and a local chapter and make some local contacts to get some on the spot advise and hopefully some hands-on help.
The money you have put aside will evaporate pretty quickly at a $85 (or more!) hourly shop rate.
At 60,000 miles you may or may not need extensive front-end work, depending on how well the lubrication schedule was adhered to over the years.
Your brakes will probably need attention but be aware the disc conversion won't make it stop like a modern car. If you drive the car in traffic, you'll need to learn defensive driving skills.
All the best with the car, it looks like a good start for a driving Studebaker.
JimKB1MCV

[creegster]

I cant provide any recommendation for shops, however I had all my suspension bushings replaced on my 59 lark for about $1800 here in Los Angeles (front and rear). That includes the parts, too. I realize that is not a direct comparison, but it should provide some context for the guys who are talking about a $200K job.

Looks like a great car that just needs some TLC.

[56GH]

At one time, Abe Witmer and family had a repair shop in Ephrata, PA, Witmer's Automotive, 500 N. Farmersville, Rd. They are experts on Studebakers and owned a few of them, including a beautifully restored 56J. I had work done there twice long ago but I don't know if they're still in business. They were knowledgeable and fair. They used to have tables at the various Studebaker meets too. Is Ephrata too far for you to travel?

PS
I once bought a 1957 President Classic in Alabama, flew there, and drove it back to Massachusetts where we once lived. We had a motor mount fail just outside of Lancaster and limped to Ephrata where Abe took good care of us. He even had another '57 President Classic parts car in his back yard that we took advantage of!

[jts359]

Jay, Give me a call Ed Jones 732 600 3710 , I may be able to help , Ed