Body / Glass: hybrid bullet?

[DougHolverson]

Is it possible to take the inner ring and plastic insert from a '51 spinner and mount them in a '50 outer ring to be even more bulletacious? Or won't it fit? Or be too much of a good thing?

[thunderations]

Anything can be done and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My question would be, "WHY"? The simplicity and boldness of the 50, 4 bar center is striking by itself, while the 51 is toned down somewhat by having the outside ring partly painted body color and the center plastic being grey plastic instead of bright chrome. The bigger chrome grill on the 51 may be why the bullet was less prominent.
If you need to have the bullet be more visual, add the propeller.

[rockne10]

If you need to have the bullet be more visual, add the propeller.

Just my opinion.

...the 51 is toned down somewhat by having the outside ring partly painted body color...

There is actually a separate piece of sheet metal that is painted and placed over top of the chromed ring; don't know why, as the casting on the ring itself was changed to accommodate the painted cover.

[DWBookout]

Is it possible to take the inner ring and plastic insert from a '51 spinner and mount them in a '50 outer ring to be even more bulletacious? Or won't it fit? Or be too much of a good thing?

There were a large number of changes made from 1950 to 1951, many, if not all, in the interest of reducing cost and in the manufacturing world controlling cost is a constant. Of course the chassis was communized when the Commander six was dropped in favor of the V-8. The 1950 bullet was quite a large chunk of chrome and there was an impending shortage of chrome as the Korean war advanced. Take a look at the splash guards that had to be added to the front bumper bars to keep show out of the large air intakes. The 1951 version was simpler with far fewer parts. I could never understand why Studebaker insisted in completely difference dash assemblies for Champion and Commander. The Big 3 didn't and they saved money in the process. As for the bullet interchange a comparison of drawings might give a clue if they are available from the archives, otherwise you could round up the basic parts and see what happens.

[DougHolverson]

So does anybody have an outer ring missing the center insert for '50 that they'd sell at a reasonable price?

[thunderations]

I have one that is missing the center plastic. The large outer metal ring and the smaller metal ring are bolted together. There is pitting and a very small ding. I bought it in case I couldn't find a 50 bullet for my 4 Dr Champion, but did locate one. I'd take the $50 bucks I paid for it plus shipping. PM me if interested.

So does anybody have an outer ring missing the center insert for '50 that they'd sell at a reasonable price?

[studegary]

I have one that is missing the center plastic. The large outer metal ring and the smaller metal ring are bolted together. There is pitting and a very small ding. I bought it in case I couldn't find a 50 bullet for my 4 Dr Champion, but did locate one. I'd take the $50 bucks I paid for it plus shipping. PM me if interested.

He was looking for a 1950 and it appears that you are offering a 1951.

[thunderations]

Opp's misread it.
But I do have the 51 if anyone is interested.

He was looking for a 1950 and it appears that you are offering a 1951.

[deco_droid]

Interesting idea, Doug. I'm working on making a cyclops light for mine this year, since I was never able to find any for sale. I'll post pics when I finish it. Rest assured I'm not cutting up any Studebaker parts in the process...